From the data E.Y.E had provided, Lucien knew exactly what he had to do that afternoon.He needed to assert dominance, not through brute strength, but through intellect. To earn his father's respect and raise that loyalty percentage, he had to outthink them.
He possessed neither his father's experience nor Eric's refined technique. But E.Y.E had given him something far greater.
[E.Y.E: You possess an adaptive advantage. You have knowledge.]
Knowledge Acquisition wasn't just learning; it was understanding in motion. Through it, Lucien could analyze fighting patterns in real-time, movement frequency, weapon grip, stance bias, even emotional rhythm. Within thirty seconds, predictive maps would form in his mind, showing attack trajectories before they happened. The longer the fight, the sharper his insight became.
Lucien's fingers brushed the wooden sword at his side."I don't need strength.If I can control perception then I win," he murmured.
He now stood opposite Eric in the training yard. Their father sat beneath the shade of an oak tree. Servants lined against the walls with eager eyes. Two practice dummies had been moved aside to clear the space.
Lord Valemont's deep voice carried across the courtyard. "You will duel each other first. Let me see what progress my sons have made."
It wasn't a fair match, eighteen against thirteen. But fairness had never shaped history and Lucien wasn't fighting alone. He had the Illuminati's system on his side.
[E.Y.E: Subroutine - Combat Analysis, Engaged.]
[Mission Directive: Duel of perception. Success Criteria - Outthink. Outmaneuver. Outshine.]
Eric smirked, twirling his sword. "Ready to embarrass yourself, little brother?"
Lucien said nothing, merely adjusted his gloves and stance. His mind was still. His pulse steady.
[E.Y.E: Analyzing opponent's stance… ready.]
"Begin!" Lord Valemont commanded.
Eric came first. Fast, confident and reckless. The wooden blade whistled toward Lucien's shoulder.
[E.Y.E: Overextension detected. Right arm exceeds optimal range by 14%. Countermeasure: sidestep left, parry upward.]
Lucien obeyed. He pivoted smoothly, his blade rising to meet Eric's in a crisp crack. The older boy staggered one step back, surprise flashing across his face.
Lord Valemont's brows lifted. Lucien said nothing, letting silence do the talking. Eric snarled and charged again but faster this time and striking low.
[E.Y.E: Weakness detected - The right knee has an old sprain. Apply downward pressure to destabilize.]
Lucien's lips curved faintly. E.Y.E must have scanned the body's memories; he remembered the accident, Eric twisting his knee during a hunt last winter.
He shifted his weight, guided the strike aside, and kicked, precise and controlled. Eric's leg buckled instantly. He dropped to one knee, a curse slipping from his lips as gasps rippled through the servants.
Lucien stepped forward, pressing the edge of his wooden blade just below his brother's chin.
"Still overconfident, brother?" he said quietly.
For a moment, the courtyard was utterly still.
Even Lord Valemont looked impressed.
[E.Y.E: Objective Complete. Perception Control Achieved.]
[Result: Loyalty +3%. Father's Interest Level Rising.]
Lucien's gaze flicked upward. Above his father's head shimmered the faint translucent bar.
[Rikon Valemont: Loyalty – 56%]
He almost smiled. One calculated victory, one shift in perception, and the bar had already climbed by three percent. Influence wasn't just power; it was momentum.
His father's opinion of him had changed, even if slightly. All it took was a single win to plant the seed of respect.
He turned to Eric, who still knelt on the dusty courtyard ground. Surprisingly, the older boy wasn't angry. His own loyalty percentage hadn't moved, it remained static, yet steady.
Eric pushed the blade from his neck and smiled, shaking his head. "Well done, little brother. Seems the gods favored you today."
Lucien forced a modest grin. "Hah, I'm just as surprised as you are elder brother. Maybe luck was on my side."
Eric chuckled and got to his feet, brushing off his trousers. "Let's hope that luck hasn't run dry yet. We're facing Father next."
Lucien's smirk faded. "Right…"
Lord Valemont rose from his seat beneath the shade and began walking toward them, wooden sword in hand. His heavy boots thudded across the packed dirt, his presence commanding silence from everyone around. The servants straightened, whispering fell away.
"That was impressive, Lucien," he said, stopping a few paces away. "Eric may be a bit sloppy today, but still… you've shown improvement."
Lucien bowed his head slightly. "Thank you, Father."
Lord Valemont adjusted his gloves, his expression unreadable. "Now," he said, stepping into a swordsman's stance, the wooden blade held firm and sure. "Let's see what both of my sons can do together."
His eyes gleamed faintly. This was no simple spar. The man before them wasn't just a noble, he was a veteran who had survived the Rebellion of Two Years Past. His swordsmanship was rough, efficient, lethal.
"Come at me, boys," he called.
A gust of wind swept the courtyard.
[E.Y.E: New Objective – Duel of Dominance: Phase II]
[Success Criteria: Demonstrate Tactical Superiority. Impress Target: Rikon Valemont.]
[Reward: Loyalty Increase +??%, Skill Data Unlock: "Battle Pattern Recognition"]
He took a slow breath, eyes narrowing.
This was a test of perception, and the first real step toward power.
Lord Valemont's presence was overwhelming. Even with a wooden sword, his stance radiated command and discipline, a man who had carved victory out of blood and rebellion.
Lucien exhaled slowly, eyes locked on his father.
[E.Y.E: Combat Analysis - Engaged.]
[Scanning target…]
[Rikon Valemont: Dominant arm- right. Stance bias, forward-weighted. Anticipate heavy vertical strikes.]
He glanced at Eric, who nodded, eyes burning with determination.
"Ready?" Eric murmured.
Lucien nodded. "Let's go."