As Lukas walked up the road leaning on his staff, he marveled at the sprawling sight. The beaten pathway was very well kept with the wild trees growing beside full of vitality. As he raised his eyes amidst the mountains he saw a towering figure faraway gleaming under the rising sun. It shone with a radiance that seemed to match the morning light.

With a deep breath, memories of his previous host rose unbidden to his mind. From what he got, the towering structure in the horizon was the Cathedral of Light, one of the most powerful institutions that teach and train talented mages on the path of being a Priest of Light. Although it was littered with other kind of elemental mages and various warriors training inside; its main focus laid with the aim of producing elite Priests who would help in various world quests all over the Continent of Lush. It was one of the only places the original Lukas treated like home. But to him, it was currently the only place he could feel safe.

After their father left, it was only through their mother's sacrifice that both he and his sister could attend the Cathedral of Light despite their dwindling income. It was through her efforts that they were able to attend the Awakening Ceremony despite being held far from their town of Demacia where they were born and bred. It was also a stroke of luck that they both awakened the gift of Elemental Light, which somewhat elevated their standing within the family especially after being recruited by the Institution.

But as much as this world offered the grandeur of magic and adventures it wasn't without its flaws. Strength was everything in this world and where power was prioritized then hierarchal system existed. Both nobles and commoners were pulled even further apart as it was through the inherited legacies of nobles' families that powerful mages could be nurtured and powerful warriors could be made to protect their heritage. This was something common families could only achieve through luck.

Not long after a carriage came from downhill, trudging its way slowly towards the Cathedral. It was layered in a white fashion, driven by 4 beautiful white steeds possessing lustrous golden mantle that trailed down their necks. The gorgeous sight caught his attention along with the crest that gradually came into his view. At the side of the carriage was a symbol of a radiant sword wreathed in a shining halo of light.

A single thought came to his mind.

The carriage, the one about to pass him by, belonged to the House of Celeste, one of the 3 affiliated houses of the Cathedral of Light. From the memoires he inherited he knew they were a big deal. But before anything else followed, the carriage slowed down to a halt in front of him and the regal dressed driver at the front looked down on him and spoke in a curt voice.

"Our Mistress would like a word with you." Without even waiting for an answer the carriage's door was opened and a soft voice emanated from within.

"Fellow disciple, would you care for a ride?"

He was just about to instinctively say no when he hesitated. Looking at the faraway figure floating amidst the mountains he knew he still had quite the distance until he reached his destination. But that wasn't what worried him. He had recognized the voice that had just spoke to him. It belonged to the Cassandra, the only descendant of the House of Celeste who was currently training at the Cathedral within the same generation as his previous host. She was famous for her startling beauty and her demure mysteriousness as it was rare even for her to talk or interact with any other disciple within the Cathedral walls. She was considered one of the Untouchable 3, the other 2 also being the heir and heiress of their respective affiliated families.

Due to his desperate situation, Lukas threw caution to the wind. He shamelessly accepted the invitation despite the physical state he was in. The old Lukas might have been embarrassed but he knew how to take a helping hand when it was needed. It would take forever if he decided to walk by himself, so he might as well take a helpful ride there. Stubbornness was reserved for fools and besides, they were both going in the same direction anyway.

After carefully entering, he took the empty seat while on the opposite side sat a young girl of nearly the same age. Beside her with a man of such large stature that he towered over him, fully clad in armor crested with the familiar sword wreathed in a halo. His aura itself seemed as if it was about swallow him whole.

Lukas being sensitive stifled his erratic emotions and then calmed down, his tone a lot more respectful.

"Thanks for the ride." he slightly bowed.

The girl dressed in a white garment with simple to no embroidery, it revealed her supple body perfectly. The view would have been even more perfect if it wasn't for a white veil that covered half her face with long golden brown hair braided in a simple fashion down her waist. Her eyes though concealed sparkled with a golden hue as she smiled whilst waving her lithe hands.

"I'm only glad I was able to offer some help to a fellow outer sect disciple" she answered.

