The iron cuffs bit into his wrists, slick with the sweat of his final moments. Before him, the stone platform was a stage for the kingdom's cruelty, a mockery of justice watched by the very nobles who had framed him. He could see their sneering faces in the crowd, their inherited magic-infused bloodlines shining with a power they hadn't earned. These were the same people who had humiliated his parents, imprisoned them for a false crime, and then murdered them in cold blood. He had tried to walk their path, to prove his worth, only to be betrayed by a man he called a friend. The executioner's axe glinted in the noon sun, a final, brutal answer to his lifelong quest for honor. He closed his eyes, bracing for the end, for the sweet release of death.
But the end never came.
He woke with a gasp, his hand gripping the wooden windowsill so tightly his knuckles were white. The air was warm, the light gentle, and the sounds of a bustling household filtered in through an open window. This wasn't a prison. It was his room. He looked down at his hands, finding them free of chains, younger, and whole.
Dingdong.
A faint, translucent screen shimmered before his eyes. It was a System. The very same one spoken of in the legends of the founding king. He was back. Back to a time of peace, before it all went wrong. And this time, he wouldn't let it happen again.
He could still taste the bitter tang of betrayal on his tongue and feel the ghost of the executioner's blade on his neck. He had five years. Five years before the false accusations would begin, five years before his parents would be ripped from him, five years before his own tragic end.
He looked out at the peaceful street, at the innocent faces of the townsfolk. The world was so vibrant, so unaware of the rot festering in the noble houses above. They had forgotten the meaning of Noblesse Oblige, and their arrogance was a poison.
He closed his eyes, his resolve hardening into steel. He would not fail. He would not let them win. This time, he would not walk their path. He would forge his own path of vengeance and justice to protect everything he cherished. And he would teach them all, one way or another, what it truly meant to be a noble.
A chime echoed in his mind again, a sound so clear and sharp it cut through the haze of his rage. He opened his eyes, and the glowing screen of the System pulsed softly before him. It was no longer just a vague window, but a detailed interface.
[Name: Arnold Sterling]
[Talent: The Boundless Core]
[Mission: Protect all you cherish and teach Noblesse Oblige.]
He clicked [Talent: The Boundless Core], and another system prompt appeared, detailing his talent.
[The Boundless Core is a legendary SSS-rank talent, a talent so rare and powerful it stands as a foundation of magical might. To put its power in context, a single A-rank talent is considered a world-shaking talent, yet it is only a fraction of the Boundless Core's potential. The power scaling between ranks is astronomical: an A-rank talent is 240% more effective than a B-rank, an S-rank is 272% more effective than an A-rank, an SS-rank is 310% more effective than an S-rank, and finally, an SSS-rank is 354% more effective than an SS-rank. This immense leap in power makes the Boundless Core, like the one possessed by the Founding King, a force beyond compare.
The ability ranks are defined by a clear hierarchy:
F-Rank:The most common abilities, often simple and with limited use. Examples include slightly enhanced sight, the ability to warm a cup of water, or a minor increase in physical strength. These are often seen among commoners.
E-Rank:Abilities with a bit more utility but are still relatively weak. A more focused and effective version of an F-rank ability.
D-Rank:Abilities that can be used for practical jobs and adventuring, but are not strong enough to be considered for noble status. They are effective but lack true power.
C-Rank:Abilities with a noticeable impact, and a rarity that makes them respectable. These are the abilities of competent adventurers, knights, and tradesmen.
B-Rank:Reliable and powerful abilities that are the mark of a skilled professional. These talents can be the cornerstone of a successful adventuring party or a knight's career. They are significant but do not yet draw the dangerous envy of the nobility.
A-Rank:A world-shaking talent. Abilities of this rank are rare and can be used to turn the tide of a major battle or become the foundation of a powerful new noble house. Possessing an A-rank ability makes a family an immediate target for jealous rivals.
S-Rank:A legendary talent. Abilities of this rank are nearly mythical, whispered about in legends and history books. They are capable of incredible feats that defy normal magical understanding. Those who possess an S-rank talent are seen as once-in-a-generation geniuses.
