After that strange conversation with Alfio, the God of Death, only one thought kept spinning in my mind: Mana awakening. In my previous life, living as a simple human wasn't a problem for me, but in this world, magic was not just a skill—it was proof of existence. Especially for the Valerius family.
No matter how kind and cheerful my father was toward us, he carried the weight of a century-old surname on his shoulders. The future heir of the Valerius lineage—me—growing up "crippled," deprived of magic, was not just an internal family matter.
Today was the fifth day. The ultimate limit for mana awakening in a human body. Either it would awaken today, or I would remain in the dusty pages of history as the "magicless heir."
I went out into the yard. My eyes searched for Master Asteria. I found her in her usual spot, in a state of meditation under the shade of an ancient oak tree. I approached her with slow steps.
"It seems the excitement of the awakening woke you up early today," Asteria spoke without opening her eyes. "Were you able to activate your mana?"
"No, but..."
"Then come to me when your mana awakens, Lucius. Don't waste my time."
I didn't back down. Making my voice more determined, I continued: "I can't do this alone. But I know a way that will help."
Asteria waved her hand indifferently. "Awaken your mana, then we'll talk. Now, go."
"The Vera plant."
Those two words froze in the air. Asteria opened her eyes as if struck by lightning. Her gaze changed instantly;
"What?" she rasped.
"The Vera plant," I repeated.
Asteria suddenly stood up. She snapped her fingers, and in an instant, the world changed. The bright morning sun vanished, and pitch-black darkness surrounded us. There was no sound, no light—it was as if we had fallen into a void at the edge of the universe where time had stopped. This was a special "domain" she had created.
"It is better for both of us if this information remains secret," she said, her voice echoing in the darkness. "I am a half-elf, Lucius. I am 225 years old, but my father is a pure-blooded elf who has lived for over a thousand years. My grandfather, one of the ancient sages of the elves, used to tell us about a forgotten method for elves who couldn't awaken their mana as children. You... how do you know this?"
Her gaze pierced through me. "It is impossible for a short-lived race like yours to know about the Vera plant."
"I read it in a book,"
I said, but the hesitation in my voice gave me away.
"A book?" Asteria smiled bitterly. "You could have come up with a more convincing lie."
I took a deep breath. Even though I knew how risky it was to mention Alfio's name, I had no other choice. "Fine. Last night... Alfio, the God of Death, entered my dream. He told me about this plant."
The dark domain trembled for a moment. "The God of Death? Alfio?"
Asteria suddenly burst into laughter. It was an unnerving laugh. "Hahaha! Now that was better than the other lie! A God entering a child's dream..."
"But it's the truth!"
Asteria stopped laughing, and a serious yet curious expression appeared on her face. "It seems you won't tell me the true source. No matter. But you should know that even this method offers no guarantee. Survival and awakening your mana is entirely a matter of luck."
Luck... I smiled inwardly. I had plenty of that.
"This is my last chance, Master,"
I said. "Help me. I need your support to convince my father. There is still a year until the Academy. With the Vera plant and your help, I can become a powerful mage by then."
Asteria remained silent for a while, as if weighing the risks.
"I'll think about it... But tell me, do you know where that plant is?"
"In the Umbra Forests."
The expression on Asteria's face froze instantly. "Where? Umbra?"
She looked at me as if she were looking at a madman. "You really want to die... I'll have to think about this even more."
She snapped her fingers again. The darkness dispersed like mist, and we reappeared under the old tree in the yard. Without saying a word, Asteria walked away from me with quick, thoughtful steps.
Perhaps if I had told her that I met the God of Death in the real world, not in a dream, she would have believed me more.
As she moved away with slow steps, I was left alone under that ancient tree in the yard. Now was the time to test the actual truth. If Alfio wasn't joking, the strings of fate should already be at my fingertips. I took a deep breath, and after making sure no one was around, I pronounced those words in a whisper, yet with determination:
"I, Lucius Tyrio Valerius... wish to activate the 'Luck' skill, the grace of Alfio, the God of Death!"
