Age: 9 Years (Aging process slowing—gradual growth toward the Academy arc at 15 years old.)
Power in Maurya was divided into many domains—wealth, military strength, information, and magic.
Lucien had begun securing trade, influencing House Aldric's merchant circles, reshaping noble commerce to favor his growing network.
Now, it was time to expand into magic.
House Nyx controlled arcane knowledge, dictating who gained access to enchanted artifacts, spell tomes, and magical resources.
But knowledge was not freely given—it was a commodity, bought, traded, and restricted through ancient agreements.
And tonight, Lucien would begin weaving his influence into the heart of Maurya 's magical market, ensuring his future power was limitless.
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### The Hidden Economy of Magic
Most nobles treated magic as a privilege—something granted to scholars or inherited through bloodlines.
But beneath the surface, magic was business.
Artifacts were bought and sold in secret transactions. Spell research was funded by noble houses who sought advantages over their rivals. Arcane materials were smuggled beyond borders, ensuring that power never remained in one place for too long.
And Lucien knew that if he wanted to control magic, he had to control its economy first.
His All-Seeing Eyes activated, scanning the noble gathering within House Nyx's halls.
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### [Influence Tracking: Arcane Market]
- Corruption Progress: 11% – Trade Interests Shifting
- Behavioral Shifts: Increased discussions of private artifact sales, nobles beginning to reconsider alliances.
- Hidden Weakness: Magic commerce is unstable—rival factions within House Nyx often fight for control.
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He did not need to force his way in.
He only needed to disrupt the balance, ensuring that when the dust settled, the market favored his interests instead of existing powerhouses.
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### The First Step: Controlling Magical Trade Routes
House Nyx's artifact merchants operated through hidden supply chains, moving enchanted goods between noble factions without revealing their full extent.
Tonight, Lucien positioned himself near a key merchant, an individual who had struggled to keep his business intact due to House Nyx's elite scholars limiting access.
His name was Malek Varyn, a merchant too ambitious for his station, too skilled to be ignored, yet too unstable to be trusted completely.
Perfect.
Lucien spoke with deliberate ease. "The arcane market shifts quickly. I imagine merchants find it difficult to maintain steady trade."
Malek turned, eyes narrowing slightly. "And what do you know of magic trade, Lord Silver Star ?"
Valerian's smile was subtle. "I know that power flows where control is weakest. You need resources without restrictions. I need access without limitations. Perhaps we can resolve both problems."
A pause.
A flicker of thought, of potential interest.
And just like that, the first discussion toward controlling magic trade had begun.
---
### A Future of Unrestricted Power
Lucien did not need to seize control overnight.
He simply had to reshape expectations, ensuring that when noble scholars, artifact traders, and spell researchers sought alliances, they began looking toward him instead of traditional rulers.
Because power was not granted—it was taken, woven through conversations, built through perception.
And soon, even the arcane economy would unknowingly serve him.