Huff… Huff…
I fell to my knees, rough breaths leaving my lungs as I attempted to catch my breath.
My eyes scavenged the deck where countless bodies of pirates and sailors lay strewn about, the wooden floor painted with their crimson blood.
This was a massacre.
Luckily, it was coming to an end.
Due to my continuous support and presence in the fight, the battle had gone in the sailors' favor.
"We've won!!!"
As the last scoundrel was defeated, a roar of triumph erupted through the upper deck.
Looking at the battered and bloodied crew, whose faces bore expressions of a hard-earned victory, I could only sigh.
Didn't they see what this had cost us?
Shaking my head, I pinched the bridge of my nose.
Although I knew I had to feel bad that so many people had been killed, a wry smile found its way across my lips.
'I look like a sociopath…'
I tried to control it, but it was useless.
My eyes had already caught a glimpse of my current attributes so there was no way I could contain it.
Attributes:
﹂ Strength: [ 10 ]
﹂ Agility: [ 12 ]
﹂ Perception: [ 5 ]
﹂ Endurance: [ 8 ]
It was a stark difference from the measly stats I had before this battle.
During the skirmish, my overall power had tripled if not quadrupled due to my killings and I was exhilarated by this progress.
Even the most powerful and superior characters in the game wouldn't be able to achieve such growth in such a short time.
'This is very good...'
Scratching the side of my face thoughtfully, I smiled.
Suddenly, I felt a gaze boring into the back of my head.
Turning around, my eyes met with Captain's Marlowe. His face was grim, a deep frown etched on his weathered features.
For a moment, I thought I had done something wrong, but then he just nodded his head and walked towards his quarters.
'That was weird.'
Muttering under my breath I also decided to retire into the cabin.
My body was screaming for rest and who was I to deny it?
***
Wisdom, Influence and Strength.
Those are the three powers that rule the Imperial Palace of the Shadowblight Empire.
Those who have the Wisdom write the laws and policies that govern the land.
Those who have Influence enforce those laws and maintain order, ensuring the empire's stability.
And lastly…
Those who have Strength control both the Wisdom and Influence, wielding ultimate power over the empire.
There has yet to be a person who possessed all these three powers… or rather, 'was'.
From the moment, 'she' was born the statement was no longer true.
The one and only Princess of the Shadowblight Empire.
…
"Teacher, these questions are too easy…"
A little girl no older than ten years old nudged the hand of an elderly scholar, sitting beside her.
In her delicate and small hands she held a scroll with complex Magic Formulas and drawings of various Runes etched on its surface.
Chuckling the old man, carefully took the scroll from her and adjusted his spectacles, examining the work thoroughly.
If one observed his features closely, they would notice a glimmer of astonishment and pride in his eyes as he carefully scanned the young girl's work.
His lips were also silently repeating the same phrase over and over again…
"Genius… Genius…"
…
Boom…
The sound of something exploding echoed through the Imperial Palace's Royal quarters.
It came from a particular room with a small crown etched on the door.
"Honey, is everything alright!?"
Barely a dozen seconds had passed when the door burst open and a panicked woman with the most elegant and refined features rushed in, her face strained with concern.
Her crimson-red eyes scanned the room, ignoring the smoke that was trying to obscure her vision.
Before the woman could react further, a small figure emerged from the smoke, coughing and waving her little hand to clear the air.
It was an exact same replica of a woman, just a miniature version of her.
Rubbing her eyes for a few seconds the young princess accidently hit her mother's thigh with her head and let out a small yelp, before looking up at her with a sheepish smile.
"Mom, I can do it! I can see my Status Window and use the Spells my teacher taught me!"
"…"
For a moment the Empress stood speechless, looking at her daughter excitedly jump up and down near her while beaming with pride.
She had a lot to say…
Congratulations? Don't worry me like that? How did you do it at only 9 years old?
However, all that came out from her throat was the same words the young princess had heard countless times before.
"Genius… Genius…"
…
"Lady, Aveline, a letter from the Starfall Academy has arrived."
The maid's voice, though soft and respectful, cut through the quiet ambiance of the elegant room.
She wore a neat and clean uniform, every pleat and button meticulously in place.
As she stepped inside, she bowed low toward the young woman seated behind a vast wooden table.
The maid's eyes flickered briefly to the princess's face, which faced the door, before settling on the ground.
Princess Aveline was a sight to behold.
Her jet-black hair cascaded down her back in silken straight lines, framing a face of unparalleled beauty. Her crimson-red eyes, cold and penetrating, were the most striking feature, reflecting a sharp intelligence and an unyielding will.
With a graceful hand, Aveline picked up the envelope from the tray the maid held out.
She carefully opened it, her movements precise and elegant. Inside was a parchment, its edges embossed with the insignia of the prestigious Starfall Academy.
Aveline's eyes scanned the letter, absorbing the contents with a practiced ease.
Her expression remained inscrutable, betraying no hint of the thoughts swirling within her mind.
After a moment, she set the parchment down and picked up her pen, returning to her previous work with a fluid motion.
The maid, however, remained rooted in place, her head bowed but her posture betraying a mixture of apprehension and curiosity.
Ten minutes stretched into an eternity before Aveline's cold gaze lifted once more, fixing on the maid with an intensity that made the woman feel as if cold water had been splashed over her head.
"What?"
Aveline's voice was calm but carried an underlying edge.
The maid gulped, her throat suddenly dry.
"Did... your Highness receive an invitation to the Starfall Academy?"
Aveline stared at the maid for a few moments, her eyes narrowing slightly.
The weight of her gaze was almost unbearable, and the maid felt as if she might freeze in place.
Finally, the princess nodded her head and redirected her attention back to the papers sprawled across her desk.
The maid took a moment to digest this information, a shy smile creeping onto her face.
She quietly exited the room, closing the door behind her with a soft click.
As she walked away, a certain set of words managed to reach the ears of Aveline.
"Genius... Genius..."
Crack…
Unknowingly, the pen in Aveline's hand cracked under the pressure of her fingers, ink spilling across the pristine paper.
She frowned, a flicker of irritation crossing her features.
'Crap…'