THE GENERAL'S DISGRACED HEIR

As he reached out, his system suddenly flickered to life, startling him.

"[Make a suggestion: Yes or No.]"

The system prompted, displaying the message in a translucent window that hovered just above the stone.

David\'s brows knitted in concern. Ever since he had broken through to the Master Swordsman rank, the system had been acting... differently. It was no longer just a tool he summoned at will; it seemed almost proactive, inserting itself into his life in ways he hadn\'t anticipated. The system was evolving, perhaps in tandem with his own growth, and the thought made his stomach twist.

"I can\'t let the system control me," he thought, clenching his fists. The notion of it developing sentience, becoming more autonomous, was both fascinating and terrifying. But for now, he had no choice. The system was indispensable, providing him with guidance and abilities he couldn\'t yet master on his own.

With a steadying breath, David selected

"Yes."

The system responded immediately, with a message that made his pulse quicken.

"[Initiating role: Chronomancer of the Tapestry]"

it declared, the words hanging ominously in the air.

David\'s eyes widened. Chronomancer? That wasn\'t a suggestion—it was an assertion. The system seemed to be weaving a path for him, binding him to a role he hadn\'t chosen but was somehow destined to fulfill.

Before he could process this, another message appeared.

"[Point of view has been used.]"

David blinked, feeling a strange warmth envelop his eyes. The words were cryptic, and he didn\'t recall ever unlocking such a skill. He wanted to check his stats, but now wasn\'t the time. Instead, he made a mental note to investigate later, to better understand these changes the system was forcing upon him.

The system continued, detailing his newly acquired ability.

"[Ability: Visualize multiple potential futures and past events, allowing the user to make informed decisions and foresee outcomes.]"

David\'s heart raced.

"Wait, what?"

This ability was unlike anything he\'d ever known. The power to see possible futures, to glimpse into the past—he was completely stunned. If it weren\'t for the mental fortitude he\'d cultivated back on Earth, the weight of this revelation might have made him collapse.

Before he could catch his breath, his vision blurred, and a new display appeared before him, revealing the name and origin of the crimson stone.

"[Name: Aurumaris, the Gilded Core]

Description: Aurumaris, once the very finger of Azaros, The Gilded Sovereign, has transcended into a Philosopher\'s Stone of immense power. Its shimmering surface glows with swirling veins of gold, emerald, and obsidian, reflecting the essence of wealth, immunity, and divine authority. When ingested, Aurumaris dissolves into the bloodstream, turning the user\'s blood into a liquid origin of immunity, bestowing miraculous abilities.]"

David stared at the words, disbelief mingling with awe.

The finger of a god?

He marveled at the stone\'s description. This wasn\'t just an artifact; it was a relic of unfathomable power. The notion of ingesting it sent a thrill and a chill down his spine, for he could scarcely comprehend the consequences.

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A part of him was tempted—sorely tempted. This stone, this

Aurumaris

, promised abilities that bordered on immortality, immunity, and maybe even divinity. But the other part of him, the rational and cautious side, urged restraint. Something of such potency couldn\'t come without a price.

David\'s pulse quickened as he stared at the crimson stone—

Aurumaris, the Gilded Core

. The very idea of it astounded him. He already possessed the skin of a god, and now, the finger of one. Was this luck, or was the universe preparing him for something monumental? A shiver crept up his spine as he considered the possibilities.

Then, below the stone\'s display, new words flickered to life on the system\'s interface:

"[Abilities]"

.

"Let\'s see what we have here," David thought, focusing his mind on expanding the list of Aurumaris\' abilities. For a brief moment, excitement surged within him as he imagined wielding godly power, abilities that could rewrite the very fabric of reality. But his hopes were quickly dashed as the system flashed another message.

"[Level is too low]"

"Damn it," David cursed under his breath. Frustration bubbled inside him. Time and time again, the system withheld its full potential, capping his access due to his level. Here he was, a Master Swordsman, but it still wasn\'t enough to unlock everything he owned. His weapons, now even his new skill—all limited by a barrier he couldn\'t yet break.

"What level does it want me to reach?" he muttered angrily. The gap between his current abilities and what lay just beyond his grasp felt vast, almost insurmountable. He\'d pushed himself, and trained harder than ever, only to find his path blocked by this invisible wall.

