Rebirth of the Prince: System of Fate

The summons arrived at dawn, a curt command delivered by a stoic palace servant. Alexius sat on the edge of his bed, the words still echoing in his mind: "His Majesty requests your presence at the royal training grounds for today's evaluations."

The morning air carried a sharp chill, but it did little to dull the sense of unease thrumming through him. Taro, no, Alexius, could feel the weight of the day ahead pressing against his chest. His bruises had faded thanks to the system's subtle influence, but his body still felt foreign, and the memories of the humiliations Alexius had endured in this very arena were fresh in his mind.

Pulling on a simple training tunic, he made his way to the grounds, flanked by servants who avoided meeting his eyes. The hallways were alive with the quiet bustle of palace life, guards at attention, maids scurrying to and fro, but none of it seemed to touch him. He was an outsider here, and the realization gnawed at him as he approached the open courtyard.

The training grounds were a grand spectacle, a sunlit arena surrounded by marble seating where courtiers and nobles had already begun to gather. Their whispers were a constant hum, rising and falling like the tide. Alexius caught fragments of their conversations as he entered.

"… The bastard prince? What's he doing here?"

"An embarrassment to the royal name…"

"Rumor has it, he's nothing but a punching bag for his brothers."

He gritted his teeth, keeping his gaze forward as he stepped onto the sand-covered floor. His siblings were already assembled, clad in sleek training gear, their weapons polished to a gleam. Each one of them exuded confidence, their postures relaxed yet predatory.

Cassian, the eldest and heir, leaned lazily against a post, his sharp blue eyes glinting with amusement as Alexius approached. "Well, look who decided to show up," he drawled, loud enough for everyone to hear. "I thought you'd still be licking your wounds from last time."

Laughter rippled through the group, but Alexius forced himself to ignore it. He squared his shoulders, determined not to give them the satisfaction of seeing him falter.

The King entered moments later, his imposing presence silencing the crowd. Dressed in regal armor that seemed more ceremonial than practical, he looked every inch the war-hardened monarch. His piercing gaze swept over his sons and daughters, pausing briefly on Alexius before moving on, as if weighing his worth in that single glance.

"Today, you will demonstrate your progress," the King announced, his voice firm and unyielding. "Each of you will face an opponent of my choosing. Show me that my bloodline is worthy of its legacy."

Alexius found himself paired against Marcus, the fourth-born, a broad-shouldered, grinning brute whose reputation for ruthlessness preceded him. The match was met with a murmur of approval from the crowd. Marcus wasn't as skilled as Cassian, but he was no slouch either.

The two of them stepped into the center of the arena, wooden practice swords in hand. Marcus smirked, twirling his weapon lazily. "Try not to cry this time, little brother," he taunted.

Alexius ignored him, focusing instead on the system's faint presence in the back of his mind.

[Opponent Analysis Complete. Marcus: Intermediate Swordsman. Strength: High. Speed: Moderate. Weakness: Overcommits to attacks.]

The information was precise, delivered in the system's cool, detached voice. Alexius tightened his grip on the sword, taking a steadying breath.

The match began with a sharp clang as Marcus lunged forward, swinging with brute force. Alexius barely dodged, the impact of the strike vibrating through the air. He stumbled but quickly recovered, falling into a defensive stance.

The system's guidance whispered in his mind, nudging him toward movements he hadn't practiced but somehow knew. When Marcus swung again, Alexius sidestepped and countered, his blade slicing through the air with unexpected precision.

The crowd murmured in surprise.

Marcus' grin faltered, replaced by a look of annoyance. He attacked with renewed vigor, each strike heavier than the last. Alexius dodged and parried, the techniques flowing through him like second nature. But it wasn't easy, Marcus' strength was overwhelming, and every block sent a jolt of pain up Alexius' arms.

Sweat dripped down his brow as the duel stretched on, his breathing labored. He could feel his body reaching its limits, but he refused to give in.

[Opportunity Detected: Counterattack.]

The system's voice cut through the haze of exhaustion, and Alexius reacted instinctively. As Marcus lunged, overextending himself, Alexius stepped inside his guard and delivered a swift, decisive strike to his ribs.

Marcus stumbled, the wind knocked out of him. The match was over.

The arena was silent for a moment before scattered applause broke out, hesitant and reserved. Alexius lowered his sword, his chest heaving. He didn't dare look at the King, but he could feel his gaze, sharp and appraising.

"Not bad," the King said at last, his tone cold but not unkind. "Perhaps there's hope for you yet."

Alexius' siblings were less gracious. Cassian's lips curled into a sneer, his hands clenched at his sides. "Beginner's luck," he muttered, loud enough for Alexius to hear.

Alexius ignored him, too drained to care.

Later that evening, as Alexius sat alone in his chambers, the weight of the day finally caught up to him. His victory, while satisfying, felt hollow. He knew it hadn't earned him any respect, if anything, it had only made him a bigger target.

The system's interface flickered to life before him, drawing his attention.

[New Notification: Faction Dynamics Unlocked.]

Your actions have shifted the balance of power within the royal family. Beware: alliances and rivalries are in flux.

Before he could fully process the message, another one appeared.

[Mission Unlocked: Survive the Trials of the Kingdom.]

Your role in the fate of this world is greater than you realize. Prepare yourself for the trials to come.

The words sent a shiver down his spine. What trials? And why did it feel like the system knew more than it was letting on?

Alexius clenched his fists, a mix of fear and determination swirling within him. Whatever lay ahead, he would face it head-on. He had no other choice.