Reincarnated As Duke’s Heir

Chapter 1: Prologue

Earth – France – Paris

A dimly lit laboratory, sterile white walls, and the faint hum of ventilation filled the air. Scattered across the steel workbenches were beakers, flasks, and intricate chemical apparatus—some familiar, others bordering on the esoteric. A faint acrid scent lingered, the unmistakable byproduct of repeated failed experiments.

At the center of it all, a young man stood motionless, his black curls damp with sweat beneath his protective goggles. His dark eyes fixated on the volatile liquid bubbling inside a conical flask, small tongues of blue and orange flames licking at the surface.

"Come on… just a little more," he muttered.

Lukas Moreau was, by all accounts, an unremarkable man. Born and raised in an orphanage, he had no name, no wealth, and no outstanding talent. Only sheer stubbornness had carried him through five grueling years at Paris University, where he pursued his passion—no, obsession—with combustion chemistry.

His thesis? The development of a highly reactive incendiary compound, one potent enough to ignite even the most fire-resistant materials. A breakthrough in controlled burning for deforestation projects, or, in the wrong hands, a potential weapon of mass destruction.

Before him, the concoction swirled—a mixture of chlorine trifluoride (ClF₃), one of the most dangerous oxidizers known to man, and an experimental gel-like napalm substitute.

Tssssssss…

A violent hiss escaped from the liquid as Lukas adjusted the heat. His breath caught. The solution began reacting unpredictably, tiny sparks dancing in the air.

Then—nothing.

The reaction died.

Another failure.

"Five years… Five fucking years!" Lukas snarled, his patience snapping.

In a fit of frustration, he slammed his fist onto the bench, knocking over a nearby container. His mind barely registered the label before the contents splashed onto the still-warm solution.

Acetone peroxide (TATP).

The moment the unstable compound made contact, a terrifying realization dawned on Lukas.

Oh… shit.

BOOOOOOM!

The explosion erupted with the force of a concentrated firestorm, engulfing the laboratory in a blinding inferno. Flames roared around him, consuming his skin, his flesh—his very existence—until all that remained was the searing agony of fire.

As his consciousness faded, only a single thought echoed in his mind.

"If only I was good at something… just one thing…"

And then, darkness.

 

Chapter 2 : Death and Rebirth

The reaction was instantaneous.

The chlorine trifluoride collided with the acetone peroxide, setting off a chain reaction faster than thought itself.

BOOOOOM!

A blinding flash. A searing wave of heat. And then—fire.

Lukas didn't even have time to scream.

The flames engulfed him, consuming flesh, bone, and consciousness alike. The pain was beyond comprehension, beyond words. It felt as if the fire was not just burning his body—but his very existence. Every nerve, every thought, every fragment of his being was disintegrating, torn apart by the merciless inferno.

Yet, within the agony, there was something else.

A sensation deeper than pain.

The feeling of being reduced to nothing.

His mind blurred. The lab, his life, his struggles—it all flickered past him in an instant. The orphanage, the endless hours of study, the cold nights alone, the dreams he once had.

He had wanted to be a renowned chemist, a master of combustion and nuclear science—a force capable of controlling fire at its most destructive.

"Isn't nuclear energy just a way to burn things more completely?"

And yet, here he was—burning instead of mastering fire.

How ironic.

His body crumbled, piece by piece. Skin, organs, bones—gone. Yet his soul remained.

Floating. Burning.

Even after his heart had stopped, his consciousness refused to vanish.

Instead, it burned brighter. His very soul was ablaze, reflecting the inferno around him.

Somewhere in the abyss, in the last flicker of awareness, one thought surfaced:

"If only I was good at something… just one thing…"

Darkness followed.

But the fire did not go out.

Empire of Sylvaris – The Ignis Dukedom

Mansion of Crimson

A world away, beneath a sky painted in the soft glow of dawn, a child was about to be born.

The chamber was grand yet suffocating. Red velvet curtains draped over towering windows. Chandeliers burned with a warm amber glow, illuminating intricate carvings of flames across the wooden walls. The very air seemed thick, heavy with heat and power.

A woman lay in the center of the room, a bed of dark silk beneath her. Her beauty was near otherworldly—cascading crimson hair, golden eyes that flickered like embers, and skin pale as porcelain.

Her name was Ester Ignis.

And she was about to bring the heir of the Children of Fire into the world.

"Lady Ester, just a little more!" urged a middle-aged woman, her face tense with worry.

The midwife, Julie, had delivered many noble children before, but this… this birth felt different.

The very air in the room crackled with energy, as if the child about to be born carried something far beyond mortal blood.

"Ughhh…!" Ester gritted her teeth and pushed one last time.

A wail pierced the air.

A baby boy.

Crimson-haired, ruby-eyed, the very embodiment of his lineage.

But as he took his first breath, something unseen, something not of this world, stirred.

A whispering ember drifted through the void—a remnant of a soul that had refused to die.

And without anyone noticing, it merged with the newborn.

Lukas Moreau was no more.

But Lukas Ignis had been born.

