Chapter 5: Stats, Choices, and Resolve

Alexius stared at the walls of his room, lost in thought. After everything that had happened, the duels, the humiliations, and now this strange system pulsing inside of him, he couldn't help but wonder if there was a way to track his progress. Some way to know where he stood and how far he had to go. The thought lingered in his mind until curiosity got the better of him.

He hesitated for a moment, unsure of how ridiculous it might sound, but he muttered the word anyway. "Status."

Immediately, the air in front of him shimmered, and a translucent screen appeared, hovering in the space between him and the door. It was sleek, minimalistic, almost clinical in its design. A neat column of stats was listed on the left-hand side, each labeled with a short description. His eyes widened as he saw the numbers, and his heart sank.

Status Screen:

Strength: 3

Agility: 4

Endurance: 2

Intelligence: 5

Charisma: 1

Willpower: 4

Luck: 3

Alexius blinked, rubbing his eyes as if the numbers might change if he looked again. But no, they stayed the same, stark and unforgiving. Every stat was pitifully low, barely scraping by. He had half-expected this, considering the life of the former Alexius, but seeing it laid out in such a cold, objective way still hit him hard.

He swallowed. Strength was only 3? No wonder he had been easily beaten by his siblings. His endurance was even worse, a mere 2. The realization made his heart drop further. He wasn't just weak; he was fragile. Barely capable of standing up to anyone, let alone surviving in the cutthroat world of royal politics and power.

"Am I really this pathetic?" he muttered under his breath, frustration bubbling inside him.

Suddenly, the system spoke in its cool, detached voice. "The strongest foundations are built from the humblest beginnings. Growth is inevitable if you persist."

Alexius clenched his fists, feeling a strange mix of anger and determination. The system's words didn't feel like hollow comfort, they felt like a challenge. As weak as he was now, it meant there was only one direction to go: up.

Shaking off the initial shock, he scrolled through the other features available on the screen. One caught his eye: Faction Dynamics. Remembering the notification about it earlier, he tapped on it. The screen shifted, and a new interface appeared.

At first glance, it was empty. A series of graphs and meters meant to display his influence and the loyalty of his followers were all set at zero. There were no allies, no sworn vassals, and no one who owed him their loyalty. A blank slate.

It was a stark reminder of his isolation. Alexius realized he had no one on his side, not his siblings, not the King, not even a single noble who might see him as more than an afterthought. But as bleak as it looked, it also represented possibility. There was room to grow, alliances to forge, and relationships to build. The screen promised that this feature would update as he gained influence, and that thought gave him a sliver of hope.

Swiping back, Alexius noticed more icons, some of which were still locked. Shop, Lottery Draw, World Map, Skill Tree. He paused over them, intrigued by their potential, but the system quickly informed him that these features would only unlock as he progressed. It was like dangling a carrot just out of his reach, but it fueled his desire to push forward even more.

"Let's focus on the basics," the system's voice cut in, as though sensing his impatience. "Your combat style will dictate the path ahead. Choose wisely."

A new screen materialized in front of him, showcasing a range of battle styles. Each one came with an animated demonstration, a ghostly figure performing the style's signature moves. Alexius watched, mesmerized, as the options played out before him:

Spear User: The figure lunged with precision, maintaining distance while striking deadly blows from afar.

Broadsword User: A towering blade cleaved through enemies, each strike heavy and decisive.

Bow User: Arrows flew from the figure's hands, hitting distant targets with pinpoint accuracy.

Lancer User: Mounted on a spectral horse, the figure charged with unrelenting power.

Sword User: The figure moved with balance, parrying and striking with effortless grace.

But it was the final option that truly caught Alexius' attention: Dual Wielder. The figure danced through the battlefield, wielding two blades, one in each hand. There was a fluidity to the movements, a sense of freedom and control. The swords moved in perfect harmony, slashing and striking with unparalleled speed.

A memory stirred in his mind. Back when he was Taro, a kid with dreams that far exceeded reality, he had always admired the heroes on TV who wielded two swords. They had always seemed the coolest, fearless and unstoppable. There was something about that style, the idea of relying on both hands, both swords, that felt right to him.

Without hesitation, Alexius made his choice. "Dual Wielder."

The system acknowledged the decision with a soft chime, and suddenly, Alexius felt a strange warmth spread through his body. It was as if something had clicked inside him. Muscle memory he didn't know he had began to stir. His body seemed to recognize techniques he hadn't even practiced yet. It was subtle but undeniable, a small, powerful spark.

The system spoke once more. "The fundamentals have been implanted. Training will awaken the true potential of this path."

Alexius stood in silence for a moment, letting the sensation sink in. He could feel it now, something had changed. The power was there, but it was raw, untapped. He knew that if he was going to survive, if he was going to prove himself, it would take more than just talent or the system's help. He needed to put in the effort. The determination inside him swelled.

He glanced at the wooden practice swords he had picked up earlier, and without another word, he left his room. His steps were quiet, but there was a resolve in them. The corridors of the palace stretched ahead of him, dimly lit by torches flickering along the stone walls. He made his way toward the training grounds.

By the time he arrived, the sun was dipping below the horizon, casting long shadows over the empty courtyard. The training grounds were quiet, the usual crowd of knights and soldiers having retired for the evening. It was just him and the soft whisper of the wind.

Alexius stood there, gripping the practice swords, feeling their weight. For the first time since waking up in this strange world, he felt a sense of control. His body, though weak, responded to his commands, and as he began the basic drills the system had implanted, something inside him clicked. His movements were awkward at first, clumsy even, but each swing of the blade brought improvement, however small.

He trained until the sky was completely dark, the stars twinkling overhead. His muscles ached, sweat dripped down his face, but there was a fire inside him now, one that refused to go out. He was going to get stronger. He had no choice.

As he stood there in the fading light, wooden swords in hand, he resolved that no matter how low his stats were or how weak he seemed, he would rise. He had to.

The first steps of mastering the art of dual wielding had begun.