Incubus system

Awakening 3

Arthur walked down the main hallway toward the training grounds, feeling more confident than ever before. Servants who usually ignored him were now giving him curious looks, probably noticing something different about him.

[Your Honor, nice job handling that old mage. You're a natural liar!]

"Just be quiet and tell me more about these abilities," Arthur said quietly. "I need every advantage I can get."

[Combat Mode costs 20 Energy. Gives you better reflexes, more strength, and helps you sense danger. Lasts 5 minutes, then needs to cool down. Not great for beginners, but hey—who cares about staying alive, right?]

Arthur laughed. "So I can either charm my way to power or fight for it?"

[Exactly! Though right now, charm is your better option. Your old body was basically a 'keyboard warrior,' not exactly built for sword fighting.]

"Prince Arthur!"

Arthur turned to see Elliot running toward him, looking excited as usual. His squire was probably the only person in the palace who actually seemed to like him—well, the old him.

[Emotional Reading activated]

[Elliot: Loyalty 85%, Concern 70%, Excitement 60%]

"Everyone's talking about Prince Gareth's performance," Elliot said, walking beside him. "He beat three champions at once! But don't worry—your strength has always been strategy, not brute force."

"What else have you heard, Elliot?" Arthur asked, genuinely interested in palace gossip now that it might help his plans.

Elliot looked around before leaning in closer. "There are rumors that some contestants have had... accidents. Lord Blackthorn's son dropped out after a mysterious fall. And someone ransacked Lady Mercer's rooms." He lowered his voice. "Some people think assassins are eliminating the competition."

Arthur raised his eyebrows. "And you think I might be a target?"

Elliot nodded seriously. "You're a prince. If someone wants to make sure Prince Gareth wins..."

"They'd get rid of me." Arthur finished the thought, mind racing. "Who benefits most from Gareth becoming king?"

"House Ironwood is fully supporting your brother," Elliot said. "And there are rumors about Prince Gareth possibly marrying Lady Lysandra of Silvermoor."

[Potential Target Detected: Lady Lysandra]

Arthur made a mental note of that. "What do you know about House Blackrose? Especially Duchess Valentina?"

Elliot's eyes widened. "Lady Valentina? She's... powerful. Still unmarried, despite many suitors. Controls most of the kingdom's spy network." He paused.

"Some people say she uses forbidden magic, but nobody dares challenge her."

"Interesting." Arthur stepped out onto the training grounds, squinting in the bright sun. "Stay close to me today, Elliot. Today might work out."

The training field was buzzing with activity—noblemen betting, servants rushing around with drinks, guards keeping order among the growing crowd. In the middle, sand-covered rings waited for the next fighters.

King Roderick Lionheart sat on a raised platform, his once-strong body now bent with age. The queen's seat beside him had been empty for years. On his right, advisors whispered to him; on his left, a fancy chair waited for Gareth, the expected heir.

When Arthur walked in, people stared curiously. Usually, he would sneak in with hunched shoulders, but today he walked confidently, head held high.

"Art!" King Roderick called across the field, already sounding disappointed. "Your brother just defeated three champions at once. Gareth has set quite a high bar."

Arthur approached the royal platform, bowing perfectly. As he straightened up, he activated his new ability.

[Emotional Reading activated]

[King Roderick: Disappointment 85%, Hope 15%]

[Lord Ironwood: Contempt 90%, Amusement 70%]

[Lady Valentina Blackrose: Curiosity 65%, Interest 40%]

Arthur's gaze lingered on Valentina, sitting among the noble ladies. Unlike the others whispering behind fans, she watched him openly, thoughtfully tracing her collarbone with one finger. In her late twenties, with black hair and calculating eyes, she perfectly matched House Blackrose's cunning reputation.

"I'll take the challenge," Arthur announced, his voice carrying farther than it ever had before. "But one champion is enough."

The king's eyebrows totally raised up.. "One? Even that might—"

"One," Arthur repeated, his new energy making his voice firm. For once, his father stopped talking.

Lord Ironwood—a big, bull-like man with a red beard—chuckled from beside the king. "Smart move. Though I bet even the weakest champion could snap the boy in half."

"Place your bets then," Arthur interrupted, keeping his eyes on his father. "I plan to collect."

A murmur spread through the crowd. The old Arthur would never have dared speak so boldly.

"Very well," the king decided after a moment. "Prince Arthur will face one champion of the arena." He gestured to the master of ceremonies. "Select an appropriate opponent."

The master nodded, his eyes revealing that "appropriate" meant "someone he might survive against." Arthur clenched his teeth, knowing they all expected him to lose, but hopefully not die.

