[B1] Chapter 8: Secrets of the Awakened
He expected a study or perhaps another empty room, but instead, he stumbled upon something entirely unexpected.
There stood Elena, caught in the middle of changing her cloth. Though she wasn't completely exposed, her pale, perfectly shaped body was generously revealed. Her half-revealed bosom seemed to grab attention, while her flustered, innocent expression added to the already tense atmosphere.
The sight was enough to send any young man's hormones into overdrive. But Theo, for his part, gathered his wits and averted his gaze.
"Ma...Master?" Elena's voice trembled with surprise, her hands instinctively reaching up to shield herself. Her cheeks turned a soft shade of pink.
"Uh... umm... sorry!" Theo's words tumbled out as he rapidly backed away, nearly tripping over his own feet. "I didn't realize. I mean, I didn't know this was your room!" With one last apologetic glance, he gently closed the door behind him, making a mental note to knock next time.
He leaned against the wall outside, trying to calm his racing heart. 'That was close!' he thought, unable to shake the image of Elena's half-revealed, ravishing body from his mind.
'I need to find that library and focus on something else… anything else!'
But despite his best efforts, it was hard to forget what he had seen.
On the other side of the door, Elena was quickly putting on her dress, flustered but determined to maintain her composure. She had planned to take a bath after her morning chores, and now this unexpected encounter had left her both embarrassed and curious.
With her cheeks still glowing a soft shade of pink, she stepped out of her room, her eyes meeting Theo's. "Do you want to have breakfast, Master?" she asked, her voice filled with a hint of shyness.
"No. I am looking for the library" Theo replied, keeping a normal face, though his thoughts were still fresh with the tantalizing glimpse he had caught of Elena's beauty.
He realized now how extraordinarily beautiful she was. If she had been on Earth, her grace and appearance alone could have made her a top celebrity.
"The library? It's on the first floor," Elena responded, her voice gentle yet noticeably tinged with embarrassment. She gave a slight bow, adding, "Let me bring you there, Master."
Her gracefulness, despite the awkward situation, made Theo appreciate her even more. There was something about her, a poise and elegance that seemed natural and unforced.
He trailed Elena down the staircase, the mansion's ancient flavor enveloping them.
With every step, Theo felt the age of the place, like he was stepping through time. "So, who else lives here besides us?" he asked, trying to fill the silence.
Elena glanced over her shoulder, her eyes reflecting the soft glow of the magic stones that lined the walls. "We have twenty-two guards who patrol around the castle. Oh, and Mister Leonard," she replied.
Theo simply nodded, and they reached the library doors. Elena reached out, her slender hand grasping the silver handle, and opened the door.
A musty scent of old paper and ink filled the air. "Which book do you want to read, Master? Let me help you find it," she offered.
He hesitated, about to decline her assistance, but then his gaze fell upon the towering shelves laden with books. He realized he had no idea where to begin. The texts engraved on their covers seemed foreign, yet strangely familiar, as if he had known them all his life.
"Something that tells me about the classes and magic of this world," he finally said.
Elena's eyebrows furrowed momentarily, but then her face broke into a soft smile. She moved to the back of the library, her figure gliding between the aisles.
After a moment, she returned, holding out a weathered tome. "This book, 'Secrets of the Awakened: Navigating the Mana Path,' will tell you everything," she assured him.
Theo took it from her, feeling the worn leather cover beneath his fingertips. "Thank you," he said, his voice filled with sincere appreciation. "I will read it. You can go now."
Elena bowed, her cheeks still tinged with the earlier embarrassment, and left the room.
Theo sank into a nearby chair and opened the book. Though the language of this world should have been foreign to him, it wasn't. Somehow, since he had grown up in this world, his subconscious mind recognized the words. There was no struggle; it was like reading his native tongue.
Word by word, page by page, he began to soak in the basics, a growing sense of understanding lighting up his mind.
