As I emerged from the bath, my senses gradually returned, and I was greeted by the familiar sound of the system notification. The message conveyed a remarkable achievement, one that had never been accomplished before. It appeared that the world itself had taken notice of my actions as if there was a force beyond my understanding that recognized the significance of my endeavor.
The reward for this momentous feat began to manifest. The strengthening of my core, a vital component of my being, was once again underway. This enhancement promised a higher likelihood of awakening my dormant bloodline power in the future—an extraordinary prospect that filled me with a sense of anticipation.
Reflecting on the situation, I couldn't help but draw a connection to the concept of the world's will, a legendary force often dismissed as mere fiction within the confines of the game. Yet, here in this world, it seemed to hold a tangible influence. However, unraveling the intricacies of this relationship would have to wait for another time. My immediate concern lay in assessing the changes that had transpired within my body.
'Status'
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STATUS
Name- Callius Augustride ????
Age – 12
Class – None(Sealed)
Knight rank – 0 star
Mage rank – 1 star
Attributes – None (sealed)
Traits – [Noblesse], [Perfectionist], [Prodigy], [Aesthetic Sense], [Tyrant's Aura], [Ego], [Witcher]
Arts – All-Seeing Eye (0-star) (%43)
Skills – Disguise
Stats-
- Strength – 1.0
- Speed – 1.1
- Stamina – 0.9
- Perception – 2.0
- Magic – 1.5
- Luck - ???
- Charisma – 5 (sealed)
- Intelligence – 9
- Perseverance – 10
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Upon rising from the bath, I was immediately greeted by a pleasant surprise. It appeared that all of my stats had received a boost of at least 0.2, with my magic increasing by 0.3. This outcome was within my expectations, as the purification process expelled impurities from my body, resulting in increased vitality and physical attributes. However, the changes I observed were not as significant as I had hoped. This led me to contemplate whether this body was simply not inclined towards physical development or if there was an obstacle impeding my progress.
Currently, I lean towards the latter possibility since the system indicated that both my class and attributes were sealed. Nevertheless, I cannot discount the notion that this body may have a predisposition towards becoming a mage. The fact that my mana improvement surpassed other stats supports this theory. Additionally, my mage rank had reached the 1-star realm, further reinforcing this idea. I am aware that advancing one's mage rank requires purifying mana and developing a comprehensive understanding of mana concepts. It signifies the initial steps towards establishing one's domain and personal mana concept.
Knighthood, on the other hand, follows a different path. To progress in the ranks as a knight, one must push their physical limits and awaken the concept of aura. Unlike mana, aura stems from one's fighting spirit and will to succeed. The strength of one's emotions directly influences the potency of their aura. However, this connection comes with its own challenges, such as difficulty in assessing situations accurately and controlling one's emotions. To overcome these hurdles, knights employ various techniques. Some focus on aura control, while others emphasize emotional regulation.
Nevertheless, not possessing intense emotions does not preclude one from becoming a knight. With the exception of those with mental illnesses, nearly all humans experience emotions and possess the potential to become knights. However, it requires more time and effort to progress without strong emotional stimuli. This is the reason why, at present, I have chosen not to pursue knighthood. Given that I am unaware of my class or the sealed arts I possess, I can only determine my path by evaluating my current stats, which do not align with the requirements of a knight. Nonetheless, I understand the importance of physical training regardless of my chosen occupation, so I will not neglect that aspect.
Now, I must instruct the maids to clean this malodorous bathroom and prepare for another bath to rid myself of this unpleasant smell. Ah, so much work lies ahead. With that in mind, I thoroughly cleaned myself and dressed before leaving my room. While I am eager to commence training after witnessing my father's demise, engaging in such activities immediately would raise suspicion among others. I prefer to avoid any unnecessary interactions at this moment.
Upon exiting my room, I sought out a nearby maid and promptly instructed her to clean my quarters alongside another person. Then, I made my way to the kitchen to enjoy another meal. Upon arrival, I requested the preparation of a meal using high-quality 2-star monster meat and 2-star mana herbs. In the game, consuming higher-ranked beast food resulted in improved mana and bodily constitution, and it seemed to hold true in general as well. However, as a 1-star mage and 0-star knight, attempting to eat the meat of a 9-star beast for maximum benefits would be detrimental to my health. It is crucial to remember not to bite off more than I can chew.
Hence, I opted for high-quality 2-star beast meat for my meal. Nonetheless, I sensed a different atmosphere in the kitchen, although I couldn't quite pinpoint the cause. Usually, even if the staff obeyed my orders without complaint, their eyes would hold a disdainful gaze.
However, this time, there was a shift in their expressions—more melancholy and sadness than scorn. Regardless, their feelings and thoughts hold no significance to me. They may think and feel as they, please.
With that thought, I began consuming the meal that had been prepared for me. Unfortunately, it tasted rather unpleasant. In the game, it was known that monster meat didn't possess a favorable taste, and when combined with mana-enhanced herbs, it became even more insipid.
The truth of those claims became apparent. In the past, Callius, known for his discerning palate, never consumed any food prepared with beast meat due to its bitter and unappetizing flavor. He also refrained from consuming mana-enhanced herbs.
I understand his aversion, especially without the knowledge of future events concerning him. However, at present, I cannot afford the luxury of caring about the taste or other trivial matters.
My focus lies in maximizing all potential improvements I can glean from this household before I depart. Consuming high-quality 2-star beast meat presents an opportunity for advancement that I cannot ignore.
Thus, I continued eating the meal diligently until it was finished. While I remained silent throughout the meal, I observed the status pages of those around me using my art, [All Seeing Eye], as I aimed to increase its mastery rate.
Once I completed my meal, I decided to take a stroll outside the mansion, acquainting myself with the surroundings and familiarizing myself with possible exit routes for my impending departure. And so, I ventured out, exploring the beautiful mansion with its splendid architecture and breathtaking natural elements. The garden, designed by Austin himself, featured an array of lilies in various hues, from yellow to red.
As I continued my walk, I encountered the training grounds where the knights honed their skills. Curiosity piqued, I decided to observe their training and sparring sessions. In the past, Austin had urged Callius to train with the knights, but Callius dismissed the idea, deeming it beneath him and referring to them as "peasants." Such attitudes were despised not only by the knights but also by talented commoners. While one could become a knight by toiling in the service of a low-ranking noble, ascending to the ranks of the duchy required exceptional talent and unwavering determination. Naturally, individuals with such prowess tended to be egotistical and proud. Callius's remarks directly targeted their pride, contributing to his unpopularity.
Nonetheless, I reached the training grounds and attentively observed the knights as they trained and sparred with one another. They seemed particularly motivated following Austin's passing, dedicating themselves to rigorous practice.
Although I was unable to view the knights' stats using [All Seeing Eye], as I had anticipated due to the considerable disparity in our ranks, I still gained valuable insights from my observations. With my trait, [Prodigy], I analyzed their habits, categorizing them according to advantages and disadvantages. For approximately an hour, I continued studying the knights until I decided it was time to return to the mansion.
It was then that I noticed something quite useful...