His journey continued as he transitioned from infancy to childhood, growing both in mind and body. His early years were marked by rigorous observation, but now, at the age of four, he could finally begin actively shaping his own destiny. The System of Conquest granted him advantages beyond any normal child, and he intended to make full use of it.
By the time he reached his fourth year, his father, Datu Pansalang, had decided it was time for him to begin serious combat training. Most children would not start their warrior education until they were at least seven, but his intelligence, maturity, and determination convinced his father otherwise.
"Are you certain he is ready?" Magayong asked her husband as she watched Louigi struggle to lift a small wooden sword. "He is still young."
Pansalang folded his arms, watching his son with a critical eye. "Strength is built through hardship. If he cannot handle this now, he will not survive what is to come."
Louigi, despite his small frame, did not complain. He grit his teeth and focused on holding his stance. He knew that every moment spent training now would compound into an advantage in the future. The warriors surrounding him chuckled at first, but as the days passed, their amusement turned into respect.
[Training Completed: Basic Strength Drills]
Rewards: +2 Physique, +1 Strength
[New Skill Gained: Endurance Training (Passive)]
Effects: Increases stamina recovery rate by 5%
Each session, his body grew stronger, his movements sharper. His father watched in approval, while his mother remained skeptical, though she admired her son's perseverance.
"You are not like other children, my son," she told him one evening, dabbing a damp cloth against his bruised arms. "You think like a man grown, and I fear that means you will suffer a man's burdens far too soon."
Louigi met her gaze with determination. "If I am to be great, I must start now."
While his father trained him in combat, Louigi sought to enhance his intelligence through study. He listened to the village elders, absorbing knowledge of history, tactics, and the wisdom of their ancestors. He also visited the traders from the Chinese, learning their language and customs.
His efforts did not go unnoticed. The System rewarded him for his intellectual pursuits:
[Knowledge Expansion: Trade and Diplomacy]
Rewards: +3 Intelligence, +2 Wisdom, New Skill: Basic Trade Negotiation
[New Skill Gained: Multilingual Comprehension]
Effects: Increases language learning speed by 30%
Through these studies, he realized that war was not just about strength—it was about strategy, alliances, and economic power.
One day, a Chinese merchant named Lao Shen noticed Louigi's curiosity. "You are a strange child," the old trader said, watching as Louigi traced the characters of the Chinese script in the dirt. "Most boys your age run and play, but you seek knowledge."
Louigi smiled. "A wise warrior must understand the world before he tries to conquer it."
Lao Shen laughed. "Spoken like an emperor."
By the time Louigi turned six, an opportunity arose to put his skills to the test. A raiding party from a rival barangay had attacked a nearby settlement, and the warriors of Tondo were preparing a counteroffensive.
"Stay behind," his mother urged, but Louigi refused. "I will not fight," he reassured her. "I will observe."
His father, though hesitant, allowed him to accompany the warriors.
The battle was swift and brutal. The raiders, numbering about twenty, were caught off guard as Pansalang and his men stormed their encampment. He watched as tactics played out in real time—the positioning, the flanking maneuvers, the feigned retreats. His mind analyzed every detail.
As the dust settled, his father approached him. "What did you learn?"
Louigi did not hesitate. "We could have surrounded them more effectively. The left flank was too slow to advance. If the enemy had been more organized, they might have counterattacked."
Pansalang stared at him, then let out a deep chuckle. "You see more than most seasoned warriors. In time, you will be a great leader."
The System chimed in his mind:
[Quest Completed: Witness a Battle]
Rewards: +3 Wisdom, +2 Intelligence, New Skill: Basic Tactical Analysis
Louigi's vision for the future became clearer with each passing day. He would not simply be a warrior; he would be a ruler.
The journey had just begun.