《The Sovereign System [LitRPG, Military, Kingdom Building]》


 Chapter 1 - Transmigrated?

    Luke jolted awake to the sound of frantic knocking. For a second, he wasn¡¯t sure where he was¡ªthe rough silk of the sheets, the grand arching ceiling, and the scent of woodsmoke told him this was not his room.


    His body felt odd. Almost as if it were foreign.


    "Young Master," a voice spoke out. The door creaked open, revealing a tall figure dressed in the formal attire of a butler. His expression was dark, as if he had witnessed something grave.


    "Sebastian?" The name escaped his mouth, almost instinctively. Yet he¡¯d never seen this man in his life. A sharp pain pulsed behind his eyes, and memories that were not his own surged forward like a rising tide.


    His stomach turned as the foreign memories took root.


    ¡®This isn¡¯t my body¡­ Where am I?¡¯ He thought, trying to quell the panic which threatened to overcome him.


    "Your father..." Sebastian¡¯s voice broke, but he quickly composed himself. "He has fallen in battle."


    Luke blinked in confusion. Fallen? Father? No, no. This wasn¡¯t him. This wasn¡¯t real. He wasn¡¯t a young master. He had been¡ª


    Before he could finish his thoughts, the door slammed open, and the room exploded into chaos. A swarm of armored men rushed in, steel gleaming under the dim candlelight.


    Traitors. It was all clear now in the jumbled flood of memories¡ªthese men had served his family once, yet here they were, brandishing arms against him.


    Luke felt a strange pang of sadness, but he couldn¡¯t say why.


    "Protect the young master!" Sebastian¡¯s deep voice cut through the noise as he launched himself into the fray, putting his body on the line. But it was quickly evident that the numbers advantage was too much for him.


    Luke¡¯s mind reeled. He felt like he was on the edge of losing himself, memories pressing in, too many, too fast. But then the cold, sharp realization hit him: they were here for him.


    His chest tightened in panic. He couldn¡¯t move, his limbs felt useless and weak as fear gripped him tightly.


    ¡®I¡¯m going to die? But I don¡¯t even know where I am¡­¡¯


    Suddenly, a flash of light appeared before him. A glowing window, lined with text.


    [System Activated: Stats available for upgrade]


    Luke¡¯s breath caught in his throat.


    ¡®A system? Here?¡¯


    He didn¡¯t have time to think. There were upgrades available, he needed to spend all of his available stat points.


    Despite the madness around him, his hazy mind locked onto the strange window in front of him. It didn¡¯t make sense¡ªthis couldn¡¯t be real. But then again, neither was the body he found himself in. With no other choice, he reached out, fingers trembling over the glowing options.


    ¡®Upgrade them all!¡¯ He shouted in his heart.


    ¡°Alright you bastards, come at me.¡± He shouted, though the quiver in his voice caused a smile to appear on the nearest threat.


    Gulping loudly, he tried to stand yet his body remained sluggish. The panic returned, colder and sharper. Why wasn¡¯t it working?


    A shadow loomed over him. One of the traitors raised his sword.


    Before the blade could fall, bodies went flying. Flesh ripped apart, blood sprayed across the floor, producing a sickening noise.


    "M-Monster!" a voice cried out.


    The traitor froze mid-attack, his eyes darting toward the wails of his comrades. Luke¡¯s gaze followed¡ªand there, standing in a sea of blood, was Sebastian, his aura now dark, lethal.


    ¡°N-No!¡± A scream filled with terror echoed throughout the room.


    Sebastian burst forward with terrifying speed, his eyes locked onto the man who threatened his young master. In an instant he was upon him, throwing a straight punch towards the sternum of the perpetrator.


    There was a sickening crack as his fist tore through the air and went unimpeded, finding its mark.


    Luke watched on in horror as he witnessed Sebastian¡¯s bloodied fist protruding from the man¡¯s back, painting a visceral scene.


    Sebastian pulled back his arm, causing the man in the throes of death to collapse to the floor with his eyes opened wide in despair.


    "Young Master, we need to leave, now!" Sebastian barked, his eyes wild.


    Using his free hand, the butler grabbed Luke and whisked him out of the room without another word, pulling him away from the carnage he''d created.


    Luke¡¯s legs felt like lead, his vision blurred by the shock of what he''d just witnessed. His mind was shutting down, unable to process the blood, the bodies, the sheer violence of it all.


    If it weren¡¯t for Sebastian dragging him along, he might have collapsed on the spot.


    They rushed through the winding halls, shadows flickering under the dim torchlight. Every sound¡ªfootsteps, distant shouts¡ªseemed to echo endlessly in Luke¡¯s ears. He barely noticed when Sebastian stopped and pressed a hidden panel in the wall, revealing a small, dark doorway.This narrative has been unlawfully taken from Royal Road. If you see it on Amazon, please report it.


    ¡°In here, Young Master,¡± Sebastian whispered, his voice low and urgent. He gestured for Luke to enter, but he couldn¡¯t move, his wide eyes still locked on the floor.


    Seeing no response, Sebastian sighed and moved him into the escape tunnel himself. The door slid shut behind them, plunging them into near darkness.


    Luke barely made it a few steps before collapsing to his knees. His stomach churned, and in the next instant, he was vomiting violently onto the stone floor.


    ¡°Damn it,¡± Sebastian muttered under his breath, his expression showing signs of impatience.


    The butler crouched beside Luke, his face hardening. He couldn¡¯t afford to let the young master fall apart¡ªnot now.


    Sebastian crouched beside Luke, his face hard. Luke didn¡¯t see the blow coming. A sharp strike to the base of his neck sent his vision spinning into darkness


    ***


    CLIP CLOP


    CLIP CLOP


    The sound of hooves trotting along with the rhythmic creak of wagon wheels stirred Luke from the dark void of unconsciousness. As his eyes fluttered open, the rich scent of old wood filled his senses.


    He blinked, taking in the interior of the carriage. There were ornate wooden seats with luxurious red cushions, detailed craftsmanship that seemed too fine for the dire situation he found himself in.


    ¡°Young Master, how are you feeling?¡±


    Sebastian¡¯s voice cut through the fog in Luke¡¯s mind, drawing his attention. He felt disoriented but far more alert than before. His body still felt foreign, but the shock was subsiding.


    ¡°Sebastian, where are we going?¡± Luke asked, pushing himself up from his reclined position.


    A brief silence filled the air before the butler responded. ¡°We¡¯ve left the city. Your father was likely betrayed on the battlefield by those traitorous scum before they stormed the castle.¡±


    Luke said nothing, simply nodding. His mind was clearer now, enough to process the whirlwind of memories that had assaulted him before.


    He wasn¡¯t truly Luke Nero, the young master of the Nero family. But here he was, in this body, inheriting not only its privileges but also its perils.


    The memories flooded in¡ªhis father, the viscount, a loyal vassal of the king, given authority over Valand City. Now, it all seemed worthless. His father was dead, slain by traitors, and the city had fallen into their hands.


    Whatever power or status Luke Nero had was gone.


    ¡®But I¡¯m not him. I¡¯m not from this world at all.¡¯ He thought, feeling a sense of exasperation.


    Luke¡¯s chest tightened as the truth set in. He wasn¡¯t a noble. He wasn¡¯t even from this place.


    His real name was Luke Thomas, a man from Earth, a different world entirely. He had lived an unremarkable life as a young man in his twenties, working a decent job but never truly finding purpose.


    His memories of his past life felt distant and hazy, but enough remained.


    Enough to recall the monotony of his life on Earth.


    He had no grand aspirations, no real connections. His most prominent indulgence had been mobile games, sinking his hard-earned money as a ¡°whale,¡± dominating other players for the fleeting thrill of power.


    But now, he had been transported¡ªthrown into this world at the very moment this Luke Nero was about to be killed.


    A second chance? His situation felt like some cosmic joke.


    Luke stared at his hands, hands that weren¡¯t his own, yet now they were all he had.


    He couldn¡¯t help but think of the irony, a painful yet mildly amusing reminder of his weakness.


    He had once reveled in his in-game dominance, lording over others through superior resources. But here, in a world where death was real and power had actual consequences, those skills meant nothing.


    Or did it?


    Luke¡¯s heart skipped a beat as he recalled the system window that had appeared right before the traitor nearly killed him.


    ¡®How do I get it to appear again?¡¯ His brow furrowed as he mentally reached out, hoping for some kind of response.


    Sebastian¡¯s eyes flicked toward him, and Luke could feel the man watching him closely with a scrutinizing gaze.


    Despite this, there was an almost fatherly concern hidden beneath his eyes, one that Luke was not accustomed to¡ªat least in recent memory.


    But then¡ª


    ¡°Ah!¡± Luke¡¯s exclamation filled the small carriage.


    Sebastian tensed instantly, moving as if he¡¯d been struck by lightning. His powerful aura flooded the space, making Luke instinctively flinch. Sebastian¡¯s body shielded his master as he scanned the surroundings for threats.


    ¡°What is it!?¡± Sebastian¡¯s voice was like a drawn sword, ready for the worst.


    ¡°S-Sorry!¡± Luke stammered, thrown off by the immediate intensity of the butler¡¯s reaction. ¡°I just... I was startled by something.¡± He quickly tried to calm the intimidating figure beside him.


    Sebastian slowly relaxed, though his wary eyes flicked to the window and back. Satisfied there was no imminent danger, he sat back down, his movements deliberate and cautious.


    As the tension ebbed, Luke let out a deep breath. The shimmering screen in front of him gleamed brighter now that his panic had subsided.


    [Welcome to¡­]


    [The Sovereign System]


    User: Luke Nero


    Title: Fallen Noble


    Subordinates: 0


    Stats:


    Ambition: F+


    Charisma: F


    Intelligence: E


    Prowess: F


    Zeal: F


    Loyalty: F


    Additional notes: A fallen noble with no redeeming features or skills. In summary, an unremarkable brat that nobody would look twice at.


    ¡®What the hell kind of start is this?¡¯ Luke''s eye twitched as he stared at the summary, the bluntness almost offensive. A noble brat with nothing to show for it?


    He tried to remember the earlier window he¡¯d seen¡ªhe was sure he¡¯d boosted all his stats back in his room. So where did those stats go?


    As if reading his frustration, the system flickered for a moment, unresponsive.


    ¡®This isn¡¯t what I saw before.¡¯ He complained in his heart.


    While Luke wrestled with his confusion, Sebastian peered out of the carriage to check their surroundings. Moments later, he returned to his seat, visibly more relaxed now that the immediate danger had passed. His sharp eyes locked onto Luke, who still seemed out of sorts.


    ¡°What¡¯s wrong, Young Master?¡±


    Luke was about to brush him off when a notification popped up, almost as if on cue:


    [Potential subordinate detected: Open status window?]


    Luke blinked, his gaze drifting between the message and Sebastian.


    ¡®Subordinate?¡¯


    He hesitated, but curiosity got the better of him. Without fully understanding what he was doing, he mentally accepted the prompt.


    User: Sebastian Black


    Title: Butler


    Stats:


    Strength: B+


    Agility: A-


    Endurance: B


    Combat: A


    Loyalty: S+


    Stat points: 0


    Additional notes: Butler to the Nero family, fiercely loyal and savage towards anyone or anything that may hurt his Young Master.


    Luke sucked in a cold breath of air as he read through the status window of his loyal butler. Firstly, the information was completely different to his own status window, causing him a little confusion.


    However, the most surprising part was the additional notes at the end. Sebastian had always been there for the former Luke Nero, but what about him? The current Luke wasn¡¯t sure if he could trust that loyalty.¡±


    If he were to trust the system¡¯s assessment, then it meant that the man in front of him was as loyal as they came.


    ¡°Sebastian... I¡¯m no longer a noble. Why are you still protecting me?¡± Luke¡¯s voice was soft, the vulnerability leaking through despite his best efforts to hide it.


    Sebastian paused, clearly taken aback by the question. But then a warm smile spread across his face, softening his sharp features. For a moment, it was like the tension between them dissolved.


    ¡°You are like a son to me, Luke.¡± His voice was gentle, the words weighted with affection. ¡°I will never abandon you. Not now, not ever.¡±


    [DING]


    [Sebastian Black has declared his loyalty. Do you accept?]

 Chapter 2 - Skills & Next Steps

    Luke¡¯s eyes bulged in surprise as he saw the notification flutter across his vision.


    Before he could register what it meant, he felt a warmth from deep within his soul¡ªa reaction from a foreign body, perhaps the vestiges of Luke Nero whose body he had come to possess.


    The feeling was fleeting, lingering only for a few moments before disappearing entirely.


    At almost the exact same time, Luke felt something click inside of him. It was hard to explain, but he suddenly felt as if he could control his body better than before. No longer was he sluggish.


    ¡®Was that the old Luke¡¯s soul leaving this body?¡¯ He thought inwardly, experiencing a complicated emotion.


    [DING]


    [User has accepted Sebastian Black as his first subordinate]


    [Congratulations, Epic tier subordinate acquired]


    Before he could address the question from the system, his ears rang with the sound of notifications.


    [Please select a skill]


    Luke blinked, momentarily startled by the sudden influx of system messages. Luke glanced at Sebastian, but the butler''s calm demeanor gave nothing away, as if he were completely unaware of the storm in Luke¡¯s mind.


    Throwing his suspicions to the wind, Luke focused on the notification, mentally willing it to open. A list of skills appeared before him, causing his eyes to sparkle.


    Scholarly Pursuit: Increased learning capabilities, allowing the user to retain more information from various sources.


    Commanding Presence: Your presence inspires loyalty and respect. Subordinates within a certain range have enhanced combat effectiveness and resist fear.


    Aura of Influence: Your very presence can sway others. Increase your charisma to subtly manipulate conversations and negotiations.


    Luke frowned, reading through the descriptions. He didn¡¯t fully understand how it worked, but something told him that the system was more than just a simple upgrade mechanic, like it had a strange influence over reality itself.


    ¡®This is just like one of those games I used to play¡­¡¯ He muttered in his heart.


    Although the mechanics of the system might be similar, the world he had transmigrated to was definitely real. He found out first hand after almost being murdered in his room earlier that day.


    The weight of his choice pressed down on him. He needed something that could help him survive in this unfamiliar world. Something that gave him an edge over others.


    With his newfound status, Luke was no longer an important figure in society. The system had even labeled him as an unremarkable brat that no one would look twice at.


    Even now this assessment hurt his feelings.


    Sebastian cleared his throat, breaking Luke¡¯s concentration.


    "Are you alright, Young Master?" he asked, concern etched into his expression.


    Luke gave a small nod. "I¡¯m fine. Just... thinking."


    At a glance, it was clear that the butler was unconvinced. Luke was expecting a follow up question, but was surprised when the man nodded in affirmation. His gaze lingered for a while, showing a mysterious¡ªalmost sorrowful emotion behind his eyes.


    Luke had trouble identifying the cause of this, but his gut believed it had something to do with their current predicament.


    ¡®His master is gone and now he¡¯s left with me, who he thinks is his Young Master¡­¡¯ Luke thought in his heart, his feelings turning sympathetic.


    A part of him wanted to console the man and say that everything would be okay. But the problem was, he didn¡¯t even know that for himself.


    A mixture of frustration and exasperation threatened to overcome him. Ever since his transmigration, he¡¯d been thrown into a passive position.


    ¡®I know nothing about this world.¡¯ Luke thought, lamenting his situation.


    His predecessor, Luke Nero, had been lax, apparently uninterested in reading or learning much beyond his immediate surroundings. Luke cursed inwardly at the lack of preparation.


    He scanned the skills again. Commanding Presence and Aura of Influence were tempting as both could prove useful for gaining allies and securing loyalty. But Luke was no longer in a position where social skills alone could save him.


    ¡®I need knowledge. Information. That¡¯s what will give me an edge here.¡¯


    This was how he had dominated mobile games in his past life¡ªby gathering all available information, exploiting every advantage, and methodically planning his moves.


    Scholarly Pursuit was the obvious choice.


    Would he get the chance to select those other skills in the future? He was not sure. However, he was completely certain this was the right move.


    [You have selected: Scholarly Pursuit]


    As the system confirmed his selection, Luke felt another shift inside him, subtle but present, like a door had been unlocked.


    Suddenly, everything seemed clearer. Luke glanced at the wooden bench across from him, noticing the intricate details etched into its surface. Unauthorized tale usage: if you spot this story on Amazon, report the violation.


    His mind automatically began to process the craftsmanship, attempting to decipher how the crafter had achieved such precision. But his thoughts stalled, a stark reminder of his own ignorance.


    ¡®I don¡¯t know anything about woodwork...¡¯ He thought wryly.


    Neither his life on Earth nor his predecessor had left him with any useful knowledge in this area. Perhaps if he had been more learned, Scholarly Pursuit would have allowed him to identify the exact methods used.


    With a quiet sigh, Luke leaned his head against the side of the carriage, letting his gaze drift toward Sebastian. The butler was his only ally in this world, and though that thought brought some comfort, a deep sense of loneliness began to creep in.


    His memories of Earth were bittersweet. Apart from his sister, his family had been distant, and now that he thought about it, he¡¯d always been something of a loner.


    ¡®All that time I spent online...¡¯ Luke complained inwardly.


    The illusion of closeness through technology had kept him company, but in reality, he had been just as isolated there as he was now.


    ¡®At least this is a chance to start over.¡¯


    The thought flickered in his mind, a mix of hope and resignation. A new life, a system, a loyal subordinate¡ªit was more than many people could dream of. But he couldn¡¯t forget the harsh reality of nearly being killed the moment he arrived.


    A low chuckle escaped his lips, the sound darker than he¡¯d intended.


    From across the carriage, Sebastian¡¯s eyes flicked toward him, concern evident in his expression. But since Luke hadn¡¯t spoken directly to him, the butler remained silent, ever the loyal shadow.


    ¡°How long till we arrive?¡± Luke asked, trying to shake off the odd mixture of melancholy and amusement that had settled over him. His rear was already sore from the constant bumping of the carriage.


    ¡°We should arrive in three days¡¯ time, Young Master,¡± Sebastian replied with his usual calm.


    ¡®Three days?!¡¯ Luke balked inwardly, his muscles tensing at the thought. He could barely handle sitting in a cushioned office chair for eight hours back on Earth¡ªhow was he supposed to survive this?


    ¡°I¡¯m going to get piles or something...¡± He grumbled to himself, shifting uncomfortably in his seat.


    ¡°Ahem. What is our plan?¡± Luke asked, trying to distract himself from the impending discomfort of three days on the road.


    ¡°We¡¯re headed to Clayton City in the East,¡± Sebastian replied, his voice steady but with a slight hesitation. ¡°It shares a border with the Qin Empire, which makes it far more dangerous than Valan City¡ªbut we don¡¯t have much choice right now.¡±


    Luke nodded as if he understood, though in truth, he hadn¡¯t the faintest idea where the Qin Empire was or why Clayton City was particularly dangerous. His concern, though, wasn¡¯t so much the destination as it was the next steps.


    ¡°And when we get there?¡± Luke prompted.


    Sebastian¡¯s expression darkened slightly, his usual composed demeanor giving way to a flicker of discomfort. ¡°When we arrive, we¡¯ll need to forge new identification documents. That means throwing away your status and family name.¡±


    Luke absorbed the information calmly. ¡°Oh, okay. That makes sense,¡± he said with little more than a shrug. After all, if the traitors from Valan City had any contacts in Clayton City, keeping his identity hidden would be crucial to survival.


    Sebastian¡¯s eyes widened in surprise, clearly taken aback by Luke¡¯s quick acceptance. ¡°Young Master... you understand what this means, yes? You¡¯ll be considered a commoner,¡± Sebastian repeated, his tone blunt, almost warning.


    ¡°Yeah, sure. It¡¯s not like we have any other choices, right?¡± Luke replied with a shrug, his casualness once again eliciting a baffled expression from the butler.


    Sebastian stared at briefly before offering a small nod, a look of quiet approval settling on his features.


    Luke noticed Sebastian studying him for a moment longer than usual, as though wanting to say something. He opened his mouth, yet swallowed his words in the next moment, his gaze softening.


