Chapter 37: Nana
The sun had barely risen, casting soft amber hues across the academy grounds. The morning breeze whistled gently through the trees that lined the dormitory path, carrying with it the faint scent of dew-soaked grass and the distant murmur of students beginning their day. But Lucas wasn’t paying attention to any of that.
He was inside his room, legs crossed, body still, eyes closed as he cultivated with precision. His breaths were deep and slow, drawing the last remnants of the Yin energy that still lingered in his system—leftovers from his night with Selene. He directed it with practiced ease, guiding it to soothe his strained meridians and stabilize his Dantian. His duel with Princess Nyx had shaken him more than he’d let on. The blow to his arm had left behind a lingering ache that only time, cultivation, and inner healing could mend.
But the Yin energy was running out.
As he tried to push it deeper into his core, he realized the flow had thinned. There just wasn’t enough left to produce the same result. He let out a long exhale, breaking his focus. The power was fading fast, and any attempts to continue would be a waste of time.
"Tch... it’s almost depleted," he muttered, wiping sweat from his brow.
Lucas stood, stretched, and glanced around the empty room. It was quiet, too quiet. His roommates had left for their morning sessions, and Lira—sweet, loyal Lira—had been given the day off. He’d insisted. She protested at first, but he’d told her to take some time to enjoy herself, maybe wander the city or rest. She’d finally agreed, reluctantly, and left early that morning with a smile.
Now, Lucas felt oddly alone. But not lonely.
He left the room and stepped into the academy’s vast grounds, where life buzzed with activity. Students rushed to classes, sparring rings echoed with the clash of Qi-imbued weapons, and the air thrummed with raw energy. The sight of so many young cultivators chasing strength reminded Lucas of his own past life—where resources were scarce and only the privileged or lucky ever progressed.
He walked with his hands in his robe pockets, letting his feet take him wherever. His mind wandered—thoughts of Selene flashing briefly across his mind, followed by a deeper, more lingering image... Princess Nyx.
He could still feel the sting from her ice spear, still hear the crowd gasping in awe, still see her amused smile as they walked back to the stands. She was beautiful—dangerously so. Her Yin energy, if he ever managed to claim it, would be unlike anything he’d absorbed before. But she was royalty. The king’s daughter. Far from reach... for now.
"I’ll need more power. More cultivation. And more women," he mused. "If I’m going to build an empire, I’ll need an empire of beauties first."