==============
In the vast land of Varidian, upon reaching the age of Twelve, a young soul is bestowed with a unique power, known as a class. This class becomes the guiding star of their destiny, influencing their path and future.
==[Type of Warriors]==
At the milestone of circle rank 10, a rare phenomenon occurs: a warrior has the chance to awaken a dormant element, a feat so rare that only one in 100,000 achieves it.
Those who unlock this elemental gift are known as Elemental Warriors, while those without an element are termed Mana Warriors.
==[Warrior Ranks]==
As they harness this newly awakened power, a ring appears on their hand. Mages and Healers will see the ring appear on their left hand, while Warriors and Beast Tamers have theirs on the right.
However, it's noteworthy that these rings are shy; they only reveal themselves when one's power is invoked - during battles, elemental manifestations, or moments of intense emotion.
One ring signifies they've attained at least the 10th circle rank. Two rings? They've reached the 20th circle rank or above.
As for the grading of their circle ranks, it is divided as follows:
Circle Ranks 1 to 9 are classified as Novices;
Circle Ranks 10 to 19 as Masters;
Circle Ranks 20 to 29 fall under Elite;
Circle Ranks 30 to 39 are Lords;
Circle Ranks 40 to 49 bear the title of Overlords;
Circle Ranks 50 to 59 stand as Kings;
Circle Ranks 60 to 69 are Emperors;
Circle Ranks 70 to 79 are distinguished as Sages;
Circle Ranks 80 to 89 are known as Titans;
Circle Ranks 90 to 95 reign as Celestials
Circle Ranks 96 to 99 ascend to Ascendants;
and the unparalleled Circle Ranks 100 is known as The Sovereign.
==[Seven Elements]==
Varidian is known to be aligned with seven predominant elements: Fire, Water, Earth, Wind, Thunder, Ice/Snow, Nature. An individual's element determines their class and its potential advancement.
To make it clear, let's delve into the element of Fire:
[Fireblade Warrior] - Warriors who, with a swing of their weapon, can engulf enemies in searing flames.
[Fireweave Mystic] - Sorcerers that conjure fiery spells, turning chilly nights into blazing days.
[Firetouch Healer] - Gentle souls that summon the warmth of the fire to close wounds and comfort the pained.
[Firebeast Tamer] - These individuals form bonds with creatures of the blaze. It's rumored they can merge with their fiery beasts, becoming one powerful entity.
This same pattern applies across all elements. If you're thinking of remembering them, here's a tip: "-blade" indicates warriors, "-weave" stands for mages, "-touch" signifies healers, and "-beast" represents tamers.
But what powers these classes?
It's Mana - the life essence of Varidian. It is the invisible force present in every nook and cranny of this world and is the heartbeat of these classes.
This energy, both mystical and primal, breathes life into their extraordinary capabilities. Every being has it, but for those with a class, it's the source of their unique powers.
==[Awakening Stones]==
As one approaches the age of Twelve, these precious stones come into play. Classified into unique tiers, they unlock the dormant power within an individual, setting them on their journey in Varidian.
==[Status Panel]==
When one reaches the age of twelve, they are bestowed with a magical status panel which can be accessed by them to see their progress.
An average status panel appears like this:
<<<<
[Name: Elon Sparrow]
[Race: Human]
[Class: Firebeast Tamer]
[Elemental Affinity: Fire]
[Elemental Affinity Grade: A]
[Special Ability: Sword Expert]
[Circle Rank: 12]
[Evolved Rings: 1]
[Ring Rank: 2]
[Mana: Moderate]
[Strength: 9]
[Defense: 11]
[Agility: 10]
[Stamina: 12]
[Intelligence: 8]
[Precision: 9]
[Mental Power: 7*]
[Perception: 6*]
[Wisdom: 7*]
[Charisma: 5*]
[Luck: 6*]
[Unused Stat Points: 24]
>>>>
==[Name]==
~ The user’s given name by their birth parents.
==[Race]==
~ Their racial traits, which solely depend on their birth parents.