    For some reason, Luke felt a little uncomfortable. Even equipped with the memories of his predecessor, this was the first time he¡¯d seen the butler act like this.


    ¡®Does he know something?¡¯ Luke thought.


    ¡°I¡¯ll join the Mercenary Guild once we arrive,¡± Sebastian said, his voice regaining its steady calm. ¡°That way, we¡¯ll have a steady income, and you¡¯ll be free to live in the city.¡±


    ¡°Oh? I guess I¡¯ll visit the library and sharpen my mind while you¡¯re gone,¡± Luke said, already imagining himself poring over books, learning everything he could about this new world.


    Sebastian¡¯s brow furrowed briefly before returning to normal.


    ¡°Library?¡± He asked incredulously.


    Luke blinked. ¡°You know... a place with books. People go there to read,¡± he explained, wondering if he¡¯d somehow misspoken.


    Sebastian rolled his eyes, though he quickly regained his usual composure. ¡°Young Master, commoners have no access to books. Not unless they join the Military Academy.¡±


    The casual statement hit Luke harder than he expected.


    ¡®No books?¡¯ His mind whirled.


    On Earth, libraries were public, free¡ªanyone could walk in and absorb as much knowledge as they liked. Here, access to information seemed restricted, limited by class.


    ¡°That¡¯s ridiculous,¡± Luke muttered under his breath. He hadn¡¯t anticipated that knowledge, the very thing he relied on for success in his old life, would be something he¡¯d have to fight for.


    Sebastian¡¯s face darkened, ¡°Such a statement could be considered treasonous if heard by the wrong person¡­¡±


    As if to back up his words, he looked left and right to make sure no one was eavesdropping.


    ¡°Young Master, while it¡¯s okay to say such words in my company, please keep them to yourself while we¡¯re in public.¡± Sebastian said, his tone barely above a whisper.


    Seeing the grave expression on his face, Luke could only nod in response.


    Just as he was about to apologize for his slip of the tongue, the carriage began to slow down abruptly, accompanied by the panicked whinnies of the horses.


    ¡°B-Bandits!¡±


    A scream rang out from outside the carriage, likely from the coachman.


    Luke¡¯s blood ran cold as fear began to seep into his bones. His hands trembled slightly, betraying his calm facade, his pragmatic approach seemingly crumbling in the face of real danger.


    This wasn¡¯t a game. Life and death were separated by a thin line, and he could feel himself teetering dangerously close to it.


    ¡°Stay in the carriage,¡± Sebastian commanded, his voice calm but firm.


    Luke could only nod, his mouth dry, watching as the butler stepped out and closed the door behind him. The sudden silence felt oppressive. Luke pressed himself against the wooden seat, trying to calm his frantic thoughts.


    ¡°Oho, a butler, huh? Looks like we found a rich noble to steal from!¡± A nasally voice cut through the tense air, followed by dark laughter.


    Luke peeked through a crack in the door, his breath hitching as he saw the large, bare-chested man brandishing a scimitar. The man¡¯s body was dirty but muscled, clearly someone who lived a life of violence.


    He was accompanied by four others, all armed and armored in crude but functional gear.


    Sebastian stood still, his gaze cold and calculating as he sized up the bandits. ¡°I take it you won¡¯t let us leave?¡± he asked, though the answer was already clear.


    The leader threw his head back, laughing loudly. His companions joined in, their jeering laughter echoing off the trees.


    ¡°Leave?! HAHAHAHA!¡± The leader¡¯s amusement reached a fever pitch, his laughter echoing¡ª


    SHLICK.


    The sound of a blade cutting through flesh silenced the laughter instantly.


    ¡°Ah¡­¡± The bandit leader¡¯s eyes widened in shock, his body frozen for a moment before warm blood bubbled up from his mouth. He staggered backward, his hands clutching the deep wound in his chest.


    THUD.


    The man collapsed in a heap, his life snuffed out in an instant. Blood pooled beneath his lifeless body, and for a brief moment, there was only stunned silence.


    Sebastian¡¯s blade gleamed under the sunlight, slick with blood. His expression remained cold, unfazed by the killing as he turned his attention to the remaining bandits.


    ¡°Anyone else?¡± he asked, his voice low but full of menace.


    The bandits, who had been so confident moments before, now faltered. They exchanged nervous glances, clearly unsettled by how easily their leader had been dispatched.


    Luke swallowed hard, his fear momentarily replaced by awe.


    ¡®Sebastian¡­ he¡¯s terrifying.¡¯

 Chapter 3 - Quest?

    Sebastian gripped the blade tightly, a look of confusion momentarily flickering across his face as if he were assessing his own newfound strength.


    He looked towards the blade in his hand, still wet with the blood of the bandit leader.


    From the carriage, Luke had only seen a blur as the butler closed the distance in the blink of an eye. If he hadn¡¯t seen Sebastian literally punch through someone¡¯s chest before, he might have been surprised.


    Yet that didn¡¯t change his visceral reaction to witnessing a murder.


    Once again Luke felt queasy, his Earth-born morals crumbling in the face of this new reality.


    A shudder ran through his body as a strange yet sharp aura began to manifest from the man staring at his blade.


    Sebastian raised his head, a wicked expression appearing on his features for a moment, as if he was enjoying the sensation of killing someone.


    ¡°O-Okay, we¡¯ve learned our lesson!¡± one of the bandits stammered, his hands trembling in surrender. Their earlier bravado had shattered, fear plastered on their features as they realized they were facing something far beyond their abilities.


    Sebastian¡¯s eyes narrowed. ¡°Who said you could leave?¡±


    The words left his mouth like a death sentence, his tone colder than ice.


    ¡°RUN!¡±


    The bandits scattered, desperation fueling their flight. With each one picking a random direction, it was every man for himself.


    A grin, dark and unbidden, tugged at the corners of Sebastian¡¯s mouth as he kicked off the ground.


    His figure blurred, and before the bandit could even scream, Sebastian was beside him, running effortlessly alongside. The man¡¯s eyes widened in horror as the blade slipped between his ribs, his breath catching in his throat.


    SHLICK.


    The bandit let out a choked gasp, a wet, gurgling sound as blood spilled from his mouth. His body crumpled to the ground, lifeless.


    Luke could only watch on as Sebastian turned into a wild hound, tracking down his prey with vicious intent.


    ¡°You think you can escape!?¡± He shouted darkly.


    ¡°GEH~¡±


    Another scream. Another life extinguished.


    Luke heard the last two screams from the bandits echo outside the carriage. Even without seeing the carnage firsthand, he could vividly imagine the despair in their eyes as they were hunted down like prey.


    He wasn¡¯t such a good person that he would acquit obvious murderers from punishment, but the way they died was almost as if they were pigs going to slaughter.


    ¡®It was either them or me¡­¡¯ He reminded himself, still wrestling with his crumbling morals.


    When Sebastian reappeared, his expression was calm, as if the massacre had been nothing more than routine. He wiped the blood from his blade with the bandit leader¡¯s tattered clothes, his movements precise and methodical.


    ¡®This guy could tear through armies, but what if that strength turned against me?¡¯ Luke felt a shiver run down his spine at this revelation.


    There was no doubt, he wouldn¡¯t stand a chance.


    A strange mixture of admiration and fear welled up inside him. If not for the glowing "S+" Loyalty rating the system showed next to Sebastian¡¯s name, he might¡¯ve been paralyzed with terror.


    Sebastian climbed into the carriage and sat opposite Luke, his features softening back into the calm, collected butler Luke had grown used to.


    ¡°Are you alright, Young Master?¡± he asked, his voice gentle, as though the violence outside had never happened.


    ¡°Physically? Sure,¡± Luke replied, adjusting himself in his seat. His muscles felt tense, but the adrenaline was beginning to fade.


    Sebastian nodded, seeming to understand. Once again a look of care appeared on his features, like a father who was worried about his son after witnessing such a scary scene.


    ¡°Don¡¯t worry, Young Master. I¡¯ve recently been blessed by the Gods. I won¡¯t let anything happen to you.¡± Sebastian¡¯s tone was confident, as if wanting to assuage any worries he may have.


    Luke raised an eyebrow. ¡°Blessed by the Gods?¡±


    ¡°Mmm. To be blessed by the Gods means to gain power beyond the normal limits of a man,¡± Sebastian explained.


    Luke¡¯s curiosity was piqued, his thirst for knowledge of this world evident on his features.This tale has been pilfered from Royal Road. If found on Amazon, kindly file a report.


    ¡°When did you receive this blessing?¡±


    Sebastian thought for a moment. ¡°Earlier this morning, when the traitors surrounded me.¡±


    Luke¡¯s mind raced.


    ¡®Of course!¡¯ he shouted in his heart.


    It all made sense now. The system window he¡¯d seen when his life was at stake wasn¡¯t his own, but Sebastian¡¯s.


    ¡®Damn, this Scholarly Pursuit is already paying off¡¯ He thought.


    While he may have been able to come to the conclusion on his own, it certainly wouldn¡¯t have been this fast.


    ¡°Sebastian... I think I was the one who bestowed you with that power.¡± Luke said, his expression serious.


    Since the man was loyal to him, he felt no hesitation in disclosing this information. After all, if he couldn¡¯t trust his butler, who else would he trust in this new world?


    A heavy silence filled the carriage.


    Sebastian blinked, his composure wavering for a brief second. ¡°Excuse me?¡±


    The problem was, would he believe his words?


    Judging by the technology of this world, there was no way that Sebastian would know what a system was. Therefore it would be more believable if he were to use a terminology that he¡¯d be more familiar with.


    ¡°I was given an ability to strengthen my subordinates. I¡¯m not sure how it works, but I was able to upgrade your Strength, Agility and Endurance back then.¡± Luke explained, doing his best not to sound like a crazy person.


    Sebastian raised his eyebrow, his disbelief evident..


    The carriage lurched forward, interrupting the tense atmosphere. It seemed the coachman had resumed the journey in the meantime.


    Sebastian remained silent, as if weighing up his words.


    Luke waited patiently, observing the butler¡¯s expression. He knew that what he said sounded outlandish, even by his own world¡¯s standards. Such power was usually reserved for a god, yet here he was, claiming to have such abilities.


    Just when the silence began to feel strained, something shifted. Sebastian¡¯s eyes widened, as if struck by a sudden realization. A new intensity flickered in his gaze as he looked at Luke with a newfound zeal.


    ¡®Huh? Why is he looking at me like that¡­¡¯


    ¡°Young Master,¡± Sebastian asked, his voice now carrying a new weight, ¡°are you being truthful?¡±


    Luke blinked. The butler¡¯s tone had shifted, and the sudden intensity in his eyes made Luke¡¯s stomach churn.


    ¡®What is he thinking?¡¯


    He shifted in his seat, suddenly unsure. ¡°Yes,¡± he replied, though the certainty in his voice faltered just slightly.


    Sebastian¡¯s lips curled into the faintest hint of a smile. There was a new energy in his eyes, one that Luke couldn''t quite place, but it made him uneasy.


    ¡°Young Master, what do you think about attending the Military Academy?¡± Sebastian asked, a sly grin creeping onto his face.


    Luke blinked, taken aback by the sudden shift in attitude. He had expected Sebastian to either dispute his claim or at least express some doubt. But instead, the butler seemed entirely convinced.


    He wasn¡¯t sure what the Military Academy had to do with anything, though.


    ¡°I¡¯m not entirely opposed to it,¡± Luke said cautiously, ¡°since that¡¯s probably the only place I¡¯ll have access to books.¡± He eyed Sebastian warily, sensing that the butler¡¯s enthusiasm was getting ahead of him.


    ¡°Alright, it¡¯s settled!¡± Sebastian slapped his leg, his grin wide and his eyes gleaming with a fervor that unsettled Luke.


    ¡®Too eager¡¯ Luke thought, suspicion creeping into his mind.


    ¡®What¡¯s he so excited about?¡¯


    Luke¡¯s brow furrowed. ¡°Sebastian¡­ Tell me, what does it mean to enroll in the Military Academy?¡±


    Sebastian looked at him with a nonchalant expression, as if what he was about to say was the most normal thing in the world. ¡°Oh, nothing much. It¡¯s just a place where you learn about killing, subjugation, leadership... Essentially, it''s where young prospects study the Art of War.¡±


    Luke¡¯s face drained of color.


    ¡®Art of War?¡¯ His mind raced as he tried to process the words. It sounded like something out of a bloody historical drama.


    ¡®This place is insane.¡¯ He concluded.


    For a moment, he felt like he had been dropped into a twisted version of the Three Kingdoms period from Earth¡ªan era defined by constant warfare and brutal conflict. Why was this world so obsessed with war and killing?


    Sebastian, oblivious to Luke¡¯s horror, continued rattling off a list of preparations that needed to be made before he could apply to the Academy. His enthusiasm was palpable.


    Luke, on the other hand, felt his anticipation crumbling.


    ¡®I¡¯m just a random guy from Earth. What could I possibly accomplish in a place like that?¡¯


    The thought of being surrounded by warriors, learning to kill and command armies, made his stomach churn. He was just a nobody who spent his time playing mobile games, not some battle-hardened strategist.


    And while he had the system, it seemed more geared toward making others stronger than helping him.


    ¡®Wouldn¡¯t I just be better off collecting strong subordinates?¡¯


    It seemed like the safest option. After all, he had no desire to step foot on a battlefield or to lead armies. If he could surround himself with powerful people, he could simply let them do the fighting while he stayed far away from danger.


    ¡®Mmm, that would be for the best.¡¯ he thought, a plan already forming. ¡®I¡¯ll find strong subordinates and let them handle the dirty work.¡¯


    But just as he was about to open his mouth to convince Sebastian, a sharp sound interrupted his thoughts.


    [DING]


    Luke froze. The familiar chime echoed in his mind, dragging his focus away from his escape plan.


    [New quest received]


    ¡®Quest? This system gives out quests?¡¯


    He willed the system open, his heart pounding with unease. His eyes scanned the new message, and as he read the details, his stomach twisted.


    Main Quest: Ascent to Power (Part 1)


    Details: The Sovereign System will not settle for weakness. Only those who aim to leave their mark in history may wield its power.


    Task: Successfully enter the Military Academy.


    Reward: Weapon Proficiency


    Failure: Removal of the Sovereign System. All registered subordinates will turn on the user.


    Luke¡¯s hands went cold. Removal of the system, and mutiny?


    His eyes subconsciously moved to Sebastian who was still prattling on about the Military Academy.


    ¡®You¡¯ve got to be kidding me.¡¯ His chest tightened as the weight of the quest sank in. He stared at the words, willing them to disappear. This wasn¡¯t what he wanted¡ªhe¡¯d never asked for any of this.


    If he joined the Military Academy, he¡¯d be thrust onto the battlefield, where death awaited him at every turn. But if he refused, there was no doubt he¡¯d die to Sebastian.


    It was a nightmare¡ªan unwinnable situation.


    ¡®Why?¡¯ He gritted his teeth, anger flaring within him.


    ¡®What did I do to deserve this? Are the gods punishing me for all the times I bullied free-to-play players in mobile games back on Earth?¡¯


    He let out a deep sigh and leaned his head back against the carriage wall, staring at the ceiling in defeat. His mind raced through all his options, but no matter how much he tried, there was no way out.


    For a few moments, he wallowed in self-pity, wishing for a different path. But in the end, the cold, unrelenting logic of survival pulled him back.


    ¡®It¡¯s not like I have a choice. Hoping for an easy way out was just wishful thinking.¡¯


    Another sigh escaped his lips, this time tinged with resignation.


    ¡°Okay. I¡¯ll join the Military Academy.¡±

 Chapter 4 - Clayton City

    Three days later, the carriage entered the outskirts of Clayton City. The rough and bumpy roads finally gave way to smoother, well-maintained paths, a clear indication they were nearing civilization.


    Luke¡¯s gaze shifted toward the city walls in the distance. Towering stone fortifications loomed like giants, casting long shadows across the landscape. He¡¯d seen medieval castles in documentaries and TV shows back on Earth, but seeing something of this magnitude in person made his heart skip a beat.


    Unfortunately, his appreciation for the grand architecture was overshadowed by a more pressing issue: the unbearable throbbing in his backside.


    ¡°Young Master, we¡¯ve almost arrived,¡± Sebastian said, a flicker of amusement appearing on his features.


    Luke grimaced.


    After three days of near non-stop travel, his body felt like it had been put through a blender. His muscles ached, his neck was stiff, and his rear¡ªwell, he was fairly certain he had developed piles.


    ¡®Is there anything worse than being forced into a Military Academy?¡¯ Luke mused. ¡®Yes. Joining the Military Academy with piles.¡¯


    The carriage began to slow as it neared the city gates. Luke stretched his legs with a groan and looked ahead. The city walls were even more awe-inspiring up close, standing at least ten meters high and made of weathered stone.


    They were unlike anything he¡¯d seen back on Earth, built without the aid of modern technology yet exuding an undeniable sense of power and majesty.


    The line to enter Clayton City stretched for what seemed like miles, and Luke noticed the heavy presence of soldiers manning the gates. Security was tight¡ªunsurprising, given the city¡¯s proximity to the border.


    ¡°Sebastian,¡± Luke called, a note of unease creeping into his voice, ¡°how are we going to get inside? I¡¯m no longer a noble, right? What if they don¡¯t let us in?¡±


    Sebastian flashed him a grin, seeming confident. ¡°Don¡¯t worry, Young Master. Just follow my lead.¡±


    With that, Sebastian strode forward, head held high, walking with purpose and dignity.


    Luke, still nursing his sore body, hesitated but quickly followed. He didn¡¯t have much of a choice¡ªhe lacked the knowledge to navigate this world without Sebastian.


    As they neared the long line of people waiting to enter, Luke slowed, expecting Sebastian to stop and wait like everyone else.


    But Sebastian didn¡¯t stop. He marched right past the line, ignoring the hundreds of people who had been waiting for who knows how long.


    Luke blinked in shock.


    ¡®What the hell, man!? Weren¡¯t we supposed to keep a low profile?¡¯


    He glanced nervously at the people in line, expecting an outcry, or at least some sign of frustration or anger. But to his surprise, no one said a word. No one even looked at them.


    The people seemed almost¡­ resigned. As if what was happening was normal and knew better than to question it.


    Luke swallowed, his Earthly conscience screaming at him that this was wrong, unfair.


    But the silence of the crowd unnerved him more than anything, so he hurried after Sebastian, trying to ignore the gnawing guilt in his gut.


    Luke¡¯s heart pounded in his chest as he hurried to catch up with Sebastian.


    ¡°Identification and reason for visit?¡± A gruff soldier, his armor clinking as he shifted, asked without any enthusiasm. His gaze barely rose to meet Sebastian¡¯s eyes.


    ¡°Young Master Nero and Sebastian Black of Valan City,¡± Sebastian replied smoothly, not missing a beat as he pulled out identification for both of them.


    ¡®Huh!? This was your plan?¡¯ Luke¡¯s mind reeled.


    Why would he use their real names? They were being hunted, possibly marked for death by the traitors. What if the soldiers here had been bribed or were working with the enemy?


    Luke¡¯s throat went dry, panic prickling his skin.


    The soldier accepted the paperwork with a look of boredom, barely glancing at the documents before handing them back..


    ¡°And why are you here?¡± he asked, his tone sloth-like.


    ¡°Ahem. We¡¯ve been sent by Viscount Nero on official military business. I¡¯m sure I don¡¯t need to elaborate?¡± Sebastian¡¯s words were calm, containing almost a subtle warning not to ask further questions.


    The soldier blinked, looking like he was mentally weighing up his options. After a long pause, he gave a tired sigh, shaking his head with apparent exhaustion.


    ¡°Head inside.¡±


    Luke stood frozen for a moment, mouth slightly open in disbelief.


    ¡®That actually worked?¡¯


    His legs felt weak, the tension seeping out of him in a rush. He might have given them away entirely if Sebastian hadn¡¯t grabbed his arm and yanked him forward.


