Sunlight offered its gentle warmth over the world once again, its rays sneakily finding their way through the room of the fourth prince. He sat on the floor, his body bare and shirtless, completely drenched in sweat.
"Stop it."
At the prince’s command, the holographic entity that stood in the middle of the room dissipated, leaving him alone with his huffing breaths and the ever-quiet presence of the system guide, floating silently to the side.
A soft chime echoed, and a screen materialized before the prince.
---
Skills
- Muscle Burst (Basic - Upgradable/Dual Powered)
- Ki Fists (Basic)
- Barrier (Basic - Upgradable/Dual Powered)
- Breakthrough (Basic)
- Shadow Step Arts (Profound/Upgradable)
- Heaven Piercing Spear (Profound/Upgradable/Dual Powered)
---
Aric had learned every skill he could in just the span of a single night—four different martial techniques, all learned in one night as opposed to the two he had barely managed the last time.
Was it that Aric had somehow become a genius of martial arts? Or perhaps profound-ranked skills were easier to learn than basic-ranked ones? No. Something had changed in the prince—he now possessed an energy within him, one that was neither mana nor ki... but both.
These two conceptual forces of existence, on the foundation of the Martial God’s technique, coexisted—not in harmony, but in raw, pure chaos. They created and formed a new type of energy, hungry for destruction. It oozed and licked at even molecules, eradicating anything the moment it was unsuppressed.
It was a different type of power entirely, one that Aric had no time to explore, but the mere thought of it gave him chills.
Aric smiled, gripping the mage’s shoulder.
"A war begins from this very moment, and you, Lerai, are my sharp and deadly blade... What did I tell you? Most times, they won’t see the bigger picture..."
"...Unless we paint it in blood," the mage completed.
Aric moved his hand behind his neck, pulling him closer as he leaned into his ear.
"Yes, and this kingdom will be our canvas, our first masterpiece drenched in crimson for the entire world to see. And then, all who laughed and mocked us will see just how great an artist you truly are."
Aric pulled away, his gaze locking with Lerai’s as he gave a nod, and the young mage nodded back. The prince then turned away to head for the exit.
[Lerai Castro’s Loyalty has been maxed.]
The prince walked past the carriage parked outside, turning to the innkeeper.
"I’ll find my own way. Take them where they need to go."
The innkeeper bowed his head. "As you wish, my lord."
---
Around an hour later, the prince arrived at the castle gates once again. The guards, swiftly recognizing him, opened the gates, all saluting his arrival. As he walked in, four of the guards immediately joined behind him, while one went in front, leading him.
They navigated the grand castle until they reached a courtyard. The scent of blooming flowers was soothing, noticed first before the beauty of the well-tended court.
However, what was more attention-grabbing was the large table placed right in the middle, and at the head of this table sat Aszer, the king. To his sides were the council.
In usual fashion, Aric was late to this meeting, and only his chair at the bottom of the table opposite the king remained empty. The eyes of the council all fixed on the prince as he approached.
"Council," Aric nodded before turning to the king and nodding again. "Your grace."
The king acknowledged the prince’s greeting with a hand gesture as Aric took his seat.
"All right then, shall we begin?" the prince spoke, his tone carrying what they might perceive as misplaced authority.