Chapter 2: Lord Association

Cassian couldn’t help but smile at the squeal of excitement erupting through the speaker. His daughter, Ruby, only settled down after he promised to take her out for ice cream.

​"What about Mom?" Cassian asked.

​"Grandma is in the kitchen! I’ll give her the commlink now," Ruby replied eagerly.

​Cassian heard the faint sound of small footsteps pattering down a hallway, followed by a gentle, scolding voice. "Sweetheart, I’ve told you not to run near the kitchen!"

​"Grandma, it’s Dad! The procedure was successful, he awakened as a Lord!"

​Through the line, the metallic clatter of a pot lid hitting the floor echoed, followed by a brief scuffle of movements before his mother’s voice cut through, trembling with anticipation.

​"Honey, is it true what Ruby said? Was the procedure really successful?"

​Cassian shook his head with a warm smile. "Yes, it was, Mom. I’m officially a Lord."

​"Thank the stars... I knew my prayers weren’t in vain!"

​Cassian remained silent, simply listening to his mother’s overjoyed reaction. Unlike Ruby, she eventually calmed herself down, her tone shifting to one of profound pride.

​"Son, I have always been proud of you. But today, you’ve given me a reason to be prouder than ever."

​"Thank you, Mom."

​"Don’t thank me. Just make sure you come home soon—I’m saving the biggest piece of meat for you tonight!"

​"Wait, Grandma! You promised me the biggest piece of meat!" Ruby chimed in from the background.

​"When you awaken as a Lord, then you’ll get the biggest piece!"

​Cassian chuckled softly as his mother and daughter bickered back and forth. After exchanging a few more words, he finally ended the call and slipped the commlink back into his pocket, the smile on his face broader and warmer than before.

​’I will make sure I protect them. That tragic fate won’t repeat itself.’

​In his past life, Cassian had failed them. He had buried himself in his duties as a Lord, using the excuse that he was doing it all for his family.

Yet when he finally returned, he discovered that every bit of money he had sent home was confiscated, his family had been ruthlessly extorted by a rival Lord.

Had he been present, he could have prevented their suffering. And before he could ever seek vengeance, their world was erased.

​’Not this time.’

​Stepping out of the restroom, a cold, unyielding determination settled into his eyes. It was time to claim his awakening package.

....

The Lord Association was an organization present in every civilization connected to the Lord’s Domain, serving as the governing body for local Lords.

Despite sharing the same name across worlds, each Association was completely independent.

They held no authority over one another and possessed even less authority over the Lord’s Domain itself.

Their role was simply to govern and manage Lord-related affairs within their respective civilizations.

​As for the Lord’s Domain, it was a higher dimension that connected to countless worlds across the cosmos, provided those worlds had reached the stage of planetary expansion and ventured beyond their homeworlds.

It was a realm of endless opportunity, conquest, ambition, and glory, yet equally rife with danger, conflict, and death. The good, the bad, and the hideously ugly all converged within its expanse.

​Navigating through the bustling hall, Cassian finally made his way to the front desk.

​The woman behind the counter appeared to be in her late twenties. Her chestnut-brown hair was neatly tied into a crisp, professional ponytail, while a pair of sharp hazel eyes scanned the holographic interface hovering above her terminal with practiced efficiency.

Her posture was impeccable, every movement carrying a quiet elegance that made it clear she was a seasoned professional.

​The moment Cassian reached the counter, she paused her work, minimized her active windows, and offered him a warm, polished smile.

​"How may I help you today, sir?"

Cassian handed her the documents. "I’m here to register as a newly awakened Lord."

"Okay sir just wait a minute while I process the results."

​The receptionist took the physical file and tore it neatly along the edge. The moment the paper tore, it disintegrated into streams of blue digital data, flowing directly into the holographic interface.

​She quickly reviewed the incoming files, inputting a few missing details into her terminal. Moments later, shimmering digital particles coalesced on the counter, solidifying into a sleek identification license.

​"Congratulations, Lord Cassian," she said, sliding the card toward him. "You are now officially registered in the Association’s database and recognized as a Lord of the Astral Dominion."

​She cleared her throat slightly, reciting the standard protocol.

​"Due to your successful awakening and your D-rank Lord Seed, you are eligible to receive our standard starter package: one Common 2-Star Soldier Summoning Card, one Champion Card, one Common 2-Star Equipment Set, a basic material and resource kit, and a monthly stipend of one hundred thousand Astral coins."

​She tapped her console, confirming the distribution.

​"Your physical package will be delivered directly to your home address. If you have any immediate questions, I would be happy to answer them. Otherwise, a full orientation will be provided prior to your first entry into the Lord’s Domain."

​"No questions. Thank you," Cassian replied, picking up his license.

​"In that case, Lord Cassian... may your banner reach the stars."

​Cassian gave a polite nod and turned toward the exit. Looking down at the newly minted license, he saw his name alongside his printed status: Lord Seed Rank: D.

​Stepping out of the building, the cool, filtered air of Sector 7 brushed against his skin. High above, sleek hover-vehicles zoomed along defined sky-lanes while crowds of citizens gathered around the tube transit stations below.

​Life went on around him with familiar normalcy. A young couple walked hand in hand, a late worker rushed frantically down the sidewalk, and a group of children laughed on their way to the arcade to celebrate the weekend.

​Cassian paused, taking in the bustling scenery. This was just one sector on one planet among thousands under the Astral Dominion, a world full of innocent lives oblivious to the dark future awaiting them.

​His resolve hardened. He hailed a passing hover taxi, ready to head home and prepare.