A chill, not of temperature but of sheer, unadulterated power, permeated Lucifer’s bones. The holographic interface, shimmering with an ethereal blue light, floated inches from his eyes, utterly impervious to the solid oak of his study desk or the ancient enchantments woven into the very walls of his room. It wasn't a dream, nor was it some elaborate prank by a mischievous house elf. This was real. The System. [Status] [Name: Lucifer Morningstar] [Age: 12] [Bloodline: Morningstar (Tier 1 – Unawakened)] [Core Affinity: None (Requires Talent Test Awakening)] [Magical Energy: 0/0] [Attributes] [Strength: 5] [Agility: 5] [Stamina: 5] [Intelligence: 5] [Perception: 5] [Willpower: 5] [Free Attribute Points: Unlimited] [Skill Points: Unlimited] [Skills] [None] [Bloodlines] [None Acquired] [Inventory] [Empty] [Shop] [Locked: Requires Initial Core Affinity Awakening] Lucifer’s fingers, trembling slightly, ghosted over the spectral text. Unlimited. The word echoed in his mind, a siren song promising absolute dominance. For generations, the Morningstar family had clawed its way to prominence, their power rooted in ancient bloodlines and meticulous cultivation. Every point of attribute, every sliver of magical affinity, was hard-won, a testament to relentless training, rare elixirs, and potent rituals. Yet, here, before him, lay an infinite wellspring. He felt a strange blend of awe and cold, ruthless calculation. The wizarding world was a brutal, meritocratic landscape. Talent was everything. Lineage was a foundation, but without a powerful core affinity and the diligent cultivation of magical energy, even the most ancient blood would wither. His upcoming talent test loomed large, a terrifying crucible that would determine his standing, his worth, his very future within the family and beyond. Many children of noble families, despite their prestigious names, failed to awaken a strong enough affinity and were relegated to managerial roles, their magical potential a forgotten dream. But Lucifer? He now held the key to bypass every single limitation. He was no longer just Lucifer Morningstar, a scion under pressure. He was a player, a cheat code incarnate, in a game he was destined to conquer. “Show me how to allocate points,” he murmured, his voice a low, almost predatory whisper. The system, seemingly sentient, responded instantly. A small, glowing ‘+’ symbol appeared next to each attribute. He focused on ‘Intelligence’, recalling the countless tales of ancient wizards whose mastery stemmed from sheer mental prowess. Intelligence governed spell potency, memory, theoretical understanding, and magical control – crucial for any aspiring wizard. He hesitated. Should he dump a thousand points, ten thousand? What would happen? Would his head explode? Would he transform into some grotesque intellectual monstrosity? The slow burn approach, the core tenet of web novelists, resonated deeply within him. A sudden, drastic change might draw unwanted attention, especially with the talent test just days away. Subtlety was key, at least for now. “Add one point to Intelligence,” he commanded internally. A faint, almost imperceptible warmth spread through his skull. The ‘5’ beside Intelligence flickered, then settled on ‘6’. The system didn't confirm with a chime or an animation, merely updated the number. He felt no sudden surge of enlightenment, no grand revelation. Just a quiet, underlying hum, like a newly tuned instrument. “Add ten points to Intelligence.” The process repeated, faster this time. The warmth intensified slightly, a gentle pressure behind his eyes. Intelligence: 16. Still no overt sensation of heightened intellect, but a subtle sharpness in his perception of the room, the intricate patterns on his rug, the faint scent of old parchment in the air. He decided to push it further, but carefully. “Add fifty points to Intelligence.” Intelligence: 66. The mental warmth was now a steady, comfortable heat. He found his mind racing, connecting dots he hadn’t noticed before. The layout of the Morningstar estate, the complex magical diagrams in his father's forbidden library texts he’d only glimpsed – they seemed clearer, their underlying principles almost within grasp. This was it. This was the cheat. His next thought immediately gravitated to the talent test. Core Affinity. The system mentioned it, and the shop was locked until it was awakened. He needed to ensure he passed, and not just passed, but excelled. A high affinity would grant him access to better academies, better resources, and most importantly, prevent any suspicion regarding his sudden, impossible growth. “System, what is the optimal way to use Free Attribute Points and Skill Points to prepare for a core affinity awakening test?” he asked, a pragmatic edge to his voice. The holographic screen rippled, then new text materialized. [Query: Optimal preparation for Core Affinity Awakening Test] [To maximize potential for a strong Core Affinity awakening, the primary focus should be on attributes that enhance mental clarity, sensitivity to ambient magical energy, and resilience of the soul. Recommended attributes for pre-awakening enhancement: Intelligence, Perception, Willpower.] [Secondary benefits may be observed from a balanced increase in Strength, Agility, and Stamina, as a healthy and robust physical vessel can better accommodate the strain of awakening a powerful core. However, these are not directly proportional to affinity strength.] [Skill Points cannot be allocated until core affinity is awakened and relevant skill trees become available.] Lucifer nodded slowly. It made sense. A stronger mind, keener senses, and an unyielding spirit would naturally be more attuned to the subtle flows of magic and more capable of forming a powerful connection. He had always been told that a wizard's potential was intertwined with their intrinsic qualities, not just external factors. The system merely offered an accelerated path to cultivate those qualities. He looked at his current stats. Strength, Agility, Stamina were still at 5. He decided on a balanced approach, elevating himself subtly but broadly, preparing for any eventuality, without making any single leap too dramatic. “System, allocate fifty points to Strength, fifty to Agility, fifty to Stamina, fifty to Perception, and another fifty to Willpower.” The numbers flickered across the screen with blinding speed. Strength: 55, Agility: 55, Stamina: 55, Perception: 55, Willpower: 55. His body felt lighter, stronger, more coordinated. His senses sharpened further, the distant chatter of a house elf in the hallway, the faint metallic tang of the ancestral family sword displayed in the corridor, the minute tremor of an old magical array beneath the floorboards – all became subtly clearer. This was the feeling of power. Controlled, measured, and growing. He was no longer just passively waiting for his fate to be decided; he was actively architecting it. The talent test was merely the first blueprint. His mind, now operating at a level far beyond that of a mere twelve-year-old, began to formulate strategies, not just for the test, but for the entire wizarding world that lay before him. He would not just conquer infinite realms; he would build them, reshape them, and bend them to his will. The Morningstar name would shine brighter than any star, fueled by an endless, unyielding, cheating power. He dismissed the interface with a thought, the blue light dissolving as if it had never been there. The room returned to its mundane reality, but Lucifer Morningstar was forever changed. The world outside, with its ancient traditions and rigid hierarchies, was about to meet its ultimate gamer. And he was just getting started. He still had a few days until the test, and a mind now perfectly primed to absorb every bit of knowledge available in the Morningstar library, to prepare for his grand debut. There was no time to waste. The game had truly begun. He felt a smirk tug at the corner of his lips. The wizarding world wouldn't know what hit it. His path was clear, and it led to absolute dominion. The first step was to ace this talent test, and he had all the cheats in the world to ensure it.

Chapter 3: The Architect of Ascension