    Once inside, the enormity of Clayton City hit him like a wave. The streets were wide, wide enough for three carriages to ride side by side, and flanked by houses that looked more like miniature fortresses than residential buildings.


    Each house was outfitted with stone reinforcements and heavy wooden doors. The air buzzed with activity¡ªresidents haggling with traders, soldiers drinking and laughing boisterously in nearby taverns.This story originates from Royal Road. Ensure the author gets the support they deserve by reading it there.


    Despite the city¡¯s proximity to the border, it was thriving. The presence of soldiers didn¡¯t dampen the lively atmosphere; if anything, they were part of it, their boisterous conversations blending in with the sounds of the market.


    ¡°Follow me, Young Master. Don¡¯t get lost,¡± Sebastian called over his shoulder.


    Before Luke could wrap his head around the fact that they had just bluffed their way into a fortified city, Sebastian held his arm tightly, dragging him through the crowded streets like some kind of wayward child.


    After some time, they finally arrived at a narrow alleyway that reeked of ammonia.


    Luke¡¯s stomach turned in protest. He gagged slightly, pressing his sleeve against his nose to ward off the stench. Only then did Sebastian release his firm grip on Luke¡¯s arm, leaving the young man to rub his sore wrist.


    The butler gestured toward a narrow staircase leading into a basement. It looked less like a legitimate business and more like a den for criminals. Even with only lackluster knowledge of this world, he could tell this place would not be a lawful establishment.


    ¡°Let¡¯s go,¡± Sebastian said, already descending the steps without a backward glance.


    Luke swallowed hard, his throat dry as sandpaper. They had only just arrived in Clayton City, and his butler had already left him utterly mystified.


    ¡®This should be the place to get our identification,¡¯ he mused, his Scholarly Pursuit skill quietly offering him some semblance of peace.


    They reached the bottom, coming face to face with a reinforced wooden door. It was out of place in the rundown alley, its heavy metal hinges and dark oak frame giving off an air of impenetrability.


    Knock¡­ Knock Knock¡­ Knock.


    Sebastian rapped on the door in an odd rhythm, then stepped back as if waiting for something. Luke tensed, the silence between them thick with uncertainty. His butler had barely spoken since passing through the city gates, moving with a sense of urgency.


    A slit in the door opened, revealing a pair of dark, expressionless eyes.


    ¡°In the midst of chaos¡­¡± a gravelly voice began, rasping against Luke¡¯s ears like nails on a chalkboard.


    ¡°There is also opportunity,¡± Sebastian finished, his voice calm and unwavering.


    A series of heavy clicks echoed from behind the door as the locks were disengaged. The door creaked open, revealing a hulking man with broad shoulders and arms like tree trunks.


    His face, scarred and brutish, matched the voice Luke had just heard.


    ¡®In the midst of chaos, there is also opportunity¡­¡¯ Luke¡¯s mind raced.


    ¡®Where have I heard that before?¡¯


    The interior looked like a dingy tavern, dimly lit with flickering lanterns casting long shadows on the worn wooden walls. The patrons, cloaked in a similar dangerous aura as the man who opened the door, turned their heads to size up the newcomers.


    They stuck out. Badly.


    Sebastian made his way to the bar with a steady stride, pulling a pouch from his coat and setting it on the counter. The clinking of silver coins sounded like gunshots in the tense room, drawing even more eyes in their direction.


    ¡°What will it be?¡± The familiar grating voice spoke again, this time from behind the bar.


    ¡°Two commoner identity papers. Make sure the residency is listed as Clayton City, with at least ten years of background,¡± Sebastian said, as casually as if he were ordering a drink.


    The tavern keeper glanced at the purse, then scoffed, cracking his neck with a loud pop. ¡°Not sure you have enough silver in there for that,¡± he said, his voice low and dangerous.


    At his words, several of the tavern patrons rose from their seats, their eyes gleaming with predatory intent. A cold sweat broke out on Luke¡¯s back, and he instinctively inched closer to Sebastian, the oppressive atmosphere pressing in on him from all sides.


    Just as the situation seemed ready to explode, Sebastian reached into his coat again, producing a single gold coin. He set it beside the purse with a soft clink.


    ¡°Hoh?¡± The burly man¡¯s surprise was short-lived. His grin widened, and Luke could sense something ominous in the way the man looked at them.


    ¡®They want to rob us¡­¡¯ Luke didn¡¯t need his scholarly pursuit skill to deduce this.


    But then suddenly, the temperature dropped, the air around them turning frigid. Luke¡¯s breath fogged up before his eyes, the bitter chill seeping into his bones. His heart pounded in his chest, and he shuddered as the cold settled in like a weight.


    Behind the counter, the tavern keeper¡¯s wicked grin disappeared. His eyes widened with pure terror as if staring into the abyss itself. ¡°I¡ªI accept your payment,¡± he stammered, snatching the coins off the counter with a quivering hand.


    The tension in the room seemed to break. The patrons who had stood up sank back into their seats, eyes downcast, pointedly avoiding looking in their direction


    Luke¡¯s gaze lingered on Sebastian, his questions piling up faster than he could process them. Once they settled somewhere safe, they were going to have a serious conversation.


    Surprisingly, the process only took around ten minutes.


    The burly man returned, his hands trembling slightly as he placed two freshly stamped identity papers on the counter. The fear still lingered in his eyes, a shadow of whatever had chilled him to the core earlier.


    ¡°Please... choose your names,¡± he muttered, not daring to meet Sebastian¡¯s gaze.


    ¡­


    They left the dim, oppressive tavern shortly after, the alley''s pungent smell of ammonia greeting them once more. Luke took a deep breath as they emerged into the open air, the tension finally leaving his body. It felt like he¡¯d been holding his breath since they arrived.


    This was the third time he¡¯d felt his life was in danger since waking up in this world¡ªand it hadn¡¯t gotten any easier.


    It was clear to him now: this world was dangerous. Death seemed to be lurking around every corner.


    ¡®I can¡¯t always rely on Sebastian to protect me,¡¯ Luke thought, though the very idea of being alone in this world made his stomach turn. He could not fight, and every situation seemed more perilous than the last.


    Suddenly, the ammonia stung his throat again, forcing a gag. ¡°KEUGH!¡± He coughed violently, doubling over as the smell hit him full force. His eyes watered, and his head spun from the stench.


    ¡®Why does their piss smells so bad?¡¯ Luke complained, doubting the health and wellbeing of the city¡¯s population.


    ¡°Let¡¯s head to the Military Academy,¡± Sebastian said abruptly.


    ¡°Cough, what? Already?¡± Luke managed to sputter between coughs.


    His butler usually took the time to explain their actions, but now, once again, he grabbed Luke¡¯s arm and dragged him along without a word.


    Frustration built inside Luke. ¡®What is with this guy? He never used to be like this¡­¡¯


    Sebastian¡¯s behavior had changed since they entered the city, his calm demeanor replaced by a sense of urgency. Luke¡¯s mind raced as he was pulled along. Was it the city itself? Or something else?


    He tried to pull his hand from Sebastian¡¯s iron grip, but it was like trying to move a mountain. Any attempt to fight back was met with effortless resistance. Luke felt like a child being led by the hand, and his helplessness stung more than he cared to admit.


    Finally, they stopped in front of a heavily guarded building. Soldiers patrolled the entrance, each clad in armor with weapons gleaming under the sun. The building loomed before them, intimidating in both size and purpose.


    ¡°Alright, we¡¯re here,¡± Sebastian said, releasing Luke¡¯s arm. ¡°Let¡¯s get you registered.¡±


    But Luke didn¡¯t budge. He crossed his arms, his brows furrowed, and planted his feet firmly on the ground. ¡°I¡¯m not going anywhere until you explain yourself.¡±


    His voice, though stubborn, had a tremor to it. He was done being yanked around like a damned dog. He needed answers.


    Sebastian turned to look at him, his eyes unreadable. For a long moment, neither of them spoke. The air between them grew tense, like a bowstring pulled tight.


    Luke dug his heels in deeper, defiant. ¡°I¡¯m serious. What¡¯s going on with you? Why are you in such a rush?¡±


    Sebastian¡¯s gaze flickered, his lips pressing into a thin line. He looked around, as if considering his next move. Luke felt his heart pound, wondering if he had pushed too far.


    But then, with a sigh, Sebastian relented. ¡°Very well, Young Master. You¡¯re right to ask questions. We will talk¡ªafter your registration. For now, trust me a little longer.¡±

 Chapter 5 - Scholarly Pursuit

    Sebastian and Luke stepped into the guarded establishment, immediately feeling the weight of the soldiers'' stares. Each gaze was cold, calculating, and filled with the kind of hardness that could only come from years of bloody battle.


    It was clear that these men were not ordinary.


    ¡°Don¡¯t shrink back,¡± Sebastian muttered under his breath, his voice a steady anchor amidst the rising tide of Luke¡¯s anxiety.


    Luke swallowed hard. He hadn¡¯t even realized his head had dipped until Sebastian¡¯s words snapped him back. The cold sweat on his back was growing, and the oppressive auras of the soldiers made him feel as though the air was thick with tension.


    But he raised his head, eyes locking onto Sebastian¡¯s broad back. He focused on nothing else, keeping his gaze steady, even as every fiber of his being wanted to flee.


    They were directed to the lobby, where a disinterested soldier lounged behind the counter. He didn¡¯t even bother to lift his head as they approached.


    ¡°I¡¯m here to sign my son up for the Military Academy,¡± Sebastian said, leaning against the counter as if the entire matter was of little importance.


    Luke blinked, barely managing to keep his surprise off his face.


    ¡®Son?¡¯ He replayed the word in his head.


    But then, a flash of understanding hit him¡ªthey had taken the same last name when creating their new identities.


    ¡®So that¡¯s the plan¡­¡¯


    The soldier¡¯s eyebrows twitched slightly at the statement, but he still didn¡¯t lift his head.


    ¡°Identification, please,¡± he said, voice gruff but bored.


    Sebastian handed over the documents, and the soldier lazily took them, skimming through with barely contained indifference. When he finally looked up, his gaze shifted from Sebastian¡¯s clothes to Luke¡¯s frail frame. His eyes narrowed, and a sigh escaped his lips as he handed the papers back.


    ¡°Your son is far too fragile to be a soldier,¡± he said flatly, his words dripping with dismissal. ¡°Feed him some more and come back in a few years, after he¡¯s gained some size.¡±


    Luke felt a mix of embarrassment and anger bubbling up inside him.


    ¡®Fragile?¡¯ He clenched his fists, resisting the urge to look down at himself, knowing full well that this body was far from imposing.


    But the sting of the soldier¡¯s words cut deep.


    ¡®Is this what it means to be discriminated against?¡¯ Luke thought bitterly, the weight of this new reality pressing down on him. In his previous life, he hadn¡¯t exactly been strong, but he¡¯d never been looked down upon so openly.


    Before Luke could process further, Sebastian spoke up, his tone calm and matter-of-fact. ¡°Oh, he won¡¯t be enrolling as a soldier.¡±


    The soldier raised an eyebrow, finally giving them his full attention. ¡°Huh? But you¡¯re mere commoners. How can you expect your son to pass the officer¡¯s exam?¡±


    The question hung in the air for a while as both men¡¯s gazes locked in a silent battle of wills. Sebastian shrugged, his expression betraying nothing, but Luke felt there was something unspoken between the two. Though he couldn¡¯t exactly say for sure.


    In the next moment, Sebastian reached into his coat pocket, producing something that glittered under the faint candlelight. With a fluid motion, he placed it into the soldier¡¯s hand.


    A gleam flashed in the soldier¡¯s eyes as he quickly pocketed what Luke could only assume was a bribe. ¡°Ahem¡­ come with me,¡± he said, his voice suddenly much friendlier.


    He stood, practically leaping from his seat to guide them through the hallway, his demeanor shifting from indifferent to accommodating in an instant.


    Luke¡¯s mind raced with questions as he followed Sebastian and the soldier through the dimly lit halls.


    ¡®Two routes into the academy? Exams?¡¯ Sebastian had mentioned none of this to him during their trip here.


    Back on Earth, military entry tests were largely formality¡ªaptitude, fitness, maybe some basic skills. But here? Things seemed to be much different.


    ¡®What the hell is this exam even about?¡¯ Luke¡¯s pulse quickened as anxiety bubbled up inside him. ¡®I know nothing about this world. How am I supposed to pass a test?¡¯


    The soldier stopped at the end of the hall, opening a large wooden door. ¡°After you,¡± he grunted, ushering them inside.


    Luke stepped in, immediately greeted by the sight of books¡ªso many books. Shelves lined three walls, packed to the brim. His eyes widened, and for a brief, irrational moment, his heart leaped.


    ¡®Books. Actual books.¡¯ He marveled at the sight.If you spot this tale on Amazon, know that it has been stolen. Report the violation.


    While on Earth, he never really got into reading, apart from strategy guides for mobile games. Here, reading and consuming knowledge would lay his foundation for survival.


    ¡°You have three hours to study,¡± the soldier said flatly, snapping him out of his reverie. ¡°Any cheating will be punished by public flogging.¡± His tone suggested that he didn¡¯t expect them to succeed without cutting corners.


    ¡°I¡¯ll come get you when it¡¯s time.¡±


    The door clicked shut behind them.


    ¡°Sebas¡ª¡± Luke started, only for Sebastian to clamp a hand over his mouth, silencing him.


    ¡°Call me father,¡± Sebastian whispered sharply in his ear, his eyes scanning the room. ¡°We can¡¯t blow our cover.¡±


    Luke¡¯s eyes widened. He nodded, feeling a sudden spike of fear at what might happen if they were found out. What was the punishment for falsifying documents? His imagination filled in the gaps, none of them pleasant.


    ¡°F-Father¡­¡± Luke said awkwardly, testing the word.


    ¡®Wow, that¡¯s weird.¡¯


    ¡°Yes, son¡­¡± Sebastian responded in a stiff, unconvincing tone.


    Both of them cringed.


    ¡®Creepy...¡¯ Luke winced internally, but he quickly shifted his focus to the more pressing matter at hand.


    ¡°What¡¯s on the exam? What should I study?¡± he asked hurriedly, his eyes scanning the endless shelves. They only had three hours, and with this many books, he¡¯d barely scratch the surface.


    Sebastian moved toward the nearest shelf, eyes scanning the spines. ¡°The officer¡¯s exam isn¡¯t just a test of tactics,¡± he said quietly.


    ¡°It includes history, military strategy, laws, geography¡ªeverything a potential officer should know. You¡¯ll need to brush up on anything you can about the kingdom, its wars, and basic strategy.¡±


    Luke¡¯s stomach dropped. This wasn¡¯t just some multiple-choice quiz, it was a deep dive into a world he barely understood. He felt the rising panic again.


    ¡®I don¡¯t even know the names of the kingdoms!¡¯


    Luke¡¯s fingers trembled slightly as he pulled the first tome from the shelf. He opened it, feeling the rough parchment under his fingertips, but before he could consciously process the words, his eyes began scanning the page¡ªtoo quickly.


    In the blink of an eye, he¡¯d absorbed the contents of two pages. He didn¡¯t just read it¡­ He understood everything.


    ¡°No way¡­¡±


    A slow grin spread across his face, a quiet laugh escaping his lips. ¡°Ha¡­ Hahaha!¡±


    Scholarly Pursuit. His unique skill wasn¡¯t just for show¡ªit was a game-changer. His heart raced as he flipped to the next page, then the next, sucking up the knowledge like a sponge.


    Without a moment¡¯s hesitation, he discarded the first book and grabbed another. His eyes raced across the pages at an unnatural pace, information flooding his mind.


    ¡®The Marx Kingdom borders the Qin Empire to the east¡­¡¯


    Details about the geography, military history, and political factions lodged themselves in his memory, neatly organized and summarized.


    ¡®More¡­ I need to learn more.¡¯


    Luke began to furiously flip through the books, a gleeful expression painted on his face. In a matter of seconds he completely absorbed the contents of the book, casually tossing it aside as if it were useless.


    He was so engrossed in his actions that he didn¡¯t notice Sebastian¡¯s appalled expression directed at his treatment of the precious books.


    One after another, he retrieved and discarded books, absorbing the knowledge directly from their pages. The feeling was euphoric, bringing him into a trance.


    If he had taken the time to observe Sebastian quickly and carefully picking up the books behind him, he might have treated them with a bit more respect.


    However, he was in a world of his own.


    ¡°Hehehe¡­¡± he chuckled to himself, the sound growing darker with each passing moment. His fingers danced across the pages like mad, almost failing to keep up with his accelerated cognition.


    The speed with which he was processing information was exhilarating, even addictive.


    ¡®This is incredible!¡¯ His mind whirred, pulling facts and strategies together as if they were puzzle pieces.


    Luke muttered absentmindedly, ¡°The Qin Empire¡¯s defenses are weakest on their northern border? If we could coordinate an attack from the sea¡­¡±


    He raised his gaze from the book for a brief moment, seeing the butler¡¯s eye twitch.


    ¡°Just keep reading¡­¡± Sebastian said, his expression unreadable.


    ¡°Right, right,¡± Luke replied, though he continued flipping through books like a man possessed, his dark chuckle growing louder. ¡°Hehehe, I¡¯m going to crush you free-to-play noobs¡­¡±


    ¡°Noobs?¡± Sebastian repeated, though it fell upon deaf ears.


    Luke¡¯s rampage through the bookshelves continued unabated. His hands were shaking, but he couldn¡¯t stop. Information was flooding his mind, stored and summarized, ready to be used. He barely noticed Sebastian scrambling behind him, picking up books as he discarded them.


    When the last book hit the floor, Luke wobbled, barely able to stand, until Sebastian¡¯s firm grip steadied him.


    ¡°Luke!¡± Sebastian shouted, his concerned expression on his face.


    ¡®Too close!¡¯


    But before he could voice his dissent, the ceiling began to spin above him followed shortly after by a wave of dizziness.


    ¡°Are you okay?¡± Sebastian¡¯s voice was low, filled with concern.


    It was only after a few moments that things began to calm down. He nodded, feeling a throbbing headache begin to settle in the back of his head.


    ¡®Nearly a thousand books¡­ its too much.¡¯


    He had gotten too carried away.


    The door creaked open, and the soldier from earlier stepped in. His eyes flickered from the frail boy to the father supporting him.


    He sighed. ¡°The exam starts now. Will you still be taking it?¡±


    Luke nodded weakly, though he wasn¡¯t sure if he could even walk straight, let alone focus on an exam. The soldier rolled his eyes, muttering something to himself out of earshot.


    ¡°Come with me.¡±


    Luke tried to walk, but his legs wobbled beneath him. He felt helpless like a newborn deer, trying to control his unsteady gait.


    Sebastian gripped his arm firmly, essentially carrying him as they followed the soldier down the hall.


    ¡®Now I really feel like a toddler,¡¯ Luke thought with an inward groan.


    Between being dragged all over the city and now this, he was beginning to question his own competence.


    After several twists and turns, they arrived at a small classroom. A large desk dominated the front of the room, and a single smaller desk sat alone in the center, awaiting its victim.


    ¡°This is the boy?¡± A gruff voice demanded.


    Luke glanced up to see another soldier, his armor slightly different from the others. The man¡¯s gray hair and steely eyes glinted in the dim light, and his lip curled in disdain as he sized Luke up.


    ¡°Yes, Lieutenant Crowe,¡± the soldier from earlier replied, his tone suddenly filled with respect. Judging by his actions, it was clear that this man outranked him.


    ¡°Ugh, what a waste of time,¡± the Lieutenant grumbled, his gaze lingering on Luke¡¯s body. It seemed one glance was all it took for him to dismiss Luke entirely.


    Luke¡¯s lips twitched, indignation rising in his heart. But armed with the knowledge of over a thousand books, his competitive spirit prevailed.


    A grin crept onto his face, mischievous and mocking.


    ¡®My first noob to destroy,¡¯ he thought.


    ¡°What are you waiting for? Take a seat and begin your test,¡± the Lieutenant barked, waving his hand dismissively.


    Luke nodded, sending Sebastian a quick and reassuring glance before slowly making his way to the desk.

