After witnessing Alaric's impressive victory, Raven realized that his next steps had to be careful and well-planned. Although Alaric possessed extraordinary talent in magic and tactics, Raven could see that the young prince also had a weakness his confidence in his own strength and his tendency to underestimate his opponents. This weakness could be a powerful weapon if used wisely.
The tournament was not over yet; there were still several rounds to go. However, Raven's main focus was not on who would win or lose in the upcoming battles, but on how he could position himself at Alaric's side and gain his trust.
That afternoon, after Alaric emerged victorious in his round, Raven decided to approach Felix. He knew that through Felix, he could gain direct access to Alaric without arousing suspicion.
"Felix!" Raven called out in a friendly tone as he approached the man who was standing at the edge of the arena, monitoring the progress of the tournament.
Felix turned and gave a slight smirk. "Ah, you again. What's up this time? Got new information for us?"
"Not information, Mr. Felix. I just wanted to offer a bit of advice. I'm sure Prince Alaric is a great fighter, but this tournament isn't just about physical combat. There are many participants who will try to bring him down not with strength, but with trickery. It might be wise for the Prince to have more allies who can offer different perspectives."
Felix raised an eyebrow. "Are you trying to suggest that you could be a useful ally to the Prince?"
Raven smiled. "I don't have the same strength as the fighters here, but I do have experience in information, strategy, and predicting opponents' moves. Sometimes, a small piece of information can make a big difference in a battle."
Felix stared at Raven for a moment, then chuckled softly. "You certainly know how to talk. Alright, I'll tell the Prince about your offer. But remember, he's not easily convinced."
Raven nodded. "Of course, Mr. Felix. I expect nothing more than a chance to prove myself."
After that conversation, Raven waited patiently. He knew that approaching Alaric directly without an intermediary would arouse suspicion. So, he let Felix be the bridge. In the following hours, the tournament continued, but Raven's focus remained on how to make himself appear as an asset to Alaric.
As evening approached and the arena began to empty with spectators returning to their homes, Raven received a message from a servant sent by Felix. The message was brief but carried great significance.
"The Prince wishes to meet. Join us in the palace garden tonight."
Raven smiled with satisfaction. His plan was proceeding smoothly. He knew that this was a crucial moment. If he could make a good impression in this meeting, his path to taking over Alaric's body would draw even closer.
That night, Raven cautiously made his way to the palace garden. The garden was located at the back of the palace, surrounded by high walls and lush trees. In the center of the garden stood a pavilion with a domed roof, adorned with magical lanterns that emitted a soft glow.
When Raven arrived, he saw Alaric sitting on a stone bench, surrounded by several of his loyal followers, including Felix. Alaric appeared calm, though his gaze was sharp, like an eagle watching its prey.
"You're the merchant who supposedly has valuable information?" Alaric asked in a tone full of authority.
Raven bowed respectfully. "Yes, Your Highness. I'm not here to take advantage of the situation but to offer my help to the Prince. I only hope to be of service in ensuring your victory."
Alaric gave a small smile, but it was not a warm one. "Everyone wants to help, but few are truly useful. Tell me, what makes you different from them?"
Raven knew this was a test. "Your Highness, I don't come with empty promises. I know things that most people might not be aware of, including the plans of some participants to disrupt your focus in the upcoming battles. They know that in a direct fight, they cannot defeat you. So, they plan to use mental and illusion magic to weaken your mind before the fight."
Alaric listened intently. "Mental magic, you say? Who's involved?"
Raven leaned in slightly closer. "There are participants from a magic guild that specializes in disrupting the minds of their opponents. They know you're unbeatable in terms of pure strength, so they plan to use more devious methods."
Felix, standing beside Alaric, nodded slowly. "This information aligns with some rumors I've heard, Your Highness. That magic guild is indeed known for their dirty tricks."
Alaric smiled with satisfaction. "Good. If they try to play dirty, I'll make sure they regret it. And you, merchant, you seem to know a lot. I could use someone like you."
Raven bowed again. "I'm ready to help whenever needed, Your Highness."
Alaric stood and looked directly into Raven's eyes. "Never think of betraying me. Those who try to oppose me never meet a pleasant end."
Raven restrained himself from showing any emotion. Behind his respectful demeanor, he knew that eventually, Alaric would be his. But for now, he had to play his role as a loyal ally.
"Prince, I have no intention other than helping you achieve victory," Raven replied with a tone full of conviction.
Alaric lightly patted Raven's shoulder. "We'll see how useful you are later. Felix, take him and make sure he gets the access he needs to monitor the other participants. I want a full report on anything that might pose a threat."
Felix nodded, then gestured for Raven to follow him. "Let's go. We have much to discuss."
After leaving the garden, Felix led Raven to a small basement on the outskirts of the city, which turned out to be a secret operations center for monitoring the tournament. Inside, several informants and spies worked diligently, examining reports and devising plans to keep Alaric's position dominant.
"This is where all the information about the participants is gathered," Felix explained. "We watch their every move, look for weaknesses, and ensure that no one can disrupt the Prince."
Raven pretended to be impressed. "An excellent system. I will do my best to contribute."
Felix handed him a document containing a list of participants identified as potential threats. Raven recognized some of the names, including participants from noble families ambitious to dethrone Alaric. However, what caught his attention the most was a mage from a dark guild reputed to be a mental magic user.
"He will be our primary focus," Felix said, pointing to the name. "He's an expert in magic that can manipulate minds and disrupt focus. We can't allow him to get close to Alaric."
Raven nodded. "I agree. But perhaps there's a way to make him strike first, so we can trap him."
Felix looked at Raven with interest. "What do you mean?"
"Mental magic requires focus and proximity. If we can lure him into attempting an early attack, we can catch him with evidence and have him disqualified from the tournament. That way, we won't have to worry about his devious plans."
Felix thought for a moment, then smiled. "That could work. I'll draft a plan and arrange how to bait him."
Raven felt satisfied. With this, he wasn't just helping Alaric, but also positioning himself as a trusted member of this strategic circle. The larger the role he played, the easier it would be for him to get close to Alaric and find a chance to infect the young prince.
As the night wore on, Raven left the secret operations room. He walked back to his inn, but his mind was filled with bigger plans and strategies. "Just a little more," he thought. "I'm on the right track. Once Alaric is under my control, no one will be able to stop me."
Raven decided to check his status once again. He had accumulated a few more evolution points from the information he absorbed during the interactions at the arena. He opened the system window:
...[Status]...
...Evolution Points: 180...
...New Evolution Options: Enhance Shadow Glide or unlock an additional skill...
Raven considered upgrading Shadow Glide to make it more effective for infiltration. However, before he could decide, the system displayed a new notification.
...[New Quest: "Infect the Heir"]...
...Description: Find an opportunity to get close to Alaric and perform the infection undetected...
...Reward: Unique Skill - Absolute Domination (Complete control over the host's mind and body with no risk of rebellion)...
Raven's eyes lit up as he read the skill description. "This is what I've been looking for," he muttered. With this skill, he wouldn't just take over Alaric but also ensure that his control would never falter.
With renewed determination, Raven began to craft a more detailed plan. Soon, this political game and physical battle would become the stage for him to showcase his true power.