 

Chapter 3 : Lucas Ignis

Before the Birth of the Heir

Darkness.

Not the kind where you just turn off the lights and struggle to find your phone. No. This was something deeper—something ancient, something… wrong.

I didn't remember closing my eyes, but now they were open—if I even had eyes. I wasn't sure. Because the only thing I saw around me was an abyss of swirling blackness stretching infinitely in every direction.

"Ugh…" I groaned. My voice sounded weird, almost like it was fading into the void. "Where the hell am I?"

No answer. Figures.

The last thing I remembered was—BOOM! Right. The explosion. The lab. The fire. And a whole lot of screaming, mostly mine. I died.

"Shit… so this is the afterlife?" I muttered, looking down—or at least I tried to. I didn't have a body. Instead, I was… glowing? My whole existence flickered like a flame, a ghostly, ember-like wisp floating in this endless darkness.

Oh, great. I finally become fireproof, and it happens after I die.

I tried moving, and surprisingly, I could drift around like a floating ember. Then I noticed something else—other glowing wisps, scattered around me like tiny stars in this void.

But unlike me, they were different. These ones looked like simple spheres—smooth, contained, and stable. Meanwhile, I looked like a bonfire barely holding itself together.

"Okay… that's not ominous at all," I muttered, narrowing my fiery form toward one of them.

Curiosity took over. I reached out—well, more like floated into it.

The moment I touched the glowing orb, it melted into me.

WHOOOSH.

A strange warmth rushed through me, a feeling like someone just turned on the lights inside my mind. My thoughts became clearer. I felt… stronger.

"What the hell was that?" I muttered, looking around at the remaining orbs.

Then an idea hit me. If one made me feel like this…

A slow grin spread across my non-existent face.

I lunged at another one. Then another. And another.

Each time I absorbed one, a rush of clarity and strength surged through me, like leveling up in some game. It became addicting. My mind, once groggy, now felt like a supercomputer. My presence in this void, once unstable, now grew firmer—more real.

I didn't know what these orbs were, but I knew one thing—I wanted more.

And so, I devoured them.

I lost track of time. Maybe minutes passed. Maybe years. I didn't care. By the time I was done, I felt… different. More.

Then, before I could fully enjoy my newfound power—

WHOOOSH!

A sudden force yanked me, dragging me faster than light itself.

"What the f—"

Before I could even finish, everything flashed—and the next thing I knew…

I was in a room.

Lucas Ignis is Born

The first thing I felt was warmth. Not the terrifying, soul-burning kind like before—this one was gentle. Comforting. Like a soft embrace.

Then I felt… arms?

Someone was holding me.

My eyes fluttered open on instinct.

The world around me was a blur of deep crimson—red walls, red curtains, red carpet. Even the woman holding me had fiery red hair and golden eyes that shimmered with an untold intensity.

She was… breathtaking.

A strange feeling filled my tiny body—an overwhelming warmth of safety, love, and something else I couldn't name.

And then it hit me.

I wasn't just in a new place. I was in a newborn body.

Holy shit. I really reincarnated.

Just as that realization hit me, I saw the midwife staring at me, her eyes wide in shock.

"The baby's eyes…" she whispered.

I blinked.

Wait… what's wrong with my eyes?

The woman holding me—who I assumed was my mother—simply chuckled, her voice weak but tender.

"My baby… my little fire…" she whispered.

It was so soft, so filled with warmth that I momentarily forgot about everything else.

Then she continued, her golden eyes shimmering as if etching this moment into her soul.

"Your father has already decided your name," she said gently. "You shall be called Lucas. Lucas Ignis, the sole heir of the House of Ignis—the Children of Fire."

The moment those words left her lips, something clicked inside me.

It was like the entire world acknowledged my name. An invisible force settled around me, like a crown placed upon my existence.

And at that exact moment…

In an Unknown Place

In a dark, forgotten chamber, where no light had touched for eons, something stirred.

A woman sat cross-legged in absolute silence.

She was still, unmoving, like a statue—until her eyes snapped open.

They glowed an eerie, burning red, identical to the newborn's.

Her lips curled into a small, knowing smile.

"Oh… someone with that level of bloodline has been born?"

Her voice, though soft, carried an unnatural weight.

"How… interesting."

And with that, she closed her eyes once more, sinking into the abyss of time.

Elsewhere

Across the vast lands of this world, hidden beings—monsters, warriors, ancient relics of forgotten ages—all turned their gazes toward one place.

Toward me.

Something about my birth had shaken them, whispering of a new era.

But I didn't know that.

At that moment, I was just a baby, staring at the beautiful woman holding me, vaguely aware of my new reality.

One thought crossed my mind:

At least I was born rich.

Chapter 4 : Ester & Noah

*Lucas's POV:*

'Lucas, huh? Same name as my first life on Earth. I wonder if that's just a coincidence.'

I briefly considered it before shrugging off the thought. 'Meh, who cares? At least I won't have trouble adjusting to a new name.'

