“The Weakling Prince”

As Leo stepped into the courtyard, the morning sun painted the old stone walls golden. Dew glistened over the marble tiles.

He walked slowly, observing everything — the training grounds, the guards, the half-dead roses lining the edges.

But then, his eyes landed on a small water basin near the edge of the garden — still, clear, untouched.

He walked toward it.

"Let’s see the face this world gave me..."

He knelt down slightly, looking into the reflection in the calm water.

And there he was.

Jet black hair, slightly messy.

Cold black eyes, deep and unreadable.

Skin pale, untouched by battle.

A young boy's body — but behind the eyes, an ancient soul.

“So this is me…”
“The empire’s weakest prince. The child of a dead queen.”

“No crest. No divine glow. No legacy visible to the world.”

He ran a hand through his hair, observing the shadows in his eyes.

“In my past life, I had golden armor and a crown feared by all.”
“Now… just black.”

He smiled faintly.

“Black is good.”
“It absorbs everything. It hides everything.”
“No one sees it coming... until it's too late.”

He stood up.

“Let them keep staring at the surface.”
“Because what’s underneath…”
“…was once a king who sealed the Demon Lord himself.”

And with that, he turned—just as his brothers noticed him from the distance.

The courtyard training ground echoed with the clash of wooden swords.

Leo spotted them instantly — Prince Aldric and Prince Cyrus, his elder brothers.

Aldric: tall, muscular, cold smile.
Cyrus: slim, sharp-tongued, cruel eyes.

They were sparring with royal knights and laughing.

“Did you hear the baby cried again last night?” Cyrus smirked.
“I think he wets his bed too,” Aldric added, earning laughter from guards.

Leo stepped forward calmly. No fear. No emotion.

Cyrus turned and smirked.

“Look what the wind dragged in — the royal disgrace.”

Aldric tossed his wooden sword to Leo.

“Here. Try not to fall over.”

Leo caught the sword awkwardly, the weight too heavy. His arms shook slightly.

Cyrus stepped closer, whispered mockingly:

“Hey… how does it feel to know mother died giving birth to you?”

Silence.

Leo stared at him, expression unchanged.

Then, coldly —

“...Is that supposed to hurt me?”
“Because it only proves I was worth more than her life.”

Both brothers froze.

“You bastard—!”

Cyrus rushed at him with his sword, aiming for Leo’s shoulder — but at that moment…

[System Triggered: “First Trial of Will”]
Condition: Survive humiliation without backing down
Reward: Strength +1; Endurance +1; New Skill Unlocked: Unshaken Gaze Power

Power Unlock: 0.1% of “Sealed King’s Authority

Status: ✔ Success

A cold wave passed through Leo’s body — not painful, but ancient. Like the wind of forgotten gods brushing against his soul.

His vision sharpened. His heartbeat slowed. The world became clearer — slower.

His body was still weak. But now… something within was awakening.

“This feeling…”
“This... is me. My power. The King's Authority.”

Cyrus’s sword missed. Leo moved — not with speed, but with perfect timing.

He stepped to the side effortlessly. A subtle foot movement — trained instinct from lifetimes of war.

Then, using Cyrus’s momentum, Leo nudged his foot — Cyrus tripped, lost balance, fell face-first onto the dirt.

Gasps.

Aldric stared in disbelief. The servants froze.

Leo stood straight, calm, emotionless — but his gaze? Sharp. Cold. Regal.

Cyrus fumbled up.

“Y-you little…!”

Leo turned his back to them.

“You shouldn’t play with blades you don’t understand.”

Inner Monologue (as he walks away):

“That wasn’t even 1%...”
“That was just 0.1%... and they couldn’t handle it.”

“When I truly awaken... this empire will kneel.”

 

System Screen ;Legacy System – Trial 1 Complete]

• Strength: F → E-• Endurance: F → E-• Skill: Unshaken Gaze – Prevents intimidation by enemies of lower willpower.• Partial Unlock: King’s Authority (0.1%) – Grants momentary combat clarity and instinctual movement.Note: Future unlocks will require extreme trials.