I Look Like A Twig

The System Menu List instantly dissolved, replaced by the familiar but updated, glowing display of his personal information.

Player Status

Name: Kilian Onyx Noxhaven Lv. 1

Age: 17

Race: Human

Title: Prince of Noxhaven Kingdom

Job: None

Stat Points: 3

Aethel Coins: 2700

Reputation: Neutral Evil (-770)

Unclaimed Rewards: 0

Stats:

Strength (STR): 7

Agility (AGI): 7

Vitality (VIT): 6

Intelligence (INT): 10

Resolve (RES): 6

Charisma (CHA): 12

Criticals (CRT): 0

Luck (LCK): 2

Having thoroughly reviewed the comprehensive System Menu List, Kilian's gaze returned to his Player Status, focusing on the changes.

The first thing that caught his eye was the line for Stat Points.

"Hm," he murmured, his brow furrowing slightly in thought.

"Stat Points, 3."

A flicker of hope ignited within him.

"If it's the same as the game, then it means there's still a chance for my horrible stats to improve."

"It's possible to get stronger."

A quiet determination settled over him, he wouldn't be weak in this world.

His eyes then drifted down to his currency.

"Aethel Coins: 2700," he read aloud, a hint of surprise in his tone.

That was a substantial amount for a first day but he began to mentally list possibilities.

"Where can I spend it?"

"What's immediately available in this kingdom?"

"Equipment? Information? Maybe even some basic skills?"

The possibilities whirred through his mind.

Kilian's eyes scanned the glowing interface, pausing briefly on the newly noted "Aethelstore" entry.

"Ah, the Aethelstore," he murmured, a low, thoughtful hum escaping his lips.

"That must be where these Aethel Coins come into play."

"Probably a shop for gear or perhaps even skills, if it's anything like the games I remember."

But his attention, ever drawn to the immediate and practical, swiftly snapped back to the more pressing matter.

His gaze zeroed in on the "Stat Points: 3" line in his Player Status.

A small, almost imperceptible tremor ran through his hand.

"Forget coins for now," he whispered, a newfound excitement bubbling beneath his calm exterior.

"These stat points... if I can really put them wherever I want, then there's still hope for my utterly pathetic baseline."

"I need to see if I can allocate them right now. This could change everything."

His finger twitched, hovering over the 'Stats Management' option, eager to test the system's limits.

But then Kilian's finger, still hovering over the 'Stats Management' option, paused.

A new thought sparked in his mind, a lingering curiosity from his gaming days.

"What if I don't need to physically touch it?"

"What if..."

He closed his eyes for a brief moment, focusing his will. 'System, Stats Management,' he thought, the command forming clearly and distinctly in the silent chambers of his mind.

"Open Stats Management."

A soft, almost imperceptible ding resonated, not in his ears, but directly within his consciousness.

He opened his eyes, and gasped.

Right before him, shimmering with the same ethereal blue glow as the System Menu, a new, translucent window had materialized.

It floated in the air, perfectly readable, displaying his current attributes.

Current Stats

Strength (STR): 7 - [ 0 ] +

Agility (AGI): 7 - [ 0 ] +

Vitality (VIT): 6 - [ 0 ] +

Intelligence (INT): 10 - [ 0 ] +

Resolve (RES): 6 - [ 0 ] +

Charisma (CHA): 12 - [ 0 ] +

Criticals (CRT): 0 - [ 0 ] +

Luck (LCK): 2 - [ 0 ] +

Available Points: 3 Reset | Confirm

"Woah, it heard me?" Kilian thought, a surge of surprise and fascination washing over him.

The system's responsiveness to his unspoken command was truly incredible.

He looked at his current low stats, a clear path forming in his mind for where to begin.

Kilian's gaze drifted from the floating system window to his own reflection, catching a glimpse of his arm.

He pinched a sliver of skin on his bicep between his thumb and forefinger, a scowl deepening on his face.

"God, I look like a twig," he muttered, shaking his head.

"I'm so thin. What the hell kind of vices and bad habits has this guy been taking?"

That was it. His mind was made up.

The display instantly updated:

Strength (STR): 7 - [ 3 ] +

He immediately focused on the 'Strength' line in the translucent window. With a decisive mental command, he allocated all three of his available stat points to it.

His finger, still twitching with eagerness, moved towards the 'Confirm' button.

