Marcus stared at the cryptic message on his Aetheris watch: "Discover The Truth Behind The System." It had been lingering on his mind since the moment it appeared. Every time the system glitched, every strange message it flashed, Marcus's unease grew.
What truth? he thought, frowning as he sat at his desk. The system was unlike anything he'd expected from the world of Decade Long Crusade. In the novel, there were no systems tracking stats, no quests popping up to guide characters. But here, it was all too real, and it was tied to him.
If he didn't figure it out, he could be walking straight into danger, but how could he start unraveling something so foreign? A sigh escaped him as he leaned back, contemplating his next move.
His eyes flickered to the name on the paperwork strewn across the desk: Valtherion Academy. One of the most prestigious institutions in the realm, where nobles were trained in both magic and technology. It was where Lucius—now Marcus—was heading soon, and it filled him with dread.
Valtherion Academy wasn't just a place for education; it was a battlefield for power. Every noble who walked through its doors had ambitions, alliances, and agendas. I need to survive there, he thought grimly. But more than that, I need to avoid trouble.
His thoughts shifted to the novel's main cast of characters. He knew them well—the stoic protagonist, the powerful side characters, the potential love interests, and, of course, the antagonists. If he got tangled up with any of them, he'd be caught in the heart of the story's most dangerous events. Staying far away from them would be his best strategy, but in a place like Valtherion, avoiding the main cast would be no easy feat.
That last thing I need is to get dragged into their plots, Marcus mused. I'll play it safe, keep my head down, and keep out of sight. The least I interact with the story's main characters, the better.
Marcus shifted his focus to the upcoming academy entrance exams. His body felt weak, undertrained, and slow, despite the system's enhancements. The Basic Firearms Proficiency and Dagger Combat skills helped, but they weren't enough. He needed more time, more strength, more everything.
Valtherion doesn't just take anyone. Lucius failed before, and I can't afford to fail now, he thought, the weight of the upcoming exams pressing down on him.
As he trained, he overheard snippets of conversations from other nobles in the halls of the mansion. They mocked Lucius, writing him off as a failure. "There's no way he's going to make it this year," one of them sneered. It didn't matter that Marcus was working hard now—Lucius's past haunted him, and the rumors followed him everywhere.
The pressure was immense. He knew he had to push harder, so he spent long hours working on his technique. But the progress was slow. The system tracked his improvements, yes, but physically, his body struggled to keep up with what he knew he had to achieve.
...
Elara Arden left the training hall, her mind swirling with thoughts. Lucius Foster had always been predictable—arrogant, self-absorbed, and careless with his potential. But the night before, something about him had shifted.
What are you hiding, Lucius? she wondered as she walked through the quiet halls. His sudden interest in training didn't fit with the image she had of him. The Lucius she knew didn't care about his future, let alone the academy exams. And yet, there he was, working hard, pushing himself.
Later that evening, she met with her confidante, Selina Morvell, a noble from a neighboring house who shared her keen insight. They sat together in a small study, the warm glow of a fire casting flickering shadows across the room.
"Elara, you seem distracted," Selina remarked, glancing up from the book she had been pretending to read.
Glancing over to her friend, Elara crossed her arms, her brow furrowing slightly. "Lucius has changed."
Selina raised an eyebrow. "Lucius? That arrogant fool? I thought you didn't care about him."
"I don't," Elara replied quickly. "But something's off. He's not the same as he was before. It's like he's… different. More focused. More… driven."
"Do you think he's up to something?" Selina asked, now fully interested.
"I'm not sure," Elara admitted. "But I'm going to keep an eye on him. People don't just change overnight without reason."
Selina chuckled, but Elara remained serious. She had a reputation for being observant, for noticing things that others missed. Whatever Lucius was hiding, she intended to find out.
Regardless of what's occurring, I need to stay ahead, she thought. If Lucius was a potential threat, she would need to act swiftly to protect her position. But for now, she'd observe. She'd play her cards close to her chest, as she always did.
…..
As Caspian Greystone stormed away from the training hall, his thought couldn't help be drawn back to the encounter with Lucius, his hands clenched into fists. His mind raced with fury, his pride bruised. Lucius had dared to stand up to him, had dared to look at him as though they were equals.
That spoiled dumbass. He thinks he can rise above me? He'll regret it. Caspian's thoughts were venomous as he pushed through the halls of the Greystone estate.
