Rahul took a steady breath. "System," he said aloud, trying to sound calm. "What exactly are you? Can I know your basic functions?"
A soft ding echoed inside his mind, followed by the same cold, mechanical voice:
> [System Response]:
Yes, Host. The Mining System grants you one opportunity per year to convert five square kilometers of land on Earth with five square kilometers of land from any other planet within the Solar System.
This is your Level 1 Authority.
As you level up, the number of opportunities and the exchangeable area will increase. You may then expand your mining capacity and access rarer resources from across the Solar System.
Rahul stood there in stunned silence, his mind racing to process what he had just heard.
Five square kilometers might not sound like much—but if he could replace that much land on Earth with mineral-rich terrain from other planets, the profit potential was unimaginable.
His thoughts jumped instantly to Mercury—a world covered in metals, carbon, and silicon deposits. Just five square kilometers of such terrain could yield billions, maybe even trillions, in resources.
He could industrialize Athenia overnight, raise it from poverty, and dominate the global economy—all from a single exchange.
Rahul's lips slowly curved into a smile.
This system… it's the greatest treasure in existence.
Rahul forced himself to breathe slowly. He couldn't rush into the Mining System's power like a madman; first he had to understand Athenia as it was. Factions had been stirring for some time—ambitious ministers and regional leaders who had seen the outside world and resented their country's backwardness. They whispered for reform: open the ports, allow foreign trade, modernize the farms. They were tired of living like impoverished African states or hermit regimes where even the nights are without light.
Their demands made sense — and they were dangerous. The old ruling class had kept Athenia deliberately stunted to protect its power; corruption ran deep, and vested interests were lethal. If Rahul announced some miraculous source of wealth overnight, he risked more than assassination. Foreign powers would notice a sudden surge of resources, and Athenia could become a target for invasion or predatory corporations.
He had influence now, but also enormous risk. The prudent path was slow and deliberate: assess the nation, win over key ministers, root out corruption quietly, and prepare the populace before exposing the system's true potential. Hasty changes would doom him — and doom the people he hoped to save.
Suddenly, Rahul realized something that made him pause. Why was he feeling so sentimental about the people he had just seen? He shouldn't care—these were strangers, citizens he had never met.
And then it hit him. These emotions weren't entirely his own. They were echoes of the man whose body he had taken, the king of Athenia. The compassion, the sense of duty, the concern for his people—it was ingrained in the soul of the body he now inhabited.
Yet that realization didn't shake him; instead, it strengthened his resolve. If he was to wear the crown, he would fulfill the role properly. He would protect, guide, and elevate the nation—even if it meant putting himself at risk.
With renewed focus, Rahul decided to begin his first step as king. He would assess Athenia's condition thoroughly. The next morning, he summoned all the ministers of agriculture, trade, industry, and governance. Every department, every official responsible for the kingdom's sustenance and growth, was to convene.
He wanted a full report—the state of the farms, the economy, the infrastructure, and the people. Nothing would be hidden from him.
For the first time since awakening in this body, Rahul felt the weight of true leadership, and he welcomed it.
Rohan called for a roll call. Soon, the attendants, each armed and disciplined, filed into the chamber.
"Yes, Your Majesty," they responded in unison.
"Send my security detail here," Rahul ordered.
"Yes, Your Majesty," came the reply.
Ten minutes later, a tall, imposing man with a sharp, commanding presence entered the room.
"Bauer," Rahul said.
"Yes, Your Majesty," the man responded promptly.
Rahul turned to Priya, another attendant. "Priya, go. Tell all the ministers to prepare detailed reports for tomorrow. We will have a ministerial meeting regarding the condition of the country and the state of its people."
Priya hesitated. "But, sir… if we announce it tomorrow, the ministers may not have enough time. The reports won't be complete; it's too soon for them to gather everything accurately."
Rahul nodded, taking note of her caution. "You're right. Make it next week, same day. All ministers must present full data on their departments—the issues, the problems, everything. I want no gaps."
Priya and Bauer bowed simultaneously.
"Yes, Your Majesty," they said.
Rahul leaned back in his chair, eyes narrowing slightly. Patience and preparation would be key. The ministers would provide the truth—but only if given time. And he intended to use every piece of that truth to reshape Athenia, one step at a time.
Rohan knew something crucial: Athenia had no organization capable of monitoring corruption. No independent agency like the IRS, USAID, or an Anti-Corruption Bureau existed here. The ministers were left unchecked, and graft ran deep.
He planned to introduce such an organization tomorrow. The first step was selecting the right people. For this, he had already instructed Priya, his secretary, to prepare a detailed list of candidates capable of running the bureau efficiently. He trusted her judgment completely; from the memories he had inherited, he knew Priya was highly talented, intelligent, and dependable. She had even returned from the United States after completing her studies—purely out of love for her country.
Confident in her abilities, Rahul summoned Priya.
"Priya," he said, "I need a list of individuals who can manage the Anti-Corruption Bureau. Choose only the best—people with integrity, skill, and loyalty to the country."
Priya's eyes brightened. She felt a surge of pride that the monarch was taking a genuine interest in Athenia's future. "Yes, Your Majesty," she replied respectfully. "I will prepare a detailed recommendation. At the ministerial meeting, I will present the candidates who can run the Anti-Corruption Bureau effectively and ensure that justice and transparency are enforced."
Rahul nodded, satisfied. For the first time since waking in this body, he felt a sense of direction. This is the first step toward transforming Athenia. Rooting out corruption is key, and with Priya's support, it can be done properly.
Days passed, and Priya worked diligently to inform all the ministers about the upcoming meeting. Once the announcement reached them, a flurry of activity erupted. Many ministers hurried to prepare their reports, determined to present themselves in the best possible light. After all, the future of the kingdom rested heavily on the king's favor.
Even though Athenia was backward in terms of technology and economy, the ministers still held real power within their respective domains. Yet they were well aware that the king had the autonomy to remove any minister from the cabinet. This knowledge kept the balance of power in check.
Athenia was a nation rooted in tradition. The royal family had remained unchanged for centuries, and over generations, a mentality had taken hold among the people and officials alike: the king is always right, and his authority is absolute. This belief lent a measure of stability to the kingdom.
Rahul observed another detail that gave him quiet reassurance. The military operated on a rotational basis, with regular transfers and rotations. Unlike in many novels or other countries where armies are entirely under the ruler's control, this system ensured the military remained disciplined and healthy, preventing stagnation or factionalism. He realized that this was one of the few wise policies of the previous king, likely implemented after studying other nations' failures.
For now, his immediate authority was secure. Ministers and military alike were bound by tradition, hierarchy, and careful checks—a structure Rohan could work with as he prepared to reshape the country.