Armed with the knowledge of his cheat, Edmure wasted no time. He approached the Maester with a request that bordered on the absurd for a boy his age: he wanted the foundational texts of the realm.
The Maester's eyebrows climbed toward his receding hairline, but he complied, perhaps viewing it as a passing fancy that would soon succumb to boredom. He laid out a daunting spread: The History of the Seven Realms, The Great Houses of Westeros, The History of the Rhoynish Wars, and the dreaded Books of Law—a labyrinthine collection of royal decrees, regional customs, and ancient precedents that few lords ever bothered to finish.
"And is there nothing on the art of war?" Edmure pressed.
The Maester let out a dry chuckle. "Take the Account of the War of the Ninepenny Kings, then. It should satisfy your cravings for knights and Valyrian steel."
To the old man's visible astonishment, Edmure didn't just browse; he signaled the servants to haul the entire library back to his chambers.
Once alone, Edmure focused his mind, and the translucent window shimmered back into existence.
[Learning: 1/10 | +10% to all learning speed]
Level 10: +100% Speed | Trait Unlocked: Eidetic Memory (Never Forgetting)
Level 100: +1000% Speed | Trait Unlocked: Mental Power
Level 1000: +10,000% Speed | Apotheosis: Ascension to Deity
"Linear scaling," he whispered, his modern mind dissecting the mechanics. "The perks at the milestones are the real prizes."
He tried a shortcut, attempting to recall his college curriculum from his previous life to 'cheese' the XP gain. The bar remained stagnant. It seemed the system required him to digest the knowledge of this world, or perhaps it simply didn't recognize "Earth" physics as valid currency.
Still, the potential was staggering. Had he been born a peasant, he'd be forced to grind physical labor just to survive. The cheat would be a clutch to help him stand out from the masses. Here, as the heir to Riverrun, he had the luxury of time and resources. He doesn't even need to enter Citadel to maximise Learning levels. He didn't need to rush toward a distant, illusory "Apotheosis" that might draw the unwanted gaze of the Old Gods or R'hllor.
"I don't need to be a god," he mused, cracking open the History of the Seven Realms. "I just need to be the smartest man in the room. Ned Stark died because he found the truth in a book of genealogies too late. In this world, ink can be as lethal as Valyrian steel."
For three days, Edmure's life became a rhythmic cycle of study and interrogation. He didn't just read; he analyzed. During his morning sessions, he began to push the Maester beyond rote memorization.
"Why the Stepstones, Maester?" Edmure asked, pointing to a map in the chronicle of the Ninepenny Kings. "A naval invasion is a logistical nightmare. Why risk the sea when half the lords in the realm have never stepped foot on a galley?"
The Maester paused, looking pleased. "Politics, young lord. The recently crowned King Jaehaerys II had to make a stand. The Blackfyres were a rot that threatened his legitimacy. If the crown had stayed silent while the Ninepenny Kings carved up the Narrow Sea, the lords of Westeros would have smelled weakness. They would have bargained for rights or, worse, switched sides. A king who does not fight for his borders eventually finds he has no kingdom to defend."
The old man leaned in. "The alliance of nine was a house of cards. By striking one, the King proved the venture was a failure. The remaining 'kings' began to wonder why they should die for a lost cause."
Edmure nodded, his mind whirring. "So, it was a preventive strike. Better to bleed on the Stepstones than to let another raiding empire settle on your doorstep. One Ironborn is already enough. And convenient for the King—he stays in the Red Keep while his lords pay the price in blood."
The Maester's smile twitched. "A keen observation... but drop the cynicism when you speak to your father. Nobles prefer their peers to pretend they enjoy the sacrifice."
As the Maester dismissed him, the notification flickered.
[Learning: 11/100 | +110% to learning speed | Trait: Eidetic Memory Active]
The world felt sharper. Names, dates, and the complex heraldry of the Reach flooded his mind with perfect clarity. He felt a surge of confidence; with his mind sharpened, the physical training ahead would be trivial. He would remember instructions easily, notice opponent's movements quicker and most importantly, gain levels at twice the speed.
"Fetch my gear," Edmure commanded a servant. "It's time for the yard."
He turned to leave, but the heavy oak door creaked open. Standing there, her expression a mix of sisterly concern and youthful poise, was Catelyn.
"Still hiding among your scrolls, Edmure?" she asked, her voice carrying the melodic authority she would one day use as Lady of Winterfell.