Drip... Drip... Drip...
The drips of blood splashing in a small puddle resounded throughout the manor's garden, shocking every servant present, forcing them to take an expression of profound shock and worry.
Unaware of his disfigured arm, a blithe expression glimmered on Samuel's face before walking in past everyone's frozen postures. Although he knew his arm would cast shock into everyone's hearts, he knew that the wind and the waves seem always to favour the best sailors and the only way to change that was to spend time and effort, as only they bring proficiency. Ignoring the yells of the gardeners pleading for him to wait so they can call the noble head, he swung open the doors vigorously, the sound of the door hitting the hollow walls alerting everyone in the manor, and rushed to his bedroom to think of a plan to inveigle the senior or perhaps find a way to power-up somehow within the next twenty-four hours.
"Ack, I have placed myself into quite the predicament, haven't I?" Samuel pondered his actions, regretting his word choices. How was he supposed to show his strength without levelling up his system? He had only been in this new life for so much time, how would anyone expect him to be strong enough to express an exemplary performance for the potential teacher?
Several plans flew through his mind and left just as fast. However, the main features of all these plans had one thing in common: Lies & Deceit.
Why did he choose this manipulative decision? Of course, this was since he wasn't confident when it came to his strengths. He could only coerce the senior in an attempt to gain his position as a disciple.
Tossing and turning in his bed, it only took so much time before the gardeners of the noble manor notified Samuel's father and loud knocking filled the air in his room, he slowly slouched out of his bed and answered the door, the fatigue of staying awake eating away at his mind.
When he opened the door, his father burst through the slightest opening with a look of supreme regret and worry. His face suddenly turned a deep red, betraying his expression of love. After he entered, his mother rushed through and inspected every part of his wounds, almost in an overbearing manner.
Upon seeing the bloody wound which almost separated his arm in twine, the two parents looked at each other for a moment before nodding in unison and facing their child, a grave expression haunting their faces.
"I think we can both agree that this was caused by that arrogant young maser, like last time? I see no other explanation for this horrid scar when all you did was go down to the local village. That rascal is overstepping his boundaries! It's an agreed-upon rule made by the council that all of us nobles must stay in our respectful domains and can go to the capital for discussions. This spawn of Satan must be taught a lesson sometime in the future!" Although the two noble parents agreed on this fact, they were uncertain if this would ever happen or if they would be constantly harassed by the other noble household and they were less than uncertain when it came to being able to protect their child in the future.
Although Samuel was unclear on whether the cloaked criminal was this young master that had been harassing his family for all this time, he was quick to clear up the misconception. "Well yes, but actually no. I got chased by this bloodthirsty adolescent until I reached a karst cavern in the forest surrounding our manor and met a Lightning Tiger where I was mortally wounded before this old fart named Yorn Thornberry..." Samuel recounted his experiences of his adventure, making sure to name every feature of the characters he had met along the way.
After everything was said, his parents' mouths were agape before they quickly spun around and whispered amongst themselves. After some time had passed, his mother called over Nathan and ordered him to retrieve some Winegrape Leaves and three Potions of Upper Healing from the small hospital located in the dungeons of the manor while his father inquired more about this mysterious persona called Yorn Thornberry.
After a few hours had passed, the head servant came back with the Winegrape Leaves and the three Potions of Upper Healing. Samuel decided to pay close attention to how the Winegrape Leaves would be useful in the procedure of healing his mangled arm; he already knew from video games how potions of healing worked and their name was self-explanatory, yet he had no idea whether the Winegrape Leaves were necessary for a smooth healing procedure and whether or not he would need to use it in the future when he encounters another fatal scenario.
Surprisingly, despite his previous knowledge from MMORPGs, the potion was poured over the wound and, even more surprisingly, the splashes of healing essence didn't cause any sort of discomfort and instead soothed his mind in the process, causing a feeling of eternal bliss.
Quickly after the entirety of the three bottles were used, he heard a bell ring out from his mind.
"Ding!