==[Class]==
~ By default, one is a Mana Warrior unless they awaken an element at circle rank 10. It's usually recommended to wait until circle rank 10 to assign stats points as per their chosen class.
If a Mana Warrior awakens a Mage class at circle rank 10, then assigning points in strength beforehand would be counterproductive.
Various skills like martial arts, swordsmanship, archery, spear fighting, and close combat are typically trained in, as the class one awakens at circle rank 10 is primarily talent-based.
Specialized classes like blacksmith, merchant, miner, alchemist, and herbalist are often given to those who train in these areas before the age of awakening. These classes usually don't possess warrior skills but are valuable for earning money and gaining high positions within noble and royal families.
==[Elemental Affinity]==
~ Revealed upon awakening at circle rank 10.
==[Elemental Affinity Grade]==
~ Indicates one's closeness to their affinity. Grade A enables high-level attacks compared to Grade B. A is the highest, and F is the lowest.
==[Special Ability]==
~ Bestowed by the heavens upon every individual born into this world. Usually guides the path one will take in life.
==[Circle Rank]==
~ Determines one's power level and journey as both a mana and elemental warrior.
==[Evolved Rings]==
~ Shows the number of evolved rings one has. Rings can evolve by absorbing ring essence and fully evolve at ring rank 10.
==[Ring Rank]==
~ Indicates current ring rank. Ranking up can be done by absorbing ring essence.
==[Mana: Moderate]==
~ Indicates Mana reserves, graded from very low, low, moderate, high, to very high.
==[Strength]==
~ Represents the physical power one possesses. A higher number means a stronger individual, capable of lifting heavy objects or delivering powerful blows.
==[Defense]==
~ Indicates one's resilience and ability to withstand attacks, both physical and magical.
==[Agility]==
~ Determines speed and flexibility, crucial for dodging attacks and maneuvering in combat.
==[Stamina]==
~ Measures endurance and how long one can sustain physical or magical activities.
==[Intelligence]==
~ Reflects one's aptitude for learning and understanding complex concepts, crucial for Mages and scholars.
==[Precision]==
~ A higher number would result in greater accuracy, be it in combat or tasks requiring a high degree of exactness.
==[Mental Power]==
~ Related to willpower and focus. A high value benefits psychic or magical tasks. Points can't be assigned; it improves by going beyond one's willpower.
==[Perception]==
~ Affects awareness and the ability to notice details or changes in one's surroundings. Points can't be assigned; only learned through meditation.
==[Wisdom]==
~ Relates to decision-making abilities and a knack for choosing the right paths. Points can't be assigned; it's learned through experiences, betrayals, and teachings from masters.
==[Charisma]==
~ A low number signifies social awkwardness; a high number indicates skill at socializing. Points can't be assigned; it's developed through self-grooming.
==[Luck]==
~ A higher stat means better chances in almost everything—be it dodging a fatal blow or finding valuable items. Points can't be assigned; it relies on one's own luck.
==[Unused Stat Points]==
~ Two points are given as a reward when one's circle rank increases. Once assigned to an attribute, they are set in stone and accompany you to your grave.
==============
He read through page by page, he finally started to understand most of the things about the power system of this world.
Yet, as the excitement of learning about the classes grew, a nagging doubt crept into his mind. He had no Mana. Could he even awaken any class?
Finally, he closed the book, his fingers tracing the edge of the cover.
'It seemed, grandpa took me away the same year when I was going to awaken a class and the Silverblade family didn't waste an awakening stone on me since I was not acting normal after I was taken away from here...'
He gently placed the book on the table, his mind engulfed with swirling thoughts and future plans. Theo glanced at his hands, clearly aware that his absence of mana acted as an unseen barrier, denying him the remarkable abilities that others his age possessed.
Though he lacked mana, he refused to accept defeat. He would find a way, carve his own path, define his own journey. There had to be a way for him too.
With a deep sigh, Theo stood up, his mind was tired by what he'd just read.
"I should get a tour outside the mansion," he mumbled to himself.
