Ch 2. Path.

To say Julius was surprised was an understatement, astonished you might even comment. A system, something he only read in novels was right before his eyes. This was a tool that could propel one to the heights of power and life if you knew how to use or it didn't fuck you up with its punishments. Just thinking about what he could accomplish with this sent his mind racing, illusions of grandeur and a nouveau rich life appeared before. He stopped himself from the state he was in and quickly calmed himself in order to focus on the task at hand. That itself was becoming hard to do, he opened his mouth and uttered the first thing he wanted to see.

"Status"

Host - Julius Von Andromeda.

Status - Prince of the Ambrosius Empire.

Titles - None.

Strength - 2/20 ( This is the accumulation of the body's power and might depending on however much it is. The human has a peak of 20 at this attribute upon which one is considered to have reached the limit)

Dexterity - 1/20 ( This defines the body's speed, flexibility and movement )

Stamina - 1/20 ( The endurance and toughness of the a person's body )

Mind - 6/20 ( The ability to retain and comprehend the accumulated knowledge. This also governs the person's ability to make judgements that fit the situation and the ability to think clearly even in hard times as well as the will and determination of a person. )

Available attribute points - 5

- Note that a human's peak at these four attributes is 20.

"Skills:"

1. Studying - 6/10

2. Ruling - 1/10

3. Charisma - 2/10

4. Iron will - 3/10

5. Observe - 1/10

Skill points available - 2.

The rest of the functions were grayed out other than the library which was open considering this is his well of answers with systems absence. His status was pathetic to look at, even a 10 year old could strong arm him but seeing it didn't bring about feelings of frustrations, he somehow considered this - I mean in what world was a sickly, scrawny and almost dying teenager supposed to have an attribute more than 3.

While the sight was embarrassing, he felt proud as he looked at his mind status considering he calculated that the scholars, principals and the advisor to the Emperor had somewhere between an 8 and a 12 in the mind status. He had almost as much as them and he wasn't half their age. The skills shown were what he possessed at the moment given his job and status.

Studying - This meant his ability to read and study materials or knowledge, the ability to also concentrate on what he was reading and heightened his literary level.

Ruling - He acquired this skill due to his position as the Duke of the barren lands, this skill allows to make the best judgment and choices regarding his land and territory.

Charisma - The skill bestowed the ability to inspire loyalty and respect among the people towards him such that they would be willing to die for him. Given its pathetic status, it will not be a surprise if they left him to die should an attack happen.

Iron will - The ability to not be detered or be thrown off course, this ability gives you an unwavering will such that you will follow through with something you have decided to do no matter the consequences.

Observe - This ability gives you to skill to know what brings you fortune or danger depending on the colors shown. ( Gold - Fortune, Blue - Lucky encounter, Red - Danger. )

All this skills were something Julius needed at great need at this moment. Tha status points would go to improve his body such that he would be able to go about his daily needs. He decided to distribute evenly with 1 going to strength, 2 to agility and the last 2 to stamina. He instantly felt the effects, his body felt warm before turning hot in which a couple seconds later changed to a euphoric and addictive feeling before it slowly ended. He slowly curled his hands and flexed his legs before rising up from the bed. He slowly but surely stepped off the bed and stood on the cold hard floor, he felt his body tingle and shaky. He took a step forward and nearly fell to the ground, he felt that the ground was a couple inches lower, the increase in his body's attribute points had increased his height going from a 163 to a 168cm.

He paced around carefully but surely after a few moments of getting used to before he heard a knock on the door.

" Enter." He proclaimed.

In came his personal maid Stella, rolling in with his breakfast that he forgot about with all the excitement. Stella Brightheart was a petite woman with long blonde hair and steely grey eyes, a sharp nose and linear jawline. She was proportionate as she was curvaceous, she carried herself with a grace few could match, she walked with graceful steps as she eyed across the entire in the second she was in as if she was assessing any dangers that might occur.

He knew why she was so cautious of just about everything, to her his life was her sole purpose in this cruel world. Edward may be the only person he trusted in his current household but Stella was something more than a maid to him, she was more than a friend but given the nature of her current circumstances, he felt bitter, deep inside.

Stella regarded him, before her eyes widened instantly, she crossed the room in a blink of an eye as she practically yelled in his face while touching him looking for any injuries, " Your highness, what happend? How are you out of your bed? Are you okay? Do you feel uncomfortable anywhere?"

He smiled bitterly, " Nothing happened, I just felt like walking around the room."

" But how ...," She could feel the words die down her throat before they were uttered. She could swear the prince was bedridden the entire week, today no different she even visited just this morning to wake him up. But what she was seeing in front of her was practically a miracle.

For the last year, Julius's health had declined sharply to the point he needed a wheelchair to travel on his worst days and would need a hand on the best days. His situation was deteriorating quickly and with no cure in sight, they had almost given up faith.

Stella couldn't believe her eyes, she quickly turned around and left the way she came from. Julius was naught for what was happening, given Stella's hard personality he was expecting a lot of glaring and staring before he was forced to open his mouth, seeing her leaving was a surprise. He turned around towards the meal brought by Stella, he sat down and proceeded to begin his breakfast before Stella came running with Edward in tow.

Ah.... he should have expected it, Whenever Stella found something she couldn't understand she would either look for Julius or Edward.

" Young Master, is what Ms Stella saying true?, are you really healed? Have the gods answered our prayers? Edward was practically sobbing as he asked these questions. Seeing him like that warmed Julius's heart, he slowly and calmly stood up and walked up to the elderly man.

Edward instantly gripped him, his hands were gentle and strong, he examined his body for a while. Upon seeing that nothing was wrong, he cried out in joy, " Oh Lady Marianne, the gods have answered our prayers, the young master is healed from that cursed illness. Young Master, your mother would give anything to see this sight, how I wish she were here."