The dust from Vorian's dramatic exit had barely settled when Liam's mind was already racing towards his next objective: the Oulbeck Tournament and the refinement of the Lilith Grass. He sought out Javier, House Lithia's steward, a man whose meticulousness was legendary and whose discretion was invaluable.
"Javier," Liam began, his tone casual but firm, "I require a few… botanical components. Specifically, a good quantity of sunstone dust – the finest grade you can procure – and several vials of refined moonpetal oil."
Javier, a portly man with surprisingly nimble fingers always clasped behind his back, raised a curious eyebrow. Sunstone dust was common enough, used in various crafts and sometimes minor alchemical processes. Refined moonpetal oil was a bit rarer, often used in calming tinctures or expensive perfumes. A "whole batch" was an unusual request.
"Of course, young lord," Javier replied smoothly, making a mental note. "May I inquire as to the purpose? For your studies, perhaps?"
"Something like that," Liam said vaguely. "I've been reading some interesting texts. These ingredients are readily available now, I believe, but one never knows how supplies might shift in the future. Best to secure a good amount while possible."
Javier nodded, his curiosity piqued but his professional composure intact. "A prudent approach, young lord. It's certainly a more… scholarly request than some I've received in the past." He suppressed a smile, likely recalling some of Liam's more frivolous youthful demands. "I shall see to it immediately."
With that settled, Liam threw himself back into his training with renewed vigor. Every drop of sweat, every aching muscle, was an investment. Dragonheart Vigor hummed, siphoning his mana, and he focused on the subtle warmth of Dragonheart Refinement, imagining his vitality and endurance hardening. His swordsmanship felt sharper, his movements more fluid after the recent life-or-death encounter and the boost from his last level-up.
He sparred with the training dummies, pushing his speed and power, visualizing the opponents he might face in the Oulbeck tournament. By the end of the day, he felt a satisfying exhaustion and à noticeable improvement in his control and stamina.
[Liam's Status]
Name: Liam LithianAge: 15Race: HumanTitle: The Regressed, Protector of the InnocentStars: ★★ (Swordsman Apprentice)Affiliation: House LithiaPotential: CAttributes:Strength: 19Stamina: 12Agility: 15Vitality: 25Endurance: 45Mana: 205/205 (currently depleted from training, will regenerate)Talents:Swordsmanship (C)Close Combat (E)Archery (F)Hunting (E)Skills:Dragonheart Vigor (Passive - Rank SS+)Passively consumes 1 Mana Point every 10 seconds. Each point consumed grants a temporary +5 boost to one selected Attribute.Switching Attributes: 3-second cooldown.Dragonheart Refinement (Passive)Draconic Senses (Passive - Latent)???Vision (Active - Rank A)EXP: 600/1000 (to ★★★ Adept)Remaining Stat Points: 0
Later that evening, Javier arrived at Liam's chambers, a discreet wooden crate in his hands. "The sunstone dust and moonpetal oil, young lord. A generous supply, as requested."
"Excellent, Javier. Thank you for your promptness," Liam said, taking the crate.
Once alone, Liam carefully unpacked the ingredients. The sunstone dust shimmered with captured light, and the moonpetal oil carried a faint, calming scent. He retrieved the Lilith Grass, its silvery-blue petals seeming to glow faintly in the dim light of his room.
Following the precise, almost forgotten steps from his past life, he meticulously prepared a small brazier. He ground a pinch of the sunstone dust with a mortar and pestle, then carefully measured three drops of the moonpetal oil onto the Lilith Grass. The air crackled with a subtle energy as the components met. With controlled heat from the brazier, he began the delicate process of refinement. A fragrant, silvery vapor rose from the flower, coalescing into a single, shimmering drop of liquid on a cooled silver spoon he'd prepared. It pulsed with an inner light far more potent than the raw flower.
Without hesitation, Liam consumed the refined Lilith essence.
A wave of warmth, far more intense than any system-induced stat increase, flooded his being. It wasn't just his mana pool expanding; he felt a deeper shift, a fundamental enhancement. His very cells seemed to thrum with newfound energy. His mind cleared, his senses sharpened further, and he felt a subtle, yet profound, shift in his inherent capabilities.
The System panel flared:
[Lilith Grass Essence Consumed!]
[Mana Pool Permanently Increased by +75!]
[Strength Permanently Increased by +2!]
[Agility Permanently Increased by +2!]
[Potential: C -> B!]
