With some struggle I opened my eyes and quickly my mind was assaulted by a painful headache. Where was i? I.. the headache was releasing its pressure but as time went on something felt strange.
I sat up. Wow. I was in a wonderful room.. was it a wonderful room? Is this my room? I was a little confused. Comfortably laying on a massive bed with curtains around me. The room was incredibly spacious furnished with only the best quality items. Even unnecessary ones like the marble bird which gazed out the enormous windows. A mesmerising light beamed through, the dark sky lit up by the two moon was majestic.
"He's Awake!" A startled high pitched voice could be heard from my right, where I saw a delicate lady dressed in black and white.. a maid. In the following seconds she vanished and returned with a man. He wore a white shirt and light blue silk waistcoat with a thin black trench coat which dropped past his knees. He had a long pointy dirty blonde beard complimented with a curved mustache. His eyes were dark brown, he wore a monacle with a fine gold outline and a bycocket on his head.
"Well, hello there young friend." He spoke and a deep but happy voice escaped. He walked over and sat on a stool next to the bed which I assumed was there for the individuals who took care of me.
"If I may ask, what is your name?" A more serious tone this time around.
"Ah right my name is-" wait. What is my name? What. Why can't I recall? The more I thought about it a ringing sound would come and a devastating headache would make it's way into my mind.
"Your name is?" He asked in confusion as to why I stopped.
"I..i don't know" I responded dumbfounded. How could i not know my name? Who am i? Where am i? How did get here and why am i here? So many questions came to my mind and it caused so much pain, sweat formed on my forehead as I was straining my mind unnecessarily.
"Okay, no worries. Don't strain yourself too hard young man." He replied more serious than before with hints of care. "Instead, do you know why you were outside my estate?" He asked trying to get anything from me.
"I.. i don't know." Repeating myself like a broken record. It seemed like i didn't know anything. But I did. I wasnt some ignorant fool I had a life. Clearly. But anything revolving me was a blur. My knowledge remained, I knew i was in Calistus and my objective to become the strongest was holding me together, I knew i was a hardworker. But other than that I... i wasn't so sure. In fact was that even true? I couldnt confidently say.
The man before me stroked his beard pondering what to do next. Before his brows furrowed and he began to talk once more. "Alright why don't you check your system?"
Right! The system. Why hadn't i thought of that. Following his suggestion I thought of the following words 'system open' and there it was before me. The person who i was.
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Name: Ziron Kinsworth Age:10 Time: 22:16
Rank: E
Talent: SS
Strength: F
Agility: F
Stamina: F
Intelligence: D
Mana: F
Luck: E
Charm: A
Aura: F
Profession: Porter
Skills: None
Artifacts: None
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This tale has been pilfered from Royal Road. If found on Amazon, kindly file a report.
I see. My name is Ziron Kinsworth, 10 years old. I could feel it but this confirms I'm weak but.. but I have potential. To become the strongest just like my goal.
"Alright, judging by your reaction you seem to remember something. Do tell" he calmly urged me to confess who I was. I didnt realise but it seemed my facial reaction was enough to tell something happened. A lack of control that I needed to change. "Ah. Yes. My name is Ziron Kinsworth, I'm 10years old.. that's all i have". I responded in a way that didn't resemble my age. Actually, it was quite weird.. i didn't feel 10. I couldnt explain it there was something off about what I saw but the system is absolute. So i left the thought for another day.
"10??" The man asked in confusion. His eyes opened wider and his eyebrows became raised.. he was genuinely surprised by that.
"And if I may ask who are you sir?" I carried on opting not to continue with that.
"Ah yes. My apologies.. how i could forget to introduce myself. My name is Kyros Rider and I am the head of the noble House Rider. This very property and land your on is under my jurisdiction." He spoke with pride and confidence and continued. "Which is why I have to be wary of those around me.. trying to take my accolades away. So i must confirm.. could you show me your system?" He ended his little speech.
I can understand his perspective and reasoning. But that didn't mean I should. Just as he does, in my current state, I too need to be wary. It doesn't take a genius to realise I'm missing memories but I can't focus on them and I don't know how to get them back. This man could very well be the reason I'm here.. it could be an attempt to retrieve something from me. Did my system have something which he needed to see?
