[Three days later.]
Shen lay on the training grounds, arms trembling as he pushed through the last set.
"One hundred!" he gasped, springing to his feet. Sweat dripped down his brow, but a grin tugged at his lips. He dusted off his hands and glanced toward the palace. "Leo should have the book by now."
As he walked back inside, he noticed something strange—his body already looked more toned than it should after just three days of exercise.
"Could it be the system? Or just me?" Shen muttered. His brow furrowed. "What exactly is this thing doing to me? Am I going to end up a muscle-bound freak if I keep this up?"
His thoughts were interrupted by a massive man with a grizzled beard and a frame like a stone wall. The man's voice rumbled like thunder.
"Are you Shen?"
"Yes," Shen answered cautiously. Did that munchkin send a guard after me?
To his surprise, the man bowed and handed him a thick book: Introduction to Cultivation.
"The prince asked me to deliver this. He had other matters to attend to."
Shen blinked. "Oh—thank you."
The man gave another stiff bow and strode away, disappearing as abruptly as he came. Shen looked down at the book, and a spark of joy welled in his chest.
Finally.
Back in his room, Shen sat cross-legged and flipped open the book. Before he could get far, the system interrupted.
[Would you like to learn this skill?]
"Yes!" he answered instantly.
Light began to gather, the pages trembling in his hands—then everything froze.
[Skill acquisition failed. Body not strong enough.]
Shen's jaw dropped. He sat in silence, staring at the wall.
This system is shit.
---
Far above, in the round chamber, King Hydris sat at the council table with his son at his side.
"Aceton," Leo said, turning toward his father with pleading eyes, "we need more blacksmiths."
Hydris shook his head. "Son, I can spare no one from the military. Blacksmithing takes years to master. By the time they learn, it will already be too late."
"Father," Leo pressed, emotion rising in his voice, "you know as well as I do—without more blacksmiths and enchanters, we'll be eradicated."
Hydris fell silent. Every word was true. At last, he sighed. "I will call a meeting to discuss it."
"Thank you," Leo said, bowing before taking his leave.
Alone, Hydris buried his head in his hands.
---
Meanwhile, Shen sat with the useless book still in his lap.
If I keep training, I'll meet the requirement soon enough, he thought, stretching his sore arms. "I can do this."
He marched toward the door, determination set—only to be blocked by none other than Prince Cain.
"Hello," Cain said smoothly, his tone dripping with nobility.
"Oh, hello, Prince Cain," Shen replied with mock sweetness. Cain brushed past him and sat down uninvited.
"I'd like to discuss what happened the other day."
Shen tensed, already preparing for a fight. "What about it?"
Cain leaned forward. "How did you dodge my attack?"
Shen blinked. "Excuse me?"
"My attack in the library," Cain pressed. "You shouldn't have survived. That icicle would have killed you. No one could've sensed it. My magic is… invisible. Even my brother can't feel it unless I whisper. So how?"
Shen's mind scrambled. "I… have good reflexes?"
Cain scoffed. "Impossible. You must have extraordinary sensitivity to magic energy. More than anyone I've ever seen." He began pacing, muttering to himself. "If that's true… you're a rare talent. A very rare talent indeed."
Shen's lips curled into a sly grin. Respect from a brat like you? I'll take it.
"Yes," he said smoothly, giving Cain a look that all but said you've figured me out.
[Attack Imminent.]
Shen dove aside as an icicle speared the wall where his head had been.
"COULD YOU NOT?!" Shen roared.
Cain raised his hands. "I had to be sure!"
Shen's glare could have melted steel.
Cain sighed, bowing slightly. "I apologize—for the library and just now."
Shen cut him off. "Enough. Why don't we call it even? We can be friends." Friends… until I get strong enough to pay you back.
Cain straightened, arrogance flashing in his eyes. "Don't get ahead of yourself. I only apologize because I recognize your talent. But until you prove yourself worthy, you are not my equal."
With that, he turned and strode out.
Shen stared at the open doorway. "What an asshole," he muttered. "He's a shitty prince."