I looked around the chamber. The lavish red-and-gold decor, the flickering candlelight, the expensive furniture—it all screamed nobility. This world definitely wasn't Earth. And the woman holding me? Her golden eyes seemed to glow like molten fire, her red hair cascading down like burning silk.

"Lucas…" she murmured gently, pulling me closer to her chest.

Wait, wait, wait…

Hold up. Is this what I think it is?

I was an avid reader of novels in my past life, and if this situation was anything like those… then, damn, I really got reincarnated. And into a family that seemed pretty damn important too.

Not bad. Not bad at all.

Sigh. Well, that's a whole new set of problems I'm gonna have to deal with.

I was so caught up in my thoughts that I barely noticed I had already latched onto my new mother's breast. Instinct was a terrifying thing.

But honestly? I didn't care. I wasn't about to be one of those reincarnators who got all embarrassed over natural bodily functions. I needed food, I was getting food—simple as that.

While I was busy with my meal, my mother started speaking to the midwife.

"Julie, you've done well. Take your reward and rest." Her voice was soft but carried an undeniable authority.

"Thank you, my Lady. And… congratulations. He's a beautiful boy."

I could hear the relief in Julie's voice. Almost like she was just happy to be getting out of here in one piece. Was my mother that scary?

Then she added, "Also… I assume you don't wish for the household to know just yet?"

Mother nodded. "Not yet. Tell the others outside to return to their duties. They can meet him tomorrow."

Huh. Hiding my birth? That… felt like a red flag. First day in this world and I already had potential drama waiting for me? Fantastic.

But Julie just bowed without hesitation. "As you wish, my Lady."

Interesting. So this wasn't strange behavior for her. Meaning my mother was usually like this.

Great. I got a mother who was either super cautious or someone high-ranking enough that secrecy was second nature.

As Julie left, Mother sighed and brushed a hand through my small tuft of red hair. "Your father will be here soon," she murmured, more to herself than me. "He sent word that he found something special for you."

Wait, what? Already? My old man is out buying gifts for me before I'm even a day old?

Damn, Dad. I respect the enthusiasm.

At that thought, my vision wavered, and I suddenly caught my reflection in a polished silver mirror across the room.

Oh.

Oh.

My eyes… They weren't normal. They were a deep, ruby red—glowing faintly, like embers hidden beneath ash.

Mother stared at them too, a flicker of awe crossing her expression. "Your eyes… they're peculiar," she whispered. "Like fire itself…"

I blinked a few times, and the glow faded.

Huh. It reacted to my emotions. Noted.

I'd have to figure that out later. For now, I was just a newborn, and I had bigger concerns.

Like finishing my meal.

Mother chuckled softly, stroking my tiny head. "Eat well, my little fire. Your father will be here soon… the Duke of Ashes."

…Duke?

Wait.

I was born into nobility?

That meant expectations. Responsibilities. Maybe even political scheming.

…

Goddamn it.

I sighed internally, already exhausted. This new life was going to be anything but peaceful, wasn't it?

Not long after, sleep started pulling me under, my tiny baby body unable to fight it. As my eyelids drooped, I felt a warm, protective presence beside me.

Mother's voice was barely a whisper now. "Sleep well, my love…"

I drifted off, the soft sound of her heartbeat lulling me into slumber.

---

As Lucas slept, Ester watched over him with a rare, gentle smile.

Her gaze lingered on his closed eyes. Those peculiar, ember-like irises… the only ones of their kind in generations.

'They say our ancestor had eyes like those…' she thought.

She already knew what kind of commotion this would stir in the family. The moment the others saw him, they would demand answers. Why was a child of their bloodline born with such eyes? What did it mean?

Ester's expression darkened slightly.

She knew one thing for certain—her son would not have a peaceful life.

A hand suddenly rested on her shoulder, pulling her from her thoughts.

"You're worrying too much," came a deep, rumbling voice.

Ester turned her head and found herself looking into the sharp, violet eyes of her husband.

Noah Ignis.

The Duke of Ashes. The Warmonger of the East. The Crimson Lord.

And, most importantly, her husband.

"Noah…" she exhaled, her tense shoulders relaxing ever so slightly. "You're back sooner than I thought."

Noah's gaze softened as he looked at the small bundle in her arms. "I wouldn't miss this for anything."

For a moment, there was silence.

Then, in a voice so quiet it was almost unlike him, he murmured, "He's small."

Ester chuckled. "He was just born, dear."

A smirk tugged at the corner of Noah's lips. "And yet, he already carries the presence of an Ignis."

He reached forward, gently brushing a calloused finger against his son's tiny hand. Lucas stirred slightly in his sleep, his small fingers instinctively wrapping around Noah's.

Noah inhaled sharply.

Ester raised an eyebrow. "Are you tearing up?"

Noah scoffed. "Ridiculous."

But he didn't pull his hand away.

Ester simply smiled, leaning her head against his shoulder.

Together, they watched over their son—unaware of the storm his birth would soon bring.

Chapter 5 : Tael

Five Years Later…

In the grand Crimson Library of the Ignis estate, a young boy sat cross-legged on a velvet couch, his small fingers idly tracing the golden embroidery on its surface.

