CHAPTER 17: MARTIAL KNIGHT

His eyes peeled open slowly, consciousness returning in fragments. First came the warmth of the floor beneath him, then the air filling his lungs, and finally, his vision, sharpening by the second.

"Where...?" Aric muttered, disoriented as he glanced around.

At first, nothing seemed familiar. Then he realized he was in his own room. Yet something felt different—not in the chamber itself, but within him.

He tried to sit up. His body ached, but the pain was faint, almost insignificant compared to what he was used to. As he braced his hand against the floor, the wood beneath him crumbled like sand.

Aric froze, looking down. The floor was still solid planks, yet his grip had torn through them with alarming ease.

He raised his hand, staring at his fingers in disbelief. Then, multiple glowing panels materialized around him.

---

[You have obtained the Martial God Foundation]

[You have obtained the Martial God Body]

[You have broken through to Tier 1 of the Martial Knight Realm]

[Physical attribute stats have been recalibrated]

[You have received a reward: 2 Rejuvenation Boosts]

[+3 Intelligence]

[System upgraded]

---

The flood of notifications was overwhelming. Aric was still trying to process them when a glaring red panel appeared to the side.

---

[Ki flow limited]

[Ki flow limited]

---

"Guide," Aric muttered, relieved that the restriction on his voice seemed gone. He rubbed his forehead. "What’s going on?"

"After a long struggle, you completed the process," the guide explained. "Your heart stopped multiple times... but you survived."

Something about her tone felt off, but Aric ignored it.

"What do you mean, long struggle?"

"Well, it’s been three days since you began," she said.

Aric dragged a hand through his hair, sighing. The guide floated closer.

"On the bright side, you were unconscious through the worst part—the excruciating reconstruction of your bones."

Aric lifted his head. "That is... good." He cast another glance at the red notification. "What about that?"

"Your illness severely restricts the flow of ki," she admitted.

"How much?" Aric asked sharply.

"Eighty percent," she answered, almost hesitantly.

"What the—"

"Yeah. It’s bad."

Aric narrowed his eyes. "And why are you talking like that?"

"What do you mean?" she tilted her head.

"That." He gestured toward her shrug. "You’re acting more... human."

"The flow of ki heightens mental capacity. With your increased intelligence, mine has improved as well."

Aric frowned. "So it gave you a personality—or just enough to fake one?"

Silence.

"I... don’t know."

The words felt unnatural coming from her. The guide always had an answer.

"It doesn’t matter. I owe you my life," Aric said as he pushed himself to his feet.

"I am only a guide." She shook her head, her tiny hands flaring in protest.

"Well, something—or someone—gave me this chance. If it’s not you, then who?" His voice softened, almost a whisper.

The guide said nothing.

Aric exhaled and took a step toward the window. The floor splintered beneath his foot.

"You must be careful," she warned. "You skipped an entire realm of cultivation. You haven’t learned to restrain your strength."

"Yeah," Aric muttered. He knew she was right.

Not long ago, he couldn’t have dreamed of entering the Martial Warrior Realm. Now he had leapt past it entirely—straight through nine levels—into the second realm: Martial Knight.

He stepped again, lighter this time. The wood creaked but held. With another step, the sound was fainter. Soon he was walking as though normal.

At the window, he unlatched it and let fresh air sweep into the room, washing away the stench of sweat.

"What are my stats now?" he asked, turning back to the guide.

She lifted her hands. With a soft chime, another panel appeared.

---

Name: [Aric Valerian]

Title: [Forgotten Prince]

Race: [Human]

Level: [Martial Knight (1)]

Health (HP): [70/70]

Stamina: [70/70]

Ki: [20/100 (restricted)]

Attributes:

Strength: [34]

Agility: [27]

Endurance: [45]

Intelligence: [6]

---

Aric studied the panel, astonished. In such a short span, his stats had grown far beyond what he once thought possible.

What was this system? How could it assign tasks, grant rewards, reshape his body, and even track his progress? It was nothing short of a divine blessing.

"Guide," Aric murmured. "Is there more to the system?"

"99% of system capabilities have been unexplored. Would you like to begin now?" The guide floated closer, her face brimming with excitement at the chance of explaining system functions.

"Please, no," Aric flicked her away, causing her to stumble through the air.

"I’m exhausted, just tell me the next quest"

"Hmph," she turned, before gesturing as another panel materialized with a soft chime.

—————————

Overthrowing a Kingdom

The Kingdom of Byzeth plans rebellion. Do not convince them—eradicate the ruling body and make them submit.

Reward: Blades of Heigard

—————————

"I guess it’s time I go have a talk with my mages," Aric said.