It's been two weeks since Mom started researching that slave trader, but I haven't heard anything back yet. I know she needs to be thorough with her investigation, but I didn't think it would take this long to get some answers.
Well, it's not like this time has been completely wasted. I was able to get a prosthetic leg made for Garm. It's only made from wood, but he seemed to like it.
While I'm free, maybe I can work on figuring out this whole error with my status screen.
...
... Yep, I have no idea where to start. I've been staring at this stupid screen for the past half hour, and I still can't think of anything.
Sakyo Wolfen
Age: 6 Years
Element: Darkness
Power: 3
Magic: 1
Vitality: 2
Speed: 2
Trick: 10
Titles:
R̷̵E̴͘D͡͝A͝C̴̴T͠Ę̢D̷̛"
R͘Ę̕D̷A̵͘C̡͏T͞E̷̡D̸̢.̸̢.̛.͠
R͡E̴̡D̢͠A̷͝C̴͘T̛͢E͟͟D̴͏
Bloodline Ability:
E͞R̸̵R̵O͡R̸̡.̡͞.͞.̵͞"
Skills:
{Poison Resistance (Passive)}
After all that training with the knights, my stats seem to have increased quite a bit. I'm no closer to figuring out this error thing, but I did get the poison resistance skill. Note to self, never eat Mom's cooking again. It hasn't been a total loss though, I learned a bit more about the status screen.
The five core stats: power, magic, vitality, speed, and trick. These all seem to be the foundation for a person's physical ability, though I'm still not completely sure if they're affected by Bloodline Abilities or not.
Power is pretty straightforward, being a measure of your physical strength. It pretty much covers attack, defense, and physical speed all in one.
Magic is a bit different since it doesn't measure how much mana you have, but rather the amount you can use. I guess it's based on how much mana a person can release at once rather than their continuous output. From all the books that've been read to me, it seems like it's better to train your mana output in early ages, but I still can't get a grip on it.
Vitality refers to your natural recovery from both physical injuries and status conditions like poisoning. Apparently, this is something that can improve naturally, but you can speed up its growth by constantly injuring and healing yourself. Mine went up after eating Mom's cooking for the first and last time. I still don't believe that was just fried eggs.
At first, I though speed would be a straightforward measure of physical speed, but it's actually a measure of your reaction speed. Basically, it's a measure of how quickly you can perceive, understand, and respond to information. While the speed stat isn't exactly physical, it works in unison with the power stat. It's good to have a balance between the two since you need the physical speed to actually react to danger. I wouldn't want to be that guy who can see an attack coming, but can't move fast enough to react to it.
Finally, trick appears to be a wildcard among the core stats. There isn't any specific definition for it, but it looks like it's a measure of the unpredictability of someone's abilities. I'm still not completely sure how it works since mine was maxed out from the start.
It looks like the values next to these core stats are like levels in a video game. They'll increase when I work towards them, and it'll get more difficult to increase the higher level they are.
Still, even after learning all of this, I'm still nowhere closer to figuring out why my status screen is all messed up. Maybe I should just take a break from it. I can just take this time to relax for the first time in a while. Just lay on my bed and do nothing.
[Servant] Excuse me, young master Sakyo, your presence has been requested by his majesty.
[Sakyo] (mumble) Couldn't even give me five seconds, huh?
...
[Servant] Please, right this way.
Ready or not, the door opened. A long red carpet laid down the center of the room stretched up to the throne where the king sat. Aside from Sakyo and the king, there was only one other person there, his son.
[Sakyo] (Prince Rex Wolfen, the first son of the king and next in line for the throne, and my older cousin. Like me, he was made to kneel before his majesty. He looks just as nervous as I am.)
[King] Rex, Sakyo, you may raise your heads.
The two boys lift their heads at the king's booming voice. His mere presence feeling like a huge weight on their shoulders.
[King] Recently, I've been working towards forming an alliance with the Raefauna Kingdom.
[Sakyo] (Raefauna, I think that's the beastman kingdom. I've heard about it before. It's the newest kingdom that was established about two hundred years ago. It's the only kingdom that practices beastman supremacy, and apparently it's the only one where demi humans aren't treated with distain.)
[King] As our negotiations have progressed, we have finally reached a point where a formal alliance can be formed. However, we have run into a problem that could potentially involve both of you.
[Rex] Fath-, your majesty, I don't understand. How does this affect us?