The guard beside her snorted his angry eyes boring into him. If it wasn't for the helmet that covered his whole face Lukas could have sworn he could almost sense the disgust emanating off him.

A little flustered he could only apologize. "Please forgive my appearance. I found myself lost in the forest and I didn't have an extra robe with me to change."

Chuckling softly, Cassandra replied. "Don't mind him. Allow me to help a little…"

She snapped her fingers and for first time ever since he was reincarnated into this world, Lukas witnessed a real spell manifesting in front of him. Sensing the odd but familiar twinge of elements in the air, a few sparkling motes of light appeared within her right palm. They swirled like dust and multiplied before she flicked them in his direction. Floating like wind, they surrounded him in a bright light before they eventually disappeared.

Seemingly answering the question that was just on his lips Celene informed him. "It's a simple purification spell. It would not last long but it will be enough until you get the chance to change."

Now that she said it, Lukas realized just how much he truly stank. A heathen mixture of mud, blood and sweat filed the carriage the moment he entered, and this was not even considering the fact that the robes he wore still had patches where it as torn and bitten by ravenous wolves.

Feeling infinitely gratefully, Lukas muttered some gratitude while making a mental note to learn such spell when given the chance. He knew she possessed the same elemental gift as the previous host and if he had hopefully inherited the same magical talent as him then he could also master the spell too. After all he had just witnessed its usefulness.

Realizing they hadn't introduced themselves, she began. "I'm called Cassandra," She started. She was most assuredly that he had recognized her and so she was only being polite. "…from the House of Celeste and this is Nilfgard, my Protector." She said while lightly gesturing to the fully armored behemoth beside her.

Knowing it was his turn, Lukas hesitated a little. It was a common tradition for those born from the Noble Houses to introduce themselves in such fashion. Not only was it necessary to do so but it also clearly defined the lines especially when reputation was concerned.

"Lukas…from the House of Raydore"

The Guard beside snorted in response but Lukas could only frown in consternation. A previous breeze through his new memoires had taught him a few things. He might have been born into a noble house but his position was more precarious than ever. Their family's reputation was down the drain and the disappearance of the Scion of House…who happened to be the original's host father did not help the situation one bit. This world clearly respects the strong and his family strength was already in shambles to begin with.

Cassandra's eyes twinkled but she politely ignored the situation. To say that she wasn't aware of the rumors would be putting it too lightly. The price of strength in this world was attention and to say the House of Raydore was not in the limelight was clearly an understatement. Adding on the sister's exceptional magical talent then almost the whole side of the Cathedral were aware of it.

Clearly looking at him she couldn't help but ask.

"Were you also one of the adventurers who went to the forest to seek the treasure?"

Confused Lukas replied with a question, "What treasure?"

Seeing his honest expression, Cassandra had a feeling that he truly didn't know what she was talking about. She leaned back on her seat and proceeded to explain.

"Last night around midnight an astral event occurred above the Evergreen Forest. The whole sky was suddenly covered with a blanket of stars, and some say they saw a shooting star descending into the innermost areas of the forest. Most people think a treasure has appeared from the skies hence many adventures have decided to explore the forest and try their luck."

A blanket of stars! A shooting star! It all seemed strangely familiar to him. Just as his thoughts began to wander, they were rudely interrupted by a grunt.

"Useless vagrants all of them, trying to recklessly endanger their lives." The guard gruffly complained.

Puzzled Lukas asked. "Why is it?"

The guard leveled as stare at him so hard that he literally felt invisible ants crawling under his skin.

Cassandra sighed as she answered on his stead. "It's generally known The Evergreen Forest is dangerous but most people have no idea of the true monsters that exist within. Even if a treasure did descend from the sky, it can only be considered a bad omen. Throughout history, a treasure of such caliber is almost always followed by intense competition and a bloodbath if left uncontrolled. Even then how can simple adventures compare to the frightening strengths of some of the top institutions in the Continent of Lush. If said treasure is found to be priceless then you can bet some of the powerful houses will eventually be involved in the struggle."

