Primordial Lust System

Elsewhere, inside a sealed chamber lined with mana crystals and banners, twelve figures sat. An oppressive silence hung over their heads until a man with void-like eyes and a head full of white hair suddenly sighed.

"The academies have pushed forward the selection ceremony to the upcoming week."

His voice echoed for a bit before he continued, "That means we have to prepare our awakened ones before then."

"Preposterous!" a skinny old man seated at the far end of the table hissed. "Who do they think they are? Just because we are small clans they think they can lord over us with these crazy deadlines?! I say we forfeit the clan from participating in their academy entrance trials and have them shove their stupid deadlines up their stupid asses!" He breathed harshly, his face turning red from rage.

"I applaud your bravado, Elder Malric, but need I remind you why they are far up their asses? Resources! In their hands lies what we need, the dungeons they restrict from us to prevent our rise to power," a middle-aged lady with a calculating glint in her eyes voiced out as she brushed strands of her raven-black hair back.

"We need to play the long game here..." she continued, pausing to ensure all eyes were drawn to her before smirking.

"Well? What are you waiting for? If you have a suggestion, spit it out already!" a bald man snickered, clearly not in the mood for mind games.

"Way to ruin the suspense, but I was going there... Rarvo," she whispered, casting an enchanting smile at him.

"Since time immemorial, youths awaken their talents, claim their class after slaying their first beast, and rise step by step. That's the dream. But reality tends to be a bit... underwhelming"

Her tone sharpened as her gaze swept across the chamber.

"Once one reaches D-rank, dungeons are already seized by larger powers. Access becomes a battle. And the C-rank gates and beyond are out of the question. Completely monopolized by academies and the great forces. Without joining them, we remain stuck in a cycle of weakness."

"If we cannot hunt monsters, we cannot gain loot. If we cannot gain loot, we cannot grow stronger."

The words struck deep. She let the silence stretch before her voice rose again, laced with a thrill of revelation.

"But now…things are different. We have an S-ranked awakened talent. Imagine, if she aligned herself with a major force, say one of the four supreme ancestral academies, rose in power, and returned when the time was right…"

Her smirk stretched cunningly, before she continued. "She could lay waste to those academies and shatter their stranglehold. Then, the dungeons they guard so jealously would finally be ours."

"Hmmm. A bold claim," Rarvo muttered, eyes narrowing. "But your entire plan hinges on the loyalty of one girl. After what she's endured, especially at the hands of a certain boy, I doubt she'll be eager to help us."

"Hahahahaha! Leave the convincing part to me! I'll be sure to persuade my niece," Elder Varn muttered, seizing the opportunity. "Though I believe we'll need an incentive if this is to work..." he added, his implication hanging in the air.

"What?!" Artorias yelled, clearly not liking the tone of the figure before him. Still, he did make a point.

"I don't know yet, but I trust it will involve something concerning your grandson."

"Done!" Artorias roared, his white hair rippling from the sheer force of his words. "She can have Aurelian for all I care. He serves no purpose to us."

"Father!" Rarvo snapped, his eyes glinting with a terrifying light. "He is your grandson, goddamnit! What would Azvoid think of this?"

Memories flashed through Artorias's mind, his long-lost son, who had awakened a B-rank talent and decided to explore the world as a mercenary rather than align with any force.

His eyes softened for a moment before he relented slightly. "Nothing too extreme."

Inhaling sharply, Rarvo shook his head as Aurelian's figure came to mind. Crazy how fickle family was in front of power. Still, at least, not all hope was lost.

Artorias rose to his feet, his presence filling the chamber. "Inform the rest of the newly awakened. The plan has shifted. They enter the dungeons tomorrow. By week's end, they will stand in the academy selection trials."

A rare smile then stretched across his face.

"If this succeeds… it will mark the dawn of a new era."

With that, he swept from the chamber, the others rising in his wake.

***

Elsewhere, in a room adorned with decadent furniture, a young girl, barely past her teens, fumed while an elderly man groveled to placate her.

"He had me dragged away! And now you tell me I shouldn't crush him?!" Her dark eyes blazed. Fury burning deep within them. "I have something far better in mind."

"Good! Good! Good! That's the spirit." Elder Varn's lips curled into a malicious grin. "Just endure for now. Once the academies see your potential and rally behind you, not even Patriarch Artorias will be able to hinder your revenge." His voice lowered, dripping venom. "Now… what do you have in mind?"

Aurora's chest rose and fell before her lips twisted into a wicked smile. "An eye for an eye. He shamed me before others, and I will do the same. A week from now, make sure I face him in the trials. On that stage, before everyone, I'll break him. I'll tear apart his pride and grind it underfoot."

Her voice thickened with venom as her smile grew.

"And when his will shatters, when he wallows in misery and begs for death...I won't grant him that mercy. By then, I'll have my backer. And with their blessing, I'll end him myself."

A wild laugh burst from her, echoing across the lavish chamber. She could already see it, taste it...the perfect vengeance.

Varn watched, shaking his head faintly. Note to self: never cross this girl, ever. Her cruelty runs deeper than even I imagined.

Clearing his throat, he straightened. "Very well. I will ensure you face him in the trials. "The rest…" His lips curved knowingly. "I leave to you."

He left her to her schemes, her smile still burning with malice. With her S-rank talent, the world itself would bow before her vengeance.

***

Meanwhile, somewhere else in the Graeogor family entrance.

Aurelian sneezed as he frowned, rubbing his nose.

"…Someone better not be talking about me."