Lucien woke early the next morning, the golden rays of dawn streaming through his lavish bedroom window. For the first time in a long time, he felt an unfamiliar surge of energy coursing through him, excitement mixed with anticipation.
He was going to train.
He jumped out of bed, ignoring the slight stiffness in his limbs from his previous day's rest. Today was the day he'd prove to himself that he could change—that he wasn't just the useless prince anymore.
His room was quiet as he dressed in a simple training tunic and headed down the grand corridors, moving with a sense of purpose. He had one thing on his mind: the training grounds.
As he approached the expansive training arena, Lucien felt the weight of every eye in the palace turn toward him. Servants paused in their tasks, soldiers glanced over from their drills, and even a few of his family members seemed to take notice.
But the one who noticed him the most was Ran, his eldest brother. The twenty-five-year old sword master was in the middle of a brutal sparring session, his sword swinging with frightening precision. When he spotted Lucien, his face tightened for a fraction of a second, but then his expression became neutral again.
It wasn't the surprise that caught Lucien's attention. No, it was the faint, amused smirk that graced Ran's lips as if Lucien was just another fleeting moment in his royal routine.
Lucien ignored the gaze. He had no time for Ran's judgment.
The training ground was a sprawling open area, surrounded by high walls. Several training dummies stood in neat rows, some cracked from years of use, while others looked pristine and new. Lucien approached one of the larger, untouched dummies, and before he could even fully think about it, a strange flash of red filled his vision.
Ding!
New weapon available for the host: Crimson Sword.
Durability: Extremely high. Potency: Extraordinary. Effect: Enhances host's fighting potential by 15%.
A sword materialized in front of him, its hilt ornate with intricate patterns of crimson. The blade itself was blood-red, gleaming ominously as if it was forged from a material as dark as night itself.
Lucien's hand instinctively reached for it, and as his fingers wrapped around the grip, he could feel a strange, powerful energy surge through his body. It was like the sword recognized him, as though it belonged in his hands.
"This... this is it?"
Lucien whispered to himself, eyes wide.
Ding!
System Quest: Perform 1000 sword swings today.
Reward: Newbie Scroll for the Blood Sword Technique.
The quest flashed before him, and Lucien's excitement surged. The Blood Sword Technique was a hidden technique many warriors dreamt of mastering. A technique said to unleash the true potential of the blade, tapping into its hidden powers. The thought of it filled Lucien with a renewed sense of purpose.
"Perfect!"
Lucien muttered, gritting his teeth. He turned to face the training dummies, ignoring the quiet murmurs of the soldiers around him.
The first swing was hesitant but filled with the power of intent.
1... 2... 3... 4...
The swings kept coming, slow but deliberate. The weight of the sword felt good in his hand. Every motion was like carving through air, the blade humming with potential. Around him, the whispers started.
"Is he serious?"
"Look at him go. Prince Lucien is actually trying today."
Some mocked. Some observed. Others just continued their tasks. But Lucien didn't care.
56... 57... 58...
He pushed through the pain in his arms, his body telling him to stop, but he didn't. He could hear the system in his mind encouraging him, urging him to keep going. His stamina wasn't much—his body had been weak for so long that this felt like an impossible task. Still, he swung again and again, each strike more forceful than the last.
By the time he hit 102, his arms were trembling, his breath ragged. He glanced down at his progress: the system had counted his swings, and he was far from done.
Swings:102
Lucien stumbled for a moment, swaying on his feet. Sweat dripped down his brow, his knees nearly buckling. But he refused to stop. This was his chance—his only chance to prove that he wasn't useless.
The moment he collapsed onto the ground, breathless and weak, the crowd grew silent. Some of the onlookers murmured in disbelief. His older brother Ran simply watched with a mix of curiosity and indifference, his sword still in hand but forgotten for the moment.
Lucien groaned, pushing himself back to his feet. His body screamed at him, but he ignored it. He was determined. No matter how much pain he felt, no matter how weak he was, he was going to do this.
107... 108... 109...
And then...
CRASH!
Lucien collapsed again, this time unable to rise. His body refused to move. He lay on the ground, gasping for air, his hands raw from the constant strain. His limbs ached so intensely he could barely feel them anymore.
Ding!
System has detected host's collapse. Current stamina: 2%. Please rest.
Quest progress: 456/1000 swings.
But Lucien shook his head weakly.
"I... can't stop. I won't... stop."
As the hours passed, he pushed through wave after wave of exhaustion. His body was nearing its limits, and yet he forced himself to swing again. Each strike sent a jolt of pain through his arms, but he didn't care.
Swings: 542... 543... 544...
By the fifth hour, Lucien's mind was a blur of exhaustion. His body screamed at him to give up, but deep down, something burned—an unwavering desire to not be the useless prince anymore.
Finally, when his vision blurred and his legs gave way, Lucien collapsed for the final time.
He woke in his chambers. The soft glow of the evening sun filtered through the curtains, casting long shadows on the floor. His body was sore, every muscle in agony, but he could feel it—the victory.
His hands trembled as he slowly lifted them, feeling the rawness of his skin. But a quiet, satisfied smile tugged at his lips. He had done it.
He opened the system window with difficulty, eager to check his progress.
Quest Complete!
Congratulations, host! You have completed the 1000 sword swings.
Reward: Newbie Scroll for Blood Sword Technique.
Lucien grinned as the scroll appeared in front of him. It was made of a delicate parchment, faint golden runes glowing along its edges.
He reached out carefully, fingers trembling as they wrapped around the scroll. The pain in his body flared again as he held it, but it didn't matter. This was worth it.
Ding!
Newbie Scroll for Blood Sword Technique obtained. Would you like to use it now?
Lucien wasted no time.
"Yes."
With that simple command, the scroll unrolled, glowing brightly as the runes on the edges began to sink into his skin. His hands twitched with the energy flowing through them. The power of the Blood Sword Technique coursed through him, burning in his veins.
As the scroll finished transferring the knowledge, Lucien felt an immense surge of understanding. He could already sense how the technique would augment his swordplay—how his blood would flow with the blade in a rhythm so in tune it felt like an extension of his own soul.
Lucien's smile widened. This was just the beginning.