You're right, I should have included the full updated stats block immediately after he consumed the essence and the System notifications. Here it is:
[Liam's Status]
Name: Liam Lithian
Age: 15Race: HumanTitle: The Regressed, Protector of the InnocentStars: ★★ (Swordsman Apprentice)Affiliation: House LithiaPotential: B (Upgraded from C)Attributes:Strength: 19 + 2 (Lilith) = 21Stamina: 12Agility: 15 + 2 (Lilith) = 17Vitality: 25Endurance: 45Mana: 205 + 75 (Lilith) = 280/280Talents:Swordsmanship (C)Close Combat (E)Archery (F)Hunting (E)Skills:Dragonheart Vigor (Passive - Rank SS+)Passively consumes 1 Mana Point every 10 seconds. Each point consumed grants a temporary +5 boost to one selected Attribute.Switching Attributes: 3-second cooldown.Dragonheart Refinement (Passive)Draconic Senses (Passive - Latent)??? (Attuned feel noted, but no new unlock yet)Vision (Active - Rank A)EXP: 600/1000 (to ★★★ Adept)Remaining Stat Points: 0
Liam gasped, his eyes wide. Seventy-five mana points from a single refined dose! And permanent boosts to Strength and Agility! But the most significant change was his Potential. From C to B! This was monumental. It meant his capacity for growth, his ultimate ceiling, had just been raised significantly. The refined concoction was even more potent than he'd dared hope from his fragmented memories.
The next morning, Sir Lucas observed Liam in the training yard with an even more pronounced furrow in his brow. The boy moved with a grace and power that was simply uncanny. There was a new depth to his energy, a vibrancy that hadn't been there the day before.
"Young lord," Lucas said, his voice gruff, cutting through Liam's warm-up. "Enough with the stretching. Spar with me."
Liam met the knight commander's gaze, a spark of anticipation in his amber eyes. This was his chance. "As you wish, Sir Lucas."
He didn't hold back this time. Not entirely. He wanted Lucas to see enough, to understand. He activated Dragonheart Vigor, channeling it into Agility.
Lucas attacked, his movements honed by decades of experience. But Liam was a phantom. He dodged, he weaved, his parries deflecting Lucas's powerful blows with an almost casual ease. He flowed around the knight commander, his practice sword a silver blur, never quite landing a decisive blow but never being touched either. It was a display of defensive mastery that left Lucas visibly stunned.
Frustration, and a dawning sense of awe, etched itself onto Lucas's face. He gritted his teeth, his pride as a 4-Star Knight pricked. "Enough dancing, boy!" he roared, unleashing a furious combination, his longsword a whirlwind of steel. He was taking this seriously now.
This was what Liam had been waiting for. He met Lucas's onslaught head-on. He switched his Dragonheart Vigor to Strength, the shift almost instantaneous. His parries became bone-jarring impacts, his counters swift and powerful. He used techniques Lucas had never taught him, footwork that was both alien and terrifyingly effective. For several breathtaking minutes, they were a blur of motion, the clang of their practice swords ringing through the yard like a blacksmith's forge.
The spar ended not with a decisive blow, but with both of them disengaging simultaneously, panting, sweat dripping. Liam had a few more minor nicks on his training tunic, but Lucas looked genuinely shaken. It was, for all intents and purposes, a draw. A draw between a seasoned Knight Commander and a fifteen-year-old boy who, mere weeks ago, could barely complete his basic drills.
Lucas stared at Liam, his hazel eyes wide with disbelief and a grudging, profound respect. "By the Old Gods and the New…" he breathed. He lowered his sword. "You… you are a genius, Liam. A monster in talent. All this time… you've been hiding this." He shook his head, a slow, dawning understanding in his eyes. "But to reveal it now, like this… you want something from me."
Liam allowed a small, tired smile. He had expected Lucas to see through him. The old knight was far more perceptive than his gruff exterior suggested. "You always were smarter than you let on, Sir Lucas."
"Flattery will get you nowhere, boy, though it's a surprising change," Lucas grunted, still trying to process the sheer skill he'd just faced. "Out with it. What do you need?"
"Your help," Liam said directly. "I wish to participate in the House Oulbeck Youth Tournament. It's in two weeks. I need you to convince Father to grant me permission."
Lucas blinked, surprised. "The Oulbeck Tournament? I've heard no official announcement, no invitation sent to House Lithia." Then his eyes narrowed. "How do you know of this, young lord? And its timing?"
Liam had anticipated this. He couldn't reveal his System or his past life. "Lord Gareth Vangoria mentioned it during his visit," Liam lied smoothly. "He spoke of it as a good opportunity for young aspiring knights to test their mettle. He thought it might be… beneficial for my development, given my recent… dedication." It was a plausible enough explanation, linking it to their recent guests and his own visible efforts.
Lucas considered this, his gaze still sharp. The lie was smooth, but something about Liam's certainty still felt… off. Yet, the display of swordsmanship he'd just witnessed was undeniable. This boy wasn't just dedicated; he was extraordinary. And perhaps, a tournament was exactly what he needed.