The sunrise filled the sky with beautiful colors.
The first rays of sunlight slowly appeared over the horizon, spreading a warm glow across the land.
As the sun rose higher, its light shone on the morning dew, making everything sparkle.
The dark night faded away, and a bright new day began.
What better way to start a beautiful day than with a training routine?
After practicing his elements, Lucifer was drenched in sweat.
He then had a massive breakfast packed with nutrients and protein. Since he couldn't taste it anyway, he simply ate everything without a second thought.
Lucifer noticed that he smelled bad, so he decided to take a quick shower.
As he stepped in, he reminded himself, 'I've got a meeting with Dad today.'
Lucifer walked through the magnificent mansion, making his way toward the chamber of the previous head.
'The most—if not the coldest—aristocrat in the empire is demanding my presence,' he sighed, his thoughts heavy.
'It's gotten worse after Mother's death,' he mused, continuing down the grand halls.
Lucifer stood in front of the door, his mind racing as he wondered what would happen next.
Of course, he was nervous—his father was one of the few people he truly respected and also feared.
Taking a deep breath, he knocked on the door and waited for a response.
Suddenly, a stern and cold voice echoed in his ears.
"Come in."
Lucifer opened the luxurious door, his steps halting for a moment.
The cold, domineering aura pressed down on him, nearly forcing him to his knees like a pathetic bug.
'This is real power,' was all he could think at that moment.
The man before him had mesmerizing blonde hair that shone like sunlight and deep azure eyes—the very origin of Lucifer's own.
But his true presence was not defined by his appearance alone.
It was the air around him.
Proud. Elegant.
The very embodiment of aristocracy itself—the perfect example of nobility.
The Former Count, Hell Heavenson.
And of course, the father of the current Count, Lucifer Hellson.
After Lucifer felt some of the oppressive aura ease, though still lingering, he slowly started walking toward his father.
Taking a seat opposite him, he kept his gaze locked on those cold azure eyes that seemed to pierce straight through his soul.
For a moment, his father held the stare, as if reading his very thoughts, before finally looking away.
Then, in that same domineering voice, he asked, "Do you know why I called you?"
'Do I know why?' Lucifer thought to himself.
'I think I've got an idea.'
Of course, he wasn't going to say that to his father.
"No, I do not, Dad."
His father looked at him for a moment before getting up from his seat and walking over to the window.
From there, he could see everything happening in the House of Fateweaver.
"What rank are you in?" he asked, curious if Lucifer had broken through yet after two years of training.
"Yes, just last week I broke through to Herald," Lucifer replied, though there was a hint of frustration in his voice.
'It took me two years to break through, after the hellish physical and mental training. Tsk.'
"Lucifer, no need to be impatient," his father said, as if seeing through his emotions.
'Sigh, this never gets old,' Lucifer thought.
He could never hide anything from this man.
His father's intellectual abilities were truly monstrous.
"You're already exceptionally talented, even surpassing your grandfather and me," his father said, looking back at him.
Lucifer acknowledged his praise.
"Surely, you didn't call me here to ask for my rank, did you?" Lucifer asked, clearly not convinced that his sharp-minded father would call him just for this.
His father smirked, then chuckled.
"As astute as ever," he said, proud of his quick-witted son.
"You are right. While I was curious about your rank, that wasn't all."
He continued staring at Lucifer with an unreadable expression.
His piercing gaze made it impossible to tell what he was truly thinking.
"You're going into your third year at Horizon. Until now, your year was considered the most talented in its history."
"Your peers have pushed the boundaries of what was thought possible, and you've held your place among them."
"But as you already know, the new freshmen arriving in five days are on an entirely different level. They are the literal definition of monstrosity."
His face remained emotionless, as if he were merely stating facts, but there was a weight behind his words.
"Especially the apex from the academy," he continued, his voice unwavering.
"These new students have already achieved feats that most upperclassmen struggle with."
"Their progress is not just remarkable—it's terrifying. You may have been ahead before, but if you do not keep pushing forward, you will be left behind."
He turned slightly, glancing out the window once more.
"The world is changing, Lucifer. If you want to stand at the top, now is the time to prove it."
Lucifer was surprised by the speech—it was far more motivating than he had expected.
His father was never one to express emotions openly, yet his words carried a weight that stirred something deep within him.
Smiling with determination, he said, "Don't worry, Dad, I'll make you and Mom proud."
For a fraction of a moment, his father's emotionless mask cracked.
In that brief instant, Lucifer saw something he rarely witnessed—sadness, happiness, and recognition, all flickering in his father's eyes.
But just as quickly as it appeared, the expression vanished.
It was replaced once again by his usual cold and unreadable gaze.
"You can go now."
As he said that, the door behind Lucifer, which had been firmly closed, suddenly opened.
Without another word, Lucifer stood and walked out of the chamber of Hell Heavenson.