The Princess’s Bodyguard Can’t Say No

The spectral light of the Ability Pool bathed the forest glade in a haunting, quivering illumination that consumed the campfire's faint ember.

It only seemed to be perceptible to him.

The giant screen hovered suspended, inaccessible to the creak of leaves or the gentle crackle of twigs in the darkness.

There were hundreds of icons, every one aglow with gold.

Each skill seemed to be calling out to him—use me, pick me. He scrolled through them, reading skill after skill, attempting to absorb them all.

[Time Limit: 30 seconds remaining. Random assignment will result from failure to choose. Select now, User Reth.]

Sweat seared his eyes, the crisp forest air nothing against the burning in his chest. Van and Varric going at each other over some goddamn nonsense.

His thoughts ran through possibilities. [Mana Sense] Nahh? Too volatile. [Shadow Step] to make a quick exit? Too brief. [Arcane Resilience] to deflect magic? The Freedom Church schemes—he needed something that would break the board, not push one piece around.

As the countdown went—9, 8, 7…—sweat dripped down his brow. What to select? He scrolled through the choices, then selected the one that interested him: [Energy Conversion].

[Confirmed. Potential: Energy Conversion bought. Integration completed. Level 1: Change one form of energy to another in a 10-meter radius (1 use per minute, small-scale conversion). More efficient and with greater range when mastered. Upgrade possible upon greater success—unlock.]

The screen burst apart in light, sparks falling like rain before disappearing into the darkness. A bolt of flame ripped through Reth's arm, ropes of fire curling up his veins until his entire body thrummed. He gasped, tightening his fist as if he could contain it.

The ache in his bandaged shoulder seared sharper, and with a thought the pain transferred—fueling a crackle that bounded from his fingertips.

[Integration finished. Energy Conversion in operation. Warning: Overuse will kill host.]

Reth forced his breathing even, uncurling his fist as the final sparks died away. The light diminished into his skin, leaving only the feeble dance of the campfire. He relaxed as if nothing had occurred.

Van caught the tension in his face and scowled. "You alright, kid? You look like you swallowed a candle."

Reth grinned, dismissing him. "Just the smoke. Burns the eyes."

But Seris's eyes lingered. She leaned in, her keen eyes spotting the jerk of his hand, the tiny scorch at his fingertips. "That wasn't smoke. What did you do?"

He shrugged, extending a hand to his water skin as calmly as he could, though his fingers shook against the flask. "Nothing worth mentioning."

The silence drew out. Varric snorted and shook his head. "You're a terrible liar. If you're going to make moves in the middle of camp, at least do it before we all get torched."

Reth looked into the fire, feigning that their words went over his head.

Seris did not let it rest. Her gaze remained on Reth, then turned to Van.

"Tell me something, old man. Can you shatter the obedience sigil on him?"

The clearing fell silent. The fire even appeared to draw in on itself.

Van stood stock still. He remained silent.

Her eyes remained locked on Van. "Well?"

Still silence.

Varric eventually grumbled, "Careful, Seris. That's not a question one asks aloud. Not anywhere."

Van's voice at last, flat. "Breaking an obedience sigil is the Empire's greatest sin. Not even death uncovers it."

"??"

...

Next Morning

The river mist clung low, pale ribbons curling off the water as the sun crept above the trees.

Reth's boots sank into damp earth, each breath fogging in the chill.

Seris circled him, blade loose in her hand, though her eyes stayed sharp. "Again. Guard high."

He brought up his sword, countering her cut. Steel clashed in the stillness of the morning, but his position faltered, weakened by exhaustion.

"Too slow," she growled, jerking her wrist and sending his sword aside. The flat of her sword struck his ribs before he could parry. "You're letting the pain rule you. You think an enemy's going to give you time to breathe?"

Reth clenched his teeth and reset, sweat burning even with the chill. "I'll get by."

"Not on your life, you won't." She pinned him again, harder. "If you're going to wield a sword, swing it like you intend to kill."

His arms trembled as he raised his sword once more. Briefly, his gaze darted inward.

A small panel floated at the periphery of his vision:

[Skill: Energy Conversion Lv. 1]

Transfer one type of energy to another in 10 meters. Current use: 0/1.

Warning: Excessive use will damage host.