Theo found his way down a corridor and through a big door. Stepping out onto a stony path, he saw he was on top of a mountain. Right side of the mansion, there was a small garden.
Turning around, he saw the foot of the mountain. Beyond that, settled in the distance to the west, was a small village about 200 meters away. Kids were playing, their distant laughter could be heard, carried by the wind.
Everything — the mansion, the village, and the land around — was enclosed by an ancient, towering wall that seemed to keep the dangers at bay.
"So this is the village that comes under my barony," Theo mumbled to himself, remembering that Princess Liliana had given him this place to keep him safe.
"I think I've seen enough for today," Theo mused, his gaze lingering on the distant village. "I should return to my room; visiting the village will have to wait."
His heavy body felt tired, and he had yet to digest all the information he read from the book.
With a thoughtful look, he slowly turned around to head back into the mansion.
[Ding!]
The sudden sound stopped him in his tracks. Messages appeared right in front of his eyes, taking him by complete surprise.
<<<<
[Quest Name: "The Weight of Destiny"]
[Quest Description]
[~Your body has been poisoned with a mysterious bug that causes you to gain 50 grams of weight every day. If your weight surpasses 190 kg, you will suffer a fatal heart attack. There is only one way to counteract the poison – regular exercise. Dieting is not an option as it would worsen the situation. You must undertake the "Workout Challenge" to prevent his untimely demise.]
[Quest Objective]
[~The quest requires you to work out rigorously for 2 hours each day (repeatable). The more you exercises, the more you can counteract the weight gain caused by the poison. Your goal is to keep your weight below the dangerous threshold of 190 kg.]
[Quest Rewards]
[~Upon completion of each 2-hour workout session, You will receive a random reward.]
[Quest Failure]
[~ If you don't complete your daily exercise goal, you will gain an extra 1 kg, bringing you one step closer to death.]
[Current Body Weight: 178 kg]
>>>>
"Wha...at?" Theo whispered, his face darkening.
[B1] Chapter 8: Secrets of the Awakened
He expected a study or perhaps another empty room, but instead, he stumbled upon something entirely unexpected.
There stood Elena, caught in the middle of changing her cloth. Though she wasn't completely exposed, her pale, perfectly shaped body was generously revealed. Her half-revealed bosom seemed to grab attention, while her flustered, innocent expression added to the already tense atmosphere.
The sight was enough to send any young man's hormones into overdrive. But Theo, for his part, gathered his wits and averted his gaze.
"Ma...Master?" Elena's voice trembled with surprise, her hands instinctively reaching up to shield herself. Her cheeks turned a soft shade of pink.
"Uh... umm... sorry!" Theo's words tumbled out as he rapidly backed away, nearly tripping over his own feet. "I didn't realize. I mean, I didn't know this was your room!" With one last apologetic glance, he gently closed the door behind him, making a mental note to knock next time.
He leaned against the wall outside, trying to calm his racing heart. 'That was close!' he thought, unable to shake the image of Elena's half-revealed, ravishing body from his mind.
'I need to find that library and focus on something else… anything else!'
But despite his best efforts, it was hard to forget what he had seen.
On the other side of the door, Elena was quickly putting on her dress, flustered but determined to maintain her composure. She had planned to take a bath after her morning chores, and now this unexpected encounter had left her both embarrassed and curious.
With her cheeks still glowing a soft shade of pink, she stepped out of her room, her eyes meeting Theo's. "Do you want to have breakfast, Master?" she asked, her voice filled with a hint of shyness.
"No. I am looking for the library" Theo replied, keeping a normal face, though his thoughts were still fresh with the tantalizing glimpse he had caught of Elena's beauty.
He realized now how extraordinarily beautiful she was. If she had been on Earth, her grace and appearance alone could have made her a top celebrity.
"The library? It's on the first floor," Elena responded, her voice gentle yet noticeably tinged with embarrassment. She gave a slight bow, adding, "Let me bring you there, Master."
