Chapter 6: First Lesson & New Dimension
The training ground of the Vermithorne estate was a mid-sized courtyard, ringed by aged stone walls that had witnessed centuries of quiet conflict. The ground was packed dirt, worn smooth from decades of practice—though Lucen noticed only a few fresh footprints disturbed its surface. It felt more like a relic than a place of learning.
Lucen stood in his slightly too-large training clothes, the cool morning breeze brushing his face. His small fingers curled around the wooden practice sword's grip, its weight familiar yet untested in his hand. He shifted his stance slightly, feeling the rough texture of dirt beneath his bare feet.
His nanny stood behind him, calm and composed as always. Her face was expressionless, but Lucen caught a faint flicker of disdain in her gaze as she regarded the man before them.
The so-called teacher.
Tall and thin, with dull brown eyes flickering nervously under Lucen's steady stare, the man introduced himself as Ileiad Letiem — fourth elder of the council, chosen to train the youngest Vermithorne heir. Lucen's system window opened in his mind, its mechanical voice cold and precise.
Name: Ileiad LetiemAge: 30Unique Ability: NoneAbility: Skilled LiarAll Stats: E and some FTitles: Scum of Humans
Lucen's crimson eyes narrowed almost imperceptibly as he read the system's report.
(Scum, huh. I can see it...)(Also, who exactly grants these titles? They started popping up when I was four — that's when I checked my nanny and saw her title: Sword Master, Fourth Stage. This family is dangerous… An "abandoned" child like me has a nanny who's a Sword Master.)
Ileiad cleared his throat, visibly uncomfortable under Lucen's intense gaze. "Young master, today we begin with the basics," he said, voice thin and reedy. "Hold your sword straight — like this."
He demonstrated, but Lucen's trained eye caught every flaw: high shoulders, uncertain grip. His lips twitched in a faint smile.
(Hmmm. Let's play with him for a while… Pretend to be weak. Better to stay out of this family's power struggles. When the tower appears in this world, as the goddess said, I'll leave and become a climber. Besides, what's the point of power if this world and family are headed for chaos soon enough? Let my brothers fight for the throne... I'll find my own path.)
Lucen stumbled forward, the wooden sword dipping low. Ileiad's eyes brightened faintly at the sight of Lucen's "awkward" stance. "Yes... good, young master. Let's begin with basic strikes."
His nanny remained silent, but Lucen sensed her quiet fury. Her fingers twitched — the small, almost imperceptible motion she always made when displeased. She was a Sword Master herself and saw through Ileiad's incompetent posturing as easily as Lucen.
Lucen moved in rhythm with the wind, his crimson eyes calm as he played his part. The ancient walls of the Vermithorne estate watched silently, just as Lunaria did — hidden nearby, her silent presence ever at his back.
By lunchtime, the "lesson" ended. Lucen's arms ached — not from strain but from holding back the urge to reveal his true skill. He set down the wooden sword and dusted his hands.
His nanny approached, voice soft and even. "Young master," she said quietly, "would you like me to arrange a different teacher?"
Lucen tilted his head with a small, polite smile. "No, it's fine, nanny. I'll do my best and become great like Father."
(Of course... I'll use my own training code. Right, system?)
Behind them, Lunaria watched silently as always. Then, for the first time, she parted her lips — a soft, chilling whisper slipping into the air like a blade.
"Would you like me to kill him?" Her tone was as casual as if offering tea.
Lucen and his nanny froze. A rare flicker of shock widened Lucen's crimson eyes.
(Wow... our quiet Lunaria spoke. Wait—what kill? What kind of bastard dares teach a child like this in our family...? Oh, right. This damn family.)
His nanny's expression hardened, eyes narrowing. "Let's discuss this later," she said firmly, voice cold steel beneath velvet.
Lucen felt a shiver run down his spine — a chill settling in his chest. Yet he managed a faint smile, small fists tightening in quiet resolve.
(Well... they're on my side, so it's okay.)
After lunch, Lucen returned to his room. He paused in the doorway, letting the quiet wash over him. The modest quarters were dim, a single window letting in a thin shaft of light. Even the air seemed to hold its breath — as if the walls themselves watched.
He stripped his training clothes and stepped into the small adjoining bath. The icy water bit at his skin — a cold shock clearing his mind. He closed his eyes as the chill sank deep, washing away morning's dust and sweat. When he emerged, he felt clean — sharper than ever.
Wrapped in a towel, Lucen sat cross-legged on his bed, crimson eyes calm as he opened the system window in his mind.
"Hey, system," he murmured softly. "Let me confirm this broken ability. Do you swear this skill's description is correct?"
System: "Yes."
Lucen's gaze sharpened. He reread the skill description:
Summon — To fully activate this skill, the owner must have died once.Full details: You have experienced death once and can now use the skill fully. Do you want to activate it?
A faint smile curved his lips.
"Well... okay."
The system chimed like a bell tolling in a dark cathedral.
System: "Congratulations. You have obtained the system's first divine-level skill: Dimension Traveler."
Skill: Dimension TravelerDescription: Once a year, the user can travel to a different dimension. During the journey, your original world will not progress in time.Skill Level 1: The user can bring items from other dimensions back to the current world (with conditions).Skill Level 2: UnknownSkill Level 3: Unknown
Lucen's heart thundered with excitement and wonder.
"Oh... jackpot," he whispered. "My life just got important. Let's test it now."
He closed his eyes, focusing on the flickering spark of power deep inside. The room darkened, the air thickened — and then, with a soft sigh, the world fell away.
Darkness swallowed him whole.
When Lucen opened his eyes, he was somewhere else entirely. Ruins stretched around him — towering pillars cracked and broken, statues worn smooth by centuries of wind. The place felt desolate and ancient, every stone echoing silence.
A shiver crawled up his spine. He looked up — and saw it.
A huge, unblinking eye stared down from the sky, vast and alien. Real fear gripped his small chest.
The world went black again.
System: "Please choose your desired dimension."
Lucen steadied his breath.
Available Dimensions:
Murim
Welpiam
Nine Hell
He paused, drawing a slow, steady breath.
"Oh, damn it... whatever. I'm going to Murim — my favorite martial arts world. Let's go. I hope this trip is fruitful."
In an instant, darkness fell away. Lucen blinked against sudden brightness — standing atop a lonely mountain peak. The wind was sharp and clean in his lungs. Below, endless valleys stretched in every direction, shrouded in mist and mystery.
A faint smile touched his lips.
(This... well, this is broken.)