Time, in the Netherworld, did not rush.
It stretched, it twisted, it flowed like the mana that filled the air—slow, heavy, and constant.
And within that slow passage of time…
Lucien MorningStar grew.
───────────────────────────
FOUR YEARS LATER
The MorningStar estate was as grand as ever—vast halls lined with dark marble, towering pillars etched with ancient demonic runes, and an atmosphere so dense with mana that even the air seemed to carry weight.
But today, something inside it felt… different.
Near a tall arched window, a small figure stood quietly.
Lucien MorningStar.
His light-blue hair fell softly over his forehead, slightly messy in a way that suggested he had given up trying to control it. His golden eyes, however, were the exact opposite—calm, sharp, and far too aware for someone his age.
He stood on his own two feet now.
Steady.
Balanced.
…Mostly.
Lucien placed one hand against the cool glass of the window, staring out at the strange, glowing expanse of the Netherworld beyond.
Floating embers drifted lazily in the sky. Distant structures loomed like silent giants. Everything felt vast.
Four years, he thought.
Motor control: acquired.
Speech: functional.
Dignity… still under construction.
He shifted his weight slightly—
—and immediately slipped a little on the polished floor.
There was a brief, deeply personal moment of silence.
Lucien caught himself at the last second, regaining balance with a small, controlled step.
"…Gravity," he muttered under his breath, "remains unnecessarily consistent."
Behind him, a voice spoke.
"You nearly fell."
Lucien didn't turn immediately.
Instead, he straightened his posture first, as if pretending the incident had never happened, and only then looked back.
Azrael MorningStar stood at the doorway, arms crossed, expression calm and unreadable as always.
Lucien met his gaze.
"…Father."
The word came out smoothly—clear, composed, and entirely intentional.
For a fraction of a second—just a fraction—Azrael paused.
"…Your speech has improved," he said.
Lucien tilted his head slightly.
That sounded like praise… but delivered with the emotional warmth of a stone wall.
"…Thank you," Lucien replied, equally calm.
Before the moment could settle, the door burst open again.
"LUCIEN!"
Seraphina entered like a storm of affection.
Before Lucien could react—or escape—he was suddenly pulled into a tight embrace.
Lucien's world became… very soft.
…and slightly compressed.
"…Mother," he said carefully, his voice muffled against her shoulder, "my ability to breathe has decreased by approximately forty percent."
There was a pause.
Azrael turned his head slightly, clearly choosing not to involve himself.
Seraphina froze.
Then slowly pulled back, staring at him.
"…You talk like that now?"
Lucien blinked.
"…Yes."
Another pause.
Then she laughed.
"Oh, this is adorable!"
Lucien stared at her.
This is not the reaction I was expecting.
───────────────────────────
[ SYSTEM UPDATE ]
Raphael: ACTIVE
Gluttony: STABLE
Copy: READY
Dark Light: PASSIVE ACTIVE
Mana Regulation: FULLY INTEGRATED
Cognitive Efficiency: 99%
Emotional Dampening: 22%
───────────────────────────
Lucien shifted slightly, gently freeing himself from Seraphina's grasp before she decided to "celebrate" again.
His awareness naturally turned inward.
───────────────────────────
[ RAPHAEL - LORD OF WISDOM ]
[STATUS UPDATE]
Host Development Milestone Achieved
---------------------------------
NEW CAPABILITIES:
1. Advanced Speech Structuring
2. Social Interaction Analysis
3. Intent Prediction (Basic Level)
4. Behavioral Simulation Engine
---------------------------------
CONCLUSION:
Host is now capable of complex interaction within noble society.
───────────────────────────
Lucien exhaled softly.
So now I can talk… analyze… and predict people's reactions.
Pause.
And yet I still cannot avoid being hugged.
Seraphina stepped back, clearly proud, while Azrael remained where he was, observing.
Lucien decided to move.
Properly this time.
He took one step.
Then another.
Then—
his foot caught slightly on the edge of a carpet.
And he stumbled forward.
Again.
There was a very brief, very intense internal debate about whether to accept reality or deny it entirely.
He chose survival.
Lucien steadied himself with a quick step, regaining balance before actually falling.
Silence.
Seraphina covered her mouth.
"Lucien!"
"…I am fine," Lucien said calmly, brushing off his sleeve as if that somehow restored his dignity.
Azrael nodded once.
"…Good recovery."
Lucien looked at him.
I will take that as victory.
As Lucien stood still again, something subtle changed.
A faint current moved through his body—quiet, controlled, but undeniably present.
───────────────────────────
[ DARK LIGHT - STATUS UPDATED ]
Activation Level: Increased
---------------------------------
Effects:
- Enhanced mana balance
- Improved energy conversion
- Passive resistance to external pressure
---------------------------------
State:
Semi-Active
───────────────────────────
Lucien's eyes narrowed slightly.
So it's reacting to growth…
Interesting.
For a brief moment, Lucien's gaze shifted toward Azrael.
Something in him… responded.
───────────────────────────
Target: Azrael MorningStar
---------------------------------
Analysis:
Skill Complexity: EXTREME
Compatibility: LOW
---------------------------------
Recommendation:
Do NOT attempt replication.
───────────────────────────
Lucien immediately looked away.
Yes. That would have been a terrible idea.
Azrael stepped forward slightly.
"There will be a gathering soon."
Lucien looked at him.
"…A noble gathering?"
Azrael nodded.
"You will attend."
Seraphina smiled softly.
"It's time everyone sees you."
Lucien turned back toward the window.
The vast Netherworld stretched endlessly beyond it.
For four years, he had observed.
Analyzed.
Understood.
Now—
he would be seen.
So this is where things begin.
Just as the thought settled—
that presence appeared again.
Faint.
Distant.
Watching.
Lucien's eyes shifted slightly.
───────────────────────────
[ WARNING ]
Unknown Presence Detected
Behavior: Observation
Threat Level: UNKNOWN
Status: Ongoing Monitoring.
───────────────────────────
Lucien didn't react outwardly.
Not even slightly.
But inside—
something sharpened.
Still watching…
A small, almost invisible smile formed on his lips.
"…Let's see," he murmured softly, just under his breath, "who understands this game first."
Azrael glanced at him.
"…Did you say something?"
Lucien blinked, expression returning to neutral instantly.
"…No, Father."
───────────────────────────
END OF CHAPTER 7.