Reborn as the Empire's Blind Prince

11. Awakening

The light was a blinding, absolute white. The sheer intensity forced the audience in the chamber to shield their eyes.

But Lucian didn't need to look away. He felt it. A force of raw essence crashed through his body, flooding his veins and rushing down to his feet like an endless, awakening stream.

Within the darkness of his vision, the orb cycled rapidly through violent shades of red, green, and blue before finally stabilizing into a brilliant, solid white.

Then, the light died.

Lucian released his grip on the orb. The energy didn't leave; it settled deep within his core, humming with life. He could feel his blood pumping with a new, heavy rhythm. He was Awakened.

"The Sixth Prince of the Valerian Empire has Awakened," the High Elder announced, his voice echoing across the silent chamber.

The applause that followed was tepid. It was less a cheer of celebration and more a collective murmur of political relief from the Great Elders.

The clapping irritated Lucian. He was still reeling from the immense surge of power, his mind practically intoxicated by the rush of essence. Without thinking, he stood up.

The wheelchair clattered backward, hitting the stone floor with a loud crack. The sound instantly silenced the hall.

Garrett rushed to his side. "Are you okay?"

Lucian gently pushed his retainer's arm away. His physical eyes were still closed, but his False Sight was burning brighter than ever. The room was mapped perfectly in his mind.

He was dizzy, drunk on the Awakening, but intensely aware of the heavy gazes locked onto him.

'What am I doing?'he thought, his pulse hammering. 'No. I'm stepping out of the shadows now. This is the perfect time to set the stage.'

He took a steadying step toward the center of the dais and slowly spread his hands. "The Blind Prince sees."

Dead silence. No words. No clapping.

Garrett tapped him sharply on the back, the sudden physical contact grounding him.

Lucian let out a sharp gasp, the intoxicating high of the essence receding just enough for his rational mind to click back into place.

"Are you okay, Young Master?" Garrett repeated, his tone tight with a subtle warning.

Lucian nodded smoothly, regaining his composure. "Yes. I am."

The Elder stepped forward, eyeing him with deep suspicion. "Can the Blind Prince truly see?"

Lucian hesitated just a fraction of a second, recalibrating his strategy. "It is more of a... perception than true sight."

"A sensory class," the Elder concluded aloud, visibly relaxing.

Lucian hadn't actually checked his system status yet, but a sensory class was the perfect cover for his abilities.

"I suppose so," he answered mildly.

The chamber rapidly began to empty. As the nobles dispersed, Lucian swept the room with his False Sight.

He caught Cipher sneering at him, a mocking, bitter smirk before the Fourth Prince turned and exited with his personal assistant. The mysterious Fifth Prince was already gone, vanished into the crowd.

But as Lucian scanned the room, he felt a heavy, oppressive gaze lock onto him.

The First Prince. He stood tall near the upper benches, bearing striking blue hair and piercing red eyes, flanked by an assistant in official imperial attire.

The First Prince didn't speak a word. He simply gave Lucian a single, measured nod.

Lucian nodded back. Without another glance, the First Prince turned and left the chamber.

Lucian looked down at his own palms. 'I did it. No doubts. I actually survived.'

Garrett stepped in front of him, bowing slightly. "Congratulations, Young Master."

"Thank you, Garrett."

Garrett glanced down at the overturned wheelchair on the floor. "I suppose we won't be needing that anymore."

"Everything has its end," Lucian joked dryly. "Though I admit, the free rides will be missed."

Garrett offered a rare, quiet laugh. "Look at how far you've come, Young Master. If someone had told me seventeen years ago that I would see you stand on your own two feet, strong and Awakened..." He paused, emotion catching in his throat. "Your mother would be very proud."

"She doesn't have a choice," Lucian replied, injecting a boastful smirk into his voice. "I miss her every day."

It was a necessary lie. Ming Ho had never met the woman, but he knew the original Lucian had desperately yearned for her presence.

"I know you do," Garrett said softly. "In fact, she left a present for you. She instructed me to give it to you once you succeeded today."

*How thoughtful,* Lucian mused. "Where is the gift?"

"It is buried in the garden, beneath the great plum tree. She thought it best to keep it hidden there. It is something very special to her, and she believed it would be of great use to you."

"I will dig it up after I check my status," Lucian decided.

"Do not delay too long. Now that you are Awakened, the walk into the Wilderness is approaching. You need to begin your training immediately."

'The Wilderness? What was that?' Lucian frowned internally.

Then, the original Lucian's buried memories violently surfaced. The Ordeal was just the first bridge.

The true test was the Wilderness. It was a brutal, monster-infested territory where newly Awakened royals were thrown to test their survival.

The ultimate goal of the trial was to hunt and unlock a Soul Weapon. Without a Soul Weapon, an Awakening was incomplete.

The reason it hadn't crossed his mind until now was simple, the old Lucian had been so devoid of hope that he never bothered thinking past the Ordeal. He had fully expected to die before ever seeing the Wilderness.

"Right. The Wilderness. I haven't forgotten," Lucian lied smoothly, as if he had been preparing for it his whole life.

'They really do want me dead,'he muttered internally.

Still, it was a mandatory imperial rite. Every Everstar faced it. The only silver lining was that royals were allowed to bring an official royal officer as an escort, and they could form alliances with other adventurers. The trial could last up to four grueling months.

"Very well. I will leave you to rest, Young Master. I must make further preparations," Garrett said, bowing before turning away.

Lucian walked back to his quarters alone. He moved entirely under his own power, his strides confident despite his closed eyes. It was an unnatural, terrifying sight for the castle staff.

Everstars were intimidating by nature, but a blind prince flawlessly navigating the twisting corridors without a cane or a guide? It screamed of hidden, monstrous power.

"Congratulations, my Prince," a royal guard stammered as Lucian passed.

Lucian didn't acknowledge him. He just kept walking.

"Greetings, my Prince," a maid whispered, hurriedly dropping to her knees in a deep genuflection.

He ignored her, too. The respect born entirely of fear flowed naturally now. What they didn't know was that the helpless boy they remembered had died two weeks ago.

Through his False Sight, he watched the auras of the gossiping maids shift as he approached. Their casual, happy blues instantly curdled into a sickly, fading ash.

'Ash. The color of absolute fear,' Lucian smirked inwardly. 'How pathetic of them.'

He finally neared his room, his heart racing with anticipation. He was eager to see exactly what had awakened inside him.

What was his skill? What did his system status actually look like? He was profoundly relieved that the Ordeal was finally behind him. Now, it was time to see his real power.

He turned the corner to his door. Standing right outside, waiting for him, was Isabel.