Lucas Ignis, now five years old, exuded an aura far beyond his years.

Draped in a regal black robe lined with crimson fire patterns, he looked every bit the heir to House Ignis. On his back, the symbol of his family—an upraised hand engulfed in flames—burned proudly, flickering with ever-changing shades of fire, like trapped stars fighting for freedom.

His hair, a cascade of living embers, wasn't just red; it glowed. Like a fire refusing to be tamed, shifting in intensity depending on his mood. Right now? It smoldered dimly, reflecting the state of his soul.

His ruby eyes—deep, almost liquid, like molten gemstones—flickered faintly as he stared at the ancient tome in front of him. Then, with a sigh, he shut it.

'...Five years. Five whole years. And not even a hint of a system..'

Lucas leaned back, eyes fixed on the high ceiling of the library. Since his reincarnation, he had been expecting something—a cheat skill, a golden finger, at least a damn progress bar.

..But no. Nothing. Not even a tutorial screen..

All he had was talent, potential, and an overprotective mother who acted like he'd spontaneously combust if left unattended for more than five seconds.

'...Mother hen..'he muttered.

The world called her many things—Ester Ignis, The Untamed Flame, The Crimson Empress, The Phoenix Sweetheart—but in reality?

She was just a paranoid mother hen.

His father, Noah Ignis, the Duke of Fire, was rarely home due to his duties, but he still sent him gifts. The most memorable?

A Fire Essence on the day of his birth.

Not just any, but one extracted from a Scarlet Infernal Wyvern, a beast so rare that its existence alone was enough to make seasoned adventurers cry in either terror or greed.

Lucas had absorbed it eagerly, expecting an immediate, earth-shattering transformation.

And for a moment—just a moment—he felt something shift.

Like a presence deep within him had stirred, stretching its limbs after a long, long slumber. Fire flooded his veins, his entire being resonating with power.

He had never felt more alive.

'..Is this it?.. My golden finger?..'

Then—just as suddenly as it had come—the feeling vanished.

Gone.

Like an itch he could no longer reach, like the taste of something sweet that faded before he could savor it.

Lucas sat there, utterly betrayed.

"…What?"

He tried to summon it again, to grasp whatever had awakened inside him, but no matter what he did…

Nothing.

Not even a spark.

His mind raced.

'..Maybe I need another Fire Essence..'

Since then, he had devoured every single one his father sent. From fire lizards to flame hounds to lava serpents—he ate them all like a starving man at a royal feast.

But nothing worked.

No matter how potent, no matter how rare, no matter how expensive—the feeling never returned.

Little did he know…

That first Fire Essence had come from a Grandmaster-level beast.

And beasts of that level were already considered among the strongest known to man.

Lucas didn't know.

And if he did?

..So what? I'll just find another one..

Lucas flipped through another book. If he was going to be trapped indoors like a caged phoenix, he might as well learn more about the world he was meant to conquer.

This was the world of Tael, where mana dictated everything.

Power was law. Strength was fate.

The human empire, Sylvaris, was the strongest force among men, ruled by a golden-haired, golden-eyed Royal Family said to be descendants of celestial beings.

Beneath them stood the Four Great Ducal Houses:

• House Ignis – The Fire Dukes. The flames of war and destruction. Feared and respected.

• House Vuldar – The Beastbound Clan. Warriors who bonded with legendary beasts, gaining their strength and instincts.

• House Mindweaver – The Puppet Masters. Masters of mind magic, fate reading, and manipulation.

• House Noctis – The Shadowborn. The silent predators lurking in the dark.

Beyond humans, other races thrived:

• Elves – Graceful, immortal, and arrogant.

• Beastmen – Warriors who embodied primal strength.

• Dwarves – Master blacksmiths and rune crafters.

• Fairies, Dragons, Phoenixes – Mythical beings who shaped history from the shadows.

Lucas grinned.

'This world sure is massive..'

Deep within the forests of Sylvaris, in the grand estate of House Vuldar…

A towering man sat in his war chamber, green eyes gleaming like a predator watching its prey. This was Elias Vuldar, the Patriarch of the Beastbound Clan.

Across from him stood his seven-year-old son, Nick.

Barefoot, wild-haired, emerald eyes burning with raw ferocity—he was less boy, more beast cub.

Elias studied his son, then spoke.

"We have some news about the Ignis brat."

Nick grinned, his sharp canines flashing. "I wanna fight him."

Elias chuckled. "Not yet, boy. But soon."

Nick should've just been a child.

But ever since he heard Lucas's name, something inside him had been itching.

Something primal.

Something hungry.

He didn't know why.

He didn't know how.

All he knew was that he feel the urge to beat the heir of those arrogant fireflies.

Back in the Crimson Library, Lucas was pulled from his thoughts as the heavy doors swung open.

A soft, exasperated sigh followed.

"Young Master, there you are."

A maid stepped inside.

Annie.

His personal caretaker. Tall and slender, her warm hazel eyes carried equal parts affection and exasperation.

