The dimly lit chamber was filled with the scent of exotic herbs, the air heavy with the weight of noble politics. A delicate porcelain teacup clinked against its saucer as the Duchess, Eleanor von Roderick, took a measuredsip. Across from her, her son—the Duke's legitimate heir—sat with a scowl, his fingers drumming impatiently against the polished mahogany table.
"Why don't we just kill him?" the young heir, Lucas growled, his voice dripping with contempt. "He's an embarrassment to our house! A stain on our family's honor! I don't see why we should allow that bastard to keep breathing."
Eleanor tilted her head, her golden locks cascading over her shoulders. A small, knowing smile played on her lips. "Now, now, ,Lucas "she chided gently, "why waste effort on something that will resolve itself?"
Lucas clenched his fists, his expression darkening. "Resolve itself? That illegitimate wretch still walks within these halls! Do you truly expect him to disappear on his own?"
Eleanor exhaled softly, setting down her teacup. "Leonard is nothing more than a passing shadow. His mere existence is an inconvenience, yes, but one that will soon be rectified without us lifting a single finger."
She leaned back in her chair, gazing lazily at the flickering candlelight. "He is going on a journey where he has no talent. If we kill him outright, it might raise unnecessary suspicion. But if he dies at the academy? That, my dear, is simply fate."
Lucas frowned, but the logic in his mother's words was undeniable. "Still… I don't like it."
Eleanor's smirk deepened. "Let me tell you why I'm allowing this charade to continue," she said smoothly. "Leonard is being sent to the academy to try and join the Hero's party. Do you understand what that means?"
Lucas raised an eyebrow, waiting for her to continue.
"The expectation of one who is weak… is always death," she said matter-of-factly.
Lucas's lips curled into a sneer as realization dawned upon him. "Ah… I see now. The Hero's path is paved with danger. Trials, monsters, divine obstacles—anyone weak enough to falter will perish."
Eleanor nodded approvingly. "Precisely. The moment Leonard enters that party, he will be thrown into the most perilous battles, used as a disposable pawn. And when he inevitably falls, our dear Duke will take the credit for sending him, appearing as a noble and supportive father in the Emperor's eyes."
Lucas leaned back, a chuckle escaping his lips. "So we let the academy do the work for us…"
Eleanor lifted her teacup once more, taking a delicate sip. "Smart, isn't it?"
Lucas exhaled through his nose, his initial frustration replaced by amusement. "Fine," he conceded. "Let him go. I'll enjoy watching him suffer before he dies."
His laughter echoed through the chamber, a sound filled with cruel satisfaction.
Meanwhile, unbeknownst to them, Leonard stood just beyond the chamber doors, his fingers curled into fists. His eyes, once dull with resignation, now burned with cold calculation.
So that's your plan, is it? he mused silently, a smirk creeping onto his lips. You expect me to die? Then allow me to rewrite your expectations.
Leonard fell into serious thought. The weight of his so called family's betrayal settled deep in his mind. But rather than despair, something inside him shifted. He took a deep breath, calming himself, and whispered to himself, "If you all want me to die… then I will show you. I will take my revenge."
Just as those words left his lips, a sudden sound echoed in his mind.
Ding! A strong will to survive is detected. Host.
[Ding! Conditions are met! The Favorability System is bounding...]
[Congratulations. The "The Favorability System" is bound.]
[Ding! Favorability System
System level: LV 1
Titles: None
Name: leon
Strength: 40(average human 100)
Stamina: 35(average human 100)
Agility: 50(average human 100)
Vitality: 60(average human 100)
Mana:0.01
Luck: 20+30(Samuel)
IQ :65+120(Samuel)
EQ: 5+100(Samuel)
Charm:20
Skills:Singing (LV 2), Piano (LV 3), Cooking (LV 1), Management (LV 9), Communication (LV8).
Superpowers : None.
Evaluation: very very weak(not survive after four chapters)
FavorabilityPoint (FP): 00
Inventory: Yet to be open (Gift packages)]
Seeing the system appearing out of nowhere startled Leonard but he suppressed his surprise, There are still problems that he had to handle.
'System opens gift packages.'
Finding there was a gift package, He decided to open it. But System answer after getting first FP you would get it.
Leonard was upsetand confuse( FP)but thought something is better than nothing and suppressed all other thoughts and asked ,"System tell me your function."
Leonard's mind buzzed as a glowing blue screen materialized before his eyes. Words formed in golden letters, pulsing with an otherworldly aura.
[Welcome, Host, to the Favorability System!]
[This system allows you to gain Favorability Points (FP) from individuals based on their perception of you.]
A wave of information surged into his brain, and he instinctively understood the system's mechanics:
1. Normal People: Max 2 Favorability Points
(1 FP at 50%)
(2 FP at 100%)
2. Special Individuals (Gifted, nobles, or those with higher influence): Max 3 Favorability Points
(1 FP at 30%)
(2 FP at 60%)
(3 FP at 100%)
3. Chosen Ones (Heroes, high-level figures, protagonists): Max 4 Favorability Points
(1 FP at 25%)
(2 FP at 50%)
(3 FP at 75%)
(4 FP at 100%)
Talent Stealing Feature
[At 50% Favorability, you can steal one talent. At 100%, you can take two talents from the person and one thing related to that guy]
[Reaching 100% Favorability also grants a Lottery Draw!]
Initial Lottery (Basic Skills, Small Boosts)
Intermediate Lottery (Rare Abilities, Small Physique Enhancements)
Advanced Lottery (Powerful Techniques, Special Physiques)
Heavenly Lottery (God-Level Techniques, Mythical Items)
Leonard's eyes flickered as he processed the information.
"So… I can steal talents by making people like me? No, it's more than that. I don't need them to genuinely like me—just manipulate their perception. If I do it right, I can claim power from anyone..."
A slow, dark smile crept onto his lips.
"Duke, Hero, even the Emperor… No one will see it coming."
A new plan started forming in his mind. The academy wasn't his execution ground. It was his hunting ground.
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