Morning broke with the soft glow of sunlight filtering through the cracks in the wooden shutters of Cedric's small chamber. Despite the healing potion's effects, his body ached faintly, a reminder of how far he had to go. He sat on the edge of his straw mattress, deep in thought, his fingers brushing against the cool stone of the wall.
It had been a day since he woke in this new world, a day since the System first guided him. He was still grappling with the enormity of his situation—trapped in a story where the odds were stacked against him. Yet, for the first time in his life, he felt a spark of purpose.
"Let's see what I'm working with," Cedric muttered, his voice breaking the silence.
The faint hum of the System responded to his words, and a glowing screen appeared before him.
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[System Interface]
Status
Inventory
Quests
Skills
He selected Status, and the screen shifted.
Name: Cedric Wynthorne
Level: 1
Class: None
Title: Bastard Noble
Attributes:
Strength: 8
Dexterity: 10
Intelligence: 12
Charisma: 5
Luck: 7
Skills: None Unlocked.
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Cedric frowned. His stats were meager at best, and his Charisma, the attribute that could win over allies, was abysmal. "This must be why everyone hates me," he muttered. Still, there was potential here. His Intelligence stat was decent, and the System offered the promise of growth.
"Alright," he said, closing the screen with a wave of his hand. "Time to make this count."
A soft knock on the door startled Cedric from his thoughts. He stood, wincing as his muscles protested, and opened the door to find Rose standing there. The young maid held a small tray with a bowl of steaming stew and a hunk of bread.
"I thought you might be hungry, my lord," she said quietly, keeping her gaze fixed on the floor.
Cedric blinked in surprise. "You didn't have to do this."
Rose hesitated, her hands tightening on the tray. "It's… it's nothing, my lord. I thought…" She trailed off, as if unsure of how to finish the sentence.
Cedric stepped aside, gesturing for her to enter. She did so reluctantly, placing the tray on the rickety table in the corner.
"Thank you," Cedric said, his tone sincere. "Truly. It means a lot."
Rose glanced at him, her wide eyes filled with surprise. "You're… welcome, my lord."
There was a pause, the air between them heavy with unspoken words. Cedric considered his next move carefully. The System had hinted that building alliances was crucial, and Rose seemed like a good place to start.
"I know what they say about me," Cedric began, his voice steady. "That I'm a burden, a disgrace. But I want to change that. I want to prove that I'm more than just the bastard noble."
Rose's brow furrowed, her fingers twisting nervously in her apron. "Why are you telling me this, my lord?"
"Because I need your help," Cedric said honestly. "And because I want you to know that I value your kindness."
For a long moment, Rose said nothing. Then, slowly, she nodded. "I'll do what I can, my lord. But be careful. The others… they won't make it easy for you."
Cedric smiled faintly. "I wouldn't expect them to."
The tranquility of the moment was shattered by a sharp knock at the door, followed by the entrance of a tall man in a crisp black coat. His sharp features and icy demeanor marked him as one of Duke Wynthorne's stewards.
"Lord Cedric," the steward said, his tone clipped. "The Duke requests your presence in the main hall."
Cedric's stomach tightened. The Duke rarely summoned him, and when he did, it was never for anything good. Still, he couldn't afford to refuse.
"Very well," Cedric said, his voice calm despite the apprehension building inside him.
The steward gave a curt nod and turned on his heel, striding down the corridor. Cedric followed, his mind racing.
"What could he want?" Cedric thought. The System remained silent, offering no new quests or guidance.
The journey to the main hall was a stark reminder of Cedric's place in the household. The lower levels, where his chambers were located, were dark and damp, the air heavy with mildew. But as they ascended to the upper floors, the atmosphere changed. The stone walls gave way to polished marble, and the air grew warmer, filled with the faint scent of incense.
When they reached the grand double doors of the main hall, the steward pushed them open with a flourish, revealing a room that took Cedric's breath away.
The main hall was a masterpiece of opulence. A massive chandelier hung from the ceiling, its countless crystals reflecting the golden light of hundreds of candles. The floor was an expanse of gleaming marble, and the walls were adorned with tapestries depicting the Wynthorne family's glorious conquests.
At the far end of the hall sat Duke Alaric Wynthorne, his imposing figure framed by a high-backed chair that was more throne than seat. His piercing blue eyes, so much like Ronan's, fixed on Cedric as he entered.
