Chapter 5: A Path to Strength
As Griffin stood frozen in place, he processed what had just happened. A half-elf? He had possessed the body of someone with elven blood. That explained the slight pointedness of his ears and the faint ethereal glow his skin gave off under the lights of the palace.
His mother smiled warmly. "You should get some rest, okay? The banquet tonight is in your honor. It's to celebrate your awakening, so you should be well-prepared."
Griffin hesitated, still taken aback by the way she doted on him. The way she called him her dear boy was so foreign to him. He had long forgotten what it felt like to be cared for like this.
"I'll be going now. Your mom has some business to take care of," she said before walking off.
Griffin let out a deep sigh and turned toward his room.
"For someone as old as Sebastian, he sure is treated like the baby of the house," Griffin muttered as he entered.
His room was extravagant—nothing like what he was used to. His past self had lived in a mansion before being thrown away, but even then, his room hadn't been this luxurious. He brushed his hand against the silk sheets and let himself sink into the plush bed.
"This is crazy. Even if this is just a dream, it feels too real."
He turned his head slightly. "Kaido, show me my stats."
A blue screen materialized in front of him.
[Kaido System – Status Window]
Name: Griffin Ashcroft (Possessing: Sebastian Greyat)
Race: Half-Elf
Class: Emperor Candidate
Level: 1
• HP: 100
• Aura: 18
• Stamina: 10
• Intelligence: 12
• Strength: 22
• Agility: 25
• Swordsmanship: 8
Skills:
• Sword Mastery (C) (Proficiency: 72%) - The higher the proficiency, the higher the rank will increase.
Blessings:
• First Blessing: Boss Devourer
• Second Blessing: Sword God [Locked – Requires Sword Mastery (S)]
Griffin clicked his tongue. "Still weak. If I really want to stop the destruction, I need to get stronger."
But how?
If the demon faction destroyed the continent in just three months, then there had to be someone working with them from the inside. There was no way they could have invaded so easily otherwise.
And if the demon faction was defeated years ago, where did the monsters from earlier come from?
As if responding to his thoughts, Kaido spoke:
[The monster you fought was a remnant of the war. After the demon faction was defeated, many creatures were not slain. Some were sealed in dungeons. Over time, adventurers have made it their mission to clear these dungeons to prevent an outbreak.]
"If that's the case… then how did the demon faction destroy this place?"
[Warning: The chosen one is not permitted to access restricted information at this time.]
Griffin frowned. "Figures."
His eyes landed on his skill list.
"Sword Mastery… you said it would evolve into a blessing if my proficiency reaches high enough, right?"
[Affirmative.]
"So how do I raise its proficiency?"
[By practicing swordsmanship.]
Griffin scoffed. "Yeah? And how am I supposed to do that exactly?"
[By training.]
"…Right. I'll get to that later."
For now, he needed to prepare for the banquet. He couldn't afford to act out of place and raise suspicion.
Elsewhere…
Inside a lavish chamber, a man clad in armor kneeled before a shadowy figure. "My lord, the ambush failed. Sebastian Greyat survived."
A moment of silence filled the air before the figure chuckled. "Oh? He survived?"
"Yes… and he awakened a blessing in the process."
A smirk spread across the man's face.
"I thought that was enough to kill him, but he's a stubborn one, isn't he?"
He stood up, walking toward the window as the moonlight illuminated his sharp features.
"Well… shall we prepare for the banquet?"
Later That Evening – The Banquet
The banquet hall was filled with nobles, renowned warriors, and important figures from across the kingdom. Among them were several emperor candidates.
Griffin eyed the crowd and muttered, "Isn't this a bit too much?"
As expected, he was called to the stage to give a speech. But unlike what people expected, his speech was brief.
He quickly found an excuse to slip away, making his way to a balcony. He rested his hands on the cool marble railing and exhaled.
"So much for laying low…"
"You know, it's rude to leave your own celebration," a voice chimed behind him.
Griffin turned his head to see a young woman with striking auburn hair and piercing green eyes.
"Lovely weather tonight, don't you think?" she said with a playful smile.