SS-Rank:A divine talent. Abilities of this rank are so rare and potent they are considered transcendental. Their power can alter the landscape, command elemental forces on a grand scale, or shape the course of a kingdom. An SS-rank wielder is an unmatched force of nature.
SSS-Rank:The Boundless Core is the only known SSS-rank talent. This level of power is a foundation of magical might, making the wielder a force beyond all compare. It is the highest possible rank, a talent so powerful that it defies the very laws of magic.
This unique ability grants its wielder two extraordinary powers:
Omni-Magic Affinity:This ability allows the user to learn, understand, and wield any magic discipline. Unlike other mages who are born with an affinity for a single element (e.g., fire, water, earth) or school of magic (e.g., illusion, necromancy), the user has no such limitations. His talent acts as a universal key, allowing him to master any and all forms of magic he encounters. However, this ability is a foundation, not a free pass. The user must still study and practice each magical discipline to achieve true mastery.
Continuous Mana Regeneration:The Boundless Core grants a passive, unending flow of mana. While the user's mana pool is not infinite, the core constantly and rapidly replenishes his supply, preventing the user from ever truly running out. This means the user can sustain powerful spells for extended periods, cast multiple high-level spells in quick succession, and recover from magical exertion far faster than any other mage. The user's power is not a well that can run dry, but a river that flows endlessly.]
He stared at the screen, a realization dawning on him that his talent was beyond comprehension. In his previous life, he wasn't able to go to an appraiser due to his background and lack of wealth. That's why he wasn't able to utilize his ability fully. This time, he vowed, "I will carve my destiny with my own hands."
After that, he clicked, [Mission: Protect all you cherish and teach Noblesse Oblige.]
Then he saw there was a series of tasks, each with a progress bar and a detailed description. The first one glowed, bold and uncompleted: [Task 1: Reconnect with Family. Spend one day in peace with Mark and Ellena Sterling.]
A bitter, ironic laugh escaped his lips. The System, this divine cheat from a long-dead king, was telling him to do the one thing he had so desperately yearned for in his past life: to simply be with them. To not rush into the world of nobles and politics, to not immediately begin plotting his revenge. The System was forcing him to acknowledge that the most precious thing he had lost was not his future, but his past.
The screen flickered, and a new message appeared. [Reminder: The arrogance of the nobles is a slow-acting poison. You will not be targeted for another five years. Use this time wisely. Prepare, train, and strengthen your foundation. Do not rush into a fight you are not yet equipped to win.]
The message was a cold splash of water, sobering him from his righteous fury. The System was a tool, not a weapon of immediate destruction. It was an instructor, a guide. It was telling him to be patient, to be smart. He had five years. Five years to train his magic, to outwit his future enemies, and to find a way to break the cruel inheritance system that had destroyed his family.
He took a deep breath, the air filling his lungs, clean and fresh. This time, there would be no mistakes. He looked at the System's glowing words, at the simple, heartfelt mission, and he smiled. A genuine, honest smile that he hadn't felt in what felt like an eternity. He had a family to see.
Suddenly, a voice, filled with an all-too-familiar warmth, called out to him. "Arn! It's past eleven. Why aren't you up yet?"
The door to his room burst open, and a woman stood there, her face a beacon of loving concern. It was Ellena, his mother. The sight of her, so vibrant and alive, shattered his composure. Seven years. It had been seven long years since he'd last seen her face, heard her voice. Tears, hot and heavy, started falling from his eyes.
Seeing his distress, Ellena ran toward him, her arms wrapping around him in a tight, comforting embrace. "My boy, what's wrong? Are you hurt? Did you have a nightmare?" she asked, her voice laced with worry.
Hearing the commotion, his father, Mark, appeared in the doorway, a playful grin on his face. "What's all this? Tomorrow you're going to be fifteen years old, and you're still crying in your mother's arms?"