"It's time for lunch. And don't think I didn't hear you muttering about your mother."

Lucas smirked. "Did you really ? I said you must have heard things."

Annie crossed her arms and rolled her eyes "Let's go before she sends a search party. Again."

Lucas stretched, shutting his book with a soft thud.

"Fine, fine. Let's go and eat. I don't want want another earful from her" said Lucas while walking.

Annie stood behind, and shook her head slightly and wonder ' Is it truly words of 5 years old boy should day ?'

Meanwhile Lucas as he walked out, one thought burned in his mind.

'It's time to stop waiting. I need to start training'

Because he knows…he feels it…playtime over.  

Chapter 6 : Mother

As Lucas walked toward the dining hall, his mind raced with thoughts of how to convince his mother to let him start training.

'I have to persuade her today. I can't keep living like this, knowing how dangerous this world truly is.'he thought, his brows furrowing deeply.

As he considered whether acting like the adorable five-year-old he was might sway her, his train of thought was interrupted by Annie's voice.

"Young master, we've arrived."

Lucas nodded and stepped through the massive double doors, their center adorned with the symbol of the Ignis—a fiery insignia that pulsed as if it were truly ablaze.

'Everything here is fire.'Lucas mused absentmindedly. 'Even the air in this mansion feels warmer than normal.'

I guess it's pretty logical for a family known as the The Children Of Fire.

The dining hall was as grand as expected, massive in scale, with deep crimson walls that bordered on black in certain areas. The decor was lavish yet intimidating, reflecting the sheer power of the Crimson Mansion. But what stood out the most—at least to Lucas—was the gigantic portrait of himself hanging on the right wall.

Seriously? He sighed, shaking his head for what had to be the hundredth time at the sight of that utterly unnecessary painting.

'Why me? Why is there a huge portrait of me, but none of Father?' he wondered, though he already knew there was no point in asking. His mother was simply that kind of person.

Pushing aside his frustration, Lucas took his seat at the long dining table and greeted his mother with as much composure as he could muster.

"Hello, Mother."

Annie, as always, stood quietly behind him, giving a respectful bow to the Lady of Crimson.

Ester smiled warmly. "My little fire, don't you want to give your mother a hug and a kiss first?" she teased, a playful glint in her eyes.

Lucas groaned. "Mother, no, please… I have something important to discuss today." He tried to put on a serious face, but with his round cheeks and youthful features, the effect was… debatable.

Ester tilted her head slightly, watching her son with amusement. Lucas had always been far too intelligent for his age, sharp and observant beyond reason.

He never cried or complained about anything. Well—except when it came to training or wanting to leave the estate. Then, he was like a raging wildfire, relentless and unyielding. The only way to pacify him was with a Fire Essence Potion.

Just as she thought about offering one today, Lucas interrupted her.

"I won't be bribed with Fire Essence today, Mother. Just so you know."

Ester choked. "Cough—cough—"

Did he just read my mind?!

Recovering, she waved her hand elegantly. "Alright, my dear. Tell me what you want. I will do my best to please you."

Lucas took a deep breath, closing his eyes for a moment. 'Okay. Now or never.'

When he opened them again, his fiery red irises glowed with determination. Even his hair flickered slightly, as if reacting to his emotions.

"I want to start training, Mother. Now."

Before she could protest, he pressed on.

"I just finished reading a book about this world. It's dangerous. Too dangerous for me to sit here doing nothing when I can be preparing."

"I want to be strong. Not just for myself, but for you and Father. I don't want to let you down."

"I know you think I'm being hasty because I'm only five, but enemies don't care about that. You, of all people—the Empress of Flames—should understand."

Lucas stopped, watching his mother carefully. Did I just say too much for a five-year-old?

But damn it, he had to push forward. He needed to start training for his survival, to uncover the mystery of that elusive feeling and without her approval, it would be impossible with all the eyes constantly watching him.

Ester, meanwhile, studied her son in silence. Too smart. Too mature.

Sometimes, she wondered how his mind worked.

If she knew about the concept of reincarnation, she might have had suspicions… but fortunately for Lucas, that thought never crossed her mind.

She sighed inwardly. Lucas wasn't wrong. This world was far more brutal than what he could have read in a book.

And yet… she had wanted to give him a peaceful childhood, just for a little longer. Because once he awakened, everything would change. He would inherit the weight of the Ignis House, one of the Four Great Dukes of Sylvaris. A burden that could crush even the strongest men.

But looking at him now—at his unwavering expression, at his burning determination—Ester knew there was no stopping him.

Sigh…

"Alright, dear. You can start training."

There was clear reluctance in her voice, but she said it.

And that was all Lucas needed.

"YAY!!"

Without thinking, he leaped from his chair and ran straight into her arms, hugging her tightly.

Ester chuckled and pulled him into an even tighter embrace, practically smothering him in her warmth.

"Mom—it's—too—tight—I'm—suffocating—!" Lucas wheezed, tapping her arm like a trapped prisoner.

"Oh… oops." Ester let go with a playful chuckle.

