Chapter 11: "The King's Summons"

The clang of steel against steel echoed through the training grounds. Alexius spun on his heel, narrowly avoiding the lance aimed at his chest. The thrust came from Drake, his towering new recruit, whose relentless power threatened to overwhelm Alexius with every strike.

At the same moment, an arrow whizzed past Alexius' shoulder, close enough to feel the breeze of its passage. Leif, crouched on the outskirts of the sparring circle, nocked another arrow with a hunter's precision.

"Close the gap!" Garret barked, his voice commanding as he coordinated the recruits' assault.

Kael surged forward, his sword flashing in a wide arc. Alexius parried with practiced ease, but the attack forced him back, toward Mira, who was waiting with her spear. She lunged, the sharp tip aiming to pin him in place.

"Too slow," Alexius muttered, twisting his body to the side. Mira's spear grazed his tunic, but she quickly adjusted, jabbing again.

The sparring session was an orchestrated chaos of blades, arrows, and strategy. Isabelle, wielding her rapier, darted in and out of Alexius' defenses, exploiting openings with unnerving precision. Her agility made her a constant threat, forcing Alexius to keep one eye on her even as he dealt with Garret's heavy sword-and-shield combo.

For a moment, it seemed like the group had him pinned. Six opponents, all attacking in unison, left little room for escape. Garret's shield bashed forward, pushing Alexius back, and Kael followed with a downward slash that left no margin for error.

But Alexius was no longer the green recruit who had stumbled through his first days in this world. With a surge of will, he activated Tactician's Eye. The battlefield crystallized in his mind, Garret's defensive stance, Kael's overextension, Mira's predictable spear thrust, Leif's rhythm as he drew back his bowstring, Isabelle's light-footed positioning, and Drake's slow recovery after his last strike.

"Now," Alexius whispered to himself.

He dropped low, rolling beneath Garret's shield and sweeping his leg out. The older warrior stumbled, forced to regain his balance. Alexius surged forward, his blade flashing as he disarmed Kael with a quick twist of his wrist.

A sharp twist and a sidestep allowed him to close the distance to Mira, who was too focused on regaining her footing to react. A feint to her left left her open to a swift disarm.

An arrow flew toward him, Leif. Alexius ducked and closed the gap in three quick strides. Before the archer could draw another arrow, Alexius' blade hovered inches from his throat.

One by one, he dismantled the remaining opponents. Within moments, only Garret and Kael stood, their expressions a mix of determination and respect.

The final exchange was brief but intense. Alexius feigned left, disarming Garret with a decisive blow, then turned to Kael and struck with a precise hit to his chest, signaling the end of the match.

Breathing heavily, Alexius lowered his sword. "Good effort, all of you," He said.

The recruits gathered in a loose circle, catching their breath. Mira wiped the sweat from her brow, her expression equal parts frustration and admiration.

"I still don't know how you do it," she said, leaning on her spear.

"You're improving," Alexius replied, offering her a slight nod. "But you need to adjust your stance when you lunge. Otherwise, someone faster will always counter."

Mira grunted, clearly filing away the advice.

Leif stretched his arms, his bow resting against his leg. "I'm starting to think you're not human," he said with a wry grin. "How do you see everything at once?"

"It's called not dying," Alexius replied, earning a chuckle from the group.

As they rested, Alexius took a moment to observe his team, each recruit representing a piece of the puzzle he was assembling:

Mira, disciplined and fierce, had been a trainee soldier similar to Kael before joining him, drawn to his vision of strength and purpose.

Leif, calm and analytical, had been a hunter whose precision with a bow made him invaluable for ranged combat.

Isabelle, agile and sharp-tongued, was an underground fighter seeking a place to prove her worth after hearing of Alexius' growing reputation.

Drake, stoic and powerful, had been a knight disgraced by scandal, his loyalty now tied to Alexius' belief in second chances.

The group's banter added levity to the scene, but it was Kael who broke the mood, his voice serious. "I've been training for weeks, pushing myself harder than ever, but... I still can't reach you."

"You will," Alexius said firmly. "The point isn't to beat me—it's to improve every day. All of you."

Garret stepped forward, his presence commanding attention. "And if you don't, Alexius will make sure you regret it."

The recruits laughed, but the unspoken truth lingered: Alexius was pushing them to become something greater.

The sparring session was interrupted by the arrival of a servant, who approached Alexius with a formal bow.

"My lord Alexius, His Majesty the King requests your presence in the throne room."

The words hung in the air, shifting the mood instantly.

Alexius frowned, wiping sweat from his face. "Am I the only one summoned?"

"No, my lord. His Majesty has called for all his children."

Alexius' thoughts raced. This was the first time his father had summoned him since his reincarnation, and the inclusion of his siblings made the situation even more intriguing.

"Understood," Alexius said, dismissing the recruits. "Take the rest of the day to recover. Tomorrow, we'll begin again."

As the servant led him away, Alexius silently commanded the system to display his status screen.

Status Screen:

Name: Alexius Valdor

Class: Human

Strength: 13 → 25

Agility: 12 → 23

Endurance: 12 → 26

Intelligence: 15 → 21

Charisma: 12 → 23

Willpower: 16 → 34

Luck: 97

Active Skills:

Tactician's Eye

Command Presence

Dual Wielder

Swordmaster's Insight

Inventory

Shop

Lottery (Locked)

Skill Tree

Faction Dynamics

The growth was undeniable. Each attribute reflected the countless hours of grueling training and unyielding resolve. His Willpower stood out most, a testament to his relentless drive.

But the locked "Lottery" feature teased him, a reminder that his journey was still bound by the system's mysterious rules.

"Soon," Alexius muttered under his breath.

The throne room doors opened, revealing the grandeur within. Alexius stepped inside, his gaze sweeping over the marble floors, the towering pillars, and the regal figure of his father seated on the throne. Beside him sat Queen Illyana, her sharp eyes fixed on Alexius with an unreadable expression.

His siblings lined the walls, their postures ranging from bored indifference to barely concealed curiosity.

Alexius advanced, stopping a few feet from the throne. He bowed deeply.

"You requested my presence, Your Majesty."