Her gracefulness, despite the awkward situation, made Theo appreciate her even more. There was something about her, a poise and elegance that seemed natural and unforced.
He trailed Elena down the staircase, the mansion's ancient flavor enveloping them.
With every step, Theo felt the age of the place, like he was stepping through time. "So, who else lives here besides us?" he asked, trying to fill the silence.
Elena glanced over her shoulder, her eyes reflecting the soft glow of the magic stones that lined the walls. "We have twenty-two guards who patrol around the castle. Oh, and Mister Leonard," she replied.
Theo simply nodded, and they reached the library doors. Elena reached out, her slender hand grasping the silver handle, and opened the door.
A musty scent of old paper and ink filled the air. "Which book do you want to read, Master? Let me help you find it," she offered.
He hesitated, about to decline her assistance, but then his gaze fell upon the towering shelves laden with books. He realized he had no idea where to begin. The texts engraved on their covers seemed foreign, yet strangely familiar, as if he had known them all his life.
"Something that tells me about the classes and magic of this world," he finally said.
Elena's eyebrows furrowed momentarily, but then her face broke into a soft smile. She moved to the back of the library, her figure gliding between the aisles.
After a moment, she returned, holding out a weathered tome. "This book, 'Secrets of the Awakened: Navigating the Mana Path,' will tell you everything," she assured him.
Theo took it from her, feeling the worn leather cover beneath his fingertips. "Thank you," he said, his voice filled with sincere appreciation. "I will read it. You can go now."
Elena bowed, her cheeks still tinged with the earlier embarrassment, and left the room.
Theo sank into a nearby chair and opened the book. Though the language of this world should have been foreign to him, it wasn't. Somehow, since he had grown up in this world, his subconscious mind recognized the words. There was no struggle; it was like reading his native tongue.
Word by word, page by page, he began to soak in the basics, a growing sense of understanding lighting up his mind.
==============
In the vast land of Varidian, upon reaching the age of Twelve, a young soul is bestowed with a unique power, known as a class. This class becomes the guiding star of their destiny, influencing their path and future.
==[Type of Warriors]==
At the milestone of circle rank 10, a rare phenomenon occurs: a warrior has the chance to awaken a dormant element, a feat so rare that only one in 100,000 achieves it.
Those who unlock this elemental gift are known as Elemental Warriors, while those without an element are termed Mana Warriors.
==[Warrior Ranks]==
As they harness this newly awakened power, a ring appears on their hand. Mages and Healers will see the ring appear on their left hand, while Warriors and Beast Tamers have theirs on the right.
However, it's noteworthy that these rings are shy; they only reveal themselves when one's power is invoked - during battles, elemental manifestations, or moments of intense emotion.
One ring signifies they've attained at least the 10th circle rank. Two rings? They've reached the 20th circle rank or above.
As for the grading of their circle ranks, it is divided as follows:
Circle Ranks 1 to 9 are classified as Novices;
Circle Ranks 10 to 19 as Masters;
Circle Ranks 20 to 29 fall under Elite;
Circle Ranks 30 to 39 are Lords;
Circle Ranks 40 to 49 bear the title of Overlords;
Circle Ranks 50 to 59 stand as Kings;
Circle Ranks 60 to 69 are Emperors;
Circle Ranks 70 to 79 are distinguished as Sages;
Circle Ranks 80 to 89 are known as Titans;
Circle Ranks 90 to 95 reign as Celestials
Circle Ranks 96 to 99 ascend to Ascendants;
and the unparalleled Circle Ranks 100 is known as The Sovereign.
==[Seven Elements]==
Varidian is known to be aligned with seven predominant elements: Fire, Water, Earth, Wind, Thunder, Ice/Snow, Nature. An individual's element determines their class and its potential advancement.
To make it clear, let's delve into the element of Fire:
[Fireblade Warrior] - Warriors who, with a swing of their weapon, can engulf enemies in searing flames.