 Chapter 6 - Exam

    ¡°Good luck, son.¡±


    Sebastian cast a lingering look at him before reluctantly following the other soldier out of the room. Luke thought he detected concern, perhaps suggesting Sebastian¡¯s loyalty wasn¡¯t purely out of duty to the Nero family.


    Whatever suspicions he had about Sebastian¡¯s odd behavior since arriving in Clayton City were somewhat eased in that moment.


    ¡®I should be able to trust him.¡¯ Luke said in his heart, feeling a weight lift from his shoulders.


    After reading almost a thousand books prior, he¡¯d come across some information about the Military Academy. With this new knowledge, the earlier interaction between Sebastian and the officer began to make a lot more sense.


    Luke recalled what he¡¯d learned¡ªcommoners filled the ranks of the army, risking their lives for the kingdom, meanwhile nobles like Luke Nero were groomed for officer roles. It made him uncomfortable to think how deep the class divide went


    Commoners rarely entered the Officer class, and those who did faced a mountain of troubles. After all, when people were separated by class, it was almost human nature to discriminate against those different from oneself.


    Luke shook his head, trying not to think about such things. He would rather be bullied by a few nobles than be thrust in the middle of a battlefield with a sword and shield.


    Luke glanced at the test papers. His eyes scanned the page, and almost instantly, answers bubbled up¡ªas if waiting to be written. But with each answer, a dull throb pulsed through his skull.


    Rubbing his temples, Luke winced. The pain was manageable, but noticeable.


    Scholarly Pursuit might allow him to read at an incredible speed, but there were limits. Absorbing a thousand books in mere hours had pushed him close to the edge.


    The Lieutenant glanced at him from across the room, sneering. Though his words were too soft to make out, Luke could easily guess the man¡¯s disdain.


    Luke ignored the officer¡¯s sneer and drew in a deep breath. He had to focus.


    ¡®Looks like I¡¯ll need to handle this one question at a time,¡¯ he thought.


    He squinted at the first question, narrowing his focus so the rest of the page blurred into the background. His brain processed the information with mechanical precision, the answer appearing almost effortlessly.


    The Lieutenant, unaware of Luke¡¯s methods, scoffed again. ¡°Bah! He can¡¯t even read!¡± he barked, his face reddening. Luke suppressed a smile, holding back the dark chuckle rising in his throat.


    ¡®This guy doesn¡¯t know who he¡¯s dealing with,¡¯ Luke thought.


    He quickly forced his expression back into seriousness, feeling the Lieutenant''s eyes on him. The officer was watching him closely, as if looking for any excuse to dismiss him, but Luke had no intention of giving him that satisfaction.


    Luke¡¯s old habits surfaced briefly, his arrogance from gaming bleeding into the moment. It was hard to shake off the satisfaction of being ahead of his opponent.


    ¡®Stay focused,¡¯ he reminded himself. ¡®This isn¡¯t a game.¡¯


    Taking a moment to compose himself, Luke focused on the first question.


    ¡®What tactics would one use when facing cavalry on an open plain?¡¯


    Luke frowned.


    ¡®What kind of question is that?¡¯ he muttered. It seemed too simple.


    Even without Scholarly Pursuit, Luke could¡¯ve answered the question in his sleep. After all, he¡¯d read enough war-type manhwa to know a dozen answers. But the simplicity of the question nagged at him. Was it a trick?


    For a moment, doubt crept in. Were they looking for something innovative, or just the traditional answers? He couldn¡¯t tell.


    ¡®Better to cover all bases.¡¯ He thought.


    Luke scribbled down multiple strategies, outlining each approach in detail. If they wanted textbook answers, they¡¯d get them. If they wanted creativity, he had that too.


    The rest of the exam followed a similar pattern¡ªeasy at first glance, but with underlying complexities that kept Luke¡¯s mind sharp.


    ¡°Heh... Hehe.¡± A dark chuckle slipped out as Luke glanced at the Lieutenant. The man hadn¡¯t even looked up since the start.


    ¡®You dare try to trick me? I see through all your deceit,¡¯ Luke mused.


    After nearly two hours, Luke finally placed his quill back in the ink pot. His mind felt exhausted, but a satisfied grin spread across his face.The author''s narrative has been misappropriated; report any instances of this story on Amazon.


    ¡°Alright, time¡¯s up, Bring me your papers.¡± The Lieutenant barked, motioning over impatiently.


    Luke¡¯s gaze darted to the medium-sized hourglass on the guy¡¯s desk, still showing another third of the time remaining. As if seeing this, the Lieutenant¡¯s face reddened before he shamelessly knocked it over.


    He sent a look at Luke, as if asking ¡®what are you going to do about it?¡¯


    Luke smiled, he didn¡¯t care about the remaining time since he had already completed the exam to the best of his ability. In fact, he was quite looking forward to wiping the arrogant and dismissive look from the Lieutenant¡¯s face.


    He stood up from his seat and handed in his papers, maintaining a respectful tone despite his inner amusement. The Lieutenant took the papers with a grunt, his dismissive attitude unchanged.


    ¡°Now leave me.¡± He said gruffly.


    Luke bowed slightly before he left the room, walking down the hall to find Sebastian waiting. The familiar soldier who had escorted him earlier gave him a surprised glance.


    ¡°You¡¯re finished already?¡± He asked with shock written clearly on his face. Yet in the next moment his face morphed into an understanding expression.


    ¡°Your father is in this room over here.¡± He pointed before taking his leave. His quick actions made it seem like he wanted nothing to do with them anymore, which was fine by Luke.


    ¡®He probably thinks I failed,¡¯ Luke mused, shaking his head. He approached Sebastian, who stood quickly upon seeing him.


    ¡°Well?¡± Sebastian asked, his eyes full of urgency.


    Luke grinned. ¡°Too easy,¡± he said, giving a confident thumbs up. Sebastian¡¯s face wavered between skepticism and hope, unsure whether to believe Luke¡¯s arrogance.


    ¡°How sure are you?¡± the butler pressed.


    Luke shrugged. ¡°Seventy-five percent. As long as the Lieutenant marks me fairly.¡±


    Sebastian¡¯s eyes widened in panic. ¡°Luke, what did I tell you about watching your words?¡± he hissed, scanning the area nervously. Luke winced, realizing his mistake. This wasn¡¯t a world where he could throw out careless remarks without consequence.


    Luke covered his mouth, realizing he¡¯d just messed up. Even if the Lieutenant was corrupt, with his status now, just mentioning it out loud could get him into a lot of trouble.


    And by trouble he meant, losing his life.


    ¡®I really need to keep my mouth in check,¡¯ he thought. His earlier cocky attitude faded as he remembered how serious things could get. This wasn¡¯t a game¡ªthis was real.


    The wait dragged on for more than three hours, and Luke could feel the weight of every passing second. He glanced over at Sebastian, who sat perfectly still, his patience seemingly endless.


    In contrast, Luke¡¯s leg bounced restlessly, his mind swirling with anxiety.


    Meanwhile, in the exam room, the Lieutenant stretched, the metal of his armor clanking as he moved. His thoughts had long drifted from the test, his attention consumed by his own discomfort.


    He let out a few grumbles, rubbing his sore muscles, unaware of the tension still lingering in the candidates outside.


    ¡°That¡¯s enough work for today,¡± he muttered, standing up. But as he walked past the desk, a few pieces of parchment fell to the floor.


    With a groan, he stooped to pick them up, his gaze landing on one of the pages.


    ¡°Ah, shit¡­ that boy¡¯s exam,¡± he cursed. He had been so wrapped up in paperwork that he had completely forgotten.


    For a moment, the temptation to flunk the test without reading it crossed his mind. But then he thought of the potential fallout.


    With a reluctant sigh, the Lieutenant returned to his chair and opened Luke¡¯s exam to the first page. Immediately, the neat and precise handwriting caught his eye.


    ¡°This is a commoner¡¯s writing?¡± he mumbled, surprised.


    As he read the answers, his initial surprise morphed into disbelief. The questions, designed to gauge basic problem-solving skills and knowledge retention, were intended to be simple¡ªnothing too deep, given the lack of real battlefield experience expected of the candidates.


    But Luke¡¯s answers went far beyond what the exam required.


    ¡°Pikes, spears, caltrops, traps, making use of the terrain¡­¡± His eyes scanned the page, noting how Luke had listed not only the tactics but also the pros and cons of each method.


    Each response was concise but detailed, as though lifted straight from a military textbook. The Lieutenant¡¯s brow furrowed as he flipped to the next page.


    ¡°Any counterattack, whether from infantry or other cavalry, must be timed to hit the enemy cavalry at their weakest moment¡ªjust after they¡¯ve lost the momentum from their charge¡­¡± His voice trailed off.


    The Lieutenant¡¯s mouth hung open slightly. Some of the tactics described here were beyond what even he could fully comprehend, and he¡¯d fought in numerous battles.


    Of course he was merely an appointed officer who had gone through the Soldier class. After his merits on the battlefield, he had risen to his current rank, now able to command 1000 soldiers.


    ¡°This is ridiculous¡­¡± he muttered, falling back into his chair.


    Just then, a commanding voice interrupted him.


    ¡°Lieutenant? Why are you still here?¡±


    The Lieutenant shot to his feet, standing at attention as a tall, broad man with a thick black beard entered the room.


    ¡°Sir, I was just grading someone¡¯s exam papers,¡± he replied.


    The bearded man glanced at the papers spread out on the desk. ¡°Mind if I have a look?¡±


    The Lieutenant stepped aside, handing over the exam without a word.


    As the Deputy Commander read through the pages, his brow furrowed in concentration. Suddenly, his eyes widened in amazement.


    ¡°Amazing! What a talent!¡± he exclaimed, his voice tinged with excitement. ¡°Which noble¡¯s son is this?¡±


    ¡°Err¡­¡± The Lieutenant shifted uncomfortably, unsure of how to answer.


    The Deputy Commander glanced up, his gaze full of suspicion. ¡°What is it?¡±


    ¡°He¡¯s¡­ a commoner, sir,¡± the Lieutenant replied, almost wincing as the words left his mouth.


    For a moment, the Deputy Commander stared at him in disbelief. ¡°A commoner? You can¡¯t be serious¡­¡±


    He looked down at the exam again, silently reading the pages while Lieutenant Crowe stood at attention, his nerves beginning to show.


    With the way he had treated the boy earlier, it was a possibility that he could have caused great offense. Judging by his answers on the exam paper, the boy was not simple, in fact he could already be hailed as a genius without any formal training.


    ¡®I messed up¡­¡¯ He thought grimly.


    The Deputy Commander put down the papers, massaging his glabella gently.


    ¡°The King was clear in his directions. Whether commoner or noble, the kingdom needs talented people¡­¡± Although his words were direct, the Lieutenant could sense an unease in his tone.


    ¡°Are you worried because he¡¯s a commoner sir?¡± He probed.


    ¡°Of course. Those ruthless nobles are rife within the Academy. If he was a soldier it wouldn¡¯t matter, but no commoner has entered the Officer¡¯s class in over 100 years.¡± The Deputy Commander stated gravely.


    A stretch of silence spanned between them, creating a somber atmosphere.


    ¡°Well, there¡¯s no point in delaying. Go tell the boy he passed Lieutenant.¡±

 Chapter 7 - Reward

    ¡°My lord, we have reports that Luke Nero has taken refuge at Clayton City.¡± A man spoke up, his knee planted on the ground and head bowed in respect.


    A figure sitting behind an opulent desk frowned.


    He had a prominent brow and wrinkles around his eyes. The taut leather-like skin spoke of his tough life underneath the burning sun, while his burgeoning muscles hinted at his combat abilities.


    After thinking for a while, the figure waved his hand dismissively.


    ¡°No matter, that butler will likely have already blended in to the populace.¡± He said, running a hand through his thick black beard.


    Though he spoke dismissively, he felt a surge of irritation.


    ¡®That damn Sebastian. We could have used his skills.¡¯ He remarked in his heart. Yet he knew just how loyal the man was to Count Nero.


    Not only did he successfully escape, he also traveled closer to the border where the Kingdom¡¯s eyes were most focused on.


    The figure stood up from his chair and addressed the subjects in the room.


    ¡°Send word to the King that both Count Nero and his son have fallen in battle. Say that I, William Nox have deterred the invaders and rallied Valan City and am humbly awaiting his verdict.¡±


    ¡°Understood!¡±


    After receiving the information, those present shouted in affirmation before exiting the room and leaving William alone.


    William slowly walked towards the large glass window and looked out over the city, a small grin creeping onto the corner of his mouth. ¡°This is all mine now,¡± he muttered, his eyes flashing with greed.


    ¡°Ahem¡­¡±


    The soft cough startled him. William spun around, his hand reflexively gripping the hilt of his sword. His muscles tensed, ready for a fight.


    A shadowy figure stepped into the dim light, revealing a lithe frame cloaked in dark robes. His face was hidden behind a mask of cloth, and though small in stature, he exuded a sense of danger that made William¡¯s skin crawl.


    Seeing the figure, William¡¯s posture slackened, though the tension in his eyes remained.


    ¡°So, it¡¯s you¡­¡±


    The figure chuckled softly, his voice low and resonant. ¡°Mmm. How do you like your new position as head of Valan City?¡± His words dripped with an almost mocking tone, as though he already knew the answer.


    William clenched his jaw, turning his back on the figure and staring out at the city below, his earlier grin now gone. ¡°What is it that you want?¡±


    ¡°Oh, come now,¡± the figure chided, his voice like silk. ¡°Don¡¯t tell me you¡¯ve already forgotten our deal?¡± His words carried a chilling undercurrent, a reminder of power that lay just beneath the surface.


    William paused, his hands subconsciously balling into fists.


    ¡°All eyes will be on Valan City now, for at least two years. As long as you can wait till then, our deal is still valid.¡±


    ¡°Oho? I don¡¯t remember this being part of our agreement.¡± The figure¡¯s reply came, dark amusement lacing his words.


    A rush of cold fear slid down William¡¯s spine. His hand instinctively went to the hilt of his sword, but the reality was suffocating¡ªthere was nowhere to run, nowhere to escape.


    His skin prickled as cold steel pressed against his neck, and his breath hitched. Fear surged as the blade¡¯s sharp edge bit into his flesh.


    ¡®I¡¯m dead.¡¯ The thought flashed in his mind, panic spreading like wildfire.


    A cold voice whispered in his ear, each word a blade cutting into his resolve. ¡°What makes you think you have any choice in the matter?¡±


    His mind raced, scrambling for a solution, for leverage¡ªanything to pull him out of this chokehold of fear. But nothing came. Nothing but the oppressive weight of the dagger on his throat.


    Seconds stretched into eternity. Silence hung like a noose around his neck, tightening with every moment the figure held him in place. When the blade was finally removed, William exhaled shakily, the air rushing from his lungs as if he¡¯d been suffocating.


    He turned, expecting to see the robed figure still looming over him. But the room was empty. His throat tightened, and for the first time in years, William felt truly helpless.


    ¡°Two years, not a day more.¡± The figure¡¯s voice echoed, seemingly from nowhere and everywhere at once. ¡°I¡¯ll be keeping an eye on you¡­¡±


    The echo faded, leaving behind a silence that weighed heavily on William.


    He staggered to his chair and collapsed into it, his body trembling with exhaustion and fear.


    ¡®What have I gotten myself into?¡¯


    ***


    After arriving at an Inn and paying for the night, Luke and Sebastian went upstairs to take a break. It had been a long 3 days, especially if they included the almost 8 hour layover at the Military office.This tale has been pilfered from Royal Road. If found on Amazon, kindly file a report.


    By now it had already reached dusk and was famished.


    ¡°How did you do it Young Master?¡± Sebastian asked, still in disbelief.


    Though he was the one who put Luke forward to take the officer¡¯s exam, it seemed that he was the most surprised at the outcome.


    ¡°It was because I read all those books¡­¡± Luke replied succinctly.


    ¡°All those books? Wait, you read them all?¡± Sebastian stared at him, mouth slightly open as though he¡¯d just heard the most absurd thing in the world.


    ¡°You were there¡­ What did you think I was doing? Just flipping them open for fun?¡± He replied sarcastically.


    At some times Sebastian seemed far too capable, yet seeing the mystified expression on his face right now, it made him seem human.


    Of course how would the butler know that he had a skill such as Scholarly Pursuit which allowed him to essentially absorb information directly from the pages of any book he read.


    Luke let out a small sigh, deciding to explain himself a little.


    ¡°It¡¯s part of my blessing,¡± he said simply. ¡°A skill, if you will.¡±


    ¡°Is that so¡­¡± Sebastian mused, promptly closing his jaw.


    Luke felt Sebastian¡¯s stare lingering on him, but he couldn¡¯t tell what the butler was thinking.


    ¡®Does he doubt me?¡¯ Luke thought, feeling a hint of anxiety. The last thing he needed was for Sebastian to suspect him, after all, he was hiding plenty of secrets.


    Who knew how the butler would react if he found out that he¡¯d replaced his Young Master.


    GROWL~


    ¡°Ah¡­ I¡¯m starving.¡± Luke groaned, clutching his stomach.


    Sebastian¡¯s face morphed into one of slight amusement before the man rolled his eyes. This small gesture eased his anxiety, forcing out a imperceptible sigh of relief from Luke¡¯s mouth.


    The butler rose to his feet, dusting off his coat. ¡°Let¡¯s go get some food at the tavern then,¡± he stated, his voice tinged with a mix of exasperation and fondness, not unlike that of a doting father.


    Though the premise felt a little weird, Luke didn¡¯t mind it. After all, they had to play the part of father and son, regardless of his true feelings.


    Some time later, Luke let out a satisfied sigh as he fell back onto the bed, kicking off his shoes for the first time in days. The cool air hit his sore, aching feet, and for a blissful moment, he allowed himself to sink into the mattress, relishing the relief. But then¡ªugh. The smell hit him like a wall.


    ¡°Go and get yourself cleaned up,¡± Sebastian commanded, pinching the bridge of his nose with a disgusted look. ¡°Tomorrow, we¡¯ll need to acquire more clothes.¡±


    Luke groaned, tempted to stay put, but even he couldn¡¯t ignore the stench that wafted from his feet. ¡°Err¡­ where¡¯s the washroom?¡±


    ¡°Down the hall,¡± Sebastian replied, his voice sounding oddly nasal, the pinch of his nose affecting his usual serious tone.


    Reluctantly, Luke dragged himself out of bed and made his way down the hall, peeking into the open door. His shoulders drooped at the sight of a basin filled with murky, uninviting water. It looked more like something one would find in a back alley than a place to clean yourself.


    He sighed deeply, staring into the grimy water.


    ¡®I miss home...¡¯


    The thought hit him harder than he expected. Warm showers, soap, and the comfort of fresh towels¡ªthings he had never fully appreciated until now.


    He stood silently, contemplating what his life had become.


    Was this how commoners were treated in this world? Would he have to live like this for the rest of his life?


    As the thought crossed his mind, Luke grit his teeth.


    ¡®Those damn assholes¡­ You dare turn me into a commoner?¡¯ He seethed inwardly, showing intense hatred. He inwardly vowed to enact vengeance on the traitors of Valan City.


    He reluctantly got undressed and stepped into the basin, gagging as he smelled the tainted water and leftover filth of those who¡¯d used it beforehand.


    Luke stood waist-deep in the basin, his entire body recoiling as the murky water clung to his skin like a second layer of grime.


    The smell was unbearable, a mix of sour sweat and something metallic that made him gag. Just as he was about to try and wash himself, Sebastian¡¯s voice echoed from the hallway.


    ¡°Ah Young Master, I forgot that I needed to change the water.¡±


    Luke turned to Sebastian who blankly stared at him with puzzlement in his eyes.


    A stark silence echoed between them as their gazes locked.


    Luke¡¯s face then began to crumble as he proceeded to retch, doing his best to get out of the disgusting water, almost falling in the process.


    ¡°Se¡ªbastion! F-Fresh Water.¡± He said between his retching, pointing at the basin.


