The faint chill of pre-dawn air crept into Alexius's room as he woke, his breath visible in the dim light. He stretched, shaking off the remnants of sleep, when the familiar glow of the System materialized before him. The golden text hovered mid-air, carrying an undeniable weight:
Quest: Prove Your Worth in the Royal Tournament
Objective: Win the Royal Tournament.
Reward: +50,000 Shop Points, +10 to 3 stats of the Hosts choice.
Failure Penalty: -10 points from every stat.
Alexius's heart skipped a beat. The stakes were higher than ever. He'd grown accustomed to the System's cold precision, but this felt almost cruel. A significant reward if he succeeded, but the penalty, crippling in every sense, would undo 2 months of relentless effort.
He took a deep breath, steadying himself. The determination he had forged through countless training sessions returned, filling him with resolve. The choice was no choice at all.
[Accept Quest]
With a mental command, the notification faded, leaving Alexius alone with his thoughts. Failure wasn't an option. Not today. Not ever.
The knock on his door came just as he finished stretching. It was Lena, his personal maid, carrying his tournament attire. The outfit was a striking blend of practicality and elegance, its dark tones accented with the faint silver crest of the Valdor family. Each piece was meticulously crafted, a reminder of the prestige he carried—and the expectations he had yet to meet.
As Lena helped him dress, Alexius's mind raced through the day ahead. Every detail needed to be perfect: his equipment, his strategy, his focus. The weight of the tournament pressed against his chest, but he refused to let it crush him.
Lena, noticing the steel in his gaze, smiled softly. "Today is your chance, Your Highness. Don't let them forget who you are."
Her words resonated, a flicker of warmth in the cold morning. Alexius allowed himself a rare smile in return. "Thank you, Lena."
The door creaked open, and Alexius stepped into the corridor. Waiting for him were his six subordinates, standing at attention with a mix of pride and determination. Garret, Kael, Leif, Mira, Isabelle, and Drake, each of them had trained relentlessly by his side, their loyalty unwavering.
Alexius studied their faces, finding strength in their presence. "Are you ready?" he asked, his voice steady but low.
Garret, ever the pillar of the group, stepped forward. "We're with you, Your Highness. Always."
The others nodded, their expressions a silent vow. Without another word, the group began their descent through the palace halls. The silence between them was not awkward but purposeful, a shared understanding of the gravity of the day.
The palace gates opened to reveal Alexius's personal carriage, its dark finish gleaming in the early light. His companions mounted their horses, forming a protective escort as Alexius stepped inside. The streets were already alive with the buzz of anticipation, commoners and nobles alike gathering to witness the start of the Royal Tournament.
As the carriage rolled through the capital, Alexius could feel the weight of countless eyes. Whispers rippled through the crowd, their words reaching his ears through the open window.
"Who's in that carriage?"
"It must be one of the royals… but which one?"
"Could it be Prince Alexius? No, it can't be. What would he be doing in the tournament?"
The murmurs turned sharper as they neared the arena gates.
"He's useless. There's no way he'll even last the first round."
"Poor lad, he should've stayed out of this. He's a disgrace to the Valdor name."
Kael's hands tightened on his reins, his temper flaring. He pulled his horse closer to the carriage and hissed, "Your Highness, they have no right to—"
Alexius cut him off with a firm grip on his shoulder. "Let them talk, Kael," he said evenly. "We'll answer them in the arena."
Reluctantly, Kael nodded, his anger simmering down. The group pressed forward, their resolve unshaken.
The grand royal arena loomed ahead, its towering gates adorned with banners bearing the Valdor crest. The crowd's energy was palpable, their cheers and jeers blending into a cacophony of expectation.
As Alexius stepped out of the carriage, his subordinates dismounted, handing their horses to the caretakers. The crowd's attention shifted, their whispers growing louder as they recognized the youngest prince.
Alexius didn't falter. His stride was confident, his head held high as he led his companions into the arena. Inside, the other princes and princesses were already gathered, each flanked by their elite soldiers. Their disdain for Alexius was evident in their sneers and whispered jabs.
"Look who decided to show up," Prince Roland muttered, earning chuckles from the others.
Princess Elira raised an eyebrow, her voice laced with mockery. "I didn't realize they were letting anyone compete this year."
Alexius ignored them, moving to a corner of the arena where he and his subordinates took their place. His companions stood tall behind him, their presence a silent declaration of solidarity.
The blare of trumpets silenced the crowd as King Lucian appeared on the royal balcony. His cold gaze swept across the competitors, commanding the arena's attention.
"Today marks the beginning of the Royal Tournament," the King declared, his voice carrying effortlessly. "A test of strength, strategy, and resolve, where the princes and princesses of Valdor will vie for honor, recognition, and a chance to stand above their peers."
He paused, letting his words sink in.
"The rules are simple: combat will continue until one competitor yields or can no longer fight. Weapons and magic are permitted within reason, but lethality will be punished severely. Prince Aldric, as the eldest, will advance to the second round automatically. The rest of you will fight to prove your worth."
The crowd erupted into cheers, the air thick with anticipation.
"To begin, we will draw the names of the first matchups," the King announced. A court official stepped forward, carrying a gilded box. One by one, slips of parchment were drawn.
The official's voice rang out across the arena:
Prince Tobias vs. Princess Marielle
Princess Selene vs. Prince Cedric
Prince Adrian vs. Princess Lilith
Princess Elira vs. Prince Darius
Prince Alexius vs. Prince Roland
A murmur rippled through the crowd at the announcement of Alexius's matchup. Roland's smirk widened, his confidence bordering on arrogance.
"Well, this should be over quickly," he quipped, loud enough for Alexius to hear.
Alexius remained composed, rising from his seat. His subordinates exchanged glances, their resolve hardening as they prepared to stand by their prince.
King Lucian's voice boomed once more, silencing the arena. "Let the Royal Tournament begin!"
Fireworks exploded in the sky above, marking the start of the competition. Alexius stepped forward, his twin swords glinting in the sunlight. The crowd watched, their anticipation electric.
This was it. The fight of his life was about to begin.