[A//N: hello! I hope you've been enjoying the chapters so far, it's been fun making something like this again, so I hope you guys can continue showing support by adding this novel to your library or simply comment soemthing about what you like about the novel! It means a lot and it lets me know that you want more.]
...
The glow of the Aetheris watch flickered again, briefly illuminating Marcus's troubled expression. Sitting at the desk in his room, he stared at the cryptic symbols that had flashed across the screen only moments ago. The watch had been glitching intermittently, and each time it happened, a creeping sense of unease wormed its way into his chest.
"Critical Error Detected. System Override Imminent."
The message had disappeared just as quickly as it had appeared, but the warning was etched into his mind. Something was wrong. This system, this world—it wasn't operating by the rules he knew from Decade Long Crusade. There was something deeper at play, something beyond his control, and it terrified him.
Still, he couldn't deny the utility the system provided. It had helped him so far, even if it was a glitchy mess. With a sigh, Marcus decided to explore the system further, scrolling through the various menus. There were things he hadn't noticed before—stats like Charisma and Luck, seemingly unconnected to his physical abilities but potentially impactful in the social games he'd be forced to play.
His fingers hovered over the Quest Log, but to his surprise, it was empty. That was strange. In the countless progression novels he'd read, quests were typically the main driving force behind a protagonist's growth. The fact that his quest log was blank only deepened his unease.
I'll have to figure this out later, Marcus thought, leaning back in the chair.
But later wasn't an option right now. He had more pressing concerns—like the upcoming academy exams. Lucius's reputation was already fragile, and failing the entrance exams would seal his fate. He couldn't afford to mess this up.
....
That night, after everyone in the mansion had settled in, Marcus snuck out of his room and made his way to the training hall. The pressure to improve weighed heavily on his shoulders, and he knew he needed every edge he could get. He had to practice, to refine his skills, but more than anything, he had to get used to Lucius's body.
The hall was empty when he arrived, the only sound being the faint hum of mana-infused training equipment. Marcus wasted no time. He began with simple exercises—testing out the Basic Firearms Proficiency and Dagger Combat skills the system had provided. The motions were clumsy at first, but the system seemed to guide him, slowly improving his form and technique.
But as he trained, something became painfully clear.
His body was… weak. Slim and a bit boney, to be exact. Despite the system's enhancements and the muscle definition Lucius had developed, Marcus could feel how underwhelming it was. He flexed his arm, frowning at the sight. Sure, there was some definition, but it wasn't enough. Not for what he needed to accomplish.
I'm going to need more than this to survive, Marcus thought bitterly.
Then, as if on cue, the Aetheris watch chimed.
"Would You Like To Track Your Body Metrics?"
A screen popped up, showing an in-depth breakdown of Lucius's body stats—height, weight, body fat percentage, muscle mass, and even metabolic rate. Marcus raised an eyebrow. The system was so thorough that it even tracked private measurements.
"Really? Even that?" Marcus muttered, shaking his head in disbelief. He glanced at the stats with a mix of amusement and embarrassment. "Well, at least I'm not lacking there," he thought with a smirk, letting out a soft chuckle. It was absurd how detailed the system was, but at least it offered some comedic relief.
With his mind set on improving, Marcus dropped to the floor and began doing short sets of push-ups. He didn't have the stamina or strength to go all out yet, but the system tracked each rep, offering encouragement and suggestions to improve his form.
The entire experience felt surreal. Here he was, in the body of a noble, doing basic exercises and trying to bulk up for survival. It wasn't the glamorous life of a hero—more like the struggle of someone trying not to die in a world that would chew him up and spit him out if he wasn't careful.
....
Midway through his late-night workout, Marcus heard the sound of footsteps approaching. He quickly jumped to his feet, wiping the sweat from his brow. Before he could react further, a figure entered the training hall.
It was a girl—elegantly dressed yet practical, her presence commanding despite her calm demeanor. She had chestnut-brown hair that cascaded in soft waves around her shoulders, and her striking teal-green eyes locked onto Marcus with an unreadable expression. She wore a sleek white high-collared blouse, paired with dark leather pants that accentuated both her noble status and her readiness for practicality.
Marcus's pulse quickened. He recognized her immediately. This was Elara Arden, a noble from one of the most distinguished families in the realm. Sharp, observant, and skilled, she was someone to be cautious of.
"Oh? Might you be, Lucius?," she said softly, her voice laced with curiosity. "I didn't expect to find you training at this hour."
Marcus straightened, trying to keep his expression neutral. "I figured it was time to take things seriously."
Elara raised an eyebrow, her teal eyes studying him closely. "Is that so? Because from what I've heard, taking things seriously hasn't exactly been your strong suit."
Marcus fought the urge to flinch. Great. Just what I needed—someone who knows the real Lucius. He had to think fast, to play along with whatever assumptions she had.
"People change," Marcus said with a casual shrug, hoping his nonchalant attitude would deflect any deeper probing.
Elara's lips curled into a faint smile. "Interesting. Everyone's been talking about your sudden change in behavior. They're wondering if you've… turned over a new leaf."
Her tone was light, but the underlying suspicion was clear. She wasn't convinced, and Marcus could feel the weight of her gaze pressing down on him.
"Maybe I have," Marcus replied, keeping his voice steady. "The academy exams are coming up. I'd rather not embarrass myself—again."
Elara tilted her head, her eyes narrowing slightly as if she were dissecting his words, looking for any cracks in his facade. Marcus held his breath, waiting to see if she'd push further, but after a moment, she simply nodded.
"Well, good luck, then," she said, her tone neutral but carrying a hint of amusement. "You'll need it."
With that, she turned and left, leaving Marcus standing alone in the training hall, his heart racing. He exhaled slowly, grateful that the encounter hadn't escalated, but he couldn't shake the feeling that Elara knew more than she was letting on. She was sharp, far too sharp to dismiss as a mere acquaintance. Whether she'd be an ally or a rival remained to be seen.
As Marcus returned to his room, his mind was still buzzing from the interaction with Elara. But before he could process it fully, the Aetheris watch flickered again. This time, the glitch was worse. The screen went completely static for several moments before displaying a string of cryptic symbols and numbers.
His stomach twisted in anxiety.
"Critical Error Detected. System Override Imminent."
Panic surged through him. He tapped on the watch, trying to reset it, but nothing seemed to work. The message blinked, taunting him, before the watch suddenly went dark.
Minutes passed. Marcus stared at the blank screen, his heart hammering in his chest. Had he broken it? Had the system finally crashed?
But just as he was about to give up hope, the watch powered back on. A new message appeared, unlike anything he'd seen before.
"System Rebooting… Initiating Hidden Quest."
A soft chime followed, and for the first time since he'd discovered the system, the Quest Log wasn't empty. A new quest had been added:
"Discover The Truth Behind The System."
Marcus's breath caught in his throat. Discover the truth? What truth? The system was tied to something deeper, something he hadn't even begun to understand. And now it wanted him to investigate its origin?
Shit, just what in the hell?
He stared at the glowing message, a chill running down his spine. Whatever this system was, it had just become a lot more dangerous. But there was no turning back now. If he wanted to survive in this world, he'd have to uncover the truth—no matter the cost.