Later, in his personal training room, Caspian met with his loyal lackey, Gareth Lorne. They sparred casually, but Caspian's frustration was clear in every swing of his sword.
"Lucius is still trying to act like he's better than me," Caspian growled, his voice low but filled with anger.
Gareth chuckled, leaning on his blade. "Didn't think that fool had the guts to challenge you. Must be a fluke."
"It's no fluke," Caspian spat. "Something's changed about him. But I don't care. When the academy exams come, I'll crush him in front of everyone. He'll be lucky if he even makes it through the first round."
Gareth smirked. "You've got this. Lucius is a nobody."
Caspian's eyes darkened. "I'll make sure everyone knows that." His hatred for Lucius was personal, fueled by years of rivalry and a deep-seated need to be the best. And nothing—not even Lucius's sudden change—was going to stand in his way.
...…
Back in his own quarters, Marcus knew that he couldn't face the Valtherion Academy alone. He needed to start gathering allies, people who could help him navigate the intricate web of noble politics and dangerous rivalries.
The first name that came to mind was Elara Arden. She was sharp, far more observant than most, and clearly intrigued by his sudden change in behavior. But Marcus knew better than to assume she was on his side. If anything, she was testing him, watching to see if he'd slip up.
Still, it was a risk he'd have to take. The next day, Marcus approached Elara during a break in their training schedules. She was alone, sitting by a fountain in one of the estate's courtyards, a book in hand.
"Elara," Marcus greeted her, keeping his tone casual.
She looked up, her teal-green eyes narrowing slightly, but she didn't seem surprised to see him. "Lucius. What brings you here?"
"I was hoping to talk," Marcus began, choosing his words carefully. "The academy exams are coming up fast. I wanted to see how you were preparing. Maybe compare strategies."
Elara raised an eyebrow. "Strategies?"
Marcus smiled faintly. "I think we both know that the exams aren't just about skill. There's a lot of politics involved. I'd rather not walk into it blind."
Elara studied him for a moment before nodding slowly. "You're right. The exams are as much about family alliances as they are about magic or combat. It's not just about winning; it's about who you align with, whose favor you gain."
"So it's about who you know," Marcus said, leaning against the stone railing of the fountain.
"In a way," Elara replied, her gaze never leaving his. "But it's also about perception. How others see you can be just as important as who you side with."
Marcus nodded, making mental notes. Elara had confirmed what he already suspected—the academy was a battlefield of alliances and rivalries, and if he wasn't careful, he'd be caught in the crossfire.
He left the conversation feeling that he'd made some progress, but Elara's cool demeanor reminded him that she wasn't easily swayed. She was testing him, and if he wanted her as an ally, he'd have to prove himself.
.
.
.
Later that day, Marcus crossed paths with Caspian Greystone again. The tension between them was palpable the moment they locked eyes. Caspian's arrogant smirk widened as he approached.
"Still thinking you'll make it at Valtherion, Lucius?" Caspian sneered. "You'll be crushed before you even get a chance to embarrass yourself."
Marcus kept his expression calm, even as Caspian's taunts grated on him. "We'll see about that."
Caspian's eyes narrowed. "You're up against people like me. You better quit now while you still have a chance."
Marcus didn't take the bait. "I've always liked a challenge."
The air between them crackled with hostility, and Marcus knew that Caspian wasn't just talking about the exams. The rivalry between them was deep, and Caspian was planning something. Marcus could feel it.
He's going to try something during the exams, Marcus thought. I better prepare myself for it. A small bead of sweat trickled down Marcy's face as he stared at Caspain's intense glare.
Is this guy trying to burn holes through my head? Marcus thought with my of concern.
...
That night, as Marcus reflected on his day and the tense interactions with both Elara and Caspian, the Aetheris watch flickered again. A new menu appeared on the screen, one he hadn't seen before: World Events.
His heart raced as he read through the information. The system had compiled data on the political landscape of Valtherion Academy and its ties to powerful noble families. The academy wasn't just a place for education—it was a breeding ground for alliances and conflicts that shaped the entire realm.
And then, just as Marcus was beginning to absorb the weight of the information, the system glitched again. This time, a new message appeared: "The World Is Watching You."
Marcus's breath caught. The world….is watching me? What did that mean? Who—or what—was watching him? The system was becoming more erratic, more dangerous, and the stakes were getting higher.