Julius rose from his bed, the early morning rays peeking through the curtains and falling on his face as he opened his eyes. He was greeted with the chirping of the birds, the rustling of the leaves of the tree due to the soft morning breeze creating a magical note which refreshed his mind, and all the tiredness and stress took off from his mind. He went to the dining hall of the barracks and saw his friend, Cassius already glomping on the garlic bread like a madman.
"Calm down, Cassius, the bread won't go anywhere. No one will take it away from you. It is yours and will continue to be yours only. If anyone even dares to lift his eyes towards your bread, I shall gouge their eyes out." Julius said, smirking as all the other soldiers sitting in the barracks started laughing at the joke. Cassius went red-faced and dragged Julius onto the seat nearest to him.
"Oh, My Lord, I never knew that you cared so much for your lowly servant. I am grateful to God that I got a Master with such a large heart as yours," said Cassius, getting into the mood of the joke.
After getting his bread and eating the bread, he realized why Cassius was so excited while eating the bread. After eating only food rations while being stationed at the border of the kingdom, the sweet taste, and bread along with the exquisite flavor of garlic felt like heaven.
After eating the food, both friends started chatting with each other about random topics, whiling away time.
After some time, Julius rose from his seat and asked Cassius if he wanted to tag along with him to the marketplace. Cassius replied that he had some other work and may not be able to go with him. So Julius set out towards the marketplace, to complete the first mission which was assigned to him by the system.
He made a beeline through the crowd and went straight to the Weapons and Armor shop. As he went into the shop, he saw a variety of weapons displayed all over the stall. He used to buy most of his weapons from this shop, including his favored double-edged sword. As the shop owner saw him, he recognized the face of his customer.
"Hey Julius, it's been a long time since you visited here. What brings you to the city again?"
Julius looked away from the figure and greeted the burly figure of the shopkeeper. "King's orders, something important is going to happen, I guess."
Julius started looking through the racks of weapons for an appropriate switchblade that he could hide in his wrist, to surprise the enemy while fighting at close range.
"Are you searching for something, Julius?"
"Ah yes, I am searching for a switchblade that will fit me."
"Hmm... Let me get you something. I think I might have something which you would like." The shopowner said as he went to the racks kept at the end of the shop and came with a box decorated with ornate jewels.
"This here, warrior, is a unique switchblade which was forged by a master blacksmith. Its one swing can cut through the enemy like butter." The shopkeeper opened the box as Julius lifted the switchblade out of it. It felt as light as a feather. With easy maneuverability, it was very ideal for drawing out quickly during a heated fight. It gave birth to designs of a tiger and a warrior carved in its dark handle. Its silver-shaded blade shined in the light, with the sharp edge giving off a unique sheen.
"Yes, it's perfect for me, how much would it cost me?"
"It would be 40 gold coins, Julius."
Julius brought the blade, strapped it on his wrist, and went to a florist's shop to buy the Rosaria herbs. The florist was looking at him the whole time he was inside the shop, probably wondering what a warrior was doing inside a floral shop. After buying the Rosaria herbs, he headed straight to the barracks. After he went inside his room, he opened the system interface:-
'Congratulations Human, for completing your first mission. For completing the mission successfully, you are awarded 5 points. Keep completing the missions for more rewards.'
"Hmm, now how should I progress with my points? I want all my stats to be balanced, so I should invest these points in Mana, as it is the lowest stat right now."
But when he tried investing the points in Mana, it showed an error that said 'Mana Locked'.
"If the Mana is locked then how shall I unlock it?" thought Julius to himself as he tried to invest the points.
He next opened the missions tab, on which there was a notification for a new mission. As he opened the Mission, it was like this:
•Treasure Inside The Chest:
The Mana granted to you by the System stored inside of your body is like a treasure in a chest. It cannot be opened unless you find the correct key to it. The Rosaria herbs are the catalyst which will help you in unleashing the potential of Mana.
Eat the Rosaria herbs
Rewards:- Unlocking Mana.
Julius was shocked when he read the Mission tab. So the Rosaria herbs can be used to unlock Mana? Why did the System need Rosaria herbs to unlock Mana inside his body? There were still many mysteries surrounding the system....