Chapter 8: Countdown To Awakening (3)

Chapter 8: Countdown To Awakening (3) Arthur glanced at his new scenario once more. 『 #Scenario 3: Absorb the Elixir with Isabella’s Help (18+)』 It was honestly beyond him how the system came up with such an absurd mission. While the reward for clearing it was undeniably good, was it truly worth the embarrassment of having to sleep with Isabella? ’Nah, it is worth it,’ Arthur corrected himself. The reward for clearing the scenario was the creation of a brain core that wouldn’t leak mana. That meant if he completed it, not only would he be one step ahead of other unawakened his age, but he would also have the chance to create an abdomen core after his Tether Ceremony—which would make him the first magic knight on the continent. But Arthur wasn’t sure how exactly he would go about the mission. Should he ask her directly? Or maybe try to use his charm on her? He sighed. ’Why did they give such a mission to a virgin bastard like myself?’ His gaze shifted to Sarah, who was on his left side, and Seraph, another member of their clan who was on his right. All the members of their generation of awakened—the seventh generation, were meant to meet up in their family’s main training chamber. The meeting also served as an excellent opportunity for Arthur to see many of the named characters and assess how he stacked against them. Among all the named characters who might appear, he especially wanted to meet the Greatest Strategist of the Valtor Clan, Amelia Roderick Valtor. The skies above the North burned gold as the sun reached its peak, bathing the snow-covered mountains with fleeting warmth. Yet inside the grand hall built at the roots of Hollow Mountain, the atmosphere was anything but warm. It was here that all participants of the Tether Ceremony gathered—heirs and chosen candidates of the Northern Clans. House Valtor, House Snowviel, House Goldvein, and House Arcain. Not just their main lineages but their branch families and septs. The door of the hall creaked open as all eyes turned to a single beautiful boy. The cheeks of not only the females but also some males turned red at the sight of the stunning young prince. "Is that him?" a voice whispered within the crowded hall. "Yeah, that’s him. Arthur Arcain, the dashing prince." ’What kind of stupid-ass nickname is that...’ Arthur tried his best to mask his grin. "But isn’t he the one they say is beautiful but useless?" Another voice agreed. "They call him Barbie, or was it delicate princess?" A male voice hissed, "Lucky bastard. I wish I were the only male in a female clan." Another voice rang out as if trying to comfort the angry males. "He’s probably just here because of his sisters, right? If not, life isn’t fair." Arthur sighed softly. ’Aren’t I so great? My mere presence disrupted the hall of nobles.’ He shook his head. ’Is this how it feels to be beautiful?’ Some of the lower-ranking girls sneered at him, while others looked at him with starry eyes. A few noble boys scoffed, shaking their heads. "But isn’t he unable to see energy?" one grunted. "Then he’s just another pretty face." The last words and whispers didn’t reach Arthur. Or rather, he chose not to acknowledge them. He was too focused. "Aren’t you going to say anything, Young Master?" Arthur glanced towards Seraph. "Oh no. It is beneath the Arcains to argue over such trivial matters." Arthur wasn’t sure for how long he’d wanted to say that, but it felt good. ’Feels like I’m a proper noble now.’ But it was only Arthur—or at least those close to him—that took his words lightly. The atmosphere turned a bit tense. Some were reflecting on his words, while others had already started to despise him. Still, he ignored their hostility and scanned the room. Today was one of the few chances he had to meet a named character before the academy began. And one of those was Amelia Roderick Valtor, one of the main heroines of the story, and someone Arthur was certain one of his scenarios would revolve around. Even if it didn’t, knowing Amelia’s future trait of absorbing mana from the environment, it would be an absolute waste to let that ability pass, and let her waste her potential in the protagonist’s harem. Just as Arthur was about to move toward the far end of the room where the human clans resided, a gentle hand tapped his back. A tall boy with slick grey hair, green eyes, and the arrogance of someone used to commanding. "You must be Arthur," he said, tone civil but sharp. "I’ve heard much about you." Arthur’s gaze narrowed. ’This bastard.’ One of the mid-bosses of the first term of the academy, and the one who would help the protagonist awaken his latent ability. Ravian Roderic Valtor. Ravian was always a bastard who sucked up to the strong and influential and bullied the weak and poor. Perhaps that was why his father expelled him after his downfall in the academy. What Arthur hated more wasn’t his guts but the fact that he aided the protagonist’s growth, which always ended up killing Arthur in every single route. That meant Ravian was one of his potential enemies and a death flag for him that died in the many routes of the original game. Arthur tilted his head slightly, a gentle smile forming on his lips. "All good things, I assume." Ravian smiled back. "Of course. Though, I do wonder how someone without the ability to sense energy made it this far." The hall went still for a brief moment before different people burst into light chuckles. Ravian grinned widely. "Why don’t I, the rightful heir of the Valtor Dukedom, give you some pointers?" Arthur already knew this was how things would play out. In life, there was always a hierarchy, and what Ravian was trying to do was show the hierarchy between the children of the North. Arthur turned around, his formal suit and cape that draped over his shoulders swaying to the side. "I’d rather not." Ravian’s face contorted as he heard the whispers of people who didn’t side with him. He stretched his hand forward to grab Arthur, but with a swift motion, Seraph grabbed it. Her grey eyes shimmered softly, and her black hair swayed even in the absence of wind. "I won’t take this as a direct offense to the Young Master since you are so young, but if you attack again, I will retaliate." Arthur smiled, but soon his smile faded as Ravian spoke out. "This is exactly why Dad said women are useless." He smirked. "I bet your mom and sisters sell their bodies to get money and strength..." Before he could finish his words, Arthur’s fist cracked against Ravian’s jaw, a sick thud echoing through the room. He wiped the smear of blood off his glove with a quiet disgust. "Here I was trying to maintain my noble etiquette." Ravian’s smile thinned. "Hey! Let’s duel." His eyes burned with unquenchable hate. "If you’re a true man, fight me." ’Damn, and I wanted to stay away from him.’ Arthur still had a card to play. He shook his head dismissively. "But you’re the one who said I was a delicate princess, weren’t you? Why would a princess become a true man?" His eyes narrowed. "Or are you saying your words carry no weight? Or is the great heir of the Valtor Dukedom perhaps jealous of me?" Arthur moved closer to him, their shoulders brushing, then he whispered into his ear—though he had to raise his head a little. "And don’t you ever bring my family into such unreasonable squabbles again or I will kill you." He tapped him on the shoulder as if brushing off dirt. Arthur moved forward with grace. At least now he had made his point and raised his reputation beyond that of a sheltered princess. But what Arthur didn’t know was that Ravian wasn’t going to let things slide. He gritted his teeth. ’Bastard! You’re nothing but a monster wearing the cloth of a human!’ He turned toward Arthur, then raised his hand. The ring on his middle finger glowed bright red. The enchantment of the rune hovered around his finger, then he yelled out, causing everyone in the hall to freeze. "Die!" From that distance, Arthur wasn’t sure he could dodge it. He still had the rune Selena had given him, but he didn’t want to use it now. At the last moment before the attack was released from the ring, a hand grabbed Ravian’s and pulled it upward. Everyone stood in shock as tremors ran through the hall. No debris fell, just dust. "Brother!" a calm, commanding voice cut through the room, "enough!" Ravian opened his mouth in disbelief at what he had just done, but his sister gave him a sideways glance. Red hair and emerald green eyes, dressed in a flowing red gown. Even through the screen, she was a beautiful character. Amelia Roderick Valtor. ’So that’s Amelia huh? Even the game didn’t do her looks justice.’ As soon as her name entered his head, the system chimed. 『 Potential Harem Member Identified 』 『 #Scenario 3 In Progress』 『 Generating Side Quest...』 『 Side Quest: Gain Amelia Roderick Valtor’s Affection 』 ─── ✦ End of Chapter ───