But as his frustration simmered, determination hardened within him. This wasn\'t the first obstacle he\'d encountered, and it wouldn\'t be the last. If the system demanded more strength, he\'d find a way to give it. He would continue to rise, breaking past every barrier until he claimed what was rightfully his.

David took a deep breath, steadying his hand as he reached out to open the case containing

Aurumaris

. The glass was cool under his fingertips, sliding away smoothly as he unveiled the crimson stone. With reverence, he lifted the stone from its resting place, feeling an odd warmth radiate from its surface, like a heartbeat pulsing against his palm. He quickly stashed it in his pocket, the stone\'s weight feeling strangely comforting against his hip.

But an idea stirred in his mind—a reckless, almost tantalizing urge.

Why not consume it now?

he mused. He could feel the immense power locked within the stone, a divine energy that pulsed and hummed, promising untold abilities.

His fingers brushed the stone in his pocket, as if testing the thought, when suddenly the system blazed to life in his mind, a harsh, flashing warning cutting through his fantasy.

"[Warning: Attempting to consume Aurumaris without ascending to divinity will result in immediate death.]"

David froze, his eyes widening in shock. Immediate death? The weight of his recklessness sank in as he processed the gravity of what he had nearly done. The stone wasn\'t just any magical artifact—it was infused with godly power, far beyond his current reach.

Even as a Master Swordsman, he was nowhere close to handling it. Reluctantly, he let go of the notion, stowing it away in the back of his mind as a goal for the distant future.

One day

, he promised himself. But not today.

Returning to the Earl, David saw the man waiting with a curious expression, his eyebrow raised as he studied David\'s approach.

"Did you find something that suits you?" the Earl asked, a faint smile tugging at his lips, as if expecting David to present some grand weapon or enchanted armor.

David withdrew the stone from his pocket, showing it to the Earl. The older man\'s smile faltered, his brows knitting together in confusion as he examined the strange, glimmering rock.

"That\'s…interesting," the Earl muttered, scratching his chin. "I don\'t recall ever seeing this stone before. Are you certain that\'s what you want to take? We have weapons that could serve you far better in battle."

David held the stone carefully, nodding. "Yes. I know it looks like a simple rock, but there\'s…something about it. I think it\'ll be useful in ways we can\'t yet see." He couldn\'t exactly explain the system\'s guidance, nor could he delve into the secrets the stone held, so he let his words hang ambiguously.

The Earl gave him a curious look, then shrugged, dismissing it with a chuckle. "Well, if you\'re content with a rock, who am I to argue? You\'ve recently had an eye for things others overlook. Perhaps you see something I cannot."

They exchanged a quiet smile, and the Earl\'s gaze softened. David could tell that, in his own way, the Earl trusted his judgment—even if he couldn\'t understand it.

"Come," the Earl said, clapping a hand on David\'s shoulder. "The others will be waiting for us. The ceremony is drawing to a close, and it wouldn\'t do for the guest of honor to miss out on the final celebrations."

They made their way back, weaving through the shadowed corridors of the castle and rejoining the lively atmosphere of the hall. Music and laughter filled the air, nobles and guests mingling and toasting to the future. Maids moved gracefully through the crowd, offering trays of wine and delicacies, and the Earl handed David a goblet, his expression proud and content.

The weight of the stone in his pocket was a constant reminder of what he had uncovered, of the secrets he would one day unravel. But for now, he chose to set aside his ambitions and lose himself in the warmth of the celebration. Surrounded by the people he respected and the legacy he would one day carry forward, David allowed himself a moment of reprieve.

As he raised his glass with the Earl and joined in the final toast of the evening, he felt a sense of purpose anchoring him, his gaze drifting toward the stars visible through the grand windows of the hall. His path was uncertain, his goals vast, he knew he would be ready for whatever lay ahead.

****

A/N: Hey amazing readers, sorry I can\'t upload another chapter today, travelling. Look forward to tomorrow. Oh, and don\'t worry David will consume the stone maybe in the next chapter or two, Remember that one of his side quests in finding the demon\'s shadow would ascend him to Divinity, well not full Divinity lol