Became The Son Of The Final Boss [EN]: Chapter 17

17.

I tossed and turned until dawn, the shock still fresh, but when morning arrived and I began my day with the Breath of Wind, my body felt lighter, my mind more stable.

‘This breathing technique is truly beneficial.’

The Breath of Wind, passed down by my mother, did more than simply accumulate mana. The moment I focused on it, my mind and body found peace, and my very soul felt cleansed.

After my breathing exercises, I had breakfast with Gail and Ken.

“I believe we need to begin preparing for the spring evaluation in earnest.”

Gail responded to my statement.

“Defeating Prince Chen will be difficult at this stage.”

Gail set down his fork and continued, “His Highness’s talent is truly remarkable, even more so than I anticipated.”

Gail rarely praised anyone, so his complimentary tone was unusual.

“Furthermore… summoning a supreme-grade spirit is an extraordinary achievement that will undoubtedly make His Majesty view His Highness in a new light.”

I remained composed, but Ken visibly flinched. He glanced at me, his eyes filled with astonishment. The fact that I, a novice spiritist, had summoned a supreme-grade spirit was indeed surprising.

Gail’s decision to bring this up in front of Ken also held significance.

‘It seems Gail has accepted my decision to bring Ken into the fold.’

Gail must have assessed Ken in his own way, and now that he accepted him as my subordinate, he spoke freely about the spirit.

“Nevertheless, the spring evaluation is fast approaching. The difference between beginner and intermediate levels is substantial. While progressing from beginner to Expert and Master might be relatively straightforward given His Highness’s talent, advancing from beginner Master to intermediate Beginner is a different matter entirely.”

Ken quickly regained his composure and added, “Indeed. Whether it’s spiritism, swordsmanship, or magic… the most challenging part is always crossing those initial thresholds between stages.”

I finished my meal and nodded.

“I intend to intensify my training. I have no intention of losing to Chen… and I cannot afford to squander the opportunity His Majesty has granted me.”

I stood up.

Ken began clearing the table, and Gail attentively followed me.

“There’s a place called the Wildflower Inn in the city of Pation, located in the central continent. Ken’s sister, Susan, works there.”

“Yes?”

“Arrange for Susan to be brought here.”

I didn’t elaborate, and Gail didn’t press for details.

“Yes, I understand.”

I trusted Gail to handle Susan’s situation, allowing me to focus on other matters. I arrived at the training grounds and informed Gail about the assassins.

“We also need to locate those individuals known as ‘Venomous Snakes.’”

Gail’s eyes gleamed.

“Of course.”

I lightly patted Gail’s shoulder. He was close to my father’s age, but age was irrelevant when a lord encouraged his subordinate.

Gail bowed his head.

“I need reliable people. Right now, Gail is the only one I truly trust. I’ve decided to accept Ken, but my trust in him isn’t yet complete.”

Of course, I knew Ken better than anyone and was aware that he, having sworn loyalty, was as trustworthy as Gail.

Even so, there was no need to reveal that to Gail. Now was the time to reinforce Gail’s loyalty and demonstrate my changed self.

“I plan to gather many talented individuals after the spring evaluation.”

“Yes.”

“For the time being, Gail should concentrate on his personal training.”

Gail’s eyes widened.

“You’re also taking Polisia flowers [a rare flower that enhances mana], correct? I believe focusing on personal training is crucial. If Gail overcomes his limits, I’ll have the most reliable knight in the world.”

A Sword Master is a superhuman who has transcended human limitations. My father, the final boss Ron Carl Leonhardt, was such a monstrous human that it was somewhat overshadowed, but a Sword Master is a powerful being comparable to the strength of a nation.

Gail quickly grasped the meaning of my words and nodded.

“Then I will use the training ground right next door.”

I smiled, understanding that he intended to remain close even during his personal training.

“Thank you. The important thing is that both Gail and I become stronger. Let’s leave the rest to Ken, and observe his capabilities.”

Gail nodded in agreement.

As he left the training grounds, I finally felt comfortable enough to check my status screen.

I was quite excited. I had received new rewards while overcoming the crisis yesterday, and I had used skills in actual combat, so I anticipated a greater increase in proficiency compared to regular training.

“Let’s see, status screen.”

At my command, the status screen appeared.

My character level remained unchanged.

-Lowest-Rank Spiritist

-Crown Prince

-Current Bonus Stats: 100

My bonus stats had increased by 40 due to yesterday’s events. I had planned to unlock a new quest when my bonus stats reached 100, and I had achieved that goal.

Contrary to my expectations, there were no new changes in skills or talents.

The reward for stopping the assassins’ attack was solely the 40 bonus stats.

-Current Ongoing Quests

-Gain Gail’s Recognition for Perseverance, Getting Started is Half the Battle.

There were no changes to the quests either. Looking at the “Getting Started is Half the Battle” quest, I was once again surprised.