"Don't lose consciousness," Seris snapped. She brought up her blade. "Ready?"

Reth nodded. "Ready."

She attacked. Their blades rang out in a loud clang, the impact vibrating up his arms. Usually it would make him tremble.

This time, he mouthed the word in his mind.

Convert.

The blow didn't shatter him. The power changed, becoming might within his muscles. His guard remained firm, as if the blow had been less intense than it actually was.

[Kinetic Energy → Internal Energy]

It appeared to be a clean block from the outside.

Seris raised an eyebrow, mildly surprised. "Better. That's how you take position."

Reth nodded, concealing the shake in his hand. He required time before he could employ it again.

So he hauled it out—resetting his position gradually, wiping away sweat, delaying between blows. Seris growled at him, frustrated, but she let it pass, assuming it was exhaustion.

Finally, the panel flashed again:

[Energy Conversion: Ready]

Seris raised her sword. "Again. Don't lose it."

She struck hard. Their blades clashed, but this time Reth did not merely block. He took the strength, transformed it, and sent it back through his swing. Her own energy fed back into her.

The counter came quicker, heavier, sharper.

Seris's eyes narrowed. "Not bad."

Seris laid down her blade, breathing steady, eyes still fixed on him. For a moment, she simply watched. Then she sheathed her sword in a sharp motion.

"That's enough for today. You're rough, but you're not hopeless."

Reth breathed out, lowering his sword. His arms shook, sweat trickling from his chin in defiance of the chill.

"Thanks… I guess."

She smiled weakly. "Don't thank me. Tomorrow I'll hit harder."

With this, she walked back towards camp, boots crunching in the wet earth.

Reth stood alone by the riverbank, his sword loose at his side. His chest heaved, the pain in his muscles keen—but beneath it, there was something else.

He cast a glance at the thin panel glowing at the periphery of his vision.

[Energy Conversion Lv. 1]

Cooldown: Ready.

The talent was easy now—one application, low-stakes—but even so, it had changed the complexion of a mere sparring match. In actual combat? The potential was limitless.

He breathed shakily, gaze drifting up.

The day had dragged on, and the sun now sat low in the sky. The final rays streamed across the river, coloring the mist gold and red. Reth gazed at it, a notion working its way into his mind.

Energy is energy. If I can absorb the blow of a blade… might I absorb this too?

He slowed his hand, palm extended towards the dying light. The heat caressed his skin, soft but persistent. He squinted, concentrating.

Convert.

Nothing initially. Merely the normal warmth of the sun setting. He gritted his teeth, trying even harder.

And then—something flickered. A small spark, not on his hand, but beneath it. Sunlight tickled over his hand, flowing into his veins like strands of heat.

His heart skipped a beat. A spurt of strength wound in his chest—fragile, but present.

The panel flickered.

[Energy Conversion: Solar Energy → Internal Energy]

[Warning: Efficiency low. Host capacity unstable.]

Reth yanked his hand away, his chest pumping. The heat snapped off abruptly, leaving him reeling, the palm of his hand stinging as if burned.

But the smile spreading across his face wasn't due to pain.

If I can do that… even a little bit…

Reth stared at his hand, the subtle tingle still humming beneath his skin. The panel's warning flashed in his head, but he disregarded it.

[Efficiency low. Host capacity unstable.]

"Low efficiency, ah…" he whispered to himself. "Then I just need to level it up."

His eyes narrowed, the smile still pulling at his lips. If the talent could expand—if he could turn sunlight without burning out—then he had something greater than a trick. He had a source that never dried up.

A bottomless fire in the sky, fueling him every day.

His chest constricted with the idea. Unlimited source of energy. Unlimited endurance. Unlimited strength. He came close to laughing. The concept was crazy, impossible—yet he had experienced it. Real.

He raised his hand again to the sunset, the final light seeping between the trees. This time, he didn't push it. Just let the heat rest on his palm, let the idea stick.

The warmth lingered, faint yet intoxicating. Reth's pulse quickened.

A voice broke the moment.

"Reth! Come fast!" Seris's call carried through the trees.

He blinked, startled, then grinned wider.

"I'm coming!" he shouted back, lowering his hand, the lingering heat still thrumming beneath his skin.