[Fireweave Mystic] - Sorcerers that conjure fiery spells, turning chilly nights into blazing days.
[Firetouch Healer] - Gentle souls that summon the warmth of the fire to close wounds and comfort the pained.
[Firebeast Tamer] - These individuals form bonds with creatures of the blaze. It's rumored they can merge with their fiery beasts, becoming one powerful entity.
This same pattern applies across all elements. If you're thinking of remembering them, here's a tip: "-blade" indicates warriors, "-weave" stands for mages, "-touch" signifies healers, and "-beast" represents tamers.
But what powers these classes?
It's Mana - the life essence of Varidian. It is the invisible force present in every nook and cranny of this world and is the heartbeat of these classes.
This energy, both mystical and primal, breathes life into their extraordinary capabilities. Every being has it, but for those with a class, it's the source of their unique powers.
==[Awakening Stones]==
As one approaches the age of Twelve, these precious stones come into play. Classified into unique tiers, they unlock the dormant power within an individual, setting them on their journey in Varidian.
==[Status Panel]==
When one reaches the age of twelve, they are bestowed with a magical status panel which can be accessed by them to see their progress.
An average status panel appears like this:
<<<<
[Name: Elon Sparrow]
[Race: Human]
[Class: Firebeast Tamer]
[Elemental Affinity: Fire]
[Elemental Affinity Grade: A]
[Special Ability: Sword Expert]
[Circle Rank: 12]
[Evolved Rings: 1]
[Ring Rank: 2]
[Mana: Moderate]
[Strength: 9]
[Defense: 11]
[Agility: 10]
[Stamina: 12]
[Intelligence: 8]
[Precision: 9]
[Mental Power: 7*]
[Perception: 6*]
[Wisdom: 7*]
[Charisma: 5*]
[Luck: 6*]
[Unused Stat Points: 24]
>>>>
==[Name]==
~ The user’s given name by their birth parents.
==[Race]==
~ Their racial traits, which solely depend on their birth parents.
==[Class]==
~ By default, one is a Mana Warrior unless they awaken an element at circle rank 10. It's usually recommended to wait until circle rank 10 to assign stats points as per their chosen class.
If a Mana Warrior awakens a Mage class at circle rank 10, then assigning points in strength beforehand would be counterproductive.
Various skills like martial arts, swordsmanship, archery, spear fighting, and close combat are typically trained in, as the class one awakens at circle rank 10 is primarily talent-based.
Specialized classes like blacksmith, merchant, miner, alchemist, and herbalist are often given to those who train in these areas before the age of awakening. These classes usually don't possess warrior skills but are valuable for earning money and gaining high positions within noble and royal families.
==[Elemental Affinity]==
~ Revealed upon awakening at circle rank 10.
==[Elemental Affinity Grade]==
~ Indicates one's closeness to their affinity. Grade A enables high-level attacks compared to Grade B. A is the highest, and F is the lowest.
==[Special Ability]==
~ Bestowed by the heavens upon every individual born into this world. Usually guides the path one will take in life.
==[Circle Rank]==
~ Determines one's power level and journey as both a mana and elemental warrior.
==[Evolved Rings]==
~ Shows the number of evolved rings one has. Rings can evolve by absorbing ring essence and fully evolve at ring rank 10.
==[Ring Rank]==
~ Indicates current ring rank. Ranking up can be done by absorbing ring essence.
==[Mana: Moderate]==
~ Indicates Mana reserves, graded from very low, low, moderate, high, to very high.
==[Strength]==
~ Represents the physical power one possesses. A higher number means a stronger individual, capable of lifting heavy objects or delivering powerful blows.
==[Defense]==
~ Indicates one's resilience and ability to withstand attacks, both physical and magical.
==[Agility]==
~ Determines speed and flexibility, crucial for dodging attacks and maneuvering in combat.
==[Stamina]==
~ Measures endurance and how long one can sustain physical or magical activities.
==[Intelligence]==
~ Reflects one's aptitude for learning and understanding complex concepts, crucial for Mages and scholars.