Lucas immediately bolted back to his seat, fixing his clothes with as much dignity as a five-year-old could muster.

Annie, watching quietly from the side, couldn't help but smile. 'Young Master is truly adorable…'

Cough cough…

"Well then, thank you, Mother! I have things to prepare—I'm going now!"

And with that, Lucas jumped off his chair and sprinted out of the hall.

"Ah—wait! You didn't eat anything—!" Ester called after him, but he was already gone.

She sighed again.

And then she froze.

"…Wait."

Her eyes widened in realization.

"I didn't even have time to tell him… his father is coming home tomorrow."

After such a long time guarding the borders, the Duke of Ashes was finally returning.

And Lucas had no idea what was waiting for him.

Chapter 7 : Training ground

The crimson moon hung low over the Ignis Estate, bathing the vast lands in a bloody glow. Its eerie light flickered across the obsidian walls of the grand mansion, making it seem as if the very estate pulsed with life—breathing, watching.

Lucas lay in his grand bed, staring at the high, carved ceiling. Sleep? A fool's dream.

Since his mother had finally relented, giving him permission to train, his mind had been nothing but a battlefield of restless thoughts. He had wanted to go immediately—but of course, Annie, ever the perfect watchdog, caught him mid-step.

"Young Master, the Lady says tomorrow. You need to rest."

Rest? How could he possibly rest?

Tomorrow couldn't come soon enough.

His fingers curled into the silk sheets. 'A world filled with danger… and I've been playing house like a child.'

Not anymore.

The Next Morning

The Ignis Estate was alive with motion. Servants bustled through the grand halls, warriors clad in obsidian armor sparred in open courtyards, and the ever-present scent of embers and steel filled the air.

Lucas walked through the towering halls alone. No Annie. No guards. He wanted this moment to himself.

Even if he knows they must nearby. Keeping watch on him.

As he stepped outside, warmth wrapped around him like a familiar embrace.

The Ignis lands were always warmer than normal—a mark of their bloodline. The very air shimmered faintly, as if infused with fire itself.

Servants and warriors paused as he passed, bowing respectfully.

"Young Master."

"Young Master."

Lucas gave only a single nod in return, never breaking stride.

It was rare to see him outside the core area of the mansion, even rarer to see him here—walking toward the training grounds.

Eyes followed him. Whispers spread.

But Lucas?

He didn't care.

The Ignis Training ground

The gates loomed ahead—giant slabs of obsidian engraved with the flaming sigil of House Ignis.

As they swung open, an entirely different world unfolded before him.

The training grounds were vast—

Hundreds of young warriors moved in disciplined formations.

Blades clashed. Flames roared. The very ground simmered with heat.

Lucas's eyes locked onto the most important part of the training field—

The Awakening Zone.

This was where the most talented of the younger generation trained—those twelve and older, those whose mana had already awakened.

Four figures stood apart from the rest—each of them wielding flames unlike any other.

Caius Ignis – Tall, sharp-eyed, with red hair and piercing blue eyes. His flames burned cold, an eerie blue fire that crackled with ice instead of heat. His gaze held the calm of a strategist, always watching, always analyzing.

Selene Ignis – Refined, elegant, her golden eyes burning with intelligence. A member of Ester's branch family.Flames of radiance flickered at her fingertips—holy fire, pure and untouchable. If Caius was cold logic, she was a beacon of calculated brilliance.

Dante Ignis – Lanky but deceptive. His black eyes flickered with a violet hue. His fire… shadowed, dark and fluid, moving like a living entity. His smirk was ever-present, like he found the world amusing.

Orion Ignis – Short, but carried himself like a giant. His orange-black eyes crackled with a fire laced with subtle black lightning, sparks flickering at his fingertips. Arrogant, entitled, but undeniably talented.

At first, the four only observed Lucas in silence.

None of them reacted.

They didn't know why he was here.

Then—

A powerful figure stepped forward.

Instructor Aldred

Aldred Valos is one of the highest-ranking instructor of House Ignis.

A man carved from war, with black hair and deep green eyes hardened from battle. Unlike other teachers, he wasn't just a just anyone —he was a commander, a warrior who had seen blood and flame firsthand.

He studied Lucas for a long moment.

Then, with a measured bow, he spoke.

"Young Master. What brings you here?"

A silence settled over the training grounds.

Trainees stopped sparring. Murmurs rippled across the field.

Lucas met Aldred's gaze.

"I've come to train."

Stillness.

Aldred's expression barely changed.

Then, he sighed.

"…You're five."

"And?"

Aldred's brow twitched.

"And you're too young to train."

Lucas didn't even blink. "Is there a rule against it?"

Aldred exhaled. "It's called common sense."

Selene's brows lifted in surprise. Intrigued.

Caius shook his head. Amused, but uninterested.

Dante's smirk widened. 'Oh, this is going to be fun.'

Orion?

Orion grinned.

"What did you just say?"

Lucas didn't answer.

Orion scoffed, stepping forward.

"You? Train? Here?" He chuckled darkly. "Do you even know what training means?"