    His naked body curled up on the ground as he fought to keep his breathing under control, leaving Sebastian to look on incredulously.


    Luke glanced up at Sebastian, catching what looked like pity in the butler¡¯s eyes¡ªthough he couldn¡¯t be sure. There was no time to delve any deeper as he was doing his best to keep the contents of his stomach at bay.


    Thankfully, he heard the sound of water draining a moment later, followed by footsteps leaving the room. After a few minutes, Luke sat up from the floor, still feeling queasy from the harrowing experience of bathing in others filth.


    Just as he was about to get up, he saw a clump of hair attached to his toenail.


    ¡°EEEEEK!¡±


    He let out a squeal, quickly thrashing his foot around in order to try remove it.


    The sound of rushing footsteps entered his ears, but he didn¡¯t care. He was too focused on the clump of curly hairs that had attached themselves to him.


    ¡°Young Mas¡ª¡±


    The moment Sebastian stepped inside the room, the clump of hair detached itself from Luke¡¯s toenail, finding its mark on Sebastian¡¯s cheek.


    The butler froze, his expression darkening.


    [Your subordinate Sebastian is about to enter a frenzied rage]


    ¡°¡­¡±


    Luke saw the notification from the system appear in front of him and felt his blood turn cold.


    ¡°S-Sebastian... please calm down,¡± he shrieked, backing away slowly as the butler stood perfectly still, the hair still plastered to his cheek.


    An hour or so later, Luke found himself curled up in bed, his embarrassment still not yet forgotten. Thankfully Sebastian had been able to pull himself out of his impending rage, but that didn¡¯t stop him from dishing out a harsh lecture.


    He rolled over, seeing that his butler was already asleep for the night. It seemed that the past 3 days had also taken its toll on the guy.


    Luke willed the system to open, navigating his way to the quest he¡¯d completed after passing the Military Academy exam.


    [Please choose your reward:]


    Spear Proficiency: Considered the Dragon of weapons. Wield your spear like that of someone with 10 years experience.


    Sword Proficiency: Most popular and one of the easiest to master. Gain 10 years experience of wielding a sword.


    Bow Proficiency: Lethal and effective, though looked down upon as cowardly. Gain 10 years experience of Bow handling.


    Luke¡¯s eyes widened in surprise.


    ¡®This system is crazy!¡¯ He shouted inwardly.


    With absolutely no battle experience under his belt, the system was giving him a way to get stronger and therefore increase his likelihood of survival.


    However, just the mere thought of battling someone to the death face to face caused Luke¡¯s stomach to crawl. He had seen people die in this world, yet he was never the one to do the killing.


    Not to mention, he didn¡¯t have the confidence to be able to come out on top, even with the added help from the system.


    ¡®Sword and Spear¡­ It¡¯s too dangerous.¡¯


    They were both melee weapons that required him to be close to the target. The closer he was, then the more likely he could mess up and get injured or even killed.


    But the bow¡­


    A ranged weapon, one that would keep him at a distance from danger. No face-to-face combat, no blood splattering across his hands as he struck someone down.


    It was perfect for someone like him¡ªsomeone who wasn¡¯t yet ready to embrace the violence of this world.


    ¡°I guess that leaves only one¡­¡± He said, having made up his mind.


    [Congratulations, you¡¯ve acquired: Bow Proficiency.]

 Chapter 8 - Mercenary Guild

    ¡°Young Master, it¡¯s morning.¡±


    The sound of Sebastian¡¯s enthusiastic voice rang out, tapping on the door of Luke¡¯s consciousness. A groan escaped his lips, as if to ward off the intrusion from the unwanted visitor.


    ¡°Young Master¡­ Wake up.¡±


    Unfortunately for him it seemed such diversionary tactics would not work against his butler. Perhaps it may have for Luke Nero when he was a noble, yet the commoner had no such luck.


    THWUP~


    The coarse blanket was promptly lifted from the bed, sending the cold morning air throughout his now exposed body.


    Letting out a shiver, Luke¡¯s eyes snapped open and stared hatefully at Sebastian. Since he had no clean clothes, he¡¯d been forced to sleep with makeshift underwear on.


    ¡°I¡¯ve secured some clothes for you Young Master, please try them on.¡± He stated, tossing the new garbs on top of his near naked body.


    Still half asleep, Luke let out some grumbles of annoyance. He had never been a morning person. In fact, he needed to set at least 10 alarms 2 minutes apart to get up for work every morning back on Earth.


    In his groggy state, he began to get dressed, discarding the makeshift underwear across the room and out of his life forever. It had felt like he was wearing a diaper for the whole night.


    Luke stood, now fully dressed in his new outfit, spinning slowly in front of the mirror. The robe¡¯s flowing sleeves and fabric felt foreign, yet oddly comfortable. It was a far cry from the noble garments he once wore.


    The look reminded him of those old Chinese paintings that depicted the warring era.


    In fact, if it wasn¡¯t for the books he¡¯d read about the history of the continent, Luke might have thought that he¡¯d been transported back in time on Earth to such an era.


    Sebastian watched on, his brow furrowing slightly as Luke examined his outfit.


    ¡°Ahem, Young Master let¡¯s head to the Mercenary Guild. I need to register.¡±


    Luke, still adjusting the fit of his robe, suddenly stopped. ¡°Not so fast. You were supposed to explain your actions yesterday,¡± he said, voice now steady and alert.


    Sebastian¡¯s brow furrowed, as if debating whether or not to answer. Eventually, he let out a sigh, ¡°What do you want to know?¡± he asked, voice resigned.


    Luke crossed his arms, leaning back slightly. ¡°Why did you use our real names to get into the city?¡±


    Sebastian walked over to the bed and slowly sat down, getting comfortable. ¡°It was the quickest way in.¡± He replied seriously.


    Luke narrowed his eyes. ¡°That¡¯s a convenient answer. What if someone finds out we¡¯re here? Shouldn¡¯t we have bribed our way in, kept our identities hidden?¡±


    Sebastian scoffed, ¡°Bribe a city guard in Clayton? We¡¯re on the border of the Qin Empire, Luke. They won¡¯t risk a breach in security just because someone flashes a few coins. Bribing the guards would have raised more suspicion than simply presenting our identities.¡±


    Luke blinked, mulling over the explanation. Clayton City was a fortified city on the edge of the Qin Empire, something he didn¡¯t know the gravity of until reading those books yesterday.


    While tensions were high right now, the Marxx Kingdom and the Empire were not currently at war. Or at least this was what he¡¯d deduced based solely on the activity of Clayton City.


    Perhaps the city would be in lockdown if they were at war, only allowing in supplies and reinforcements for the defense of its gates.


    He sighed, a gnawing unease still lingering. ¡°So, you¡¯re saying we just have to hope Valan City doesn¡¯t send anyone after us?¡± His voice was more resigned than accusatory this time.


    Sebastian shook his head, his expression calm yet reassuring. ¡°Too many eyes are on this place. If they make a move, it will be noticed. And with our new commoner identities, they¡¯ll hardly expect us to blend in so easily.¡±


    Luke couldn¡¯t help but feel a flicker of guilt. Sebastian had moved quickly, decisively, and efficiently. While Luke had been bogged down in suspicion, his butler had been focused on their safety.This narrative has been unlawfully taken from Royal Road. If you see it on Amazon, please report it.


    ¡®Looks like it¡¯s just my trust issues again,¡¯ he thought, a bit of self-deprecation curling through him.


    Back on Earth, trust had always been a gamble. Keeping people at a distance had been easier than risking betrayal, whether in friendships or relationships. No one close, no one to hurt him.


    But here¡­ maybe it was different.


    He took a breath, trying to shake off his old cynicism. ¡°I¡¯m sorry for doubting you, Sebastian. Next time, maybe fill me in on the plan beforehand. You know, so I don¡¯t let my suspicions get the better of me.¡±


    Sebastian blinked, momentarily caught off guard by the apology, but quickly composed himself and nodded. ¡°Of course, Young Master.¡±


    Luke straightened, his thoughts now clearer. Sebastian had earned his trust¡ªmaybe that¡¯s why it stung a bit to have doubted him so easily.


    ¡®Maybe it¡¯s not so bad to have someone to rely on,¡¯ he mused. For once, he wasn¡¯t entirely alone.


    ¡°We really must go now, Young Master,¡± Sebastian said, breaking the moment.


    ¡°Mmm, let¡¯s go.¡±


    The two stepped into the busy streets of Clayton City.


    It was already mid-morning, and everyone seemed well into their day¡¯s work. Luke stifled a yawn, grateful that Sebastian wasn¡¯t pulling him around like yesterday. The more relaxed pace made it easier for him to take in his surroundings.


    They passed rows of shops, each one spilling out the enticing scent of freshly baked bread or roasted meats. Luke¡¯s stomach growled in response, reminding him how little he¡¯d eaten.


    His eyes lingered on a nearby stall selling steaming pastries, but he forced himself to look away.


    ¡®Focus. I don¡¯t know how much money we even have.¡¯


    That¡¯s why Sebastian needs to join the Mercenary Guild, they needed money.


    They turned into another street, this one not unlike the others, apart from a massive, imposing building that immediately caught Luke¡¯s eye. It stood like a fortress amid the city¡¯s bustle, its dark stone walls towering over the nearby shops. Above the entrance, a large sign depicted a gleaming iron helm with two crossed swords behind it.


    Luke recognized the symbol at once, having seen it yesterday during his reading session.


    ¡®The Mercenary Guild.¡¯ He said in his heart, feeling a sense of trepidation.


    Sebastian moved through the crowd with a sense of purpose, his steps measured and filled with confidence. Luke trailed after him, unsure of what to expect but grateful that, at least for now, his butler knew what he was doing.


    The moment they stepped inside, Luke was hit with a wave of noise.


    The space was vast, with high ceilings and stone walls that made every sound echo. The place was filled with mercenaries, each dressed in a mishmash of armor, their weapons clinking at their sides. They milled about, chatting, laughing, and occasionally arguing, their voices a mix of volumes.


    Luke looked around, instantly feeling overwhelmed by the place.


    ¡®This is why I hate crowds¡­¡¯


    His eyes darted around, scoping out the place. At the far end of the hall he saw a large counter, manned by four attendants who seemed to be juggling paperwork and conversations all at once.


    During his inspection, he caught Sebastian pushing through the crowd, walking straight toward the counter.


    ¡°Ah, wait for me.¡± He uttered, trying to hide the panic in his voice.


    He caught a few eyes staring in his direction, causing him to remain on alert. At a glance Luke could tell that these were battle-hardened warriors who often put their lives at risk.


    In the books he¡¯d read it was mentioned that mercenaries were often used in the vanguard, so the kingdom could decrease their losses. Luke thought it was rather bizarre since there was no way to spend their money in the afterlife.


    Under the scrutiny of the warriors in the room, they finally arrived at the counter and was greeted by a woman with a high ponytail. She wore a clean white robe and had a beautiful smile.


    Luke felt his face heat up after seeing the pretty woman, his eyes glazing over.


    ¡®My one weakness¡­¡¯ He muttered in his heart.


    ¡°What¡¯ll it be?¡± She said, her voice husky, almost manly.


    Luke blinked incredulously, it was hard to match the voice to the pretty face of the assistant in front of him.


    ¡°I want to join a mercenary group.¡± Sebastian said calmly, not affected by the woman¡¯s beauty, nor her unusual timbre.


    ¡°Alright, give me yer ID first, then we need ta¡¯ test yer strength.¡± She said, holding out her hand.


    ¡®What kind of accent is that!?¡¯ Luke thought, feeling his earlier attraction fizzle away like that of a dying fire.


    His eyes moved to her outstretched hand that was full of callouses and felt bewildered.


    ¡®Don¡¯t tell me all the women in this world are like this?¡¯ he thought, feeling a shiver run down his spine.


    After retrieving the ID from Sebastian, the woman scribbled down some details and stood up from behind the counter in the next moment. Luke¡¯s eyes widened as he craned his neck to see her full height.


    Now that he could see her whole body, he no longer felt that her voice was out of place. Her wide shoulders and thick muscles were now visible, even beneath the clean white robe she was wearing.


    ¡°Come with me to the testin¡¯ room.¡±


    She turned her heel and walked towards a nearby door, her long legs only needing a few steps to arrive at the destination. Sebastian followed, prompting Luke to scurry behind him, lest he get left behind with the other mercenaries.


    As he was trailing behind his butler, Luke heard the room go silent. Feeling a sense of dread overcome him, he turned his head, only to see everyone staring in their direction.


    Those he could see were either whispering amongst each other, or looking at him with what he could only assume was pity.


    ¡®I have a bad feeling about this¡­¡¯


    Unfortunately, he wasn¡¯t left with much choice than to follow Sebastian into the room. Distracted, he bumped into something hard, almost losing his balance.


    ¡°Where do ya think yer goin¡¯?¡± a gruff voice rumbled above him.


    Luke froze, his eyes slowly traveling upward to meet the stern gaze of the towering woman.


    ¡°I¡ªI err¡­¡± he stammered, the words catching in his throat as the oppressive atmosphere pressed down on him.


    ¡°Sorry,¡± Sebastian said, his voice calm as ever. ¡°He¡¯s my son, and he¡¯ll be joining the Military Academy in a few days. Do you mind if he watches the proceedings?¡±


    The woman paused, her expression unreadable. After what felt like an eternity, she shrugged and stepped aside, allowing Luke to pass.


    Luke let out a shaky breath, quickly slipping into the room before she could change her mind.

 Chapter 9 - Hilda

    Luke¡¯s eyes darted around the empty room, his confusion growing. Hadn¡¯t the woman said she would be testing Sebastian¡¯s strength? So where was the equipment, or anyone else for that matter?


    Before he could voice his concern, his question was answered.


    The large woman stepped into the center of the room, her footsteps heavy, each one reverberating through the space as if daring someone to challenge her strength. In one swift motion, she removed her robe, tossing it into the corner with practiced ease.


    Luke¡¯s mouth fell open in horror. Beneath the robe, her body was a mass of muscle, each sinew and tendon sharply defined. Scars crisscrossed her flesh like battle-worn maps, and though she was thankfully wearing something to cover her chest, the sheer sight of her made Luke¡¯s knees wobble.


    ¡®I think I¡¯m going to faint¡­¡¯


    ¡°I am Hilda Fonterra,¡± she said, clasping her calloused hands together and bowing slightly in a gesture of respect. ¡°I¡¯ll be assessin¡¯ yer ability.¡±


    Before Luke could even process what was happening, a familiar sound echoed in his head.


    [DING]


    [You may now view Hilda Fonterra¡¯s subordinate tier.]


    Luke¡¯s eyes widened as the floating words appeared before him.


    ¡®Subordinate tier? Does that mean she¡¯s a potential subordinate?¡¯ A frown creased his brow.


    ¡®Wait¡­ if the system¡¯s showing me this, then Hilda must be incredibly strong.¡¯


    A cold wave of anxiety washed over him. Between the pitiful looks from the mercenaries outside and the system¡¯s notification, he didn¡¯t need much more to put two and two together.


    While his mind was busy spiraling, something flashed across his vision.


    BOOOM.


    A deafening explosion rattled the room. The shockwave hit Luke like a hammer, sending him stumbling back. His ears rang, and a thick cloud of dust and debris choked the air. He coughed, spluttering as he fought to breathe, his equilibrium completely thrown off.


    Instinct took over. He scrambled for the door, his hands fumbling with the latch. After what felt like an eternity, he managed to push the door open and staggered into the main hall, still coughing up a lung.


    When he finally looked up, everyone in the building was staring at him. The commotion inside must have been loud enough to grab their attention. Some of the mercenaries looked confused, but others¡ªthose closer to the door¡ªwore knowing expressions.


    ¡°Haaah, that guy¡¯s probably dead,¡± one of them muttered, shaking his head in pity.


    Another chimed in, ¡°What did he expect? Going up against Hilda like that¡­¡±


    Luke felt as though a bucket of cold water had been dumped over him. A shiver ran through his body.


    ¡®Sebastian...¡¯


    His chest tightened with worry. He wanted to rush back into the room, to check on his butler, but the cloud of dust still obscured everything. He couldn¡¯t see anything beyond the door.


    With his heart hammering in his chest, Luke turned his attention back to the system notification. All he could do now was check if the woman was as strong as he thought.


    He swallowed hard as he brought up Hilda¡¯s details.


    [Name: Hilda Fonterra]


    [Subordinate Tier: Common]


    [Stats: N/A]


    [User cannot see the stats of those who are not subordinates.]


    ¡®Huh? Common?¡¯ Luke almost scoffed aloud.


    As an avid mobile game player in his previous life, he was well acquainted with the term. Even though he was still getting used to this new system, he could easily guess that ¡°Common¡± meant Hilda was on the lowest tier.


    ¡®Sebastian is an Epic tier subordinate, so he should destroy her, right?¡¯


    As if to confirm his assumption, Sebastian strolled out of the room a few moments later. Luke¡¯s eyes quickly scanned him, checking for any signs of injury¡ªbut there was nothing. Not even a scratch.


    Luke saw the mercenaries stiffen, some of them exchanging glances that seemed uneasy. One of the older men muttered under his breath, but Luke couldn¡¯t catch what he said.This story has been taken without authorization. Report any sightings.


    Sebastian appeared indifferent to their stares, continuing his steady walk toward the counter. With a calm, collected air, he arrived at the counter and placed a token down in front of the stunned clerk.


    ¡°Here is the token of approval. Please go ahead with the paperwork,¡± Sebastian said politely.


    Luke watched as the man behind the counter blinked in shock, his gaze flickering between the token and the door of the exam room as if waiting for Hilda to come charging out.


    ¡°Don¡¯t worry about her,¡± Sebastian said with a small smile. ¡°She¡¯s just taking a little nap.¡±


    ¡®Holy crap, that¡¯s cool!¡¯ Luke screamed internally, resisting the urge to start hyping Sebastian up. If they were still on Earth, he would¡¯ve yelled out ¡°Dayumm¡± and done a little victory dance around the guy.


    The paperwork didn¡¯t take long. Luke stood silently, watching the clerk go through the motions while inwardly praising Sebastian for his calm and control. He had really lucked out, finding someone this capable right after transmigrating into a dangerous new world.


    But as relieved as he was, something gnawed at him. A glaring flaw in his understanding had just been illuminated.


    ¡®I don¡¯t actually know how strength works in this world.¡¯ He realized.


    In mobile games, he¡¯d always had a clear, calculated gauge of each unit¡¯s strength¡ªpower levels, abilities, stats, all quantified and neatly categorized. Here, he didn¡¯t have those numbers to fall back on. Not even Sebastian¡¯s status window had given him a clear idea of his butler¡¯s full potential. It was all just... vague.


    So how do I fix this? he wondered, frowning as he mulled over his options. After a few minutes, he sighed in frustration.


    ¡®This sucks¡­¡¯


    ¡°That¡¯s all done for you, sir,¡± the clerk finally said, handing Sebastian a pendant bearing the Mercenary Guild¡¯s crest.


    ¡°Thank you.¡± Sebastian turned to Luke, offering a small smile that Luke found oddly reassuring. ¡°Let¡¯s go.¡±


    Luke didn¡¯t need to be told twice. The place stank of old sweat and iron, and his sinuses were already protesting in disgust. He was more than ready to leave.


    ¡°Don¡¯t look back,¡± Sebastian murmured, his eyes fixed straight ahead.


    ¡°Huh?¡± Luke blinked, but he trusted his butler and followed the command.


    Just as they reached the door, a deafening roar rang out from behind them, causing a tremor to run through his body.


    ¡°WHERE IS HE?¡±


    ¡°Run.¡±


    Before Luke could even process what was happening, Sebastian had already grabbed his wrist and bolted out the front door. They shot out of the Mercenary Guild like arrows, the roar of the woman echoing behind them.


    Sebastian dragged him along until his lungs were gasping for air and his legs felt like they were on fire. Just when Luke thought he couldn¡¯t keep up any longer, the butler slowed his steps, giving him a chance to rest.


