NOVEL NEXT Chapter 4: Awakened Potential
The morning sun broke over the palace, casting long shadows across the courtyard where Kael had spent countless hours working. But this, today, the weight of the buckets and the feeling of bruises were not there. His body felt light, energized, and ready for whatever challenges came his way.
But he knew he had to act normal. No one could suspect the changes within him.
Kael stepped into the kitchen, the clamour of pots and shouting cooks greeting him as always. He plucked the broom from the corner and started sweeping the floor with measured steps, his head lowered to the ground.
"Kael, hurry up with that! barked the head cook, a stout man with a red face. "You think this place cleans itself?"
Yes sir," Kael responded automatically, but he heard nothing of the man. His mind was elsewhere—on the system, the screen, and the faint glow of the mark still hidden beneath his tunic.
[Energy Level Stable], the system had said. What energy? And what was it for?
While he swept, Kael made eye contact with the screen behind which he could only see. It hovered faintly in his vision, awaiting his commands. Hesitant, he pictured the option "Scan," the screen changed instantly.
[Scanning…]
An eerie pulse travelled in all directions out of his body, undetectable to other people. Suddenly, text appeared.
Object: Wooden Broom
Material: Oak
Durability: Low
Potential Use: Limited
Kael blinked in surprise. The system could analyze things? What else could it do?
He glanced toward the pile of vegetables on the counter and focused on them.
[Object: Fresh Vegetables
Nutritional Value: High
Potential: Optimal for recovery and strength enhancement]
Kael couldn't help but smile. This was incredible. If he could use this to understand his surroundings, to learn about things no one else could see… the possibilities were endless.
"Kael! The sharp voice of Prince Dorian jolted him from his thoughts. The prince stood in the doorway, his arms crossed, a sneer on his face. Behind him, Prince Caden leaned casually against the wall, his smirk even more infuriating.
"Still playing with dirt, bastard?" Dorian mocked. "I guess that's all you're good for."
"No one can know."
Kael forced his expression to remain neutral and bowed slightly. "What do you need, Your Highness?"
Dorian stepped closer, looking down at Kael with disdain. "My boots are dirty. Clean them."
Kael paused for a second before hesitation battled with the notion of survival. Slowly he put down the broom and knelt, and went for the prince's boots.
"Faster," Dorian snapped. Maybe I should have Caden just provide you with a bit of… motivation, you know.
Caden chuckled, cracking his knuckles. Kael quelled his rage, and instead attended to the system. He activated Scan again, this time on Dorian.
[Target: Dorian
Physical Strength: Moderate
Mental Capacity: Low
Threat Level: Manageable]
Kael smirked inwardly. Manageable. He liked the sound of that.
As he worked, a new thought crossed his mind. If the system could analyze others, could it also help him grow? He recalled the 'Abilities' option on the menu. It was currently locked, however, what if he could unlock it? What kind of power would it give him?
"Kael!" Dorian's voice snapped him back to reality. The prince dislodged his foot upon withdrawing his hand, making Kael lose his balance. "Stop daydreaming, you useless worm."
Kael gripped his fists and his glowing mark, beneath his tunic, beat weakly. For now, he would endure. But one day soon, things would be different.
Having seen the princes go, laughing and jeering him, Kael rose and went back to his task. The screen of the system haunted his field of vision, its applications rolling in his thoughts.
Down in the servants' quarters that night, by himself, Kael took a cross-legged position on his cot and rested his palms upon his knees. The screen hovered before him, waiting.
"System," he whispered. "What do I need to do to unlock my abilities?"
The text shifted.
[Abilities are unlocked through experience and energy accumulation. Tasks, mas, challenges, and such are all mastered that enable new capacities.]
Kael nodded, determination burning in his chest. If challenges were what it took, he was ready. For the first time in his life, he had a path forward.
And he wasn't going to be stopped by anybody.