Chapter 14: The Road to the Tournament

The first light of dawn seeped into the room, but Alexius was already awake, staring at the new list of System tasks that had appeared before him. The interface glowed faintly, its words seeming to mock him.

200 push-ups

250 sit-ups

12 miles of sprinting daily

40 minutes of meditation

15-minute plank endurance under increased weighted resistance

Alexius ran a hand through his hair, releasing a long sigh. These tasks were nearly double what he had faced the previous week, but he couldn't falter now. The Royal Tournament loomed ahead, and with it, the disdainful eyes of his siblings.

"Victory against your rivals will yield significant rewards," the System's message read, the text lingering ominously before fading.

Fueled by determination, Alexius began the punishing routine. The push-ups made his arms tremble; the sit-ups left his core screaming for respite. He pushed through the sprints, each mile eating away at his stamina. The meditation that followed was no reprieve, as it demanded an ironclad will to quiet his restless thoughts.

By the time he completed the weighted plank, his body felt like it might collapse. Yet, even as he wiped sweat from his brow, Alexius's resolve hardened. He couldn't afford weakness, not now. Not ever.

The Valdor family breakfast was a spectacle of luxury, with grand platters laden with exotic fruits, roasted meats, and steaming bread. Yet, the tension at the long table was palpable.

Prince Aldric, seated at the head beside King Lucian, set down his fork and fixed Alexius with an icy stare. "Tell me, little brother, how do you plan to embarrass yourself at the tournament this year? Perhaps tripping over your own feet again?"

Laughter rippled through the table.

Princess Elira smirked. "Let's not be too harsh. Alexius might surprise us all. Perhaps he'll even manage to hold a sword properly this time."

Prince Darius, ever the charmer, leaned back in his chair. "Oh, I doubt that. But I look forward to the entertainment."

The comments stung, but Alexius kept his expression blank, focusing instead on the plate before him.

"You're awfully quiet today," Prince Cedric said, his tone mocking. "Planning something devious, Alexius? Or just too embarrassed to speak?"

"Leave him be," Princess Lilith interjected, her tone light and teasing. "He's clearly conserving his energy for the grand display of incompetence we're all expecting."

Alexius clenched his fists under the table. He was used to their taunts, but the upcoming tournament seemed to have intensified their venom. They'll see, he thought. They'll all see.

The morning's frustration followed Alexius to the training grounds, but he channeled it into his drills. His subordinates were already there, sparring with a ferocity that mirrored his own intensity.

"Push harder!" Alexius barked, his voice cutting through the clang of steel.

Garret stepped forward, his shield raised high as Kael struck with his sword. The sound of the clash reverberated across the field, Garret's movements precise and impenetrable.

Nearby, Leif loosed a series of arrows at moving targets, each shot finding its mark with unerring accuracy. Mira's spear moved in a blur as she transitioned seamlessly between offense and defense, her strikes landing with calculated precision.

Isabelle was a whirlwind of motion, her rapier flashing as she weaved through an imagined opponent's strikes. Drake, ever stoic, practiced advanced lance formations, his endurance unmatched.

Alexius sparred with each of them, testing their limits while honing his own skills. His twin swords moved like extensions of his arms, a lethal combination of speed and strength.

By the time the sun began to set, the group was exhausted but invigorated. Their progress was undeniable, and their bond as a team had never been stronger.

Throughout the week, Alexius's siblings made their presence known, each encounter brimming with tension.

One afternoon, Prince Tobias appeared at the training grounds. "Care for a spar, little brother?" he asked, his tone dripping with condescension.

Alexius agreed, the bout intense and demanding. Tobias's skill was undeniable, but Alexius's relentless training allowed him to hold his ground. When it ended in a draw, Tobias gave a grudging nod of acknowledgment before walking away.

Another day, Princess Marielle watched from the sidelines as Leif practiced his archery. "Not bad," she admitted, though her tone was laced with sarcasm. When Alexius challenged her to a friendly contest, her confidence faltered as Leif matched her shot for shot, their skills eerily equal.

Prince Cedric, ever the schemer, approached Alexius during a brief respite. "Tell me, Alexius, what do you hope to gain from all this training? Proving yourself? Gaining Father's favor?"

Alexius met his brother's gaze evenly. "Neither. I'm preparing for what's to come."

Cedric smirked but didn't press further.

That night, Alexius stood alone on the training ground, his swords crossed before him. The words of his siblings echoed in his mind, but he refused to let their disdain consume him.

"Your greatest challenges lie within the family. Prepare accordingly," the System's warning repeated in his thoughts.

The sky above was vast and silent, the stars watching over him like distant sentinels. Alexius tightened his grip on his swords. I'll surpass them all.

The training ground was alive with energy as Alexius led his subordinates through their final drills. The air was thick with determination, their movements sharper and more confident than ever.

Garret's shield was an impenetrable fortress, his counterattacks devastating. Kael's swordplay was a blur of aggression and unpredictability. Leif's arrows struck true, no matter the target's speed or distance. Mira's spear flowed like water, her form a perfect blend of offense and defense. Isabelle's rapier danced with mesmerizing speed, while Drake's lance moved with unparalleled power and precision.

As the sun dipped below the horizon, Alexius called them to a halt. The exhaustion on their faces was matched only by the fire in their eyes.

"You've all done well," Alexius said, his voice steady. "Tomorrow, we'll show them what we're capable of."

He turned toward the royal arena in the distance, his heart alight with anticipation and resolve.

"They may hate me," he whispered, "but they'll never ignore me again."