Inwardly sweating Lukas could only feel grateful that he had escaped the forest as soon as he could. Though he had no proof other than disjointed memoires of a dead soul, he was almost sure he might be the cause of such an event. Somehow last night in the midst of rising spells and exploding stars, the most impossible mystical had occurred. But from the way they talked about, it was almost as if the event had occurred deeper into the forest instead of the outskirts where he found himself in the morning. He truly had no idea how he had appeared so much farther from the incident. Regardless he might as well not rise any suspicious towards himself.

"I was probably passed out in some bushes seeing as I couldn't find my way back after being separated from my team." He couldn't tell them that his previous host was betrayed. That would raise even more questions. "We were battling a pack of silver backed wolves but they proved to be more challenging than we had thought..."

Nilfgard grunted. "Overestimating your strengths seems to be path of fools lately…"

Cassandra only added. "Then its absolute luck that you survived. Silver backed wolves are known from their ferocity."

Nilfgard snorted before he steeled back to silence. Trying not to be irritated by the guard who kept snorting and grunting at his every sentence, Lukas helplessly smiled. "I surely have learnt my lesson. I was wholly unprepared this time so I have to train harder before I dare venture out again."

Cassandra lightly nodded in agreement, "That will truly be for the best." While the guard only spoke under his breath.

"At least he knows he is weak."

Lukas nearly rolled his eyes in exasperation before decisively closing his mouth worried he might utter something he will regret. But it was the truth. The fact that the previous host dared to go out adventuring with his strength and barely any preparations was definite proof of how he came to be. But then if he hadn't decided to take such a foolish endeavor…would he have been reborn into this world? After his death, where would he have gone?

The carriage trudged on in its comfortable silence for a while. Lukas was deep into his thoughts while Cassandra kept surreptitiously taking glances at him. She was used to have people flattering her or trying to be in her good graces but from the moment Lukas had entered the carriage, he showed none of the annoying habits. In fact if it wasn't for the robes he wore, she would have never thought that the boy in front of him had just survived a night at the Evergreen forest by himself.

A sudden thought passed through her mind before she asked. "Will you be attending this year's Annual Competition?"

It took a short while for Lukas to collect himself before he answered. "I…have no choice than to attend. This year will truly be my last time to do so. If I don't…."

He didn't have to continue but it was very clear what he meant. The guard snorted again which bristled Lukas nerves but Cassandra chimed in again.

"I wish you luck. There is still some ample time left before the end of the year arrives"

Lukas shook his head. "I can only try my best."

Cassandra was about to add something when the Carriage driver intoned with a clear voice.

"We have arrived."

Lukas and Cassandra stared at each other before she waved her hand. "Go on. I still have some distance before I arrive at my destination."

Looking through the windows Lukas could already see more than several disciples milling about. Turning towards Cassandra he brought his hands together with respect as he sincerely said. "I'm truly grateful for your help. It would have taken me a long time to be here."

Cassandra smiled. "Never mind such a small favor. It has been while since I was in the company of fellow disciple."

Lukas nodded before he swiftly got out of the carriage. Behind him the door closed before the driver started up the horses, the carriage resuming its trotting speed.

A moment of silence passed before the guard suddenly spoke.

"He is a decent lad."

Cassandra lightly smiled. "You say this after vexing him repeatedly!"

The guard bluntly replied. "Most youngsters would have never dared showed their anger in front of me." He paused before he added. "But not only did he do so but he was also well mannered. Not unlike those pompous assess I see every day."

Acting like she was used to him swearing, Cassandra chuckled. "He is definitely different. Despite the robes he wore…he was unusually calm. One could never have guessed that he spent the night in the forest alone. "

She reflected for a moment before she raised the question that had been on her mind. "Do you believe the tale of him getting lost?"

The guard sneered as he replied. "Of course not! How could he a mortal mage dare venture alone into the forest…even on the outskirts and live to see the day? There was probably a lot more than he was telling but it's not our business."

"I guessed so too…" she said before she added. "But he seemed positively confused when we told him about the Astral event."

"By the looks of it he probably was truly passed out when it happened. And it was for the best anyway. Who knows if a young lad like him would have been to escape such temptations anyway…" the guard intoned.