**Chapter Thirty-Six: Return After a Year**
For the past year, Lucien had dedicated himself to intensive training, his determination fueled by the revelation of his mother's abduction and the strength he needed to confront the mercenaries who had taken her. Eighteen hours a day, he pushed his body beyond its limits, enduring pain and injuries in pursuit of power.
During this time, he had cautiously rebuilt some level of trust with his siblings, although the wounds of betrayal still lingered. They had all grown stronger, not just in terms of power, but in their bond as well. Lucien had forgiven them, but he now regarded their words with a degree of skepticism.
As the months passed, Lucien found himself standing at a crossroads, his heart and mind consumed by the burning desire to become stronger. The events of the past year had shaken him, but they had also given him a clear purpose. Every scar he earned during training, every drop of sweat, and every ounce of pain was a testament to his unwavering determination.
Finally, after a year of relentless dedication, Lucien's friends returned. Janet and Jacob were part of the batch that had successfully completed their trials. As they reunited, Lucien's heart swelled with a mix of joy and relief. Their bonds were unbroken, and if anything, they had grown stronger during their time apart.
The assembly felt like déjà vu, the principal's speech eerily similar to the one they had heard a year ago. However, this time, they weren't the first, and the rewards were given to the top performers. The familiar words washed over them as they stood together, a united front against the challenges that lay ahead.
After the assembly, Lucien, Janet, and Jacob caught up, their conversations filled with laughter and shared memories. Old wounds had started to heal, and though scars remained, their friendship was stronger than ever.
As they walked back to the dorms, their camaraderie felt as natural as breathing. Zakiel and Lillian joined them, fitting seamlessly into the group dynamic. They chatted and laughed, the serenity of the moment a stark contrast to the trials they had faced.
When they finally reached the dorms, they exchanged goodbyes, promising to meet up again soon. Lucien watched as they went their separate ways, a sense of contentment settling over him. His journey was far from over, but with his friends by his side, he was ready to face whatever challenges the realms had in store.
As he sat on his bed, gazing out the window, Lucien couldn't help but reflect on how much had changed in a year. His resolve had grown unshakable, and his determination to protect those he cared about was stronger than ever. He was prepared to continue his journey, to become the person he needed to be in a world filled with gods, realms, and the pursuit of strength.
Feeling the drowsy sweet embrace of sleep overtaking him, Lucien eyes wavered and rested, his eyelids closed.
Waking up and stretching his body Lucien walked over to the small futuristic kitchen in his home and made a bacon and egg while the robot automated coffee machine prepared a mocha for him. Sitting to eat breakfast while watching t.v. he was watching cartoons and laughed, his day seemed to be peaceful going back to rest he slept off and woke up again nothing disturbing him like the day before, it seemed weird but he was okay with it , he had spent his entire day resting at home yesterday to get his bearings straight but when he watched tv it was the exact same thing they showed yesterday. Thinking it was a coincidence and that it was normal for cartoons to be re-run two days in a row he thought nothing of it. until he opened the door to leave his room.
"What da HELLL?!?!?