    Luke doubled over, hands on his knees, gulping down air like a fish out of water. Now that he thought about it, that was the most exercise he¡¯d done in both worlds combined. He grimaced at the realization.


    ¡®I need to work on my fitness,¡¯ he thought, half-exasperated.


    When he finally raised his head, he was disheartened to see that Sebastian wasn¡¯t even winded. He stood there, as calm and composed as ever, not a single bead of sweat on his brow.


    ¡°Sebastian¡­¡± Luke muttered between gasps.


    ¡°Yes, Young Master?¡± Sebastian responded, his tone as polite as if they¡¯d just strolled through a park.


    ¡°Why was that woman chasing us? Did you use some underhanded tricks to beat her or something?¡±


    To Luke¡¯s surprise, Sebastian shook his head, a pained smile touching his lips.


    ¡°That woman is from the Fonterra family, a noble clan of warriors who have fought for this kingdom since its inception over 300 years ago,¡± Sebastian explained, his expression unreadable.


    ¡®Dude, what the hell?!¡¯ Luke¡¯s blood pressure spiked. They¡¯d only just arrived in Clayton City, and they¡¯d already offended a noble family?


    Before he could spiral into panic, Sebastian chuckled softly, his amusement only stoking Luke¡¯s irritation.


    ¡®This guy is trying to get us killed.¡¯


    ¡°Don¡¯t worry, Young Master. It¡¯s not as bad as you think,¡± Sebastian reassured him, as if reading Luke¡¯s mind.


    ¡°Oh? Please, do explain.¡±


    ¡°You see, the Fonterra family has a peculiar tradition. Women of their family can only marry men who are able to best them in battle. Hence, our abrupt exit from the Mercenary Guild.¡±


    Luke stared at him, utterly dumbfounded. His jaw nearly hit the ground.


    Yet in the next moment, he couldn¡¯t help but imagine Sebastian and the muscular Hilda locked in a tender embrace. Then, his mind conjured up an even more absurd image¡ªSebastian standing on his tiptoes to give Hilda a kiss as she worked in the kitchen.


    ¡°PFFFT¡­ Hahaha!¡± Luke¡¯s laughter exploded uncontrollably. He clutched his sides, feeling his abs cramp from the action. In the process he felt his anxiety evaporating into thin air.


    [Your subordinate Sebastian¡¯s rage is increasing.]


    ¡®Huh?¡¯ Luke¡¯s laughter died instantly as the notification popped into his vision. He slowly lifted his gaze, only to find Sebastian giving him a stern look¡ªthe same look he¡¯d worn last night during the curly hair incident.


    ¡°Ahem¡­ What¡¯s next?¡± Luke cleared his throat, pretending he hadn¡¯t just laughed hysterically at the idea of his loyal butler marrying a hulking warrior woman.


    Sebastian didn¡¯t immediately respond. His eyes narrowed ever so slightly, and for a moment, the air felt heavier, colder. Luke swallowed nervously.


    After a scary few moments, the tension finally broke, and Luke breathed a sigh of relief as Sebastian¡¯s calm demeanor returned. But in that moment of respite, Luke saw something else flash across the butler¡¯s face¡ªsomething far more concerning.


    Instantly, Luke had a bad premonition.


    ¡°Well, Young Master,¡± Sebastian began, his voice thoughtful, ¡°it seems like your fitness needs some attention. I was thinking we could start a simple exercise regime for you in the lead-up to your admittance into the Military Academy.¡±


    ¡°No, thank you,¡± Luke replied instantly, shaking his head. Every fiber of his being rejected the idea. He could already feel that Sebastian¡¯s definition of ¡°simple¡± would involve torturous levels of physical exertion. The last thing he needed was to be half-dead before his academy life even started.


    A low chuckle reached Luke¡¯s ears, one that made the hair on the back of his neck stand up. It sounded far too menacing for comfort¡ªlike the laugh of a devil reveling in some future torment.


    His gaze rose slowly, and his worst fears were confirmed. Sebastian was smiling¡ªa grin that didn¡¯t belong on a human face. It was more demonic than anything Luke had ever imagined.


    ¡°It wasn¡¯t a suggestion,¡± Sebastian said, his voice still calm but carrying an undeniable weight.


    [Your subordinate Sebastian is greatly amused.]


    ¡®Oh shit... I¡¯m gonna die.¡¯

 Chapter 10 - To the Academy

    ¡°Young Master, it¡¯s time to wake up.¡± Sebastian¡¯s soft, soothing voice drifted into Luke¡¯s ears, the gentle tone at odds with the dread it evoked. To Luke, it didn¡¯t sound comforting at all¡ªit sounded like the voice of a devil.


    In an instant, Luke sat up from the bed, instinctively backing away from his butler, his face adorned with pure, unfiltered fear.


    ¡®Stay back, demon!¡¯ he screamed inwardly.


    But Luke had learned his lesson. He wouldn¡¯t dare speak those words aloud. The last time he called Sebastian a demon, the man had simply laughed¡ªand then doubled the intensity of his workout.


    Just remembering the past two days made Luke¡¯s whole body twitch with phantom pain.


    ¡°We need to complete your workout early this morning, since you¡¯ll be entering the Academy before noon,¡± Sebastian explained, his tone as polite as ever.


    Luke¡¯s heart sank. His muscles already felt like they were in open rebellion, each movement sending agonizing reminders of the torture they had endured. He felt like an old man, every movement bringing a new ache and pain.


    ¡°I¡ªI can¡¯t, Sebastian... Please, have mercy on me,¡± Luke whimpered, doing his best to look as pitiful as possible.


    For a moment, hope flickered in Luke¡¯s heart as he saw a sympathetic look cross Sebastian¡¯s face. The butler sat down beside him, placing a comforting hand on his shoulder.


    ¡®No way... It¡¯s actually working!¡¯ Luke thought, elation rising within him. ¡®He¡¯s going to let me off!¡¯


    ¡°Don¡¯t worry, Young Master,¡± Sebastian said with a smile, patting Luke¡¯s shoulder lightly. ¡°I believe in you.¡±


    Luke¡¯s internal victory shattered instantly. ¡®DAMN IT!¡¯ His attempt to dodge the torture had failed miserably.


    Three hours later, Luke dragged himself out of the bath like a slug. His limbs were useless, and his muscles burned with the memory of every squat, lunge, and push-up.


    ¡°Is this what my life has become?¡± Luke muttered miserably, staring blankly at the ceiling.


    Despite his exhaustion, something strange stirred within him. It was subtle, barely a whisper of a feeling, but it was there. A warmth, a flicker of something unfamiliar.


    What is this? Luke thought, trying to analyze the shift in his mind. His thoughts went blank for a moment before a single word floated to the surface.


    Pride.


    ¡®Pride? For what exactly?¡¯ he wondered, confused.


    But then, it hit him. When was the last time he had worked hard for something? Back on Earth, he had coasted through life, relying on shortcuts. Buying his way to the top in games, skipping the grind, always taking the easy way out. Even here, in this world, his Scholarly Pursuit skill let him absorb information effortlessly.


    If this wasn¡¯t a cheat, then he didn¡¯t know what was.


    Yet now, after two days of grueling workouts, he felt different. This pain wasn¡¯t something handed to him. He had earned it.


    ¡®It¡¯s because I¡¯m actually working hard.¡¯ The realization dawned on him.


    It wasn¡¯t because he wanted to, of course. If not for Sebastian¡¯s demonic smile pushing him to his limits, he¡¯d still be a couch potato. But for the first time, Luke had a taste of what it meant to put in effort. Real effort.


    ¡®Maybe... I should keep this up?¡¯ he thought, the idea surprising even himself. Even after only a couple of days he was able to see some physical changes in his body.


    Then, like clockwork, his calf muscles seized up, sending pain shooting through his leg.


    ¡°ARGH, CRAMP!¡± Luke yelped, scrambling to stretch out the offending muscle. He slipped on the floor a few times, making the whole scene even more pathetic.


    The door flew open. Luke snapped his head up to see Sebastian standing there, expression blank as his eyes took in the sorry sight of his frail, naked master on the floor. Luke saw a flicker of disappointment cross his face, so brief that it almost didn¡¯t register.


    The two stared at each other in silence for a moment.


    ¡°You¡¯ll need to hydrate more, Young Master.¡± Sebastian said, tossing him a towel. In the next moment he turned on his heel, and left, closing the door softly behind him.This story originates from a different website. Ensure the author gets the support they deserve by reading it there.


    Luke sighed, holding the towel to his chest like a security blanket. ¡®This is the second time he¡¯s seen me like this...¡¯ A self-deprecating laugh escaped his lips.


    He half-expected the system to send him a notification, something snarky like: ¡°Your subordinate, Sebastian, is gravely disappointed¡±. But nothing came. Maybe even the system thought he was hopeless.


    Sighing again, he forced himself to his feet, wincing at the protest of his sore muscles. Regardless of how his body felt, today was the day he would be admitted to the Academy. There was no getting around it.


    Oddly enough, the thought of leaving Sebastian''s side felt... daunting. Despite the brutal training, his butler had been his only true ally in this world. Without him, Luke wasn¡¯t confident he could protect himself. Heck, he was pretty sure 99% of the people in Clayton City could knock him out without breaking a sweat.


    ¡®But I have the system,¡¯ he reminded himself, trying to scrape together some confidence.


    ¡®This is my ace in the hole, my golden finger. It already gave me Scholarly Pursuit and bow proficiency.¡¯ He thought silently.


    Luke didn¡¯t want to make any assumptions, but he hoped that these gifts were only the beginning. If he continued to complete the system¡¯s quests, he should be able to receive various benefits as time went on.


    Only after thinking this far did he manage to calm his heart. ¡°Alright, let¡¯s do this.¡± He muttered, exiting the bathroom.


    The atmosphere felt a little tense as he got dressed, but Luke managed to ignore it. There was no point in continuously worrying about the Academy. All he had to do was take the bull by the horns. With that mindset, he packed his things, and the two of them left the inn.


    As they entered the same building where Luke had taken his exam, a familiar face greeted them¡ªor rather, didn¡¯t greet them. It was the same soldier who had accepted the bribe from Sebastian during their last visit. The man glanced up, only to roll his eyes in annoyance.


    ¡°You¡¯ll need to wait six months to retake the officer exam,¡± the soldier said dismissively, already waving them off.


    Luke raised an eyebrow, a faint smile tugging at his lips. ¡®This guy thinks I failed,¡¯ he mused, finding it amusing.


    ¡°We¡¯re here for my son¡¯s admittance to the Academy,¡± Sebastian said calmly, ignoring the soldier¡¯s previous comment.


    ¡°Huh?¡± The soldier grunted, confused.


    Sebastian produced a folded document from his robe and placed it on the counter. Luke assumed it was his acceptance letter. As the soldier scanned the paper, his expression shifted from annoyance to alarm, and his face turned a bright shade of red.


    ¡°Ahem. Everything seems to be in order,¡± the soldier muttered, hastily handing the letter back.


    ¡°Please wait a moment, I¡¯ll get your documents in order.¡± He continued, moving frantically around as if trying to locate some things.


    [DING]


    [New Quest received]


    Luke almost jumped out of his skin as the system¡¯s notification echoed in his mind. After taking a moment to calm his wildly beating heart, he quickly focused on the words hovering before him.


    A new quest now? He thought, feeling a wave of trepidation wash over him.


    His last quest had been to join the Military Academy, and failure had essentially meant death¡ªhardly a walk in the park. This time, he could only hope the system would be more forgiving.


    ¡®Please be kind...¡¯


    Auxiliary Quest: Pecking Order


    Details: Even in their infancy, a Sovereign¡¯s brilliance is blinding.


    Task: Set yourself apart from the other students, establishing your dominance.


    Reward: Domineering Air (Skill) - An aura that forces weaker-willed individuals to instinctively follow your lead. Strength varies depending on the user''s current power.


    Failure: Removal of the Sovereign System. All registered subordinates will turn on the user.


    Luke¡¯s face drained of color. Whatever hopes he had of staying under the radar were instantly deflated. He¡¯d wanted to lie low, maybe slowly gather his strength before anyone paid him too much attention.


    But the system had other plans.


    ¡®Of course,¡¯ he thought bitterly. ¡®It¡¯s called the ¡°Sovereign System¡± for a reason.¡¯


    As he reread the quest, unease gnawed at him.


    ¡®Set yourself apart from the other students? Establish your dominance? How am I supposed to do that?¡¯ His mind raced. ¡®Beat someone up on the first day? Start barking orders?¡¯


    The ambiguity was almost as bad as the penalty for failure. Losing the system... it would be devastating. And worse¡ªwhat would Sebastian do? Luke couldn¡¯t shake the image of his loyal butler turning on him.


    Sebastian¡¯s demon-like smile was already burned into his mind from the past couple of days training.


    A shiver ran down his spine.


    ¡°Luke?¡±


    Sebastian¡¯s voice snapped him back to reality. He blinked and looked up, his mind still spinning. ¡°Ah, yes?¡± he replied hastily, trying to cover his momentary lapse.


    ¡°This is where we part... son,¡± Sebastian said, his expression faltering on the last word.


    Luke cringed inwardly. He still wasn¡¯t used to hearing the term ¡°son¡± from Sebastian¡¯s lips. He could feel the soldier¡¯s gaze on him, as if waiting for some kind of response.


    ¡°Y-Yes... Dad,¡± Luke muttered, doing his best to hide how awkward he felt.


    To his surprise, Sebastian stepped forward and pulled him into an embrace. The butler¡¯s stiff frame made the hug feel even more uncomfortable, and Luke felt his face heat up in embarrassment. He stood there like a lifeless doll, letting the moment pass.


    ¡®Oh man, put me out of my misery.¡¯ He groaned inwardly, wishing for it to end.


    But as he tried to pull away, Sebastian¡¯s arms tightened around him.


    ¡°Be safe, Young Master.¡± The words were a whisper, but they carried weight. Worry? Sadness?


    Luke¡¯s eyes widened. This wasn¡¯t just an act. Sebastian truly cared about him, and Luke suddenly felt like a terrible person for every complaint he¡¯d had. He had the only person in this world who would protect him, and he¡¯d spent the entire time thinking of him as nothing more than a training demon.


    For the first time, Luke lifted his arms and hugged him back.


    The soldier¡¯s voice broke the moment. ¡°Alright, it¡¯s time to depart.¡±


    Sebastian pulled away, holding Luke at arm¡¯s length. ¡°Be confident in yourself, and you¡¯ll be fine,¡± he said, offering a warm smile. Then, with a flash of his usual sternness, he added, ¡°And make sure you keep up with your training regime.¡±


    Luke almost choked, the warmth of the moment dissolving into dread.


    ¡®Of course he would bring that up.¡¯


    He forced a nervous nod, ¡°Y-Yes, father,¡± but inside, his stomach churned with uncertainty. For the first time, he was truly on his own. No butler, no training demon¡ªjust him, the Academy, and whatever the Sovereign System had in store for him.


    ¡°Alright, I¡¯m ready.¡±

 Chapter 11 - Induction

    Luke left Sebastian in the lobby, resisting the urge to take one last look at him. His nerves were jangling for a multitude of reasons¡ªhis system quest, his commoner status¡ªhell, his safety.


    Without Sebastian to protect him, he would have to rely on himself. Luke glanced down at his frail body and tried not to let despair seep in.


    ¡®What I lack in power, I¡¯ll make up in wit and intelligence,¡¯ he told himself, attempting to calm his racing heart.


    But deep down, Luke knew that wit and intelligence would only take him so far. In this world, might made right¡ªhe had learned that from the moment he transmigrated and nearly died. As much as he hated the torturous training Sebastian had put him through, it was clear that he needed to continue with it or risk becoming easy prey.


    His thoughts were interrupted by the soldier beside him.


    ¡°You came just in time for this summer¡¯s batch of officers,¡± the soldier said, attempting small talk.


    Luke nodded. In retrospect, it made sense that the Academy wouldn¡¯t accept intakes year-round. The fact that he¡¯d taken the test and been admitted within days was lucky.


    ¡°How many are in this batch?¡± Luke asked, more curious than anything.


    The soldier tilted his head, thinking. ¡°There¡¯s only ten, mostly from minor noble families,¡± he said, then hesitated. ¡°There¡¯s also the youngest son of the City Lord, Viscount Diego.¡±


    Luke¡¯s heart skipped a beat. ¡®A City Lord¡¯s son? A Viscount?¡¯


    Panic bloomed in his chest. He vaguely remembered that this body¡¯s father had also been a Viscount, but still, a high rank like that only came with great contributions to the Kingdom.


    ¡®I... I have to go against the son of a Viscount?¡¯ Luke could barely contain the terror rising within him.


    The son of a such a figure would be strong, well-trained, and far more dangerous than someone like him. Not to mention that the guy probably had a pompous attitude and would likely make things difficult for him.


    His instincts told him that he needed to fly under the radar¡ªdo his best not to offend anyone, especially a City Lord. However, his damn system made it impossible.


    The soldier seemed to have noticed his plight, as he chose to remain quiet for the remainder of the trip while Luke was busy despairing.


    Before he knew it, he arrived at the large wooden double doors which spanned at least twice his height. Luke¡¯s gaze traveled up to the soldier who was looking at him with what could be interpreted as a pitiful smile.


    ¡°Well, this is as far as I go. Good luck.¡± The soldier said, quickly turning on his heel and leaving.


    ¡°Ah¡­¡± Luke wanted to reach after him, but the guy was already speed walking away, like a criminal leaving the scene of the crime.


    ¡®Damn it. Now I¡¯m even more nervous.¡¯ He cursed in his heart, turning to the door once more.


    Luke had hardly any time to consider any plans since receiving the quest from the system. He didn¡¯t know what sort of approach he could take to complete it, nor the parameters for success or failure.


    ¡°Excuse me, are you heading to the induction ceremony also?¡±


    Luke was suddenly interrupted by the sound of a polite voice behind him. He quickly turned his head, only to see a blond teen with wide and caring eyes staring back at him.


    His actions were elegant and charming, though it was his handsome face and striking blue eyes that drew one¡¯s attention.


    Instantly, Luke felt defeated. Despite transmigrating into a new body, it was frail and his looks could be called average. Yet before him stood someone that wouldn¡¯t be out of place in a fairy tale playing as the white prince.


    ¡®Life is cruel.¡¯ He said inwardly, cursing his luck.


    ¡°Ah, yes sorry. I was just composing myself.¡± Luke managed to say after a brief mental breakdown filled with inadequacy.


    Luke saw the handsome face produce a knowing smile, the blue eyes softening into one of empathy and understanding.


    ¡°Would you like me to accompany you?¡± The teen asked, as if attempting to calm his nerves.If you stumble upon this narrative on Amazon, be aware that it has been stolen from Royal Road. Please report it.


    ¡°S-Sure.¡± Luke stammered, feeling his heart flutter momentarily.


    The next few moments felt like a fever dream as the teen smiled brilliantly and opened the door, beckoning him alongside. The light from the courtyard blurred his vision, yet the noble teen¡¯s visage was still visible.


    ¡®W-What the hell is wrong with me!?¡¯ Luke screamed inwardly, feeling like a helpless damsel being rescued by the white knight.


    Thankfully, he snapped out of his daze just in time.


    ¡°And this must be our last two inductees,¡± a deep, hoarse voice called from the center of the courtyard.


    As Luke¡¯s eyes adjusted to the light, he saw a burly figure clad in metal armor standing next to an older man in red and white robes, the latter¡¯s long white beard giving him a commanding presence. In front of them stood eight teens in fine robes, each waiting with calm patience.


    ¡°I apologize for being late, masters. My father had me running a few important errands this morning,¡± the blond teen said smoothly, cupping his fist and bowing toward the two figures.


    ¡°It¡¯s no matter. You¡¯re here now,¡± the old man replied, his face lighting up with a fond smile.


    Luke, however, was apparently an afterthought. He saw the old man¡¯s eyes pass over him briefly, the smile disappearing as if he¡¯d just remembered something unpleasant.


    ¡®Playing favorites already?¡¯ He scoffed inwardly, mentally cursing the decrepit old man.


