The pain from the system's punishment still throbbed in Cendikia's head, an unrelenting reminder of his failure to control the forbidden magic. His mana and stamina reserves had been reduced, and though his body was healing from the overload, the damage was done. Each step felt heavier than it had before, and his mind raced with frustration.
I can't let that happen again. The system was ruthless. It gave him rewards for progress, but failure had real consequences. His punishment now loomed over him like a shadow, pushing him to be more careful and calculated.
Despite the setback, fragments of the Forgotten Scholar's knowledge still lingered in his mind, whispering secrets of the Dark Rifts and powerful magic. He knew that unlocking the full potential of this knowledge could change everything, but the road ahead had become more dangerous than he had anticipated.
As he walked through the academy's stone corridors, his thoughts were interrupted by a familiar voice.
"Cendikia."
He stopped, turning to see Aiden Drystan approaching, his steps confident and his sharp eyes fixed on Cendikia with cold interest. His posture was as immaculate as ever, his robes gleaming with the silver-lined fabric that marked him as a scholar of higher rank. Cendikia had hoped to avoid Aiden after their last encounter, but it seemed that luck was not on his side today.
"Aiden," Cendikia greeted him, keeping his voice neutral. He had learned enough from his past life to know that someone like Aiden thrived on power games. The man's ambition was clear from the start, and in this world, ambition could be dangerous.
Aiden's smirk widened as he stopped in front of Cendikia. "I've heard your name mentioned again. You've been spending a lot of time in the lower archives, haven't you?"
Cendikia tensed, keeping his face composed. He had no intention of revealing his true purpose or the system's influence, but Aiden's growing interest in his activities was a problem. "Just research. The lower archives hold more obscure texts that aren't readily available."
"Obscure indeed." Aiden's eyes gleamed with a sharpness that made Cendikia uneasy. "Most scholars don't waste their time on forgotten knowledge, unless they have a particular goal in mind."
There it was again.. that subtle accusation, the unspoken challenge. Aiden wasn't merely curious; he was probing, testing Cendikia's defenses. He saw Cendikia as a potential rival now, a competitor for the academy's limited resources and prestige.
"Knowledge is my goal," Cendikia replied carefully. "I'm just following where it leads."
Aiden's smile didn't reach his eyes. "Be careful, Cendikia. Sometimes knowledge leads to dangerous places."
The warning was clear, but Cendikia wasn't intimidated. He had seen enough of the world to know that people like Aiden used intimidation to maintain control. And while Aiden might have more influence within the academy, Cendikia had something far more valuable: the system, and the knowledge it promised.
"I appreciate the advice," Cendikia said evenly, "but I can take care of myself."
Aiden's smirk faded, replaced by a more calculating look. For a moment, the two scholars stood in silence, the tension between them thickening. Aiden's posture stiffened slightly, his eyes narrowing as if he was considering his next move.
Finally, Aiden turned away, but not before leaving one last parting shot. "Don't get too comfortable, Cendikia. There's always someone watching."
---
Cendikia continued on his way, his thoughts churning. Aiden's words had struck a chord, and it wasn't just the veiled threat. The fact that Aiden was paying such close attention to him meant that Cendikia's presence was becoming more noticeable. And that was dangerous.
The academy wasn't just a place of learning; it was a battlefield of ambition, where political maneuvering and alliances could make or break a scholar's future. Aiden Drystan had already cemented his place as a rising star, with connections to some of the most influential figures in the kingdom. If Aiden saw him as a threat, it was only a matter of time before he made his move.
I need to be smarter about this.
The system chimed in suddenly, startling him out of his thoughts.
[New Mission:
Undermine Aiden Drystan's Influence.
Reward:
Knowledge Enhancement, Mana Restoration.]
Cendikia stared at the notification. Undermine Aiden? It seemed the system had its own ideas about how he should handle this rivalry. The reward was tempting, especially with his mana reduced from the punishment earlier, but it wasn't going to be easy. Aiden wasn't just a simple rival, he was someone with real power in the academy. Taking him down would require a careful strategy.
He swiped the notification aside, but the idea lingered in his mind. If he could outmaneuver Aiden, he could secure his own place in the academy and access even more resources. But if he failed… well, the system had already shown him the consequences of failure.
With that thought in mind, Cendikia turned toward the academy's central hall. There was a gathering scheduled today, an opportunity for scholars to present their latest research and discoveries. It was the perfect place for someone like Aiden to show off, but it was also the perfect opportunity for Cendikia to observe him, to understand his weaknesses.
---
The central hall was a grand space, filled with rows of wooden benches and towering columns that lined the room. Scholars of all ranks milled about, some discussing their research, others waiting for the presentations to begin. The atmosphere buzzed with energy and ambition, a reminder that in this place, knowledge was currency, and reputation was everything.
Cendikia found a seat near the back, preferring to remain unnoticed for now. As the presentations began, scholars stepped forward one by one to share their findings, new magical theories, historical discoveries, and advancements in spellcraft. Most of it was standard fare, the kind of research that earned polite applause but was quickly forgotten.
Then, Aiden Drystan took the stage.
He moved with the confidence of someone who knew he was being watched. His presentation focused on the arcane properties of ancient Estharan relics, a topic that was well-trodden but still popular among the academy's elite. As Aiden spoke, the room's attention shifted toward him, scholars leaning forward to catch every word.
Cendikia watched closely, his mind working behind the scenes. Aiden's research was thorough, and his presentation was polished. There was no doubt that he knew how to play to the crowd. But as Cendikia listened, he began to notice small gaps in Aiden's argument, a minor details that didn't quite add up, inconsistencies in his explanation of certain magical properties.
A plan began to form in Cendikia's mind.
When Aiden finished, the room erupted into polite applause, and Aiden stepped down from the stage with a self-satisfied smile. But Cendikia wasn't done yet.
---
As the gathering continued, Cendikia waited for the right moment. When the presentations finally ended, scholars began mingling, discussing the ideas that had been shared. Aiden was surrounded by a small group of admirers, his influence evident.
Cendikia approached cautiously, waiting until the group had thinned out. When the opportunity presented itself, he stepped forward.
"Aiden," he said, his tone casual. "Your presentation was impressive. I didn't expect such a thorough examination of the Estharan relics."
Aiden's smile was polite, but his eyes remained sharp. "I do my best."
Cendikia nodded thoughtfully, as though considering something. "I did have a question, though. You mentioned that the relics' magical properties were linked to Esthara's ley lines, but isn't there evidence suggesting that they were actually tied to the kingdom's ancient rune networks instead?"
Aiden's expression faltered for just a moment with a brief flicker of uncertainty, but he quickly recovered. "It's possible, but the ley lines are the most widely accepted theory."
"True," Cendikia agreed, his voice calm. "But I believe there was a study published recently that disproved that theory. It showed that the rune networks were far more likely to be the source of the relics' power. I could find the reference if you'd like."
The scholars nearby exchanged curious glances, and Aiden's smile grew strained. He wasn't used to being challenged in public, and the slight crack in his composure was enough for Cendikia to see that his plan was working.
"I'll look into it," Aiden said, his tone tight.
"I'm sure you will," Cendikia replied smoothly.
As he turned to leave, Cendikia could feel Aiden's eyes burning into his back. He knew he had just made a dangerous enemy, but the seed of doubt had been planted. Aiden's reputation, carefully built on precision and confidence, had been subtly undermined, and in the competitive world of the academy, even a small dent in one's credibility could have lasting consequences.
The system chimed in softly:
[Mission Progress:
Undermine Aiden Drystan's Influence – 50% Complete.]
Cendikia allowed himself a small smile. This was just the beginning.