That morning, Raven awoke in a modest inn on the outskirts of Veloria's capital. Sunlight streamed through the cracks in the window, illuminating the slightly dusty room. However, the calm inside the inn contrasted with the bustling city outside. The upcoming grand tournament was attracting a lot of attention, from nobles to mercenaries. They all hoped to gain something from this event whether it be prestige, political support, or simply business opportunities.
Raven grinned inwardly as he stretched his host's body. "Today, I will begin placing myself in the real game," he thought.
After donning respectable merchant attire, Raven left the inn and walked toward the city center. His steps were full of confidence, even though he was still playing the role of a simple merchant. But behind that ordinary appearance, his plan was already in motion. He knew that the key to entering the palace was through contact with those who had direct access to the tournament.
Raven headed to the elite market area, where many nobles and influential people often gathered. His eyes scanned every interaction, searching for figures who might be useful to him. It didn't take long before he spotted Felix, Alaric's loyal follower whom he had met previously, talking to a few young nobles.
Felix saw Raven approaching and waved. "Ah, you're right on time. There are some people here who want to meet you," he said with a grin.
Raven smiled politely and bowed slightly. "Of course, Mr. Felix. I'm glad to be of service."
Felix introduced Raven to two young nobles, each dressed smartly with their family crests pinned to their chests. They looked at Raven with scrutinizing gazes, as if trying to determine what this "merchant" could offer them.
"So, you're the merchant who supposedly has useful information?" asked one of them, a man with long black hair tied back. "We heard from Felix that you have connections that could provide an advantage in the tournament."
Raven nodded respectfully. "Indeed, sir. Information is the most valuable currency in a game like this, and I have access to sources that others may not."
The man chuckled lightly. "You're bold to speak that way. But alright, I like confident people. Do you have any information on other participants that might be a threat to us or... Prince Alaric?"
Raven looked at the man for a moment, trying to analyze the intention behind his question. "They're clearly not supporting Alaric out of mere loyalty. There are personal motives hidden here," he thought.
"There are some participants who have prepared themselves with unusual strategies," Raven replied, choosing his words carefully. "For example, the family of Marquis Geronimo has hired an alchemist to provide enhancement potions, or participants from a magic guild who will try to disrupt their opponents' focus with illusion magic. All of these could be a distraction for anyone who isn't prepared."
Felix interjected with a nod. "That's why I brought this man here. His information could be very useful to us."
One of the other nobles, who had been silent until now, finally spoke. "If what you're saying is true, then we can prepare countermeasures. But how do we know you're not just trying to sell us nonsense?"
Raven smiled thinly. "Sir, you can verify the accuracy of my information with your own sources. I'm confident the results will be the same. Besides, my benefit here isn't just from the information. If Prince Alaric succeeds in this tournament, there will surely be many business opportunities for me in the future."
The noble nodded. "You're clever. I like someone who can think long-term." He then turned to Felix. "Make sure this information reaches Prince Alaric's advisors. We must not let our guard down."
Felix responded, "Of course. I'll report it right away." He then looked at Raven. "You're coming with me. We're going to meet the prince's advisor."
Raven felt pleased. This was the opportunity he had been waiting for to meet important people who had direct access to Alaric. If he could get close to them, his plan to take over the crown prince's body would be one step closer to reality.
They walked toward a quieter part of the city, where a large house with elegant architecture stood. The house belonged to one of Alaric's advisors, an older man with white hair and a well-groomed beard. His name was Lord Harren, a noble known for being both wise and ambitious. Raven knew that this man was one of the key figures who could help him get into the palace.
When they arrived, Lord Harren greeted them in a spacious living room. The room's interior was filled with luxurious furniture and ancient paintings, showcasing his refined taste.
"Felix, is this the man you mentioned?" Lord Harren asked in a deep voice, his eyes appraising Raven sharply.
"Yes, Your Lordship. He has information that could help Prince Alaric's preparations," Felix replied, signaling Raven to speak.
Raven stepped forward and bowed respectfully. "Thank you for taking the time, Your Lordship. I only wish to offer a bit of assistance to ensure Prince Alaric's victory in this tournament."
Lord Harren nodded slowly. "Tell me what you know."
Raven then began repeating the information he had provided earlier, adding more specific details to convince Lord Harren. The old man listened intently, occasionally nodding, seemingly considering what he had just heard.
"Your information could be useful," Lord Harren said after a moment of thought. "However, I want to ensure you have no hidden motives. People like you usually don't move without another purpose."
Raven grinned inwardly. "This old man is sharp he's not easily deceived."
"Your Lordship is right," Raven replied humbly. "I do have a personal motive, which is to ensure my business thrives. Prince Alaric's victory will open up many opportunities for me, and I only want to make sure I'm on the winning side."
Lord Harren gave a thin smile. "I appreciate your honesty. Very well, you may stay in the city during this tournament. Felix will make sure you have access to the places you need. But remember, if anything suspicious happens, I won't hesitate to remove you."
Raven bowed again. "Of course, Your Lordship. I will ensure everything runs smoothly."
After the meeting ended, Felix escorted Raven outside. "You've got Lord Harren's approval. That means you're now part of our plan. Make sure the information you provide is always accurate, and you might gain more than just business opportunities."
