Age: 8 Years
Lucien Silver Star stepped into the grand halls of House Nyx, his movements measured, his presence calculated. The scent of enchanted parchment filled the air, mixing with the soft glow of arcane inscriptions that pulsed along the towering marble columns. Magic lingered in every breath, woven into the very fabric of this place—a sanctuary for scholars, warriors, and manipulators alike.
But Lucien was here for something far greater than knowledge.
Today, he would mark his place among noble society. Today, he would take his first steps toward identifying the key figures who would form the foundation of his network of loyalists.
And today, his Sovereign System had offered him a gift.
---
### [SYSTEM WINDOW – ACTIVATED]
A pulse of energy coursed through his mind, cold yet exhilarating, like liquid knowledge seeping into his consciousness.
The first quest had begun.
---
[New Quest: The Eyes That See All]
- Objective: Establish three reliable agents within noble society.
- Agents must possess:
- Political Influence (a noble willing to challenge authority)
- Combat Prowess (a warrior of unquestionable skill)
- Subtlety & Intelligence (a spy or manipulator)
- Reward: All-Seeing Eyes – A passive ability that allows instant appraisal of individuals, revealing their strengths, weaknesses, and hidden potential.
---
His lips curled. A perfect ability for someone who intended to control everything.
Appraisal meant he could assess individuals instantly—separating weak-willed nobles from true assets, distinguishing useful warriors from empty titles, identifying manipulators from pawns.
And now, standing among the powerful figures in House Nyx's noble gathering, he finally had the perfect stage to begin choosing his people.
---
### The Art of Presence
Lucien had long understood that power was not about being seen—it was about being noticed in the right way.
He did not make bold declarations.
He did not demand attention.
He did not attempt to prove himself.
Instead, he let curiosity build around him.
He lingered in discussions of war strategies, listening attentively, allowing subtle reactions to hint at hidden knowledge beyond his years.
He positioned himself near influential figures, crafting his expressions—curious but reserved, knowledgeable yet nonintrusive.
And slowly, the whispers began.
"Who is the third son of House Silver Star? He's never attended such gatherings before."
"He carries himself differently than other noble children. Too composed."
"A boy like that… he'll be important one day."
It was not admiration yet. But it was recognition.
And recognition was the first step toward influence.
---
### The First Connection: The Warrior
Among the gathered nobles, Lucien had already begun using his new ability.
---
[All-Seeing Eyes – Lv. 1]
- Ability Type: Passive
- Function: Appraises individuals, detecting strengths, weaknesses, and hidden potential.
- Additional Effect: Displays Corruption Susceptibility Level.
- Upgrade Path: Requires increasing interaction with high-tier targets.
---
He scanned each noble, testing his appraisal:
- Wealthy Lords – politically connected but weak-minded, easily swayed by emotion. Useless.
- Mages – deep in arcane research, intelligent but reclusive, distrustful of manipulation. Potentially useful, but not yet.
- Guards and Knights – disciplined, strong, loyal to their respective houses. Ideal candidates for control.
And then, among the military commanders of House Nyx, he found exactly what he needed.
A warrior. A knight. A man trained in combat yet bound by noble loyalty.
---
[Highborn Knight – Corruption Susceptibility: High]
- Strengths: Exceptional combat skills, loyalty to strength above all else
- Weaknesses: Rigid moral code, resistant to manipulation
- Hidden Potential: Could become an elite enforcer under the right influence
---
Sir Aldric Nyx.
His posture was unwavering, his stance flawless. He did not indulge in the casual arrogance of lesser warriors—he was efficient, disciplined, driven.
A perfect future weapon.
But warriors did not follow words alone.
They followed strength, strategy, and those who proved their worth.
And Lucien planned to do exactly that.
---
### The First Step Toward Recruitment
He positioned himself near the war discussion, listening as Sir Aldric detailed battle formations and counter-strategies against the Demon Clans.
And then, carefully, he intervened.
"If the demons use arcane barriers, what makes standard formations viable against their defenses?"
Silence followed.
Several nobles turned, some amused, others curious—a child speaking of battle? Unheard of.
But Sir Aldric's reaction was different.
He answered seriously, detailing siege tactics, explaining how magic was countered in warfare, recognizing that the boy before him understood war beyond his years.
Respect had been planted.
And respect was the first step toward loyalty.
---
### A Future of Followers
Rean was his shadow, loyal without question.
Sir Aldric could become his blade, a warrior who followed not because of obligation, but because he recognized strength and strategy above all else.
And there were still more pieces to gather.
Before this gathering was over, Lucien would find the political mind and the manipulator required to complete his quest.
And then—he would finally unlock true sight, the upgraded version of the All-Seeing Eyes.