It's not like I had anything to present, other than my talent which is known only to me. Did they get the wrong person? So many suspicions came to mind but none csn be confirmed without some conflict
"Just to clear up, we haven't done anything to you or want anything from you. According to my guards you stood outside the gates for a considerable amount of time before convulsing and passing out." The man interrupted my thought process. He could tell what I was thinking... I really need better control over my emotions. "But from my perspective this could all be a ploy to try something against me. I only want to confirm your identity." He was suspicious of me too. I mean i knew that and it is only fair i return the favour for taking care of me... if the story is true. They have no reason to lie either, comparing what I'm wearing with the man it's clear to see that there is a status difference between us.
Meaning at best I'd be an assassin or something but that's obviously not true. Dammit. The only way to prove myself in this situation is to show my system. I can't exactly tell my parents.. if i have any. I don't know how to contact them. I'm alone in this right now, if I don't show this man and he let's me walk free what do i do next? Become homeless? Not a chance. I still have a goal and ill do anything to achieve it.
This is an opportunity. For me to confirm a room to stay and potentially training. I must become stronger.. so i never feel powerless again, so I can remember who I was, so I can live a magnificent life.
"Alright, I'll trust you." It was a few words but enough to leave a strong impression. Purely because it was dangerous to show off your system. It revealed your strengths and weaknesses, your skills and artifacts.. there was too much to give away by doing so. Currently, I had nothing to my name, if there was ever a time to show my system it'd be now. This is a situation where it's a win-win for me. Afterall, I garner his trust while only showing i have potential which if well recieved can lead to an opportunity.
Kyros didn't have a change of expression so if it worked or not i wasn't sure. The next issue was...
"How do I show you?" I asked with a serious tone.
Again Kyros didn't budge in showing a reaction. He asked the maid to leave the room before speaking. "An issue with a simple solution. Think 'system share' to let others look and 'system stop' to stop". He said stroking his beard, a habit of his it seemed but what triggered it? A trait which could hint to his true character. Swiftly moving on from that thought i did as he said.
'System share' I observed his face as i attempted to reveal my system to the man. It was like I suspected, his face visibly lit up and shock was written all over. It took him a moment of observation before saying anything. He was stunned throughout his identity check but I assumed he confirmed it was safe and unaffiliated.
Although he hadn't confirmed if he saw enough i thought 'system close' and refused him further access. It was peculiar if felt like someone was gazing into my soul and I did not appreciate that. But soon enough he began to talk once more after taking a deep breath.
"Alright, sir Ziron Kinsworth, I can confirm you are a safe individual. You have yet to tell a lie but there's something else that caught my interest entirely." Sir? I understood my talent was no joke but to refer to someone of lower status like this was unusual in itself. This was a desirable outcome though, I just need to lead him on to offering me a sponsorship. But I need to be in control, I need to show my worth not only as a possible powerhouse but as a ruler, I need a demeanor which represents authority.
"Ah yes-s my talent i assume?" Dammit! I stuttered? How i don't even stutter like that. Did i crumble under pressure? Where was the demeanor of authority. How damn stupid. I just looked like a timid boy completely against what I wanted.
He let out a chuckle "Assume you say? Well ofcourse i wanted to talk about your talent! Albeit your profession is unfortunate that is outrageous talent. Forgive for getting ahead of myself but regardless of your profession you could become an individual who stands at the very top!" He lost his own demeanor as he excitedly spoke.
"I acknowledge this not as 'could' but 'will'" I replied shortly to his speech. That. That was cool. He had a hearty laugh following my statement then became serious once more.
"Not could but will you say! Excellent. So here's my proposition to you, young friend, House Rider will sponsor your growth, I'll offer you training, protection and formal higher education. In return, once you make it to the top you return the favour to my noble house" he ended his offer. It was exactly as i wanted. There was no need for me to refuse this offer, this was much higher of a risk on their side afterall. Yes, my talent was high but that was in other words my level cap. SS was the highest I'd be able to get in all my stats, this meant that I'd have to work all the more to achieve said limit.
If I was to slack off their investment would go completely to waste. This was a offer heavily dependent on what the man before me thought of me. It must be good for such a one sided deal but what could i offer him anyway? Other than my word to rise his families name.
"You seem in deep thought, I'll retire for the day you have only just woken up. Think about my offer, I assure you this is of the best opportunities you'll come across. I hope to hear good news tomorrow. Goodbye Mr Ziron Kinsworth" he left off before standing up and leaving the room. Not allowing me to respond to his goodbye. It was a power move, he created a expectation and left me with no opportunity to refute it. Making me almost want to accept purely not to disappoint. However, I was no fool my true reason is ambition. I have come to terms with my past being erased mysteriously, but if there's anything left behind its my burning ambition and thirst for power. My soul refuses to be weak before anyone and anything ever again.