"Thank you for your trust, Mr. Felix. I will do my best," Raven replied with a smile.
As they parted ways, Raven felt he was getting closer to his goal. He had successfully gained access to the palace, and now he just needed to wait for the right moment to approach Alaric. With his position growing stronger, he could start planning his next move how best to take over the prince's body without arousing suspicion.
Raven walked through the bustling streets of the city, observing the increasing preparations for the tournament. Banners bearing noble family crests fluttered along the main road, while merchants peddled various goods and equipment for the fighters who would participate. Raven also saw some tournament participants practicing in the town square, showcasing their magical abilities and martial arts skills.
"A battlefield and a game of politics," Raven thought, smiling. "This is the chance to show that power is not only gained through strength but also through cunning."
As night fell, Raven decided to return to the inn and check on his power progression. He opened his evolution status again and saw that he had 150 evolution points ready to be used.
"Now it's time to decide," Raven thought. He considered whether to upgrade one of his existing skills or unlock a new host option with higher magical potential.
However, before he could make a decision, a system window appeared again.
...[New Quest: Preparation for the Tournament]...
...Title: "Dominating the Veloria Tournament"...
...Description: Gather information about the participants, disrupt their strategies, and ensure you secure a strategic position close to Alaric...
...Reward: Skill Level-Up - Domination (Increases control area and effect duration)...
Raven carefully read the quest description. This was a great opportunity for him to further strengthen his control abilities. The Domination skill he was aiming for would be a powerful weapon to manipulate multiple people at once, and if successful, he could use this tournament as a means to crush Alaric's competitors while solidifying his position within the kingdom.
"Interesting," Raven muttered. "I'll have to play smarter. Defeating them won't just be about strength, but also about tactics."
Raven then decided to use 50 of his evolution points to upgrade Slither Movement to Shadow Glide, which not only made him faster and more elusive but also allowed him to move through shadows undetected. With this upgrade, Raven could infiltrate and move more easily without being noticed.
After that, Raven focused the remaining 100 evolution points on unlocking a new host option with higher magical potential. Within seconds, a new choice appeared in his system window:
...[New Host Option Available: Advanced Mage]...
...Description: A host with strong magical affinity, suitable for users requiring greater magical control...
"This will be useful later," Raven thought. However, for now, he chose to keep his merchant host, which provided easier access to the nobility and politics.
The next day, the preparations for the tournament reached their peak. The large arena in the city center was filled with cheering spectators, while participants from various regions began gathering in the waiting area. Raven observed the scene from a distance, his eyes fixed on Alaric, who walked confidently among the competitors.
Alaric looked impressive, wearing battle attire specifically designed to enhance the fire elemental magic in which he specialized. He was surrounded by his loyal followers, including Felix and several other nobles who had previously met with Raven. Alaric's gaze was filled with ambition—he didn't just want to win, but also to show the entire kingdom that he was the most deserving heir to the throne.
"I'll make sure you become mine," Raven thought, staring intently at Alaric. This tournament would be his first step toward gaining full control over the kingdom and, eventually, this world.
Raven knew he couldn't directly attack Alaric. There were too many eyes watching, and he had to play smart. His main goal in this tournament was to get close to Alaric in a way that didn't arouse suspicion. He needed to prove that he was a trustworthy ally, perhaps even someone who could help Alaric achieve his ambitions.
In the arena, battle after battle began to unfold. The participants showcased their abilities, ranging from elemental magic, swordsmanship, to special techniques they had developed themselves. Raven observed each duel carefully, analyzing the fighting styles and weaknesses of each participant.
"This is all just a power game," Raven thought with a cold smile. "They fight for honor, while I fight for a greater purpose."
When it was Alaric's turn, the entire arena fell silent. All eyes were on the young prince. His opponent was Valen, the eldest son of Marquis Geronimo, whom Raven had mentioned earlier. Valen was a formidable fighter, with a muscular build and dangerous magical weapons. But Alaric didn't look intimidated at all.
The fight began with a swift attack from Valen. He used earth magic to create pillars that slammed toward Alaric. But Alaric calmly dodged and countered with a burst of flames that scorched the air around him. Valen tried to block with a stone shield, but the heat was too intense.
"Are you ready to lose?" Alaric taunted as he launched his next attack, creating a ring of fire that surrounded Valen.
Valen growled and attempted to use the potion he had hidden. Raven, watching from afar, only smiled thinly. "That enhancement potion won't help much."
As predicted, Alaric swiftly broke through Valen's defenses with a stronger fire attack, causing Valen to fall and be unable to continue the fight. Cheers from the audience echoed throughout the arena, while Alaric stood victorious with a satisfied expression.
"He's truly talented," Raven thought. "With a body like that, I could conquer not just this kingdom, but the entire world."
But Raven knew that the next step would be the most difficult getting close to Alaric directly and finding an opportunity to infect him. He had to be patient and wait for the right moment while continuing to play the role of a trustworthy ally.
With the tournament still ongoing and many political intrigues happening behind the scenes, Raven prepared for his next move. This world was full of challenges and opportunities, and he would ensure that every step he took brought him closer to his ultimate goal of absolute power.