Kaelen didn't go to sleep. Sleep was a luxury for people who didn't owe the universe a trillion points. Instead, he sat cross-legged on his lumpy mattress, his eyes fixed on the glowing "Advanced" tab of the System Shop.
"Show me what 1,487 credits gets a King in exile," he murmured.
The screen rippled, the golden light turning a deep, bruised violet.
ItemCostEffectFragment of the Void Heart1,000 SCPermanent +5 to Mana Capacity. (Warning: Causes 'Minor' internal bleeding).The False Saint's Halo400 SCPassive: Your lies are 50% more likely to be believed by 'Good' aligned characters.Contract of the Bound Shadow1,200 SCSummon a F-Rank Shadow Guard. (Does not trigger Tax if used for 'Protection').
Kaelen's gaze lingered on the Void Heart. In his prime, his heart had been a black hole that swallowed stars. Now, he was essentially running on a leaky battery.
"The Heart," Kaelen commanded. "And the Halo. I'm going to need people to trust me while I ruin them."
[PURCHASE CONFIRMED.]
[Remaining Shop Credit: 87]
A jagged shard of obsidian light appeared in the air and slammed into Kaelen's chest. He didn't scream—he'd forgotten how to—but his back arched as his ribs groaned. Blood leaked from his nose, thick and dark.
[Void Heart Fragment Integrated.]
[Mana Capacity: 10 -> 50]
[Trait Gained: 'Cold Blooded' — Emotions are easier to suppress.]
He wiped the blood on his sleeve, his eyes glowing with a faint, predatory violet hue that quickly faded behind the shimmer of the False Saint's Halo.
The next morning, the Academy's Training Grounds were buzzing. Today was the "Heroic Rescue Trial."
The instructors had set up a simulated "Monster Den" in the forest clearing. The goal: pairs of students had to enter, bypass magical traps, and "rescue" a dummy representing a civilian.
"The pairs have been randomized!" Professor Mordred announced. He looked haggard, his skin sallow and his eyes twitching. He pointedly avoided looking at Kaelen. "First pair: Alaric and... Kaelen."
The courtyard went silent.
Alaric, his chest still taped up from Kaelen's "accidental" palm strike, looked like he wanted to vomit. Elara, standing in the crowd, clasped her hands over her heart. "Oh, poor Kaelen," she whispered. "He'll have to keep up with Alaric's pace!"
Kaelen walked toward Alaric, the False Saint's Halo working overtime. He looked humble, slightly nervous, and perfectly harmless.
"I'll try my best not to get in your way, Alaric," Kaelen said, his voice a masterpiece of underdog sincerity.
"Stay five paces behind me, worm," Alaric growled, clutching the hilt of his training sword. "If you trip, I'm leaving you for the wolves."
[TRIAL START!]
They entered the treeline. Almost immediately, the sounds of the Academy faded, replaced by the heavy, artificial fog of the simulation.
Alaric charged ahead, his sword glowing with "Heroic Aura." He slashed through simulated vines and kicked aside wooden trap-triggers with arrogant ease. He wanted to show off. He wanted to prove Kaelen's victory yesterday was a fluke.
Kaelen, meanwhile, was watching the System map.
"Alaric, wait!" Kaelen called out, sounding terrified. "The path to the left looks safer!"
"The left is for cowards!" Alaric shouted, leaping over a fallen log right into the center of a clearing.
Kaelen stopped. He reached into his pocket and pulled out a small, silver coin he'd swiped from the dining hall.
"Alaric is right," Kaelen whispered to the empty air. "The left is for cowards. But the center... the center is for The Debt Collection."
Kaelen flicked the coin. It didn't fall; it hung in the air, spinning. He used his newly expanded mana to activate a forbidden "Void-Tether" on the coin.
In the center of the clearing, Alaric's "Heroic Aura" suddenly flickered. A group of simulated 'Shadow Wolves' emerged from the fog. Usually, these were easy for Alaric. But today, every time he swung his sword, the "Void-Tether" on Kaelen's coin acted like a lightning rod, silently siphoning the kinetic energy from his strikes.
Alaric swung. His sword felt like it was moving through molasses.
A wolf lunged, snapping its jaws inches from Alaric's throat.
"What... what is this?!" Alaric panicked. "My mana... it's heavy!"
[NOTIFICATION!]
[A Hero is in distress!]
[Standard Heroic Action: Help him (+50 Karma).]
[Villainous Loophole: 'The Savior's Tax' — Wait until he is at 1% Health, then save him. (+200 Karma for 'Miraculous Rescue').]
Kaelen leaned against a tree, watching Alaric get tackled by three wooden wolves. The "Hero of Prophecy" was screaming, his expensive armor getting shredded by the simulated claws.
"Hold on, Alaric!" Kaelen cried out, his voice full of "worry." He didn't move an inch. "I'm coming! Just... just let me find a sturdy stick!"
"Help me!" Alaric roared, pinned to the ground.
Kaelen checked the 'Health Bar' hovering over Alaric's head.
15%... 10%... 5%...
"Almost there," Kaelen hummed.
3%... 2%... 1%...
"NOW."
Kaelen moved. He didn't use a stick. He used The Scoundrel's Strike. He blurred across the clearing, his hand wreathed in a faint, purple-black mist. He slammed his palm into the lead wolf, sending the simulation shattering into pixels.
In one fluid motion, he hauled the sobbing, broken Alaric onto his shoulders.
[MIRACULOUS RESCUE ACHIEVED!]
[+250 Karma Points.]
[Hidden Bonus: 'The Great Humiliator' — You saved the Hero while he was crying. +100 Karma.]
Kaelen carried Alaric out of the woods and into the sunlight of the training grounds. He looked exhausted, his tunic torn, his face covered in "noble" sweat.
The entire class gasped. Elara ran forward, her eyes wide.
"Kaelen!" she cried. "You... you carried him out?"
Kaelen set Alaric down gently—almost lovingly—and then collapsed to one knee, gasping for breath. "He... he fought so bravely," Kaelen wheezed, the False Saint's Halo making his lie feel like Gospel. "He took the brunt of the attack to protect me. I just... I couldn't leave a comrade behind."
Alaric looked up, his face pale, his dignity utterly extinguished. He knew Kaelen was lying. He knew something had gone wrong. But if he said Kaelen had sabotaged him, he'd look like a sore loser. If he stayed silent, he owed his life to the "trash" he despised.
[Current Karma: 350 / 500 (Next Interest Payment)]
[Saintess Favor: 15% (Status: 'Deeply Moved')]
Kaelen felt Elara's hand on his back, her healing light washing over him. He looked at Alaric and gave him a tiny, imperceptible wink.
Welcome to the team, Alaric, Kaelen thought. You're my best Karma farm yet.