Lucas remained still. He wasn't even looking at Orion—his focus was still on Aldred.

Orion's grin faltered for a fraction of a second.

It pissed him off.

"You don't even have mana," Orion continued, louder. "And let me tell you, you still have seven years before you awaken it. So what are you gonna do?" His smirk widened. "Punch the air?"

Lucas finally tilted his head toward him.

For the first time, their eyes met.

And in that moment, Orion stepped back.

It was instinctive. A reflex.

The sheer weight of Lucas's gaze… those crimson eyes, like burning coals, made something deep in Orion's bloodline shudder.

He immediately regretted that step back.

His pride screamed at him. 'What the—'

Lucas, as if nothing happened, simply replied:

"That's a good idea. I'll start with that."

Orion's jaw clenched.

Aldred massaged his temples. He seems to have heard about those eyes before. Long ago.

Orion was seething now.

"You little—" He stepped forward again—

Orion abruptly stopped.

The air shifted.

The heat intensified.

The world stilled.

A new presence entered the field.

Even Aldred straightened. His eyes sharpened.

Trainees stiffened. The weight of his presence was unmistakable.

Noah Ignis.

The Duke Of Ashes.

His deep red hair flowed behind him like wildfire. His piercing purple eyes carried absolute dominance.

And beside him—

Ester Ignis.

The Lady Of Flames.

A woman feared and respected across the entire Ignis domain.

Her presence alone made even the strongest warriors hesitate to meet her gaze.

When her golden-red eyes landed on Orion—

He flinched.

It was immediate. Instinctive.

Ester didn't even say a word. She just looked at him.

Her expression wasn't even angry. Just… blank.

But Orion's know exactly who she was.

His throat went dry. His fists clenched. 'Tch… Damn it…'

Ester's eyes flickered away, as if he wasn't worth any more attention.

Instead, her gaze settled on Aldred.

And she sighed.

'I knew this would happen…'

'I forgot to tell Aldred because of Noah's arrival.'

The entire field was dead silent.

Noah, however, took everything in at a glance.

He saw Lucas. Standing firm. Well As firm as a five-year-old could be.

He saw Orion. Angry. Embarrassed. A step away from violence.

He saw Aldred. Exasperated. Unamused. Already tired of this.

All of this, and not even a second had passed. His perception was terrifying.

Then—

He grinned.

A wide, wolfish, battle-hungry grin.

"Looks like I have arrived at the perfect time ."

And with that, the flames of the Ignis Estate burned brighter.

Lucas's journey had truly begun.  

Chapter 8 : Shock

Lucas looked at his father.

It had been a long time since he last saw him.

Around him, the entire training ground fell silent. Even Aldred, Orion, and Selene—who moments ago had watched Lucas with barely veiled disdain—bowed deeply, their voices shaking as they spoke in unison.

"We greet the Great Duke of Ashes and the Lady of Crimson."

Noah Ignis. Ester Ignis. The rulers of fire themselves.

Noah's expression was unreadable, but the air around him was suffocating. Ester, in contrast, smiled. A loving, gentle smile directed at only one person.

Lucas.

The entire training ground trembled—not from power, but from shock.

The Lady of Crimson… smiled?

Lucas ignored their astonishment and stepped forward, bowing slightly. "I greet Lord Father. I greet Mother."

Noah studied him. Unmoving. Unblinking.

Then, he spoke.

"Lucas…"

His voice rumbled like distant thunder.

Instinctively, Lucas answered. "Yes, Lord Father."

Noah's gaze remained heavy. "Your mother told me you wanted to start training." A deep chuckle rumbled from his throat. "It seems you were quite… willful about it."

Ester said nothing.

"Yes, I wanted to start," Lucas answered, his voice calm, almost indifferent.

The contrast was stark. A five-year-old boy should not be so composed.

But Lucas had never been normal.

His mother was the only one he allowed himself to act willful around. To everyone else? Cold. Detached. Silent.

"But it seems," Noah continued, his voice darkening, "the people here are looking down on you."

He turned his gaze on the assembled knights. "On my son."

Chill.

Aldred, Orion, Selene—everyone—stiffened as if they were prey caught in the gaze of a flaming beast.

A heartbeat passed. Then another.

And the pressure vanished.

Noah's smirk returned. "To not appear like a tyrant, how about a test, Lucas?"

A test.

Goddamn it. What kind of nonsense was this?

But from the look in Noah's eyes, Lucas knew. He had no choice.

"…Yes, Lord Father."

Noah grinned.

"I will apply a little of my pressure on you. Just resist it without passing out." His voice was casual, but his next words were anything but.

"You're five years old, after all."

Lucas felt a cold sweat threaten to form.

Just resist Noah's aura?

A man feared across battlefields. A man known as the Crimson Devil.

Noah turned to Aldred. "And no one will dare to doubt him after that, correct?"

Aldred swallowed thickly. "Yes, Duke. No objections will be raised." His eyes flicked to Orion, daring him to argue.

Orion only clicked his tongue and looked away.

Noah stepped forward.

Ester's golden eyes narrowed. "Noah. Don't overdo it."

