Chapter 5 – Level One
The academy courtyard was quiet again.
Students slowly returned to their conversations, though many still glanced toward Kael from a distance. The earlier fight had changed something. The laughter was gone.
Now there was caution.
Kael stood calmly while Ash sat beside his feet, tail flicking slowly. The small fox looked completely relaxed, as if it hadn’t just chased three students across the courtyard moments ago.
Inside Kael’s mind, the system suddenly pulsed.
A new message appeared.
Level Up Detected.
Kael blinked.
Another message appeared immediately after.
Kael – Level 1 achieved.
Ash – Level 1 achieved.
Kael raised an eyebrow.
“So that’s how leveling works.”
The system expanded, revealing more information.
Stat Points Awarded.
Two separate status panels appeared in his mind.
One for him.
One for Ash.
Kael focused on the fox’s panel first.
Ash
Rank: F
Level: 1
Stat Points Available: 4
Below that were five different categories.
Strength
Speed
Magic
Intelligence
Vision
Kael noticed something immediately.
“Five stats…”
The system clarified.
You might be reading a pirated copy. Look for the official release to support the author.
Beasts have five stat categories.
Humans have four.
Kael opened his own status next.
Kael Silverhart
Level: 1
Stat Points Available: 4
His categories were slightly different.
Strength
Speed
Health
Magic
Kael nodded slowly.
“That makes sense.”
Beasts relied on senses and instincts, which explained the extra Vision stat. Humans relied more on endurance and physical survival, which explained Health.
Kael crouched beside Ash.
The fox looked up at him curiously.
“Let’s see what happens if we experiment.”
He focused on Ash’s stat points.
Four points available.
Strength would make Ash’s attacks stronger.
Speed would make the fox faster.
Magic would likely improve its illusion ability.
Vision probably improved awareness or tracking.
But Intelligence…
Kael paused.
“Intelligence might be interesting.”
A smarter beast could be more useful than a stronger one.
Ash already fought cleverly during their battle in the forest.
If the fox became smarter, it might become far more valuable in the future.
Kael made his decision.
He placed all four stat points into Intelligence.
The system reacted immediately.
Intelligence increased.
Ash suddenly froze.
The fox’s ears twitched.
Its eyes widened slightly as if something inside its mind had suddenly changed.
Then a voice appeared in Kael’s mind.
“…What just happened?”
Kael blinked.
His eyes slowly moved down toward the fox.
Ash stared back at him.
“…Wait… why can I think like this?”
Kael’s mouth opened slightly.
“You can talk.”
Ash tilted its head.
“Apparently.”
Kael leaned back and laughed quietly.
“Well… that worked better than expected.”
The fox sat proudly.
“Of course it did. I was already smart.”
Kael smirked.
“You were biting my arm an hour ago.”
“You started the fight.”
Kael chuckled again.
Then the system reminded him he still had his own stat points available.
Four points.
Kael considered his options.
Speed would help him move faster.
Magic could improve future abilities.
But after what happened in the courtyard earlier, Kael already knew what he needed.
Strength.
And durability.
He placed two stat points into Strength.
Then two points into Health.
A warm energy spread through his body immediately.
His muscles felt tighter.
Stronger.
His breathing felt deeper, steadier.
The bruises from earlier didn’t hurt quite as much anymore.
Kael rolled his shoulders slightly.
“That’s better.”
Ash watched him closely.
“You look less pathetic now.”
Kael narrowed his eyes.
“You want those intelligence points taken back?”
The fox quickly looked away.
“…I was joking.”
Kael stood up and looked around the courtyard again.
Most students had already gone to their classes.
A tall academy instructor approached him.
“Prince Kael.”
Kael turned to face him.
“You will not be attending standard classes.”
Kael raised an eyebrow.
“Oh?”
The instructor nodded.
“The academy has decided to give you a private dormitory.”
Kael followed the instructor through the academy halls.
After several minutes they reached a large door at the end of a quiet corridor.
The instructor opened it.
Inside was a massive dorm room.
Large bed.
Training space.
Private desk.
A small balcony overlooking the academy grounds.
Ash immediately jumped onto the bed.
“I like this place.”
Kael ignored the fox for the moment.
He turned to the instructor.
“And the classes?”
The instructor shook his head.
“You are not required to attend them.”
Kael frowned slightly.
“That’s unusual.”
The instructor nodded.
“Yes. Instead, you will be allowed to complete academy quests.”
Kael crossed his arms.
“Quests.”
The instructor explained.
“The academy offers missions for students. Monster hunting, resource gathering, escort work, and various dangerous assignments.”
“These quests pay money and provide experience.”
Ash perked up slightly.
“Money sounds good.”
Kael nodded slowly.
Then he asked the obvious question.
“Why?”
The instructor looked at him calmly.
“The academy receives funding from the royal family.”
Kael already knew where this was going.
“But your father… the king… does not provide you with a personal allowance.”
Kael’s expression didn’t change.
But inside, he felt a familiar irritation.
The instructor continued.
“Most noble students receive financial support from their families while studying here.”
“But you will need to earn your own money.”
Ash looked up at Kael.
“…Your father sounds terrible.”
Kael gave a small shrug.
“I already knew that.”
The instructor stepped toward the door.
“You may begin accepting quests tomorrow.”
Then he left.
The door closed.
The room became quiet.
Kael walked over to the balcony and looked out across the academy grounds.
Students trained below.
Future warriors.
Future enemies.
Future rivals.
Ash hopped onto the railing beside him.
“So what now?”
Kael smiled slightly.
Now that he had the system.
Now that he had Ash.
Now that he had a way to grow stronger.
His answer was simple.
“We hunt.”
Ash’s tail wagged slowly.
“I like this plan.”