Before my words could fade in the air, the atmosphere around me suddenly grew heavy. Particles of gold and silver light began to dance before my eyes. This wasn't just a visual effect; it was a vibration coming from the depths of my soul. It felt as if every cell in my body was connected to an invisible network.
And suddenly, that semi-transparent window, familiar from the anime and games of my past life, appeared right in front of me. This system interface hanging in the air was real it belonged to me.
**[ STATUS WINDOW ]**
Name:Lucius Tyrio Valerius
Level:13
Titles:The God's Guest (Hidden)
Core Skill: [Luck: 100%] — Passive/Active: All possibilities of fate result in your favor.
Physical Skill:[Sword Mastery: High]
My eyes scanned the numbers. Level 13? It seems the rigorous sword training I had undergone until this age was evaluated this way by the system. My "High" sword mastery didn't surprise me—my master's relentless training hadn't gone to waste.
But that line... "Luck: 100%".
This was the greatest "cheat" in this world.
I looked at the window and smiled. I walked slowly toward the house; the only thing on my mind was how I would tell my father all of this in the evening.
Dinner at the Valerius manor was proceeding as usual, but... I took a deep breath and broke the silence.
"Father, I want to set out for the Umbra Forests tomorrow."
All sounds at the table ceased instantly. My father slowly placed his wine glass on the table. When his gaze fixed on me, I felt the temperature in the room drop several degrees.
"Umbra?" His voice was low but dangerous. "Lucius, it seems the tension of these five days has clouded your mind. That is a place where even mages tread with caution, where darkness swallows a person alive. What business does a youth whose mana hasn't awakened have there?"
"I am going for the Vera plant,"
I said, trying not to let my voice tremble. "It is my only chance to awaken my mana."
My father smiled grimly. "The subject is closed."
I know my father won't agree to this, but perhaps my luck will turn the situation in my favor. At that moment, Asteria, who was sitting in her chair, stood up.
"Lord Arieon," Asteria spoke in a calm but authoritative voice.
"I will go with him. You know I am strong enough to protect him."
My father's gaze shifted toward my master. Asteria's half-elf origin and years of experience were the qualities my father respected most.
"Are you also a partner in this madness, Asteria?"
"This is not madness; it is a necessity," Asteria continued. "If Lucius doesn't take this risk, the potential within him will never emerge. I stand as guarantor for his safety."
My father remained silent for a long time. His gaze moved between me and Asteria. Finally, with a heavy whisper, he gave his consent: "Very well. If your master is with you, I will not interfere. But remember, Lucius... Umbra does not forgive mistakes. If you cannot return, the future of this family will be buried in that forest along with you."
After my father's heavy consent, the tension in the room sharpened rather than diminished. My mother, who had been watching us in silence until now, suddenly stood up.
"What do you mean 'very well'?"
My mother's voice was trembling. "Arieon, what are you saying? How can you send your only son, who is only fifteen and whose mana hasn't even awakened yet, to that hell? This isn't just a risk; it's madness! If something happens to him..."
I replied with my calmest expression: "Mother, don't worry. We won't go into the depths of the forest, just the outer parts."
While I have the 100% Luck skill, finding that plant will be easy, right? I hope so, or things will get difficult.
Clearing his throat, my father intervened in the conversation again. His decision was final, but he had no intention of letting his guard down.
"Lucius, I still don't fully understand how you will awaken your mana. But if your master Asteria agrees to this path and comes with you, I will trust you.
However..." My father's gaze hardened. "You will not go alone. Every preparation will be made at the highest level. Our loyal servant Alfredo and Eliot will be there to provide you with every service. Also, your masters Asteria and..."
"And?" I asked, trying to guess the end of the sentence.
"It seems I will have to ask an old friend to ensure the safety of this trip fully."