    ¡°Welcome, everyone, to your induction into the Military Academy. As you all know, this is the officers¡¯ class, which means you will primarily be learning the strategy and tactics surrounding warfare,¡± Master Gale said, stroking his long beard.


    Luke noticed the old man¡¯s gaze move across the inductees, yet not once did he look in his direction, as if he was not there.


    ¡°While strategy will be your main focus, even tacticians must have some level of physical prowess on the battlefield,¡± Master Gale continued, his lips curling into a grin.


    His eyes locked onto the blond teen, and he called out, ¡°Kayson, would you care to explain why that is?¡±


    Luke rolled his eyes. ¡®Such a simple question.¡¯


    ¡°Yes, Master Gale,¡± Kayson replied smoothly. ¡°Tacticians are the number one asset in any army, and their presence can be the difference between victory and defeat. If one is killed during battle, the army will be left like a snake without its head.¡±


    He continued, ¡°Therefore, if a tactician is able to defend themselves, it makes it far more difficult to put an end to the battle in such a way.¡±


    Kayson spoke with perfect eloquence, drawing approving glances from the other inductees. Even Master Gale seemed impressed.


    Luke, on the other hand, felt his frustration rising. ¡®There¡¯s definitely some favoritism going on.¡¯


    ¡°Well said. As expected of the City Lord¡¯s son,¡± Master Gale nodded approvingly.


    ¡®What!?¡¯ Luke nearly staggered. ¡®He¡¯s the City Lord¡¯s son?¡¯


    He had assumed one of the more arrogant-looking attendees would be Viscount Diego¡¯s heir, but it just had to be the princely one.


    Luke¡¯s frown deepened, and panic started creeping in. Aren¡¯t nobles supposed to be haughty and pompous? Why is this kid so perfect?


    Not only was Kayson well-mannered and eloquent, but he also seemed respected by his peers. Worse, he actually seemed like someone who¡¯d be easy to get along with.


    Under normal circumstances, that would¡¯ve been a relief. But not when Luke had a system quest hanging over his head.


    While Luke was busy wallowing in his terrible luck, Master Gale pressed on with his speech.


    ¡°As for who will tutor you in combat,¡± Master Gale said, placing his hand on the burly man¡¯s armored shoulder, ¡°it will be Master Boyd.¡±


    Luke finally got a proper look at the hulking figure. Clad in heavy armor, with a thick dark beard and tanned skin, Master Boyd cut an imposing figure. He stood silently, like a statue carved out of granite.


    Master Boyd merely nodded, not saying a word.


    As if that were enough of an introduction, Master Gale continued with a smile, ¡°Well, since we¡¯re all here, how about we test some of your skills?¡±


    Luke¡¯s heart sank at the words. Around him, the other teens practically buzzed with excitement, eager to show off their talents.


    ¡®Please be theory or something¡­¡¯ Luke silently begged.


    If it had anything to do with tactics, he might have a fighting chance with the information gained by his Scholarly Pursuit skill. But his hopes were dashed the moment Master Boyd strode to the far end of the courtyard, pulling away a large sheet to reveal a rack full of wooden weapons.


    Swords, spears, axes, staffs¡ªan entire armory of disaster. The only saving grace was that they were all wooden, removing the lethality aspect of the weapons.


    ¡®Shit, shit, shit!¡¯ Luke cursed inwardly, resisting the urge to chew his nails. His pulse quickened, and he shrank back, grateful that no one seemed to notice his panic. He was at the rear of the pack, while everyone was distracted.


    His gaze darted frantically across the weapons¡ªuntil it landed on a bow tucked off to the side.


    ¡®A bow!¡¯ Relief washed over him, albeit briefly.


    The system had given him proficiency in the weapon, but then the doubts crept in. He¡¯d never actually used one before. What if he couldn¡¯t even draw it? What if he missed? But none of the other weapons were even remotely an option.


    His thoughts were interrupted when Gale¡¯s voice rang out, ¡°For the first match, Kayson, would you care to demonstrate your capabilities against one of your peers?¡±


    ¡°I¡¯d be happy to, Master Gale,¡± Kayson replied with a slight bow.


    Luke¡¯s eyes followed the blond teen as he made his way confidently to the rack, picking up a sword with the grace of someone who¡¯d been doing it for years. A few swift movements, and the blade cut clean through the air, drawing admiring glances from the group.


    ¡°Mmm.¡± Master Boyd nodded, as if he was silently approving the skills shown.


    ¡®Damn it¡­ He¡¯s good.¡¯ Luke¡¯s mind raced.


    Despite both being the son of a Viscount, the previous owner of his body had left him nothing. No sword skills, no combat training. Kayson was worlds ahead of him, and now Luke¡¯s only lifeline was a weapon he had never once held in his lifetime.


    Kayson turned back to the group, waiting for instructions, his sword held effortlessly by his side.


    ¡°Hmm, how about we place you against¡­ you there.¡±


    The words hit Luke like a ton of bricks. His heart dropped, and his legs nearly gave out beneath him.


    ¡®What? Me?¡¯


    He looked around desperately, hoping, praying, that Master Gale meant someone else. But there was no mistaking the steady gaze Kayson now directed right at him.


    The group shifted, and Luke felt every eye in the courtyard land on him.


    ¡®Shit¡­¡¯

 Chapter 12 - Duel

    [Warning: Imminent failure detected.]


    ¡®What!?¡¯ Luke almost screamed aloud as the flashing red window popped up in front of him. Panic surged through his veins, his heart pounding as he tried to understand what was happening. His eyes darted around, taking in the sneers and mocking gazes of the other students¡ªand even Master Gale himself.


    ¡®Wait¡­ why are they already against me? We didn¡¯t even do any introductions.¡¯ Suspicion mingled with his growing anxiety, but then he noticed it. A flicker of disdain, quickly masked, passed across Master Gale¡¯s face as their eyes met.


    ¡®That bastard.¡¯ The realization hit Luke like a punch to the gut. Master Gale must have tipped off the other students about his commoner status before he arrived. There was no other explanation for the instant hostility. And with him and Kayson Diego being the only latecomers, it was obvious who the commoner was.


    Luke¡¯s mind raced as he struggled to ignore the flashing red window. ¡®I need to turn this around. Fast.¡¯ He thought, but how? What could he do?


    ¡°You there. Luke Drakon, was it?¡± Master Gale¡¯s voice cut through his thoughts, laced with impatience. ¡°Choose your weapon.¡±


    Luke flinched at the sound of his name but froze when he heard the last part. Drakon.


    For a moment, a memory flashed through his mind¡ªhim scribbling down that last name on the identification forms. He hadn¡¯t put much thought into it at the time, just thought it sounded cool. But now, something about it felt¡­ significant.


    Drakon. The Greek word for dragon. A mythical creature that ruled the skies, with the power to flatten cities with a single swipe of its claw. Fearless, unmatched.


    Luke straightened, a strange warmth rising in his chest.


    ¡®That¡¯s me. Luke Drakon.¡¯


    Something stirred within him¡ªa stubborn resolve, a quiet voice that refused to back down. No, he was Luke Drakon. He may have been thrown into this world without a choice, but he would not bow down to anyone.


    At this moment, the flashing red screen disappeared from his vision, alongside his earlier panic. A domineering expression appeared on his face unknowingly,


    Ignoring the stares, Luke¡¯s gaze locked onto Kayson Diego. The blond teen raised an eyebrow, as if surprised by the change in his demeanor. Then, a small, approving smile crept across his face.


    Luke stepped forward, his eyes scanning the weapon rack. He ignored the swords and spears and plucked the small wooden bow from the edge of the rack. He could feel the eyes of the entire class on him, but he didn¡¯t flinch.


    ¡°Haha! He¡¯s choosing the bow?¡± a voice jeered from the crowd, followed by a wave of laughter.


    Not paying them any mind, Luke retrieved a single training arrow from the quiver and slowly walked to the center of the courtyard. He stopped around 100 feet away from Kayson, a grin tugging at the corner of his lips.


    ¡°A single arrow is all I need,¡± Luke announced, holding up his index finger.


    For a moment, silence fell over the courtyard as everyone stared in disbelief. Then, the jeers began.


    ¡°One arrow? Is he planning to miss us all at once?¡± A student jeered, causing a ripple of laughter through the crowd. Luke even saw Master Gale smirk, seemingly amused by the situation.


    Luke ignored them. His focus was on Kayson, watching for any sign of a reaction. Sure enough, a frown creased the teen¡¯s face, his facade dimming slightly.


    ¡®Good.¡¯ Luke thought. ¡®Let him underestimate me.¡¯


    ¡°Very well,¡± Kayson said, his tone calm but with a hard edge. ¡°It seems your arrogance has clouded your judgment. Allow me to fix that for you.¡±


    ¡°Get him, Kayson!¡±


    ¡°Kick his ass!¡±


    The courtyard echoed with the crowd¡¯s cries, their voices like the roar of an arena. But Luke barely registered them. His mind felt cold and sharp, as if he were standing in the middle of a battlefield, already planning his next move. It was a strange feeling, but it settled over him like a second skin, making the noise of the crowd seem distant.


    Master Boyd, who had been quiet until now, stepped forward. His hoarse voice rang out, cutting through the noise. ¡°The rules are simple. The match stops when your opponent gives up, or is unable to continue.¡±


    Luke nodded, his lips curving into a confident smile. He took the practice arrow and nocked it smoothly into the bowstring, his hands moving with an ease that felt¡­ right. The system¡¯s proficiency seemed to hum through him, guiding his movements as though he had done this thousands of times before.


    Master Boyd raised his hand, casting a quick glance at Luke, a flicker of curiosity in his eyes. ¡°Alright. Let¡¯s begin.¡±If you discover this tale on Amazon, be aware that it has been unlawfully taken from Royal Road. Please report it.


    His hand dropped.


    The moment Master Boyd dropped his hand, Luke saw Kayson kick off the ground, charging straight for him. His opponent¡¯s wooden sword gleamed in the sunlight, held high in preparation to deflect any incoming arrow.


    Luke¡¯s mind whirred in the background, scanning Kayson¡¯s approach, hunting for any weaknesses in his stance. But there were none¡ªKayson was poised, experienced, and focused, the perfect predator bearing down on his prey.


    ¡®He¡¯s done this before¡­¡¯ Luke thought, panic starting to edge its way into his thoughts.


    ¡®There¡¯s no openings¡­¡¯ Luke cursed inwardly, his heart pounding. He couldn¡¯t face Kayson head-on, not like this.


    Then, just as despair threatened to overwhelm him, an idea sparked in his mind. A desperate, unorthodox, despicable idea. Every fiber of his conscience screamed against it, but it was the only play he had left.


    ¡®Sorry in advance,¡¯ Luke thought, a crooked smile forming on his lips as he raised his bow and aimed directly at Kayson¡¯s chest. The approaching teen didn¡¯t even flinch. He was ready to take the hit and close the gap in one swift move.


    But Luke never intended to fire at Kayson.


    Just as Kayson reached within twenty feet of him, Luke lowered his aim and released the string. The arrow whistled through the air before bouncing off the stone with a sharp ting, its trajectory shifting upward.


    Kayson¡¯s confident expression twisted into shock as the arrow hit its mark¡ªa man¡¯s most vulnerable spot, hidden beneath his robes.


    ¡°HIIIIK!¡± The high-pitched squeal that escaped Kayson¡¯s lips echoed through the courtyard. His body, which had been sprinting at full speed, suddenly crumpled as his legs gave out beneath him. He tumbled forward, sliding across the stone, his face scraping against the ground as he skidded to a stop only a few feet from Luke.


    Luke lowered his bow, staring at the fallen Kayson, whose limbs twitched slightly in the aftermath. The courtyard had fallen deathly silent and Luke felt as if every eye was on him, from the gaping students to the wide-eyed Masters.


    With an almost casual shrug, Luke looked over at Master Boyd. ¡°Master Boyd, I believe Kayson can¡¯t continue.¡±


    For a moment, nobody moved. Then, snapping out of his stupor, Master Boyd cleared his throat. ¡°W-Winner, Luke Drakon.¡±


    Luke exhaled a long breath, relief flooding through him. As the adrenaline ebbed away, he realized just how close he''d been to a beating. The sight of Kayson charging at him had been more terrifying than he cared to admit. If not for the dirty trick he¡¯d pulled, he would¡¯ve been a goner for sure.


    ¡°What are you doing!? Take him to the infirmary!¡±


    Luke heard a voice bellow, his gaze snapping to Master Gale, who was striding forward, his face a deep shade of purple. The sight was almost comical¡ªhis fury paired with his stark white beard¡ªbut the menace in his eyes was anything but funny.


    ¡°You better hope that your antics haven¡¯t cut off the City Lord¡¯s lineage,¡± Master Gale spat, his voice low and dangerous.


    Luke¡¯s stomach dropped. ¡®Oh, shit!¡¯


    He had been so focused on not failing the system quest that the reality of his actions hadn¡¯t even registered. If he¡¯d done any serious damage to Kayson, the son of a City Lord no less, there was no way he¡¯d escape punishment. No matter how talented he was.


    [DING]


    The sudden chime of the system broke through his spiraling thoughts, the sound a lifeline in the storm of panic.


    [Quest complete]


    [Skill: Domineering Air acquired]


    Luke blinked, momentarily stunned. The pit in his stomach vanished, replaced by a wave of exhilaration. Another quest done, another skill unlocked. He barely even cared to check what the skill did¡ªhe was just relieved he¡¯d dodged another bullet. For now, he was safe. Sebastian wouldn¡¯t be hunting him down for a failed mission.


    But something felt different in the courtyard. As Luke glanced around, he noticed the wide-eyed, almost fearful expressions on the students'' faces. They stared at him as if he¡¯d just sprouted horns.


    ¡®Huh? Is it my new skill?¡¯ Luke wondered, curiosity bubbling up. He decided to test it out.


    ¡°You heard the Master,¡± Luke said, his voice carrying an unusual weight. ¡°Take him to the infirmary.¡±


    A subtle shift seemed to ripple through the air as Luke spoke, like the invisible weight of authority had settled on his shoulders. The students seemed to not only hear his words but also feel them.


    The group of well-dressed students straightened like soldiers at attention, moving in unison. ¡°Y-Yes!¡± they stammered, rushing to obey his command as if they were under a spell.


    Luke couldn¡¯t help the grin that tugged at his lips.


    He turned to Master Gale, attempting a smile meant to be reassuring. But judging by the deepening purple shade on the old man¡¯s face, it clearly wasn¡¯t taken that way.


    ¡°You imbeciles!¡± Gale roared, voice booming across the courtyard. The students froze mid-step, unsure whom to obey.


    But before the tension could stretch any further, Master Boyd stepped forward, silent as ever. With a single fluid motion, he hoisted Kayson¡¯s limp form over his shoulder as if the teen weighed nothing. His gaze lingered on Luke for a moment but said nothing more, his expression calm and unreadable.


    Luke nodded to himself, relieved at how things had turned out, at least for now. As for whether Kayson would make a complete recovery, he could only silently pray. The training arrows were blunt, wrapped in cloth and something soft¡ªprobably wool. After a few days of rest, everything should be fine.


    ¡®Or at least I hope so¡­¡¯


    Luke turned toward Master Gale, waiting for further instructions. He couldn¡¯t help but notice the old man¡¯s face had gone from a deep shade of purple to crimson.


    ¡®Maybe I can chart his mood by the shades he turns.¡¯ The thought amused him more than it should have.


    ¡°That¡¯s enough for today,¡± Master Gale finally said, his beard trembling. ¡°Take them to their quarters.¡±


    Luke¡¯s attention was drawn to a group of figures emerging from one of the doors. His eyes widened slightly as he realized they were women¡ªmaids, judging by their black robes.


    ¡°Please follow us,¡± one of them said, her voice light and melodic. A shiver ran down Luke¡¯s spine at the sound. The one who spoke had her long, silky hair tied elegantly atop her head, exposing her slender neck. Her deep brown eyes seemed to shimmer, drawing him in, but it was her ample bust that truly caught his attention.


    Luke faltered for a split second before catching himself. ¡®Close call.¡¯ He thought, sending a nod in response


    He did his best to keep his expression neutral. It had been hard work to make an impression on the other students¡ªit wouldn¡¯t do to ruin it now.


    But as she turned to lead them, his eyes lowered on instinct, and the sight of her swaying figure sent a jolt through him. His body stiffened, and he nearly tripped over his own feet.


    ¡®Stay focused, stay focused¡­¡¯ he mentally chided himself, though it was easier said than done.


    Just as he recovered, the maid glanced back, her eyes meeting his for the briefest of moments. A flash of something crossed her face¡ªanger? Disdain? It was gone before he could be sure, replaced with a polite smile.


    However, cold sweat trickled down Luke¡¯s back. That fleeting look made him feel as though he¡¯d been standing on the edge of a cliff, staring into an abyss.


    His instincts seemed to be on high alert, warning him of potential danger.


    ¡®I need to be more careful...¡¯ Luke thought, gulping subconsciously.

 Chapter 12 - Living Quarters

    Luke followed the maid, doing his best to ignore the swaying hips in front of him. His instincts told him that she was not someone to be trifled with, despite her apparent lowly status.


    As his gaze shifted to the other maids, he noticed they seemed much more welcoming¡ªalmost inviting. ''Is it because I¡¯m a commoner?'' The thought crossed his mind, but it didn¡¯t seem to be the case.


    According to the state¡¯s laws, now that he was enrolled in the Officer course, Luke technically had the same status as an entry-level officer in the army. While this might not mean much to most nobles, it was far superior to the position of these maids.


    He didn¡¯t have much time to think on it, however, as they soon reached their destination. The first thing that caught his eye was a grand courtyard with meticulously maintained gardens, creating a serene atmosphere.


    At the center, a bronze statue of a large man dressed in regal attire stood proudly, as if presenting himself for inspection like a prized rooster. Luke inwardly admired the sculptor¡¯s craftsmanship but felt that the subject matter left much to be desired.


    ''Gods, it¡¯s like if Michelangelo had been forced to sculpt Jabba the Hutt.'' Luke winced inwardly, doing his best not to reveal his true feelings.


    He turned to his classmates, who stared at the statue with reverence, as if ready to throw themselves at its feet.


    ¡°What a magnificent sculpture of the King,¡± one of them said, his flowery words grating against Luke¡¯s ears.


    A cold sweat began to bead on the back of Luke¡¯s neck. This was a statue of the King¡ªthe very same King to whom Luke¡¯s father had sworn loyalty, the one who controlled the entire Kingdom.


    A scowl, or even a sneeze, in the presence of such a statue could mean death. Disrespecting a figure like this was the fastest way to throw away one¡¯s life in this world.


    Luke forced himself to calm his spiraling thoughts and shifted his attention elsewhere.


    They were escorted through the winding gardens to the east and soon arrived at a set of buildings. The architecture was far more refined than the practical, fortified structures that dominated the rest of the city.


    ''It reminds me of those traditional Chinese buildings,'' Luke mused inwardly. Were it not for the thousand books he¡¯d read, he might have thought he¡¯d been transported back to ancient China.


    The maid who had given Luke an unsettling feeling stopped in front of a door and turned to face him and the other students. ¡°This is where you will be staying during your studies. Should you need anything, do not hesitate to call us.¡±


    Her words might have seemed subservient, but Luke sensed a danger lurking beneath them. He glanced at his classmates, only to see them nodding eagerly, clearly entranced by the maid before them.


    Luke kept his suspicions to himself, choosing to walk past the woman and push open the heavy doors. They didn¡¯t budge at first, and he stumbled slightly, his eyes dropping to the ground. ''Are they bolted to the floor or something?''


    ¡°Sorry, my lord. Allow me to open the door for you,¡± the maid said casually, reaching out with her left hand and effortlessly opening the large wooden door.


    Dumbstruck, Luke stared at the now open door before turning his gaze back to the woman in confusion. Her eyes briefly glinted, though her smile remained unchanged.


    ¡®Is she threatening me?¡¯ he thought, a cold sweat immediately forming on his back.