Ellena shot her husband a withering look. "Mark! Don't you dare! What if he was fifteen? Or sixty? He'll always be my son, and he can cry in my arms whenever he wants."
Embarrassed but also deeply moved, Arnold wiped his tears. He hugged her one last time, a silent gratitude for her unconditional love, and thanked her for everything she had done so far. "I'm okay, Mom. Just a bad dream," he said, the lie feeling heavy on his tongue.
He went to the well to wash his face, the cold water a welcome shock that cleared his mind. As he toweled off, he began to ponder. He had to take a different path, to ensure his past wouldn't repeat itself. He considered telling his parents everything, but just as the thought took hold, a new, stark warning appeared from the System.
[WARNING: Do not reveal your past. This will cause a chain reaction that will doom your family to an even worse fate. You are the only one who can know for now.]
The final words, 'for now,' brought a flicker of relief. But the message's veracity was terrifying. The burden was his and his alone. He would have to carry this secret, this knowledge of the future, until he was strong enough to face their enemies. He had to be patient, cunning, and prepared.
Another message popped up. [Task 2: (Protect Family) Tomorrow is Awakening Day. Do not let your parents become a target.]
He froze, his blood running cold. Tomorrow. He had almost forgotten. Tomorrow was the day their family's tragedy had begun. The day they, in their innocence, had blurted out their abilities, infuriating a local noble's son who had awakened a lesser ability. It was the catalyst that put them on the nobles' radar.
A plan began to form in his mind. He ran back to his parents, finding them in the living room. He didn't tell them the truth, but he wove a cautionary tale. "Mom, Dad... what if, hypothetically, we awakened high-quality abilities? And what if we accidentally blurted them out to the wrong person?" He presented them with scenario after scenario, painting a vivid picture of the envy and danger that would follow.
Finally, they understood. "You're right, son," Mark said, his face serious. "It's a harsh world out there." Ellena nodded, her eyes filled with a mother's instinct to protect her child. They agreed to trust him and leave the matter in his hands.
Just then, his parents revealed a secret of their own. They had been so focused on adventuring and housework that they hadn't checked their abilities in four years. Their C-rank "Continuous Healing" and "Healing-Damage Critical Hit" abilities had evolved over the last twelve years to a B-rank. Ellena's Continuous Healing was a passive ability that healed everyone in a five-meter vicinity for one percent of their max health every five seconds. Mark's Critical Hit ability was an active boost that increased his critical hit rate by 2.5%, stacking up to three times for every healing or damage instance he received. They were awakened as C-rank abilities and had evolved to B-rank, which wasn't remarkable and was why they hadn't been targeted by nobles yet. They were working as adventurers and fell in love with traveling, which is how they earned a decent living.
Arnold's heart sank. A-rank abilities were a hundred times more valuable and dangerous than their previous B-rank, and the abilities system differed from SSS-rank to F-rank. The founding king`s ability was SSS-rank due to his system, and Arnold assumed he would also be at least S-rank because his talent was SSS-rank. This was the first time they were going to get their abilities tested in four years, and he realized with a sickening jolt that this could be the day their abilities evolve to A-rank. If the nobles found out, they were doomed. He'd just saved them from an immediate mistake, only to discover a bigger, hidden target on their backs. He began to despair, thinking he couldn't possibly prevent this now.
Suddenly, the System chimed again, a notification appearing on the screen. [Complete your first mission, Task 2 (Protect Family), and receive 500 Mana Stones. Mana stones are the quickest way to level up your abilities.] A new tab appeared on the System's interface: a Gacha system. For each task he completed, he would get one gacha pull. More could be earned from other System missions and tasks. The System also displayed a new goal: [Level 2 System Upgrade: Requires 100 Mana Crystals. Unlocks Skill: Concealment.]
Arnold's spirits soared. A concealment skill! The perfect solution. He had a way to hide their power, a currency to grow strong, and a gacha to potentially give him a new edge. He looked back at his parents, his mind already spinning with plans. The despair was gone, replaced by a cold, calculating determination. This time, he would win.