"Yeah… and who are you?"
She placed a hand on her chest dramatically. "Cassandra Austin, at your service, my prince."
Griffin scoffed. "Drop the act. There's nothing special about me."
She chuckled. "You're different from what I imagined. I thought the prince and emperor candidate would be arrogant, but you're rather modest."
Griffin stared out at the city below.
"…Is something on your mind, my prince?"
"Stop calling me that," he muttered.
Griffin gripped the balcony railing, his voice quiet but heavy.
"How would you feel if you had something you didn't understand—something that felt completely out of your control? Like no matter what you did, it was always just… beyond your reach?"
Cassandra's expression shifted. She glanced at him, her once-playful eyes now carrying an unspoken weight.
"I'd feel powerless," she admitted. "Like a pawn in someone else's game."
Griffin exhaled sharply. "Exactly."
A bitter chuckle escaped him. "And the worst part? It feels like the moment you stop being useful, you'll just be tossed aside."
Cassandra looked away, gripping her arm as if recalling painful memories of her own. Then, after a moment, she spoke with newfound resolve.
"If you can't understand what's happening… then maybe you don't need to," she said firmly. "Maybe you just need to take advantage of those using you before they toss you aside."
Griffin's eyes widened slightly.
"Take advantage…?"
"I'll be leading an expedition to the sealed dungeon next week. If you're interested, you can join my party," Cassandra offered.
Before Griffin could respond, another voice interrupted.
"Cassandra."
A tall man with long silver hair approached them.
Cassandra immediately stiffened, her once confident demeanor fading.
"Oh, I didn't mean to intrude," the man said smoothly. "But it's time for us to leave."
He then turned to Griffin. "Apologies for not introducing myself sooner. I am Kenneth Austin—also an emperor candidate."
Griffin's eyes narrowed. "An emperor candidate, huh?"
"No need to be wary of me," Kenneth said with a chuckle. "Unlike some, I don't believe in eliminating my competition."
Right…
Griffin glanced at Cassandra, who looked visibly tense. Something was definitely off.
"We should get going," Kenneth said, placing a hand on Cassandra's shoulder. "Enjoy the rest of your evening."
As they walked away, Griffin crossed his arms.
"…Take advantage of them, huh?"
Kaido, what happens if I complete this quest?" Griffin asked.
"Completing this quest means you will have passed the first trial," Kaido responded. "Once that happens, you will regain consciousness in the real world."
Griffin's expression darkened. "Wait… if I'm stuck here for three months, doesn't that mean my real body will be left vulnerable all that time? And what about food? If I don't eat, won't my body starve?"
Kaido's voice remained steady. "Your body will not be left vulnerable. This is due to the time difference between the dreamscape and the real world."
"Time difference?" Griffin repeated, furrowing his brows.
"One month here is equivalent to just one day on Earth. Meaning, three months in this dimension will only amount to three days in the real world."
Griffin exhaled, slightly relieved, but Kaido wasn't finished.
"Additionally, while you are here, your real body will not experience hunger, pain, or any other physical needs. Any damage sustained while you're unconscious will also be fully healed upon your return. So, you can rest assured."
A grin slowly formed on Griffin's face. "Phew… that's a relief." He clenched his fists, his determination reigniting. "In that case, let's take this more seriously!
The Next Day – Emperor's Chamber
Griffin stood before his father, Arthur Greyat.
"I'd like you to teach me swordsmanship."
Arthur raised a brow. "…What did you just say?"
Griffin took a deep breath. "I want you to train me in swordsmanship."
Arthur's aura flared, filling the room with intense pressure.
"And why should I do that?" he asked. "There are plenty of high-ranked swordmasters in the palace, yet you dare ask the Emperor to train you?"
Griffin clenched his fists. "Because… you're my father."
Silence.
Then—
Arthur burst into laughter before withdrawing his aura.
"Very well. But just one question—" His eyes gleamed.
"Are you ready to train until death?"
"…Huh?"
"Don't worry, son. I'll train you until your bones fall apart."
Damn, damn, damn—what have I done?
And so, the brutal training began…
(TO BE CONTINUED….)