Like a sudden lightning bolt, a blue rectangular screen materialized in front of Arzoth's face. The screen flickered and glowed blue, highlighting the words displayed,
[System Activated]
[System Type: C]
[Status Window]
[User: Arzoth Draven]
[Stats: Level 1]
[Title: Royal]
[Mana: 10%]
[Strength: 34%]
[Skill: Swordsmanship Lv 1 acquired]
[Unique Skill: -]
[Experience Points: 40]
"What the hell is this? System? This was not mentioned in the novel that I read. Did the story change? My stats level is at one, and also the swordsmanship. Did it happen because I touched the sword? Sounds ridiculous."
Aldric stepped further onto the training ground, his sword twirling in his hand with ease. He Scoffed, "What? Your highness's system has only been activated now? Most people awaken theirs at the tender age of seven. How....pathetic. Not to mention the Type C system, isn't that acquired by peasants?"
Arzoth's grip on the sword adjusted slightly, testing the weight. He could feel the difference—his body was responding better than before. His increase in strength wasn't just a number; it was real.
He looked at Aldric, "Are you done talking?" Arzoth's expression was unreadable, his gaze focused on Aldric. "Draw your sword."
"Lets test it out"
Aldric straightened his grip on the hilt. Without warning, he swung the sword towards Arzoth's side in one smooth shift motion, cutting through the air. Aldric's movements were fast and effective, making it difficult for Arzoth to see his opponent's movements. At the last second, Arzoth saw the blade darting towards his side. Only when it was close enough, Arzoth lifted his sword, clashing with the other. The sound of the metal made the surrounding knights turn their eyes toward the direction of the unusual spar between their Prince and a noble. Arzoth applied enough pressure on the hilt of his sword. Twisting his wrist, he exerted immense pressure against Aldric's sword, pushing it aside and forcing the noble to step back.
Aldric gritted his teeth. Being at a level much higher than Arzoth's, there was no way he would lose to the prince. He went in again, faster this time. Feinting to the right only to redirect his strike to the left at the last second, aiming for Arzoth's ribs.
But Arzoth didn't fall for the feint, he saw through Aldric's movements much earlier this time.
He moved back, dodging Aldric's sword. When Arzoth thought Aldric would fall to the side, confident that the noble had lost his balance, Aldric shifted his body weight onto his right foot, which was before the left, and reversed the flow of his sword while he straightened up his body, catching Arzoth off guard. Aldric's sword glowed with a boiling blue aura. At first, Arzoth thought it was the metal glowing, but it was the noble's hand that radiated a similar energy, which passed on to his weapon. Arzoth lifted his sword at the last moment, restricting Aldric's blow in a hurry. Arzoth felt his wrist snap with sudden action and the newfound force in Alric's attack, but he forced himself to hold on to his sword. The noble put more and more pressure, which made Arzoth struggle with his footing. His wrists throbbed painfully. The prince refused to step back, not wanting to give Aldric the upper hand.
"Stop the spar!" Evren commanded with authority. Aldric unwillingly pulled down his sword, the intimidating energy subsiding. Stepping away from the prince, he forced himself to keep a composed expression. Arzoth kept the sword's tip on the ground, holding it vertical to the surface as he refused to let the sword go, but reduced the weight of it from his aching wrist.
Evren walked over, "This was supposed to be a friendly spar, no use of mana."
Aldric's gaze remained fixed on Arzoth while he said, "I lost my awareness."
The knights exchanged astonished looks. The prince who was pampered and never knew hardship could wield a sword, on top of which he could even spar all in one day; it was surprising. The knights looked away as Evren gestured them to focus on their training.
Arzoth met Aldric's gaze, forgetting about the pain, he said, "That was impressive. What was that thing?"
Aldric's expression turned dumbfounded, his smug smirk long faded, as he said, "You mean mana? You don't know about it?"