Potion of Upper Healing identified! (3/3)
Do you wish to store the recipe to this potion in your log? (Y/N)"
It took Samuel a few moments before confirming for it to be logged inside the System's library of information. He had no expectations for this system as it had been proven to be quite useless in times of need, primarily seen from how it did not assist him when he was being chased by the young master.
Although he secretly wished for the system do take the recipe and replicate the effect for times of need, he knew that he was being too selfish and that it would make no sense for the system to make him so overpowered so soon. Nevertheless, he set the idea of checking the system's full features to the back of his head as he observed the effect of the Winegrape Leaves.
His mother slowly covered his mutilated arm with the Winegrape Leaves as she flickered glances to Samuel as if observing if anything would go wrong. Soon after, Samuel felt a slight tingling in his arm before his arm started to burn feverishly as if he had thrown it into an incinerator. However, although this had caught him off guard, he had long since become desensitised from pain since his experience in Heaven and kept a face akin to a statue, much to his mother's surprise.
As quickly as the pain surged, the Winegrape Leaves swelled in size, similar to a hydrogel, and formed an air-tight seal on the wound. As Samuel poked and prodded the Winegrape Leaves, he felt the Potion of Upper Healing leaking out before his mother swatted his hand away from his arm, scolding him for playing with such expensive items.
Nevertheless, he looked at the Winegrape Leaves covetously like the incarnation of the greed of gluttony. He wished dearly to eat three of them to see if anything would occur from the System. Unfortunately, a servant came along and picked them up, taking them to the hospital soon after.
After the healing process looked to be steady and stable, his mother left the room, leaving him and his father sitting apart.
"Look, son, this young master is sinister and scheming, eschewing all morals and principles in the pursuit of his goals. Although I don't know the extent of his schemes, I know for a fact that the five states which have lived prosperously for the past millennia will soon be shaken by the roots and there will be a massive change in leadership very soon. Although everyone knows this is inevitable, there are little who wish to take this opportunity to usurp the throne. However, we must be different and we must take advantage of this precarious position to soar beyond the skies and become a crane amongst chickens. The first step is to remove this arrogant youngling from our path lest he becomes an issue for our family. I'm sure you know what you must do, am I correct?" His father spoke sternly, leaving no wriggle room for his son to escape the grasps of destiny.
Samuel slowly nodded his head in agreement. Ever since he had awoken from his third life and encountered the adolescent in the eery forest, he knew that their paths would constantly intertwine and that they were fated to be rivals with a deadly feud in the foreseeable future.
Seeing his son nod confidently, he felt at ease for some obscure reason. He couldn't put his finger on it, but he could feel the tides of fortune rising in his family's favour. Although he initially felt that it would be best to go along the flow, like a tree bending in the wind lest it snapped in half, he now could confidently face the future with a smiling face as he chose to direct his future. Although he knew that this sudden decision to go against the tide could be fatal, he knew that with great risk came even greater rewards.
He soon after left the room, leaving Samuel to ponder on what to do from now on. He had only twelve hours to practice his excuses and then he would have to face the brunt of the trials. However, soon after laying down on his bed, he felt slightly groggy and slept instantly.
He woke up in a jolt of panic, quickly checking his system for the information regarding the Potions of Upper Healing.
"Ding!
Name: Potion of Upper Healing
Cost (Average): 10 Gold Uris.
History: This potion was identified during the early ages of civilisation, found by the Elvish during their monopoly of resources at the time. It is said that the original recipe could heal someone from near-death to peak performance, giving them unbridled vigour and strength for a short time. However, this was quickly removed from practice due to the original recipe requiring gallons of blood which usually resulted in the mass-extinction of many inferior races. The recipe used today is a toned-down variant which uses much more humane methods.
Effects: +100 HP, +20 Stamina
Side Effects: -100 Stamina (After 10 minutes of consumption)"
"Of course, what did I expect? Healing takes a lot of effort from the body, it isn't a miracle worker, after all!" Samuel reprimanded himself before looking outside his windows to see the Sun's position. After he saw how the Sun was high in the sky, his heart sunk to the floor, his expression darkening as he rushed to put on his clothes and he rushed to the door, hoping that he wasn't late for the trials.