Noah smiled. "I'll only use enough to test him."

Only enough.

Lucas exhaled slowly.

He was ready.

Or so he thought.

—

The world shook.

The sky darkened—not from clouds, but from something deeper. Something primal.

The air warped from sheer heat. The temperature soared.

And then—

BOOM!

A tidal wave of pure, unrelenting power exploded from Noah.

The heavens recoiled.

The sun trembled.

The wind vanished.

The fire raged.

And Lucas—

His knees hit the ground.  

A vice wrapped around his body. His lungs burned, crushed under an invisible weight. His bones creaked as if about to shatter.

It was absolute.

It was suffocating.

For the first time since his rebirth—Lucas felt powerless.

His muscles trembled violently.

His spine threatened to snap.

Stay down.

That's what his instincts told him.

That's what his body screamed.

But—

How could he accept this?

This wasn't just about pride.

This was rejection.

Rejection of submission.

'I have burned once.'

Lucas gritted his teeth, his fingers clawing at the cracked ground.

'I have been consumed once.'

His arms trembled, veins bulging as he forced them to move.

'I will never let fire burn me again.'

His vision blurred. His body screamed. His very soul raged.

Then—for just a moment—everything stilled.

The world was silent. The heat, the pressure, the weight crushing his lungs—it was all still there, but… distant. Muted. As if the fire itself was waiting.

A single ember drifted before his eyes.

It flickered.

It hesitated.

Then—

Something within him—

Stirred.

The flames around Noah flickered—then hesitated.

No one noticed at first.

But Noah did.

His fire wavered.

It was an impossibility.

And yet—

The embers shifted.

Slowly at first.

Then faster.

Then—they rushed toward Lucas.

Noah's eyes narrowed. His flames—his flames, which had obeyed him for decades—were moving toward his son.

"…What?"

And then—

It happened.

Lucas's body convulsed. His heart thundered—a war drum pounding against his ribs.

Then, in a single breath, something clicked.

It wasn't an explosion. It wasn't a revelation. It was a truth that had always been there, waiting.

Fire did not burn him. It did not consume him. It recognized him.

Because he was not its victim.

Because he was not its wielder.

Because he was it.

His blood was molten gold.

His breath was smoke and embers.

His very soul was an inferno that had burned before death and after it.

And the fire knew.

It had always known. It had always belonged to him. Not as a weapon. Not as a curse.

But as his birthright.

And so, it did what it had never done before.

It bowed.

In that instant, Lucas was not a boy standing in the flames. He was the fire standing in the world.

And when he opened his eyes—they did not glow. They burned.

Red.

No—

Not just red.

Crimson. Scarlet. Gold. Black. White. All types of colors.

Memories of a past life flooded him.

He had worked with fire. Created fire.

Died by fire.

And his soul—had become fire.

He had just never understood it.

But now he does.

He is fire.

And fire recognized him.

Fire—bowed to him.

BOOM!

A monstrous shockwave erupted from Lucas.

The ground turned to cinder.

The sky, already darkened from Noah's aura, split open—fire raining down like the wrath of gods.

The temperature fluctuated wildly.

Then—

CRACK!

Something deep inside him came alive.

Hie eyes were majestic.

And his hair—

It was no longer hair.

It was flames.

The flames of a soul that had burned beyond death.

And then—

DING!

The world froze.

A voice, ancient and powerful, echoed through his mind.

[Conditions Met.]

[Soul of the Host has Awakened.]

[Mana Core of the Host has Awakened.]

[Impossible Achievement!]

A golden screen manifested before Lucas.

And everyone— everyone— felt it.

The very world shifted.

Aldred staggered back. "No… way."

Caius, Selene, Dante—their eyes widened in shock.

Orion? His smirk was gone. His arms, once crossed in arrogance, were trembling.

Ester? She couldn't breathe. She was surprised.

Noah?

For the first time in years—his expression changed.

Not fear.

Not worry.

But awe.

This… was not a normal awakening.

This—

Was the birth of something monstrous.

And then—

The system spoke.  

[Congratulations, Host. You have awakened.]

Chapter 9 : Blindfold

Silence.

A silence so profound, so suffocating, that no one dared to break it.

The entire training ground stood frozen, unable to process what had just happened.

A five-year-old boy had awakened his mana core.

But no—this wasn't just a normal awakening. This wasn't something that could be explained by mere talent or luck.

It felt otherworldly. Monstrous.

Mana core awakenings required an awakening stone—a conduit to help someone touch mana for the first time, to gently guide it through their body. But Lucas had done it without one. He had done it with sheer will.

The destruction around them told the full story.

The training ground was unrecognizable. The once-solid earth had been reduced to cinders. The equipment? Burned beyond existence. Every structure, every piece of metal, every inch of the ground bore the mark of a god's wrath.

If not for Noah's protection, they would not have walked away unscathed.

And that thought alone filled them with something they had never expected to feel toward a child.

Fear.

Orion clenched his fists so tightly his knuckles turned white. His entire body was trembling—not with cold, but with something far worse.