‘There are still one month and two months of continuous training left, but does that mean I haven’t even been in the Calpheon Empire for a month yet?’

I had experienced so much in that short time.

I smiled and used my bonus stats. The process was simple, controlled by my thoughts.

The system prompted me again.

-Would you like to use 100 bonus stats to open a quest?

“Yes.”

With my confirmation, new items began to appear in the currently ongoing quest.

* * *

I carefully examined the newly updated quest window with a somewhat nervous heart.

‘Quests are a way to acquire skills….’

I resolved not to be disappointed even if the quest offered a poor reward.

The quest update was soon completed.

-(B) Spring Evaluation Tournament Performance: Advance to the quarterfinals or higher in the Spring Evaluation Tournament

└Bonus Stats 200, Random Skill

-(A) Liberation from Unseen Hands: Survive assassination attempts until the Spring Evaluation Tournament

└Bonus Stats 300, B-grade or higher skill, Random Talent Unlocked

My face hardened as I looked at the quest window.

The quest difficulties were B and A.

Since S difficulty was the highest, these quests were by no means easy. However, the rewards were commensurate with the high difficulty. Success in both quests would grant me a total of 500 bonus stats.

Bonus stats could be used to unlock quests as well as skills.

The reason I had chosen a quest instead of a skill with 100 bonus stats was that quests offered greater value for the cost.

But 500 was a different story.

I could aim to unlock at least a C-grade skill.

‘The problem is that I have to succeed in both quests. Reaching the quarterfinals of the B-grade quest tournament seems possible, but the A-grade quest is the real challenge.’

I narrowed my eyes and pondered. Survival itself might not be difficult, given Gail’s presence.

‘Considering Gail’s capabilities, the A difficulty doesn’t make sense. That implies something unavoidable will soon occur, preventing Gail from protecting me.’

I understood the system better than anyone. Even though the protagonist Karen also obtained the system at this point, she didn’t utilize it as effectively as I did.

The quests in the system, as I remembered them, were never lenient. It was a powerful ability, but it came with its share of difficulties.

‘Like this A-difficulty quest. Once you accept a quest, you can’t decline it.’

I smiled bitterly and closed the quest window.

‘Let’s think positively. If I succeed in the quest, I’ll unlock bonus stats, a random skill, and even a talent.’

The reward was substantial, befitting the high difficulty.

I shook my head and summoned the spirits.

‘Let’s focus on training the Water Barrier.’

The quest served as a clear warning.

-There will be an assassination attempt!

‘The difficulty wouldn’t be A with just one attempt. There will be multiple attempts… and there are three months until the spring evaluation. Even if I assume one attempt per month, there will be at least three.’

I couldn’t rule out the possibility of even more attempts.

‘Apart from finding the culprit… to survive without Gail’s assistance, I need to maximize my defensive skills.’

I made eye contact with Undine and smiled deeply. Did she sense my determination? A small smile appeared on Undine’s usually expressionless face.

Soon, blue water droplets spread in all directions, forming a shield.

It felt as if my consciousness was connected to the spirits. When I visualized a shape in my mind, the spirits immediately responded with a materialized skill.

A blue shield blocked my front. Mana surged within my mana hole, extending through the blood vessels of my entire body and flowing into Undine.

I altered the shape of the Water Barrier repeatedly, creating a square shield, a triangular shield, and a round shield.

‘Is it possible to overlay it on my body?’

At that thought, Undine moved.

And unlike before, Undine absorbed an enormous amount of mana, nearly emptying my mana hole.

The area near my heart was dyed blue, and I felt a cool sensation.

I unbuttoned my clothes and examined my body.

“Oh,” I exclaimed involuntarily.

It is human nature to want to test new powers and abilities.

I was no different.

I was about to call Gail immediately, but I remembered that he was training.

‘I shouldn’t disturb a Sword Master.’

Gail’s strength was invaluable. The only people I could rely on right now were Gail and Ken, as I lacked any significant background.

‘Still, if he’s a Sword Master, he’s a force comparable to a nation… so I won’t be inferior to the maternal families of other powerful princes or princesses.’

Gail was currently at a crucial point in his training. My father had mentioned him directly, indicating that he was close to achieving the level of Sword Master.

“Your Highness.”

I turned at the sound of the voice behind me.

Ken stood smiling, holding a wooden sword.

“You can develop faster with a training partner. Sir Gail is focused on breaking through his limits, so I will be Your Highness’s opponent for the time being.”

I smiled.

“Have you finished all your work?”

“Yes. There are a few documents that Your Highness needs to approve, but I will present them after the training is over.”

I nodded.

I said to Ken with determination.

“Attack me.”

Would it really work in practice?

“How much force should I use?”

At Ken’s question, I hesitated before answering.

“With all your might, at my right shoulder.”

I specified the point of attack, but an attack from a Sword Expert was not to be taken lightly.

Ken seemed to understand this, and he spoke with a worried expression.