    He managed to keep his composure, but inwardly, Luke was panicking. Why was such a dangerous person a maid in the Military Academy? And just how had he offended her?


    ¡®Is it because I looked at her figure? Well, screw me for being a damn teenager...¡¯


    As he lamented, Luke decided he would stay as far away from this woman as possible while in the Academy. With as much grace as he could muster, he walked through the now-open door, feeling her gaze burn into his back.


    He was greeted with a surprisingly opulent living space¡ªat least, for what he had come to expect in this world. Various tables and chairs were scattered throughout the spacious hall, along with lounges and bookshelves lining the walls.


    On the largest wall, there was a map of what Luke could only guess was the continent. None of the books he had read a couple of days ago had provided a map of the world, suggesting that this was likely confidential information.


    ¡°Your rooms are along the east hall. Feel free to choose the one that suits your tastes. Food will be served in the common area three times per day, and tea will always be available,¡± a fairy-like voice announced, addressing the students.This story originates from a different website. Ensure the author gets the support they deserve by reading it there.


    Luke almost breathed a sigh of relief, grateful that it wasn¡¯t his maid speaking. His eyes wandered to some of the tables, where an unfamiliar board sat.


    ¡®Is that Chinese Chess?¡¯ he thought curiously. If that was the case, he¡¯d need to avoid this area in the future, since he had absolutely no clue how to play.


    Back on Earth, he¡¯d downloaded a Chess game to play when he had no internet, but he couldn¡¯t even beat the medium difficulty computer.


    ¡°I recommend securing your rooms now. Lunch will be served in around an hour,¡± the maid added, causing Luke¡¯s ears to perk up. He hadn¡¯t eaten this morning, and the thought of food made his stomach growl in anticipation.


    Feeling that the suggestion wasn¡¯t a bad idea, Luke made his way down the east hall in search of a room. He couldn¡¯t shake the feeling that his classmates were staring at his back, as if wary of him.


    But he didn¡¯t care. If anything, Luke¡¯s actions had made it clear that he wasn¡¯t someone to trifle with. If he was willing to send a practice arrow into the Viscount¡¯s son¡¯s crown jewels, what would he do to them, who only hailed from minor nobility?


    ¡®I guess this isn¡¯t all bad news,¡¯ Luke mused inwardly, his mind reevaluating the system¡¯s purpose in forcing him to establish his dominance.


    A small chuckle escaped his lips as he reached the nearest set of doors. Thankfully, opening these particular doors didn¡¯t give him any trouble, allowing Luke to maintain his enigmatic facade¡ªat least for now.


    His eyes widened in satisfaction as the room revealed itself, painting a luxurious picture. Two four-poster beds stood on opposite sides of the spacious room, each adorned with soft mattresses and beautiful red curtains, ready to be drawn.


    A small bookshelf and various pieces of furniture were scattered throughout, creating an opulent yet practical space. If Luke were to compare it to the tavern, it was the difference between a barn and a mansion.


    ¡®Looks like nobles truly live the life,¡¯ Luke sighed inwardly. If he hadn¡¯t been forced to take the officer¡¯s exam, he would have been relegated to the life of a farm animal.


    However, his good mood didn¡¯t last long as he realized this was likely a shared room, given the two beds. The thought of sleeping in the same room as a stranger in this unfamiliar world filled him with anxiety.


    He no longer had Sebastian for protection, which meant he was on his own now.


    ¡®I thought that knowledge would be my biggest asset in this world, but if I can¡¯t protect myself, what good is it?¡¯ Luke thought, his eyes narrowing. Perhaps that had been the right mindset when his loyal butler was by his side, but circumstances had changed.


    ¡®The only thing that¡¯s absolute is one¡¯s own strength,¡¯ he mused.


    Any reservations he had about fighting meant nothing now. In this world, those who were not strong would simply perish. After all, even a wily fox was no match when faced with the jaws of a coyote.


    Here''s the continuation with improved clarity, pacing, and flow:


    ¡®Right, I¡¯ll seriously undertake my training starting tomorrow,¡¯ Luke thought, his hand clenching into a fist. ¡®Maybe I can convince Master Boyd to train me in weaponry.¡¯ He hoped.


    With his resolve now firmly set, Luke took in his new room, nodding in satisfaction. He casually walked around before testing the bed, almost letting out a groan of satisfaction as his body sank into the soft mattress.


    But it wasn¡¯t long before the protesting of his stomach ruined his relaxation.


    ¡°Maybe I should have some tea while I wait for the food,¡± he muttered, sliding off the bed.


    Luke returned to the living space, only to see that the other students had already left. His eyes darted around, ensuring that the dangerous maid was nowhere to be found.


    ¡°Can I help you, my lord?¡± a calm yet respectful voice called from beside him, her tone sweet.


    ¡°I¡¯d like some tea while I wait for my meal,¡± Luke replied. He wasn¡¯t sure how someone of his newfound status was supposed to speak to a maid, but he felt it was better to be courteous.


    ¡°Right away, my lord,¡± she replied, bowing slightly. ¡°Please take a seat while I steep the tea.¡±


    Luke nodded, watching her retreat into another room. Now left alone in the living area, he wandered around, inspecting the space. His eyes briefly flicked to the numerous books along the shelves, but something far more interesting caught his attention.


    He stopped at the far wall, taking in the large, detailed map of the continent. It only took a few moments for the information to be imprinted in his brain, thanks to his Scholarly Pursuit skill.


    The Marxx Kingdom, where they were currently situated, was a large landmass that bordered two other nations. To the east was the Qin Empire, and to the west, The Theocracy of Lhair.


    The Principality of Selis lay to the south of both. Its land was smaller than the other three, but not by much. There was also the Kingdom of Eyre on the southeastern border of the Empire.


    While he wasn¡¯t up-to-date with the state of affairs, the Kingdom of Eyre was believed to be in an alliance with the Empire, making use of their resources to ensure their safety in the eyes of the behemoth Empire.


    Luke¡¯s gaze honed in on the spot marked Clayton City and saw just how close they were to the border. Judging by the distance between Valan City and Clayton City on the map, he could roughly guess how close the nearest enemy fortification was to their location.


    ¡®Xu Fortress should be less than two days¡¯ ride from here¡­¡¯ he mused inwardly.


    Having read up on the history of war between the Empire and Marxx Kingdom, Luke knew that Xu Fortress had once belonged to the latter nearly 50 years ago. It had been sieged and pried away from their control, changing the borders once again.


    Judging by the red marker placed on the site, he guessed that reclaiming the fortress was at the top of the Kingdom¡¯s priority list if they ever entered war with the Empire again.


    ¡°My lord, the tea is ready,¡± the same sweet voice called out, breaking his concentration.


    The maid placed the tea on one of the tables and carefully poured him a cup. ¡°Your meal should be ready in half an hour. Until then, please enjoy the tea.¡±


    ¡°Thank you.¡± Luke replied, taking a seat. He sipped the tea, almost burning his tongue due to the heat, but he smiled nonetheless. ¡°It¡¯s wonderful, thank you.¡±


    The maid bowed wordlessly before leaving.


    Luke cradled his tea, blowing on it slightly before taking another sip. He had been more of a coffee drinker back on Earth, but he could see the appeal in the tea served here.


    ¡®I doubt they¡¯d have Coffea plants around here¡­¡¯ he thought, slightly disappointed.


    Just as Luke leaned back into the comfy chair, the door slammed open, causing the walls to shake from the impact. His eyes snapped to the entrance, widening in shock and trepidation in the next moment.


    ¡°Y-You! You underhanded bastard!¡± Kayson¡¯s once smooth voice was high-pitched, almost shrill as he yelled, his finger pointed at Luke.


    ¡®Oh shit¡­¡¯

 Chapter 13 - Challenge

    Luke cursed inwardly, realizing his mistake. He had completely forgotten that Kayson was also in this class and would be residing in the same building.


    He had hoped the earlier incident hadn¡¯t caused any injuries, but judging by Kayson¡¯s high-pitched voice, it was clear that his training arrow had done some damage.


    ¡®I need to stay calm¡­¡¯ Luke thought, trying to steady his racing heart. ¡®I¡¯m sure he can¡¯t act however he wants in the Military Academy, even with his status.¡¯


    ¡°Kayson, it¡¯s good to see that you¡¯re okay. I was quite worried for a while there,¡± Luke stated, placing his tea down calmly before turning to face him. If he wanted to reconcile, he needed to show some courtesy.


    ¡°O-Okay?!¡± Kayson stammered, his voice rising another few octaves in disbelief.


    With a fierce expression, Kayson moved toward him, his face twisted with anger. If it weren¡¯t for the limp in his gait, his approach might have been even more intimidating.


    ¡°You may have beaten me in the duel, but on my honor as the Viscount¡¯s son, I challenge you to a game of Chess.¡± The words were dripping with malice as he slammed his hand down on the table. Luke¡¯s tea, which had been an innocent bystander, spilled its contents.


    Luke¡¯s heart sank, but he did his best not to show it. ¡®Chess? I don¡¯t even know the damn rules!¡¯ he cursed inwardly. But his panic deepened when Kayson added his next words.


    ¡°The loser will become the winner¡¯s subordinate from this point onward,¡± he declared with a sharp, menacing tone.


    A vivid image of him serving as Kayson¡¯s footstool flashed in his mind, quickly replaced by a more terrifying thought.


    He was in a world akin to the warring states of China. Being a subordinate here meant that his life would be at the mercy of his master. If someone like Kayson had control over him, wouldn¡¯t he just send him on a suicide mission as payback?


    ¡®Oh fuck¡­ I¡¯m gonna die,¡¯ Luke cried inwardly.


    There was nothing he could do but decline. He had endured wounded pride many times before, but at least he still had his life.


    But just as he was about to open his mouth, something inside him froze. Inspiration suddenly tugged at his mind, and a barely noticeable smile tugged at the corner of his lips.


    ¡®What if I won? Wouldn¡¯t that solve everything?¡¯


    He had just been lamenting the loss of his loyal butler, Sebastian¡¯s protection. If he could secure the Viscount¡¯s son as a subordinate, who would dare mess with him at the Academy?


    ¡®Kekekeke~¡¯


    ¡°Alright, Kayson, I accept your challenge,¡± Luke said, composing himself. ¡°But you¡¯re not in the right frame of mind to play Chess right now.¡±


    Kayson¡¯s expression darkened, his eyes narrowing as they locked onto Luke.


    Luke met his gaze calmly, his countenance unshakable. ¡°Your anger will only dull your thoughts, leading to your inevitable defeat.¡±


    ¡°What are y¡ª¡± Kayson faltered, before considering the words carefully. He seemed dazed for a moment, then closed his eyes and took a few deep breaths. ¡°You¡¯re right. Anger is not something that will benefit me.¡±


    But before Luke could breathe a sigh of relief, Kayson spoke again, his voice now firm. ¡°The match will begin in five minutes.¡± His eyes snapped open, his gaze now sharp and focused, the earlier anger subdued, replaced by fierce determination.


    ¡®It worked?!¡¯ Luke almost jumped for joy, praising his bluffing skills. If Kayson had insisted on playing immediately, Luke would have been absolutely screwed.


    With a new lease on life, Luke casually got to his feet and made his way toward the East Hall.


    ¡°Where are you going?¡± Kayson¡¯s tone was harsh, a hint of suspicion in his voice.


    ¡°I need to meditate,¡± Luke responded, as if it were the most natural thing in the world. ¡°Only with an empty mind can one truly bring out the best in their armies.¡±


    After hearing no reply, he continued to his room, closing the door behind him. ¡®Damn it, that was close¡­¡¯ he cursed inwardly.


    But there was no time to waste.


    ¡°Shit, shit, shit,¡± he muttered, heading straight for the bookshelf in his room. This was the reason he had brought up Kayson¡¯s state of mind¡ªto buy himself a little time to learn the rules of Chess.


    ¡°Chess¡­ Please be here,¡± Luke muttered, rifling through the books on the shelf, discarding the ones he didn¡¯t need. Book after book was thrown onto the floor, until, finally, he found what he was looking for.


    ¡°Oh, thank the gods,¡± he breathed a sigh of relief. But as he saw the title of the book, a frown tugged at his face.


    ¡°Beginner¡¯s Guide to Chess? Will it be enough?¡± Luke mused, though he didn¡¯t have much choice. At least it was better than nothing.


    In just a few seconds, Luke flipped through the pages, absorbing the information from the book. His only saving grace in this moment was his Scholarly Pursuit skill; without it, he stood no chance.A case of literary theft: this tale is not rightfully on Amazon; if you see it, report the violation.


    As he reviewed the information, the rules were now imprinted in his mind, along with a few basic openings and counters. Most importantly, he now understood the role and movement of each piece.


    With this knowledge, his Scholarly Pursuit skill should allow him to intuitively analyze his opponent¡¯s moves and understand their implications. Whether it would be enough to beat Kayson, however, remained to be seen.


    Taking a deep breath, Luke tried to calm his racing heart. In a game like Chess, outward appearance was just as important as the moves themselves¡ªparticularly when face-to-face with an opponent. If he looked nervous, not only would he be exposing himself to scrutiny, but he might also lose the reputation he¡¯d earned from defeating Kayson in the duel.


    ¡®It¡¯s time to put on an act¡­¡¯ he thought, mentally preparing for the challenge ahead. He needed to portray someone who was both calm and authoritative.


    A figure appeared in his mind¡ª a general. In fact, this person would thrive in this world filled with war. The problem was, he only knew the general from a mobile game he once played.


    ¡®Cao Cao¡­ Don¡¯t fail me now.¡¯


    In the next moment, Luke¡¯s body relaxed, his entire demeanor shifting. A cold and ruthless calm settled over him, surprising even himself. It was as though he were now a spectator, watching himself from above.


    With a steady gait, Luke returned to the living area, only to find a crowd had gathered. The other students had likely heard the commotion and left their rooms to investigate.


    ¡°That sure was quick,¡± Kayson sneered. ¡°And here I thought you were going to renege on the challenge.¡± The calm and composed aura he had exuded before their duel had all but faded, revealing his true colors.


    Luke smiled, unconcerned. ¡°Why would I flee a battle that is easily won?¡± he replied confidently. As if to emphasize his arrogance, his Domineering Air skill activated, causing the other students to shrink back in a mixture of fear and awe.


    His gaze turned to Kayson, who appeared unaffected by the skill. Instead of surprise, Luke felt a sense of relief. If Kayson¡¯s will had been weak enough to be swayed by such a minor display, securing him as a subordinate would¡¯ve been pointless affair.


    ¡°Well? How long are you going to keep me waiting?¡± Kayson¡¯s impatience was evident as he sat at the chessboard, red pieces positioned in front of him.


    Luke shook his head calmly. ¡°One moment of patience may ward off great disaster, while a moment of impatience may ruin a whole life.¡±


    His words echoed through the living space, and though no one responded directly, Luke could tell they were considering his advice.


    Turning back to Kayson, he was surprised to see the Viscount¡¯s son¡¯s face light up, as if he''d just received enlightenment. His earlier annoyance had vanished, replaced by gratitude.


    Before Luke even reached the table, Kayson stood, clasped his fist, and bowed slightly. ¡°Your words have resonated with me, Luke Drakon. I appreciate your teachings.¡±


    Luke was stunned. ¡®He really bought that? That was just a line from Cao Cao in a mobile game I used to play¡­¡¯


    ¡°I-It¡¯s no matter,¡± Luke stammered, waving it off dismissively.


    Without wasting any more time, Luke stood across from his opponent and clasped his fist, returning the bow. ¡°I look forward to playing you,¡± he said respectfully, a formal greeting from the beginner¡¯s guide to Chess he''d just read in his room.


    ¡°Likewise,¡± Kayson replied, taking his seat.


    Luke settled into his own chair and gazed at the pieces in front of him with a serious expression. Various openings and defenses raced through his mind, playing out on the board as if he were watching someone else play.


    The atmosphere around him shifted, prompting a short gasp from Kayson. The sound broke Luke from his trance, and he gestured toward the board. ¡°Red plays first.¡±


    Slightly taken aback, Kayson took a moment to compose himself before moving his central pawn ahead. Luke could tell by the way Kayson moved the pieces that he had played many games of chess.


    After a few moments of thought, Luke mirrored the move, advancing the opposite pawn one step forward. While it was a cautious and somewhat defensive move, there was no harm in playing it safe for now.


    The game continued passively for a while, with both players making their moves. Kayson¡¯s face grew grave as he pushed one of his pawns forward. The move took longer than usual, and he didn¡¯t seem entirely satisfied with it.


    ¡®Hmph, that was a bad move,¡¯ Luke thought, silently studying the board. Kayson had been playing aggressively from the start, forcing him to spend most of his time defending against potential attacks, but with this move, the tide had begun to turn.


    With his beginner knowledge, Luke was ill-equipped to initiate a complex offensive. However, after moving his pawn, Kayson had left his position vulnerable, offering a chance for a counterattack.


    Luke reached forward, grasping his cannon and pushing it into enemy territory, pinning Kayson¡¯s horse. A few murmurs from the spectators broke the silence¡ªthey too seemed to have noticed the flaw in Kayson¡¯s formation.


    Looking up, Luke saw Kayson¡¯s vexed expression, clearly not expecting such a shift in strategy. After playing so passively, Luke¡¯s sudden counterattack had left him rattled.


    A few moments later, Kayson moved his chariot forward to defend, but this only worsened his position.


    With calm precision, Luke moved his elephant into play, skewering the vulnerable chariot that had just come to its defense. With two of Kayson¡¯s pieces now essentially trapped, his uneasy expression grew more frantic.


    Kayson¡¯s next move took the longest yet, but it was desperate. Moving his cannon, he placed it in the open, threatening to capture Luke¡¯s advisor.


    However, Luke saw through the bluff. While the advisor was important for defense, it only mattered when the king was at risk.


    ¡®He¡¯s grasping at straws. Even if he takes my advisor, his army is in shambles. As long as I press the attack, it¡¯s only a matter of time.¡¯ Luke thought, unfazed. He moved his next piece with unmatched aggression.


    ¡°No way¡­¡± The murmurs from the onlookers grew louder, their expressions a mix of admiration and unease. Luke paid them no mind, focusing entirely on his opponent.


    As long as he won, he¡¯d secure a powerful subordinate.


    The sound of grinding teeth reached Luke¡¯s ears as Kayson leaned over the board, staring at his pieces, his face etched with indecision.


    ¡°Damn it,¡± he cursed under his breath, hesitating to move a piece.


    Luke watched, a smirk threatening to tug at his lips as Kayson went through the five stages of grief. The look of helplessness on Kayson¡¯s face rekindled Luke¡¯s old habit. A hollow chuckle escaped his mouth as he sat comfortably in the winning position.


    This was just like crushing free-to-play players back on Earth. Though he couldn¡¯t see their expressions upon defeat, Luke enjoyed imagining their anger and despair.


    ¡®This is great¡­ Maybe I¡¯ve found a way to scratch this itch,¡¯ he thought, savoring the inevitable victory.


    ¡°It¡¯s over, Kayson. You fought valiantly, but you were too eager to breach my defenses,¡± Luke said matter-of-factly, trying to keep his tone courteous, knowing Kayson would soon be his subordinate.


    ¡°No, it is not over yet!¡± Kayson shouted, picking up a piece and placing it down with authority.


    Luke only needed a glance to know the move was futile. With a flourish, he grabbed his horse and placed it at the center of his attacking forces.


    ¡°Check.¡±


    ¡°It¡¯s over. There¡¯s nothing he can do to close the breach.¡±


    ¡°He was far too aggressive.¡±


    The murmurs of the crowd were audible, their words causing Kayson to flinch. He paused, his eyes flickering with doubt. He lifted his hand to his chin, deep in thought, as if calculating any possibility of rallying from the jaws of defeat.


    However, only a few moments later, his shoulders slumped in defeat.


    ¡°I concede,¡± he muttered.


    Luke felt the urge to celebrate but reined it in. There was no point in antagonizing him further¡ªespecially when they would soon be on the same team.


    [DING]


    [You may now view Kayson Diego¡¯s subordinate tier.]