Lumiel drifted into slumber once again, and the world around him shifted. He returned to the memories of Emperor Augustus, like reloading a save file in a game.
"Emperor Augustus, it is time for your appearance, Your Majesty. Your bath and attire are ready," the maid said politely.
But Lumiel already knew.
The place, the maid, the bath, the robes, the halls, the throne—everything was the same. History was on repeat.
But this time, he would rewrite it.
Before making his way to the throne room, Lumiel summoned all high-ranking Gifted mages who could use barrier magic and earth manipulation.
"I want all of you hidden near the throne chamber. When the messenger arrives, trap him. Barrier casters, lock the space around him. Earth manipulators, bind his limbs the moment he stops moving."
He paused, his voice sharp.
"I will repeat myself only once—do not release the barrier under any circumstances. Understood?"
They nodded.
Lumiel waited in silence for the familiar moment. The messenger entered the grand hallway leading to the throne, just as before. But this time, he wasn't walking into a meeting.
He was walking into a trap.
The moment the assassin reached the throne gate, the barriers snapped shut, sealing him in. In an instant, the ground itself clutched his limbs, locking him in place. The assassin tried to vanish—activating his Gift to melt out of sight—but Lumiel was ready.
"KEEP THE BARRIER UP! DON'T LET THE EARTH RELEASE HIM!" Lumiel barked.
The assassin snarled, realizing escape was futile. His illusion shattered, revealing his cloaked form.
"State your real business," Lumiel demanded, his tone cold. "You're no messenger."
The assassin scoffed. "So what? You figured it out—impressive. But even if you know, I'm not saying anything. I'll die before I talk."
"Then rot in a cell," Lumiel said. "Mages. Knights. Imprison him."
Before word of the failed assassination could reach the neighboring Ashenfold Empire, Lumiel took action. He personally marched to Draevos' territory—the enemy emperor who had orchestrated Augustus' betrayal.
In Ashenfold, a knight burst into the throne room.
"My Lord—Emperor Augustus of Velderia requests an audience."
Draevos' face twisted in shock. "What!? Augustus is alive!?"
Panic flickered in his eyes. Did he find out? Did the assassin fail?
No... maybe he just wants to talk. Maybe he doesn't know yet...
But when the two emperors stood face to face, it was clear—Augustus remembered everything.
"So," Draevos said, feigning ignorance. "What did you come here to discuss, Emperor Augustus of Velderia?"
"Don't pretend you're innocent," Lumiel said.
He raised his hand.
At once, earth rose from beneath, ensnaring Draevos.
"Hey—what's the meaning of this, you brute!?" Draevos shouted, struggling.
"Emperor Draevos of the Ashenfold Empire," Lumiel declared. "You are charged with high treason and attempted assassination by employing a Gifted killer. For your crimes, you are hereby declared an enemy of Velderia."
At his back, spectral light shimmered. The Army of Cavalry Knights emerged—Shimering, armored, swords raised, their loyalty burning in silence.
"Confess your sins," Lumiel said. "And I'll grant you mercy."
Facing defeat, surrounded and unable to move, Draevos broke. He confessed everything—the deal, the betrayal, the dark rituals.
The people of both empires listened. They saw the truth. Draevos was sentenced to death by unanimous decision, and his necromancer allies were bound in cursed chains, imprisoned for using forbidden demon magic.
Ashenfold fell—peacefully.
Velderia stood tall.
And most importantly, no one had to die by Augustus' hands.
---
Lumiel awoke, the dark night and star shimmering like glitters.
He felt it instantly—something had changed.
> [System: Soul Resonance Achieved. Confirming synchronization...]
— Soul Fragment: Augustus, the Forsaken Emperor
Gift: Army of the Undead Cavalry Knights
Description: Summon a legion of spectral knights, bound by loyalty and vengeance, who once served the Empire. They rise from forgotten graves to fight for redemption and justice.
Status: Released
Requirement Fulfilled: All who suffered by Augustus' hands have been saved or set free.
Effect: Gift permanently unlocked. Augustus' soul fragment is now at peace.
Note: Emotional burden lifted. Synchronization complete. User retains gift with no residual corruption.
A glowing box appeared before Lumiel, similar to Kurt's. Inside it was the image of Emperor Augustus—smiling.
> "Thank you, Lumiel. Thank you for showing me a better ending to my story. I hope you find peace, as I have. This gift is my gratitude. Farewell."
The box faded.
Lumiel sat there in silence, a warmth blooming in his chest.
"One more soul freed..."
He glanced at the time.
8:12 PM.
"Huh... too late for dinner. Guess it's convenience store food again."
Before leaving, he checked his phone.