==[Precision]==
~ A higher number would result in greater accuracy, be it in combat or tasks requiring a high degree of exactness.
==[Mental Power]==
~ Related to willpower and focus. A high value benefits psychic or magical tasks. Points can't be assigned; it improves by going beyond one's willpower.
==[Perception]==
~ Affects awareness and the ability to notice details or changes in one's surroundings. Points can't be assigned; only learned through meditation.
==[Wisdom]==
~ Relates to decision-making abilities and a knack for choosing the right paths. Points can't be assigned; it's learned through experiences, betrayals, and teachings from masters.
==[Charisma]==
~ A low number signifies social awkwardness; a high number indicates skill at socializing. Points can't be assigned; it's developed through self-grooming.
==[Luck]==
~ A higher stat means better chances in almost everything—be it dodging a fatal blow or finding valuable items. Points can't be assigned; it relies on one's own luck.
==[Unused Stat Points]==
~ Two points are given as a reward when one's circle rank increases. Once assigned to an attribute, they are set in stone and accompany you to your grave.
==============
He read through page by page, he finally started to understand most of the things about the power system of this world.
Yet, as the excitement of learning about the classes grew, a nagging doubt crept into his mind. He had no Mana. Could he even awaken any class?
Finally, he closed the book, his fingers tracing the edge of the cover.
'It seemed, grandpa took me away the same year when I was going to awaken a class and the Silverblade family didn't waste an awakening stone on me since I was not acting normal after I was taken away from here...'
He gently placed the book on the table, his mind engulfed with swirling thoughts and future plans. Theo glanced at his hands, clearly aware that his absence of mana acted as an unseen barrier, denying him the remarkable abilities that others his age possessed.
Though he lacked mana, he refused to accept defeat. He would find a way, carve his own path, define his own journey. There had to be a way for him too.
With a deep sigh, Theo stood up, his mind was tired by what he'd just read.
"I should get a tour outside the mansion," he mumbled to himself.
Theo found his way down a corridor and through a big door. Stepping out onto a stony path, he saw he was on top of a mountain. Right side of the mansion, there was a small garden.
Turning around, he saw the foot of the mountain. Beyond that, settled in the distance to the west, was a small village about 200 meters away. Kids were playing, their distant laughter could be heard, carried by the wind.
Everything — the mansion, the village, and the land around — was enclosed by an ancient, towering wall that seemed to keep the dangers at bay.
"So this is the village that comes under my barony," Theo mumbled to himself, remembering that Princess Liliana had given him this place to keep him safe.
"I think I've seen enough for today," Theo mused, his gaze lingering on the distant village. "I should return to my room; visiting the village will have to wait."
His heavy body felt tired, and he had yet to digest all the information he read from the book.
With a thoughtful look, he slowly turned around to head back into the mansion.
[Ding!]
The sudden sound stopped him in his tracks. Messages appeared right in front of his eyes, taking him by complete surprise.
<<<<
[Quest Name: "The Weight of Destiny"]
[Quest Description]
[~Your body has been poisoned with a mysterious bug that causes you to gain 50 grams of weight every day. If your weight surpasses 190 kg, you will suffer a fatal heart attack. There is only one way to counteract the poison – regular exercise. Dieting is not an option as it would worsen the situation. You must undertake the "Workout Challenge" to prevent his untimely demise.]
[Quest Objective]
[~The quest requires you to work out rigorously for 2 hours each day (repeatable). The more you exercises, the more you can counteract the weight gain caused by the poison. Your goal is to keep your weight below the dangerous threshold of 190 kg.]
[Quest Rewards]
[~Upon completion of each 2-hour workout session, You will receive a random reward.]
[Quest Failure]
[~ If you don't complete your daily exercise goal, you will gain an extra 1 kg, bringing you one step closer to death.]
[Current Body Weight: 178 kg]
>>>>
"Wha...at?" Theo whispered, his face darkening.
