Here's a draft for the next chapter:
Chapter: Unlocking the Truth
Mingma sat on his bed, staring at the glowing translucent screen of the system before him. The faint hum of its activation still rang in his ears. For a moment, he simply watched the flickering interface, as if waiting for it to explain itself. Finally, he muttered, "Where the hell were you all this time?"
The system's voice, calm and slightly robotic, responded:
"The system remained dormant until the host met the preconditions for activation. Entry into the Royal Academy of Military Magic was the trigger event."
Mingma raised an eyebrow. "Preconditions? So, you're telling me you were just sitting there, twiddling your thumbs until I got admitted? Feels a little contrived, don't you think?"
The system didn't hesitate. "Host's environment and narrative structure align with standard protagonist parameters. Activation was designed to coincide with host's acceptance into a growth-intensive scenario."
Mingma blinked. "Wait a second... Are you saying this is like one of those novels? You're acting like you're part of a story written by some author."
"Affirmative. Host demonstrates above-average comprehension of narrative tropes."
He sighed, running a hand through his hair. "Fantastic. So I'm a character in some cliché setup. What's next? Hidden powers? A rival that hates me for no reason? Or maybe I'm destined to save the world while struggling to find decent food?"
The system didn't respond, leaving Mingma with an awkward silence. Finally, he waved the interface away and muttered, "Guess I'll just roll with it. Thanks for the existential crisis, though."
Organizing His Thoughts
After his sarcastic remarks, Mingma decided it was better to focus on the practical. He reopened his Status Window, analyzing it carefully:
Name: Mingma Rathore
Level: 1
Bloodline: Rathore (Fire/Gold)
Cursed Seal Synchronization: 6%
Attributes:
Strength: 12 Agility: 10 Intelligence: 18 Mana Control: 15
Skills:
[Beginner Fire Manipulation] [Beginner Gold Augmentation] [Cursed Seal: Potential Unlocked – Lv. 1]
System Notes:
Daily Missions: Pending Hidden Quests: Active
"Alright," he muttered to himself, "strength and agility are below average. Intelligence and mana control are decent, but I need to level up fast if I want to survive here." He tapped on the "Cursed Seal" skill description, curious about its potential.
The system displayed:
"Cursed Seal: Unlocks latent power at the cost of physical strain. Current synchronization: 6%. Higher synchronization will unlock advanced abilities but may have adverse effects."
Mingma frowned. "Latent power at the cost of strain? So this thing is both a blessing and a ticking time bomb. Great."
He resolved to take it slow, balancing his growth to avoid becoming a casualty of his own abilities.
First Steps in the Classroom
The next morning, Mingma joined the stream of first-year students heading to their classroom. The hallways were bustling with activity, filled with students of all shapes and sizes. Some walked confidently, their noble bloodlines evident in their posture and aura. Others, like Mingma, were a mix of determination and uncertainty.
The first-year classroom was enormous, designed to accommodate all 250 students of House Ignis. Rows of seats faced a raised platform where the instructor would stand. Mingma slid into a seat near the middle, deciding it was best to blend in for now.
Around him, murmurs filled the air as students whispered about their rankings, their bloodlines, and the brutal reputation of the academy. Mingma tuned them out, his mind still preoccupied with the system's sudden appearance.
Before he could delve deeper into his thoughts, a sharp voice rang out. "Attention, class!"
All heads turned as a tall woman in sleek black robes strode into the room. Her presence was commanding, her sharp eyes scanning the students as if she could see through their very souls.
"I am Instructor Eryndra," she announced, her voice crisp and unwavering. "Welcome to the Royal Academy of Military Magic. You are here because you have potential, but do not mistake potential for worth. Your worth will be proven through blood, sweat, and discipline. Fail to meet the academy's standards, and you will be expelled without hesitation. Am I clear?"
A resounding "Yes, ma'am!" echoed through the room.
Mingma straightened in his seat, his earlier musings momentarily forgotten. This was it—the beginning of his journey as a student of the academy. And with the system at his side, he was determined to carve out his place in this unforgiving world.