Two new messages.
— Lady Nishia:
> "Hey, civilian. How do you feel now? Have you eaten yet?"
"It's not like I care or anything… I'm just worried."
Lumiel chuckled and replied:
> "I feel great now. Thanks for worrying. I'm heading out to eat."
— Skye:
> "Hey Lumiel! Hope you're doing okay. It's kinda lonely without you at school, hehe."
He texted back:
> "I'm fine now. I'll be back in class tomorrow."
Lumiel slipped on his jacket and stepped out into the night, the stars above shimmering like whispers of the souls he had freed.
Everything was finally back—better than ever.
---
[System Notification — Synchronization Milestone Achieved]
Soul Synchronization Rate: 10%
Status: Stable | Emotional Resonance: Aligned
Soul Fragment: Kurt [Lv. 98 Adventurer]
---
Unlocked Features:
Skill Menu — Access Granted
→ Lumiel can now manage registered abilities and passive traits.
→ Unlocked skill branches reflect Kurt's adventurer experience.
Combat Log — Limited Access
→ Records of previous battles, decision trees, and enemy patterns now available.
→ Use this for tactical analysis and self-improvement.
---
New Traits Unlocked:
◉ Adventurer's Instinct (Passive)
→ Boosts reaction time and perception in high-pressure combat situations.
→ Grants a slight precognitive edge in lethal scenarios.
◉ Tactical Mindset (Passive)
→ Increases efficiency when facing unknown enemies.
→ Enables faster recognition of attack patterns, weaknesses, and terrain advantages.
---
Previously Detected: Unregistered Abilities
> Heaven and Earth Sword Style
Heavenly Slash
Earth Rend
System Note: These abilities were self-developed through combat and are now officially recognized and integrated.
---
Next Milestone: Soul Synchronization at 20%
→ Unlock: Full Combat Tree – Weapon Mastery Tier I
→ Potential Emotional Memory Surge: Caution Advised.
---
SYSTEM INTERFACE — USER: LUMIEL
Status: Active | Authorization: COMPLETE
Soul Merge Detected: Kurt [Lv. 98 Adventurer | System Class: ???]
Synchronization Rate: 10% (Threshold Reached)
---
GENERAL INFORMATION
Name: Lumiel
Age: 14
Origin: Civilian-Class (Former)
Race: Human (Soul-Bound Hybrid)
System Class: "Undefined"
Affiliation: Independent
Status Effects: Stable
---
ATTRIBUTES
Strength: D+
Agility: C
Endurance: C+
Intelligence: B
Mana: A
Luck: E
Charisma: C-
> Note: Stat ranks are currently scaled to Civilian-Class standards. Recalibration pending.
---
ABILITIES
Soul Resonance (Fragmented)
→ Currently bonded with one soul: Kurt. Grants access to Kurt's system interface and combat knowledge.
System Synchronization [Kurt: 10%]
→ Partial access to stored skills, memory logs, inventory, and combat experience. Skill Menu unlocked. Further access granted with deeper synchronization.
Memory Inheritance (Locked)
→ Core memories surface through dreams. Access may trigger emotional instability.
Unstable System Interface
→ System not originally meant for Lumiel. Glitches, anomalies, and unexpected unlocks may occur.
Earth Manipulation (Full Control)
→ Gifted by a nameless soul whose family Lumiel saved. Grants absolute control over earth-based structures, formations, and terrain. Can be used defensively or offensively. Compatible with Sage Form when unlocked.
Heaven and Earth Sword Style
→ A balanced combat style developed from Kurt's mastery. Focuses on adaptive offense and defense by harmonizing swift aerial strikes with grounded, overwhelming slashes. Allows unique skill integration.
Heavenly Slash
→ A high-speed, upward arc that releases compressed mana in a crescent-shaped wave. Effective against aerial or fast-moving targets.
Earth Rend
→ A grounded, wide-range shockwave strike that tears through terrain and armor alike. Enhanced when used in tandem with Earth Manipulation.
Army of the Undead Cavalry Knights
→ Gift of Augustus, the Forsaken Emperor. Summon a legion of spectral knights who once served the Velderia Empire. Bound by vengeance and loyalty, they rise from forgotten graves to fight for justice.
Status: Active | Soul Fragment at Peace
---
SYSTEM FUNCTIONS — CURRENTLY AVAILABLE
Status Screen
Inventory
Combat Log (Restricted)
Skill Menu (Unlocked)
Locked Features:
Quests
Map
Party / Allies
Title System
Skill Evolution
---
CURRENT OBJECTIVE
System Calibration in Progress...
Maintain Soul Synchronization. Unlock new abilities and system functions at 20%.