The morning after his summons to the royal court, Sho woke with a clear purpose. Today wasn't just any day — it was his chance to prepare for the celebration honoring his heroic act against the A+ Minotaur.
> I can't just show up and rely on luck. Nobles, adventurers, and maybe even rival families will be there. I need to be ready.
Sho began his morning routine, carefully examining his system window.
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[SYSTEM INTERFACE — REAL-TIME OVERLAY]
Sho Ardenthal — AGE 15
Mana: 98%
Domination Pulse: LOCKED (2% unlocked)
Skills: Burst Impact (Ready), Mana Bind (Ready), Arc Burst (Ready)
Notification: Upcoming event: Royal Celebration — high social and combat relevance.
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Sho flexed his hands, feeling the faint hum of mana around him. Today, he decided, he would focus on three things:
1. Magic refinement — practice combining Burst Impact and Arc Burst for faster execution.
2. Domination Pulse experimentation — cautiously test radius and control within safe limits.
3. Observation skills — mentally preparing strategies for dealing with nobles, allies, and potential rivals at the celebration.
He practiced his spells in the courtyard, small bursts of energy arcing through the air, invisible to others but precise. The Domination Pulse flickered faintly at the edges of his control, teasing him with its potential.
> So close… but I still don't know the activation condition.
After several hours of focused training, Sho paused, wiping sweat from his forehead. Today wasn't about fighting monsters — it was about reading people, understanding influence, and being aware of his surroundings.
He moved to a quiet chamber, opening a large map of the capital. Carefully, he plotted the royal palace layout, imagining where nobles might gather, the positioning of guards, and possible strategic points to observe key figures.
> Even at a ball, combat isn't just magic. It's strategy, timing, and understanding who matters and who's dangerous.
By evening, Sho was prepared. His clothes were tidy, his magic refined, and his mind sharp. All that remained was to enter the royal court, face the nobles and adventurers, and begin his next challenge — this time in a world of social intrigue as much as combat.
As he walked toward the palace, the golden sunset reflected off his hair, mana still faintly swirling around his fingertips. He couldn't help but smile slightly.
> Let's see what the royal court has in store for me…