The Villain's Apocalypse-Chapter 57: Lucian

Chapter 56: Lucian

The SolHaven Academy was a powerful institution created with the sole purpose of providing the best growing environment for newbie awakeners. It was created by war heroes during the first Voidal War with the Voidarkhs and has since served as the foundation for the leading development of awakeners worldwide.

The war heroes weren’t all from the human race. No, some were elves, fairies, giants, and even dark races like vampires and shadowborns. So, the task of creating an institution that not only focused on growth but also uniting the multiple races together to elevate the racial biases was monumental to them.

Additionally, back then, they thought that simply creating an institution without a proper system and rules would be an invitation for destruction. So, they consulted with the High Elves and Ancient Sages, and after a long period of brainstorming and perfecting the idea, they finally created the system of Houses.

An intricate yet defining system that would not only instill a sense of identity and competition but also encourage growth, unity, and discipline across all races.

Each student, upon admission, would undergo an evaluation ceremony—known as the House Selection Rite—where their inner potential, elemental affinity, and even the nature of their starseed would be tested. Based on the results, they would be assigned to one of the Five Great Houses, each with its own floating island, traditions, and ideology.

These floating islands were not just symbolic. They were ancient relics crafted through divine geomancy and celestial engineering, bound by ley lines and stabilized with Arcane Anchors. They hovered across the skies of SolHaven like scattered stars—each unique in geography, environment, and purpose.

The Five Great Houses were Ignis, Terra, Lux, Umbra, and Vita.

’I wonder... which house I will be assigned to?’ Cassian contemplated, wandering around the crystal pillars with a curious look on his face. He had no clue which house he would get assigned to since the original Cassian had died pretty early on in the story. ’Well, there is only one way to find out.’

With a laid-back smile on his face, he stepped forward and passed right through the crystal pillars, arriving in a completely different space. All of the pillars led to a single destination, and only after passing the selection ceremony would one light up, signifying his chosen house. 𝙛𝓻𝒆𝒆𝒘𝙚𝓫𝙣𝙤𝒗𝙚𝓵.𝙘𝙤𝙢

The destination?

"The Dream Domain."

A pink foggy cloud hovered above his head, pulsating with an ethereal energy. The cloud was releasing a subtle amount of sleeping gas that constantly penetrated through his mind barrier, releasing its effect on him. The moment he stepped inside the domain, a wave of drowsiness crashed on his body, making him feel immensely sleepy. His eyelids felt heavy and his body craved for sleep like a sleep-deprived person.

yawn~

He couldn’t hold himself back any longer, and with a tiring yawn, he closed his eyes and fell asleep. His body floated aimlessly across the dream domain, instinctively absorbing the nutritious mana around it. The mana here was immensely pure and powerful and was particularly helpful for him, someone who had just broken through not too long ago.

Time felt like an eternity inside here as he continued drifting aimlessly without the sign of waking up.

—

blink

blink

"Where am I?"

"Oh, you’re awake. Congratulations on passing the House Selection Ceremony." A sweet voice echoed from behind, followed by a tall, voluptuous figure stepping in with a bottle of water in her hand.

"Professor Vael?"

"Yes, it’s me." She replied, casually tossing the bottle toward Cassian.

He swiftly caught it and, with a smooth movement, he opened the cap and drank a mouthful of water from inside.

puah–!

"That hit the spot." With a satisfying smile, he wiped away the residual water from his lips and glanced at the bottle curiously. The water had a sweet and savory flavor to it, and upon consumption, it instantly revitalized his mind, clearing away the remnant sleeping gas that was lingering inside.

He exchanged glances with the Professor and followed up with a question.

"Why am I here? Wasn’t I supposed to be inside there?" He asked, pointing his finger at the far end of the hallway, where the crystal pillars lay.

"You’ve chosen your house." She simply replied with a small smile on her face.

"But I don’t remember anything?"

"That’s because you weren’t conscious during the time of selection. It happens automatically after the pillars scan through your affinities and potential." She continued, "It happened to everyone, not just you."

"Hmm.." He rubbed his chin, trying to recall those memories.

’Nothing?’

"Anyway, aren’t you curious about your house?"

"I’m more curious about that thing over there." He replied, not hiding his curiosity. "You aren’t qualified enough to know about it," she said with a teasing smile, though her tone left no room for argument.

The Dream Domain was an extremely important relic of the Academy, and only a few individuals have the qualification to learn about it. Obviously, Cassian wasn’t among them since he was just a student of the Academy, albeit a privileged one, but still, he was only a student. Not even the professors have access to information about it.

’I have to think of a way to get inside there again. There is something I want in there.’ He stared at it for a while and retracted his gaze, turning toward Celestine.

"So, which house am I allocated to?"

"What do you think?" She replied with a teasing smile on her face. It was quite clear that she was deliberately messing with him.

His eyes twitched under her constant shenanigans as he dismissed her teasing with his own move.

"Guess I will just ask someone else."

With those words, he attempted to approach other professors who were observing the selection ceremony with keen interest.

"Spare your efforts, you have been selected for the Lux House."

"...Lux House, huh?" Cassian muttered under his breath, eyes narrowing thoughtfully.

Lux—the House of Radiance.

It was one of the Five Great Houses, revered for producing monarchs, and strategists. A house that cultivated leaders, not just warriors.

’Quite befitting of my status,’ he thought, a wry smile tugging at his lips.

As the future Emperor of the Luminaire Empire, leadership wasn’t just a skill—it was his birthright. The House of Lux wasn’t simply a school of command; it was a hammer that forged visionaries. It was the ideal environment for someone like him—someone who knew how to manipulate power, wield influence, and seize opportunities.

Still, he wasn’t entirely at ease.

He cast one final glance toward the faintly shimmering border of the crystal pillars, noticing a commotion around that area.

"What’s happening there?" Celestine had a puzzled look on her face.

sigh~

"How can you be a main character without a flashy entrance?" Cassian chuckled, glancing at the individual who was garnering everyone’s attention. Even some professors had an interested look on their faces, including Professor Celestine.