[Sakyo] (Thank you for asking that. I'm totally lost for why we're the ones who could be in trouble.)
[King] In order for the alliance to be formed, both kingdoms have agreed to a unification to act as a symbol of peace between us. After some discussion, it was agreed that the symbol would be a marriage. As such, since you all are still children, one of you will be betrothed to the first princess of the Raefauna Kingdom.
The silence is almost deafening as the boys process this revelation.
[Sakyo/Rex] M-marriage?!
[King] Yes, this is why I have summoned both of you here as you both posses blood ties to our royal family.
[Sakyo] (Wait, wouldn't this mean...?) Your majesty, may I ask something?
[King] You may.
[Sakyo] If one of us really marries the first princess, doesn't that mean that one of us would become the next king of Raefauna?
[King] Yes, it does, and that's why I've brought you both here to discuss this further as this decision could potentially affect the future of this kingdoms monarchy as well. Rex, should you accept this engagement, you will no longer be my heir. You will officially become the crown prince of Raefauna and be relocated there once you become an adult.
[Rex] You mean... I'll have to leave home forever?
A somber look spreads across Rex's eyes at the possibility of leaving his home and family behind.
[King] Yes, and in that event, as my nephew, Sakyo would become my heir and the next king of the Solareth Kingdom. (turns toward Sakyo) Sakyo, should you accept the engagement, the same will apply to you. You would become the crown prince and be relocated to Raefauna once you become an adult. Now, I would like you both to decide who will marry the princess.
[Sakyo] (Seriously? He's leaving such an important decision to kids? I mean, I suppose it does make sense. We're both still so young that we wouldn't be able to refuse something like this. Not to mention, this is still an incredible opportunity. Whatever we decide, we'll both eventually become the monarch of a kingdom.)
[Rex] I don't want to do it! I don't want to leave my home! I want to stay with you and Mom and go to school with the other noble kids when I grow up!
For a moment, Rex's sudden outburst shocked even the king. As tears fall from the prince's cheeks, Sakyo finds his resolve.
[Sakyo] (Of course he'll be against this. Unlike me, he's a kid both mentally and physically. Suddenly being asked to give up his life here and go somewhere else forever probably seems scary to him. He's not going to make a choice, so I won't make him.) Your majesty, if prince Rex truly feels this way, then I shall accept the engagement to Raefauna's first princess.
[King] Are you sure, Sakyo? You shouldn't make this decision just because of Rex.
[Sakyo] (As if I'd be able to refuse it.) I'm sure, I do not make this decision lightly.
[King] And Rex, do you also accept this outcome?
[Rex] (sniffle) Yes, I do.
[King] Very well, then I will inform Raefauna's king of this decision. Sakyo, you will be kept informed about the processing of this engagement. That was everything I wanted to discuss with you. You both may take your leave now.
The boys leave the throne room together. Once the doors are closed, Rex falls to his knees.
[Rex] (phew) I was so nervous. Father is always so scary when he's in king mode.
[Sakyo] Tell me about it, it felt like I was gonna collapse under all that pressure.
Rex shyly fidgets with his hands for a moment before speaking again.
[Rex] ...Hey Sakyo, are you really ok with this? I know I kind of lost it in there, and it's my fault you'll have to leave.
[Sakyo] (Heh, he's a good kid. Still worried about me.) Don't worry, I'm prepared for what's to come. Besides, it's not like I'll be leaving right away.
As tears begin to well in his eyes again, Rex wraps his arms around Sakyo.
[Rex] Thank you, Sakyo. I've always wanted a brother like you.
Surprised by the sudden hug, Sakyo awkwardly tenses up, not used to such blatant displays of affection.
[Sakyo] Well, we're cousins, but close enough.
[Rex] I don't care, I'm gonna call you my brother from now on.
[Sakyo] Alright, now please let me go. Hugs aren't supposed to last this long.
After a bit longer, the boys finally go their separate ways. Sakyo returns to his room and collapses on the bed.
[Sakyo] Ugh, finally. It felt like that took forever. I just want to lay here for the rest of the day.
Almost as if on cue, there is a knock on the door. Garm peeks in from the doorway, standing taller than before with his new prosthetic.
[Sakyo] (grumble) Is five minutes too much to ask for?
[Garm] Master, I have important news. Lady Reika wishes to see you. She has finally received news regarding the slave trader.