Growth - 4

Alex's question had broken an unspoken barrier. The technicians, warriors, and craftsmen who once observed him with wary suspicion now regarded him with curiosity, anticipation, and newfound respect. Word quickly spread through the palace—Alex was no longer merely an observer; he had stepped into the realm of active learning.

Each day became filled with cautious but eager conversations. Technicians explained complex concepts about mana stabilization, elemental fusion, and energy regulation. Warriors demonstrated subtle combat techniques, revealing the intricate layers behind each seemingly simple movement. Craftsmen offered insights into material properties and engineering marvels, introducing him to the art behind their science.

Even the palace ministers took notice. They would occasionally approach him under the guise of casual interactions, subtly probing his thoughts and intentions. One minister, known for his cunning diplomacy, smiled politely as he asked, "Young Alex, how do you see your future role in the empire shaping up?"

Alex met his gaze calmly, offering a neutral yet insightful reply. "My role depends entirely on what I learn and how I apply it. Knowledge without purpose is meaningless."

Palace servants, once silent and distant, gradually warmed to his presence. They began offering him small gestures of kindness, careful nods of respect, or quiet encouragements as they performed their duties. The guards, usually stern and detached, watched him with a blend of caution and approval, acknowledging the emerging strength and wisdom within him.

He listened attentively, absorbing each explanation and demonstration like a dry sponge immersed in water. His progress was visible, each lesson integrating seamlessly into his understanding. Every day, his questions grew sharper, more insightful, often surprising even seasoned masters.

Yet, not everyone viewed his rapid growth favorably. Some palace residents saw danger in the child's swift rise, whispering fears of unsettling existing power balances. His name began to echo quietly in secret conversations among highly regarded individuals, spoken alongside words of caution or opportunity.

One evening, at a gathering of nobles and influential figures, Alex overheard hushed voices discussing his potential.

"He's growing too quickly," one noble whispered anxiously.

"But think of the advantage he could offer us," countered another, eyes gleaming with calculated ambition.

News of Alex's rapid advancement even reached Garfunkel, who received detailed reports of his actions and interactions. Garfunkel recognized that Alex was not destined to be emperor, yet his boundless potential—and perhaps even his eventual demise—would undeniably shape the empire's future in ways no one could fully predict. Garfunkel read each word carefully, his eyes narrowing thoughtfully as he contemplated Alex's growing influence. He knew Alex was becoming a key piece on the board—one whose actions could reshape the entire empire's future.

Beyond the empire's borders, eyes also began to turn toward Alex. Foreign leaders, influential scholars, and powerful entities began quietly observing the young prodigy's rise. To them, Alex was a variable—an unpredictable factor that could alter alliances, shift power dynamics, and possibly change the geopolitical landscape.

Amid these shifting tides, Alex remained focused on the path ahead. His ultimate goal was clear—to leverage this new knowledge into a practical understanding of the empire and his role within it. The Academy loomed in his future, its promise of further growth matched only by the risks it presented. However, not all were pleased by Alex's rise. Some younger royal members, fueled by childish envy or boredom, openly taunted him with carefully disguised yet sophisticated barbs.

"Oh look, it's the little scholar," a young royal sneered, his tone mocking yet maintaining an aristocratic air. "Perhaps you'll read your way to the throne someday?"

Alex responded with quiet sarcasm, his tone polite but cutting. "I believe knowledge is power, Your Highness. Perhaps your throne would be safer if you tried acquiring some."

The royal flushed angrily, but the presence of nearby royal guards deterred him from responding more openly. Another young noble attempted to belittle Alex's studies with a careless smile. "Books and theories? I prefer swords and glory."

"Ah, yes," Alex replied smoothly, his eyes glinting with hidden amusement. "I've heard glory is especially effective against well-armed armies."

The laughter of the onlookers, though subtle, was unmistakable, forcing the immature nobles to retreat, their wounded pride evident despite their practiced sophistication.

Yet, beneath his composed exterior, Alex battled an internal turmoil. Each childish taunt and sophisticated barb from younger royals stirred a quiet frustration within him, forcing him to confront doubts and insecurities he thought he'd long buried. Though he masked his unease with sharp wit and polite sarcasm, their words lingered, sharpening his resolve but also reminding him of the isolation that came with his rapid growth.

One afternoon, as Alex meticulously studied a newly forged energy conduit, Woden appeared unexpectedly, his presence sharp and demanding attention.

"You're stepping forward quickly," Woden remarked, his eyes assessing Alex carefully. "But remember, with every new insight, you paint a larger target on your back."

Alex met his gaze calmly. "I'm aware. Knowledge is power, and power always attracts scrutiny."

Woden smiled faintly, his expression unreadable. "Then you must prepare yourself. Knowledge gained must also be protected."

The warning lingered in the air long after Woden had departed. Alex knew these lessons were only the beginning. He needed to understand not just how the world worked, but also how to survive the complexities of the empire's ever-shifting alliances and dangers.

Preparation, he realized, was more critical than ever.

Progress was like filling a lake bit by bit with every rain; slow and steady, yet inevitably accumulating. Alex's relentless effort had finally reached a critical milestone. His mastery mission had reached its limit. The system acknowledged his achievement clearly:

[Mastery in Resource Assimilation (Initial Mastery): 100% Completed]

Reward: Select one of the following skills

A list of four skills materialized before him, sparking excitement within Alex:

Observer's Insight – Detect hidden motives, alliances, and political undercurrents.

Memory Reclamation – Receive fragments of knowledge useful to his current situation.

Foresight Calibration – Predict short-term outcomes based on logic and observed behavior.

Mental Construct – Simulate strategies, negotiations, and theories within a private mindscape.

His heart raced with anticipation, realizing the magnitude of the moment. Each skill had immense potential, opening new pathways of growth and strategy for the challenges ahead. This time, however, Alex selected Mental Construct without hesitation. Its potential surpassed all others combined, offering him the invaluable ability to strategize, simulate scenarios, and plan discreetly within the safety of his mind.

[System Notification: New skill detected in Skills.]

[System Advice]: Please access the Skills to explore its functionality and activation requirements.

He felt a thrill of certainty, knowing he had made the right choice. Immediately after, a new mission appeared before him, combining his mastery of Resource Assimilation (Advanced Mastery) and Mental Construct (Initial Mastery).

[New Mission Obtained]

Mission: Dual Mastery

Mission Objective: Achieve Mastery of Resource Assimilation (Advanced Mastery) and Mental Construct (Initial Mastery)

Reward: Gain access to one of the remaining available skills and Intermediate Elemental Mantra

This dual mastery mission promised even greater rewards, encouraging Alex further and reinforcing his determination to explore the depths of his abilities. Intermediate Elemental Mantra, a unique manual whose very existence was entirely unknown to the world, Alex mused internally, realizing just how unprecedented this opportunity truly was to him.

The Basic Elemental Mantra has provided him with a limitless perspective of the world and will be immensely helpful when he takes his first step in Cultivation, not to mention the Intermediate Elemental Mantra and the following ones. Just this set of mantras has provided him with unlimited potential, and other missions with more to come will make him topple the very existence that proclaimed his demise.

The future is not determined yet, Emperor's Throne..., hahaha