The prince shook his head slightly, "I don't." Evren raised an eyebrow, "That's basic, Arzoth. Mana is like the energy you have within you, it helps to fuel a normal person's strength. You activated your system just moments ago. In there, you will see your mana score with all other things."
"I can't see it now," Arzoth said.
"Say 'system', and it appears." 'Aldric explained.
Arzoth hesitated and said, "System!" The same blue rectangular screen appeared in front of Arzoth.
[System Activated]
[System Type: C]
[Status Window]
[User: Arzoth Draven]
[Stats: Level 1]
[Title: Royal]
[Mana: 7%]
[Strength: 38%]
[Skill: Swordsmanship Lv 1 acquired]
[Unique Skill: -]
[Experience Points: 40]
"There you go, to be honest, your stats are pretty average." Aldric said, "It's like a normal person's, a royal mostly has type B system, while you have C."
"There are types?" Arzoth asked.
"There are three types of systems, A, B, and C. A is acquired mostly by the mages, sorcerers, and demons. It is the strongest type of system and has no limits to inventory; they have high mana capacity, which is over 100%. B-type system is acquired by royals, nobles, and knights, it has a moderate limit to inventory, like 10 items, such as unique swords, spears, etc. The maximum mana capacity is 100% in such system types. What you have is C type, acquired mostly by the normal people to go along with their daily life, which means you won't get to store more than two items in your inventory, plus your mana, strength, and skills will have it's limits." Aldric explained.
Evren said, "That doesn't mean you can't break those limits, if you train your body and increase your strength and mana capacity over time, then you can certainly break the limitations, but anyone with a C-type system has rarely reached more than 30% of their mana, even reaching that takes years with your type. Though it's already surprising that you had 10% of mana from the start."
"Am I stuck with that?" Arzoth questioned curiously.
"You can upgrade to type B, but only when you get the full extent of your mana points and reach 100 experience points. It is not so easy to do that," Evren said, "First, you need to activate quests, only when you complete them, you'll get experience points, failing which you have to face penalties. For your mana, however, it is restored mostly by training your body for type B systems. For Type C, I think it's mostly just restored by resting."
Arzoth frowned, "Resting? As in sleeping?"
"Yeah, since normal folk don't have to go on wars and such, they don't normally train their bodies like royals, nobles, or knights do. They restore their mana from resting at the end of the day. That's why upgrading one's system type is hard because one can't increase their mana after a certain point, until, of course, you rest for a year or so, which is impossible." Aldric said with a shrug.
"You can find out ways to increase your mana. I am sure your system will help you through," Evren said.
"They help?" Arzoth asked.
"How much more ignorant can you be!? Of course they help!" Aldric rolled his eyes. Evren cleared his throat and continued, "If you ask your system, you'll get your answer."
Arzoth frowned,
"If I can sleep enough, I can increase my mana points. I can make it up to all the sleepless nights I had in my previous life. No, it won't be enough. I have to figure out more ways to increase my mana before she arrives."
A servant stood before the training ground entrance and bowed low with his head hung low. He said in a clear voice, "The Duke calls for you, Lord Aldric."
Upon hearing the servant's words, Aldric looked at Evren and Arzoth. He said with his tone genuine, "I'll take my leave now, I am glad I could have a spar with you, Prince Arzoth."
Arzoth smiled at Aldric and gave a curt nod while the noble left the training grounds. The prince's expression turned serious once again as he turned to face Evren and asked, "What about the skills and unique skills?"
"Those depend on the amount of experience points you have. The more points, the more skills you'll have. The unique ones can be acquired through quests."
Arzoth listened to Evren carefully, a thought struck his mind, and he asked, "How old am I?"
Evren frowned, a little taken aback by the unexpected question, "You are 24 years old, Arzoth."
"What date is it today?" Arzoth asked.
"15th March," Evren replied.
"If I am 24 right now, then I have just a week before she arrives. I have to increase my mana as soon as possible before that happens."