"I need to build up muscle first, or maybe even fat," he murmured, a grim determination in his voice.

"I can't get strong if I don't even have meat on my bones."

A wide grin spread across Kilian's face as he mentally clicked the Confirm button.

"Just like almost every player in the world," he muttered, a familiar satisfaction bubbling up.

"Got to always start with allocating stat points on Strength to make the rest of it easier at the start."

The moment the confirmation registered, a strange sensation washed over him.

His muscles, previously thin and unremarkable, began to subtly ache and twitch, a low thrumming deep within his very bones.

It wasn't painful, but rather an odd, invigorating transformation.

Then, a sudden, thunderous rumble erupted from his stomach, so loud it startled him, echoing in the otherwise silent room.

His eyes widened.

GRROOOOWL! he exclaimed, pressing a hand to his midsection.

It was an insatiable, demanding hunger, unlike anything he'd felt before.

"It looks like my body is asking for nutrients already to accommodate with the fast change in my body," he realized, a faint flush of understanding crossing his face.

Driven by this overwhelming urge, he immediately spun around and practically lunged for the door.

Just as his hand reached for the knob, the door swung inward.

Standing there, her hand still raised in a knocking position, was Elara, her expression a mix of concern and slight surprise at his sudden, eager rush.

Kilian, caught off guard but recovering swiftly, leaned his arm against the doorframe, a wide, confident smile spreading across his face.

"Good morning, cutie," he purred, his eyes sparkling with an almost mischievous glint.

Elara's hand, still poised to knock, froze in mid-air.

Her eyes widened slightly, a faint blush creeping up her neck and painting her cheeks a delicate rose.

Her usual composed expression faltered, replaced by a look of genuine surprise, a tiny furrow appearing between her brows as if she was trying to process the unexpected endearment.

Kilian's smile only broadened at her reaction, his gaze sweeping over her face.

He pushed off the doorframe slightly, his voice dropping to a warm, almost intimate tone.

"I know this day will be another great one," he added smoothly, his eyes lingering on her, "now that you are the first to bless me with that beautiful face of yours."

His charm was palpable, his expression earnest, yet with that persistent hint of playful teasing around the edges of his lips.

A faint blush deepened on Elara's cheeks, and a shy, small smile touched her lips.

"Don't you think that it's a bit too early in the morning for those kind of words, Young Master?" she managed, her voice a little softer than usual.

Kilian's grin didn't falter.

"Elara, there's always time to appreciate your beau-," he began smoothly, leaning in just slightly.

But before he could finish his sentence, his stomach let out another, even more insistent and thunderous growl.

GRROOOOWL!

Elara's eyes dropped to his midsection, a soft chuckle escaping her lips before she looked back up at him, her shy smile now turning into one of genuine amusement.

"See?" she teased gently, her eyes twinkling.

"Even your stomach knows what's supposed to be the first priority in the morning."

"Please, Young Master, follow me. Your family are already in their seats, but we are still on time."

Turning gracefully, Elara began to walk, her shoulders subtly shaking with suppressed laughter.

Kilian, rubbing his protesting stomach, followed behind her, a bewildered look on his face.

He mumbled under his breath, "Did my stomach just cuckblocked me?"

His cheeks, despite his attempts at composure, took on a faint reddish hue.

As Kilian and Elara stepped into the grand dining hall, a hush fell over the room.

All eyes at the long, polished table turned towards them, expressions of surprise blossoming on the faces of the family members.

However, a warm smile spread across the King and Queen's faces as they saw Kilian.

He returned their smile, a genuine one that softened his usual mischievous look, and strode towards the empty seat beside his father.

"Did you just wake up, my dear?" the Queen asked, her smile gentle but her eyes twinkling with amusement.

"It looks like you haven't even taken a bath yet, right?"

Kilian chuckled, settling into his chair.

"Yes, Mother, I just woke up."

I saw Elara at the door, and she said you were already eating, so I decided to skip my bath for later so I could join you today."

His parents' smiles widened.

The younger siblings at the table, wide-eyed, exchanged surprised glances but remained silent.

Then, Kilian's sister, Vivienne, set down her fork with a slight clink.

She looked at him with a smirk.

"Maybe it's because he drank himself to sleep again last night," she commented, her tone light but pointed.

"That's why he's late to wake up."

***

/I hope you enjoyed this chapter! If its alright, please drop a comment or a powerstone to help me keep making this world bigger!