Ronan stood beside the Duke, his smirk as sharp as a blade. He leaned casually against a pillar, clearly enjoying the spectacle.
"Father," Cedric said, bowing his head slightly.
The Duke's voice was low and gravelly, filled with authority. "I've received reports of your… behavior. Is it true you've been fraternizing with the servants?"
Cedric's mind raced. This was a test, he realized. The Duke didn't care about the servants; he wanted to see how Cedric would respond.
"I've spoken with them," Cedric said carefully. "I see no harm in treating them with respect."
Ronan chuckled, his laughter cold and mocking. "Listen to him, Father. Playing the saint won't change what he is—a bastard."
Cedric clenched his fists at his sides, forcing himself to remain calm. "Respect is not a weakness, Ronan," he said evenly. "It's a strength."
The room fell silent, the tension thick enough to cut with a knife. For a moment, Cedric thought he saw a flicker of approval in the Duke's eyes. But it was gone as quickly as it appeared.
"Mind your place, Cedric," the Duke said finally. "You are here only because of my mercy. Do not test it."
Cedric bowed again, his jaw tight. "Understood, Father."
As Cedric left the hall, his thoughts were a whirlwind. The encounter had been brief, but it was not without significance. The Duke had acknowledged him, however begrudgingly. It was a small victory, but one he intended to build upon.
Cedric paced the length of his small room, his thoughts buzzing like a hive of angry bees. The Duke's words had been a thinly veiled warning, but there was an opportunity hidden in them, too. The household's eyes were on him now, expecting him to fail—or worse, cause trouble.
But Cedric wasn't the same passive boy who had stumbled through life in the book. The System, the memories of his past life, and the burning desire to forge a better future had changed him.
He paused, glancing toward the small window that overlooked the courtyard. Beyond the walls of the estate lay a world teeming with dangers and possibilities: mercenary guilds, magical academies, and ancient ruins filled with treasure and peril. But within these walls was an equally treacherous battlefield, one of politics and power, where every smile hid a dagger.
The System chimed softly again, its glowing screen appearing before him.
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[New Quest Unlocked: Gather Allies]
Objective: Forge connections with at least three individuals who can aid you in your journey.
Reward: Reputation increase, Minor Skill Unlock.
Cedric's lips curled into a small, grim smile. He had expected this. Survival in this world wouldn't come from brute strength alone; it would require alliances, knowledge, and the ability to outmaneuver those who saw him as a threat.
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He glanced at the stew bowl, now empty, and thought of Rose. Her kindness had been a small light in an otherwise dark day, but he couldn't afford to let sentiment blind him. She could be an ally—or a liability.
The Duke's words echoed in his mind. Do not test my mercy.
Cedric clenched his fists. He needed to tread carefully, but he also needed to act. The System's quests had confirmed it: his path to survival lay not in staying out of sight, but in proving his worth. To the Duke, to the household, and ultimately, to himself.
The faint sound of hooves clattering on cobblestones reached his ears. He moved to the window, watching as a carriage bearing the Wynthorne crest rolled into the courtyard. A man and a woman stepped out, both clad in fine, travel-worn cloaks. Their features were sharp, their movements confident.
"More family," Cedric muttered, his stomach tightening. In the book, this scene is brief, with a throwaway mention of distant cousins visiting. But now, as he watched them stride toward the main hall with purpose, he knew their arrival was anything but ordinary.
The System's interface glowed faintly again.
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[Optional Side Quest: Investigate the Newcomers]
Objective: Uncover the reason for the cousins' visit to the Wynthorne estate.
Reward: 100 XP, Unique Item.
Cedric's brow furrowed. The System wasn't giving him time to breathe. But then again, neither was the world.
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He turned from the window, his mind already racing with possibilities. The days ahead would be filled with challenges, but this time, he wasn't just a passive observer. He had tools, knowledge, and a growing resolve to rewrite his role in this story.
For now, though, his focus was clear. Tomorrow, he would find Rose and learn what she knew about the household. Then, he would begin building the alliances he needed to survive.
And the cousins? They could wait—at least for a day.
But deep in his chest, Cedric felt it: the sense that his time was running out. The Duke's mercy wasn't infinite, and the Wynthorne family had little patience for second chances.
He needed to act. And fast.