[Combat Mode Available: 20 Energy for 5 minutes of enhanced reflexes]

The crowd parted as a huge man entered the ring. Nearly seven feet tall, with bulging muscles under scars covering his visible skin, he carried a massive battle-axe resting casually on his shoulder. His cold eyes sized up Arthur professionally.

"They call me Krul," the man growled, his voice rough like grinding stones. "C-grade warrior at your service, Prince. Try to last more than ten seconds—I've got money riding on fifteen."

Arthur stepped into the ring, sand crunching under his boots. He'd never been much of a fighter, either on Earth or in this body. But now he had something the old Arthur never had: power.

[Activate Combat Mode? 20 Energy will be consumed]

"Yes," Arthur whispered as Krul approached for the usual pre-fight formalities.

[Combat Mode Activated: 4:59 remaining]

[Energy: 65/100]

The world suddenly became sharper. Colors got brighter, sounds clearer, and time seemed to slow as Krul leaned in, supposedly to bow—but instead whispered: "Fight well and don't die too quickly.

"I got paid to make it seem like an accident," the guy said before swinging the axe. But Arthur dodged it just in time, and the axe landed in the sand instead of hitting him.

[Warning: Assassin Detected]

[Survival Quest Activated]

Sand flew as Arthur rolled to his feet, adrenaline rushing through his enhanced body. The crowd gasped—they'd expected him to fall right away.

Krul pulled his axe from the ground, narrowing his eyes. "Lucky dodge, princeling."

[Combat Analysis: Opponent is holding back slightly to make it look like a fair fight]

[Recommendation: Use Danger Sense to anticipate deadly strikes]

Arthur circled cautiously, thinking fast. Someone wanted him dead—Gareth? House Ironwood? He needed to survive this and find out.

Krul came at Arthur out of nowhere, swinging his axe. But Arthur was quick on his feet and managed to dodge the blade just in time. It was like he didn't even have to think about it - his reflexes just kicked in and saved the day.

"The little prince has been practicing," Krul remarked, feinting left before striking right.

Arthur's danger sense flared—a hot prickle at the base of his skull—and he sidestepped instead of falling for the feint. The crowd murmured in surprise.

[Danger Sense: Successfully avoided critical strike]

[Combat Mode: 3:45 remaining]

"Who hired you?" Arthur hissed, launching a counter-attack. His fist connected with Krul's ribs, enhanced strength giving the blow unexpected impact.

Krul grunted in pain, genuine surprise flashing across his scarred face. "You're full of secrets today." He dropped his voice. "Die with dignity and your family keeps their reputation. That's the offer."

The axe came down in a vicious overhead swing. Arthur crossed his arms above him, catching Krul's wrist before the blade connected. The assassin's eyes widened as Arthur held him back—something that should have been impossible given their size difference.

[Strength Boost: Successfully blocking superior opponent]

[Energy draining faster due to physical exertion: 55/100]

"My family?" Arthur growled, forcing the axe back. "Or my brother?"

Krul didn't answer, instead sweeping Arthur's legs with a brutal kick. Arthur fell but rolled backward, springing to his feet with newfound agility.

The crowd was fully engaged now, nobility leaning forward in their seats. Arthur caught glimpses of his father's shocked expression and Valentina's growing interest.

"Enough games," Krul snarled, reaching into his boot to pull out a hidden dagger—a move too subtle for most to notice.

[Danger Sense Activated: Assassination attempt imminent]

[Recommendation: Disarm and expose]

As Krul charged, seemingly going for another axe strike, Arthur sidestepped perfectly and grabbed the assassin's wrist as the hidden dagger appeared. He used his enhanced strength to twist Krul's arm and make the dagger pop out for everyone to see.

"Assassin!" Arthur shouted so everyone in the arena could hear him.. "This man came to kill, not compete!"

Guards rushed forward as Krul cursed, breaking free with a violent shove that sent Arthur stumbling backward. The assassin raised his axe for a desperate killing blow—

[Combat Mode: 2:30 remaining]

[Critical Decision Required]

—but Arthur anticipated it, sliding beneath the swing and driving his fist into Krul's knee. The crack of breaking bone echoed across the suddenly silent arena. Krul collapsed, howling in pain.

Guards surrounded the fallen assassin, disarming him as Arthur stood, catching his breath but triumphant.

[Combat Mode: Deactivating]

[Energy: 45/100]

[Survival Quest: Completed]

[Reward: +10 Reputation with Royal Court]

King Roderick stood up, face pale. "What the fuck just happened?"

Lord Ironwood's face turned grim, his earlier grin change to a scheming look.

The noble houses buzzed with speculation, and Arthur knew this moment would completely change how they saw him.

"This man confessed he was paid to kill me," Arthur announced, loud enough for all to hear. "I demand to know who would dare try to assassinate a prince of Lyranth."