The secret system of the Gallant Heir

The sun dipped toward the horizon, casting a warm, golden light over Gallant Estate. Its towering walls stood strong, their runic engravings pulsing faintly with protective magic. Beyond them, the vast training grounds stretched far and wide, filled with warriors and mages sharpening their skills under the watchful eyes of veteran instructors.

From the balcony, Rave stood in silence, gazing over the courtyard below. Two years had changed him. The softness of his youth had faded, replaced by sharper features and an even sharper mind. His magic, once untamed, was now honed to precision. To most, he was still just the noble heir of the Gallant Family, but beneath that mask, he was far more.

The system had been his silent companion, pushing him forward, never allowing him to remain stagnant. Through discipline and relentless training, he had grown stronger—strong enough to conceal his strength, even from his own parents. His ability to suppress his mana had become second nature, ensuring no one ever saw the full extent of what he was capable of.

A familiar warmth stirred in his chest—Ignis. Their bond had deepened, linking their souls in ways even Rave didn't fully understand. No longer the tiny hatchling he had once been, Ignis had grown powerful within the Inner World, waiting for the day he could finally emerge. That day would come soon enough. And when it did, the world would take notice.

A soft chime rang in his mind. A translucent screen flickered to life before his eyes.

[Daily Quest Completed: 10 Pushups, 10 Sit-ups, 1 km Run]

[Reward: +5 System Points]

He dismissed the notification and opened the System Store, his gaze scanning the options before him.

◆ Lesser Mana Recovery Potion – 10 SP

◆ Refined Steel Dagger – 25 SP

◆ Beginner Spellbook (Firebolt, Wind Slash, Arcane Shield) – 50 SP

◆ Concealment Cloak (Intermediate) – 120 SP

◆ ??? (Locked) – ??? SP

His current balance sat at 115 SP—not enough for the more powerful options, but just enough to make a meaningful purchase.

His eyes lingered on the Beginner Spellbook. He had already mastered fire and wind to a degree, but Arcane Shield could be useful. However, his gaze shifted to the Concealment Cloak—a rare find for someone in his position. A stronger suppression tool would allow him to push his limits without raising suspicion.

After a brief hesitation, he made his choice.

[Purchase Confirmed: Concealment Cloak (Intermediate) - 120 SP]

A faint shimmer filled the air as the cloak materialized before him. Dark, lightweight fabric with faint silver runes embroidered along the hem—perfect for masking mana fluctuations. He ran his fingers across it, satisfied with the texture.

"A small step," he thought, "but one that keeps me ahead."

Before he could test it further, a knock at the door interrupted his thoughts.

"Enter," he called, keeping his voice steady.

The door swung open, revealing Bell, his personal attendant. As always, he was dressed in crisp formal attire, his expression calm and unreadable. With a slight bow, he spoke.

"Young Master Rave, the Lord and Lady request your presence in the main hall."

Rave's eyes narrowed slightly. His parents rarely summoned him without reason. "Did they say why?"

Bell shook his head. "No, but several high-ranking family members have been summoned as well."

That caught Rave's full attention. A meeting like this was never casual. Though he had no direct siblings competing for his place as heir, plenty of relatives within the Gallant Family watched him from the shadows, waiting for an opportunity.

He exhaled slowly, forcing his expression back into neutrality. "Understood. I'll be there shortly."

Bell nodded, retreating as the door closed behind him.

For a moment, Rave stood motionless, staring at the fading sunlight. This wasn't just a gathering. It was a test.

And in a world where power and deception ruled, showing too much could be just as dangerous as being weak.

Rave adjusted the Concealment Cloak, letting its fabric settle around his shoulders before he stepped toward the door. Its runes pulsed briefly before fading, blending his presence into the background like a shadow. A perfect fit.

With steady steps, he made his way through the grand halls of Gallant Estate. The mansion was a fortress of luxury and security, its corridors lined with elegant chandeliers, ancient paintings, and intricately carved pillars that whispered the legacy of his family. Every servant and guard he passed bowed respectfully, their eyes flickering with curiosity. Even they could sense that tonight was different.

As he approached the main hall, the murmur of voices grew louder. The great doors, adorned with golden patterns of dragons and swords, loomed before him. Two knights flanked the entrance, their armor gleaming under the torchlight. With a synchronized motion, they pushed open the heavy doors.

Inside, a long table stretched across the hall, filled with nobles bearing the Gallant name. His father, Lord Cedric Gallant, sat at the head, his piercing gaze locked onto Rave the moment he stepped in. Lady Elara Gallant, his mother, sat beside him, her expression composed but unreadable.

To their right sat Elders of the Gallant Family, seasoned warriors and mages who had served the estate for decades. To the left, high-ranking relatives—cousins, uncles, and distant relations, all part of the intricate web of nobility that surrounded him. Some regarded him with mild curiosity, others with veiled calculation.

Rave moved forward and bowed lightly. "Father. Mother."

His father motioned toward an empty chair near the front. "Sit, Rave."

He complied, keeping his back straight, his mind racing through the possible reasons for this gathering. His father wasn't the type to summon so many people without a reason. This wasn't just a routine meeting. Something important was about to happen.

Cedric's deep voice cut through the room. "I'll be direct. The King has extended an offer regarding your future."

The moment those words left his lips, the tension in the air thickened. Some of the nobles exchanged glances. Others remained impassive, waiting.

Rave stayed silent, his heartbeat steady. An offer from the King? That could mean many things—but given the circumstances, there were only a few real possibilities.

His mother was the one to continue. "It concerns a formal engagement."

Lucia.

Rave's mind pieced the information together almost instantly. He had interacted with the princess before—just two years ago, at a similar banquet. She had been prideful, arrogant, and fully aware of her status. But an engagement?

A political move. A chain disguised as an honor.

Cedric studied him carefully. "The King wishes to strengthen the bond between the Gallant Family and the royal bloodline. Should you accept, you would be bound to the future queen of Drodia."

A weighty silence filled the room. Some of the elders nodded in approval, recognizing the strategic advantage. Others remained neutral, waiting to see how Rave would respond.

He knew what was expected of him. A noble heir would accept without hesitation, offering loyalty to the crown in exchange for power and security. But Rave had long since stopped thinking like a mere noble heir.

This wasn't an opportunity. It was a test.

His father was watching him, not just for his answer, but for his reaction. The Gallant Family had always played the game of power carefully. Too eager, and he would seem naive. Too hesitant, and he would be seen as weak.

Rave met his father's gaze, his voice steady. "An honor, to be sure. But one must always consider the costs before accepting a gift."

A few murmurs rose from the gathered nobles. His words were carefully chosen—respectful, but not immediate submission. He was asking the unspoken question: What does the King truly want in return?

His father's lips curled slightly, just enough to suggest amusement. "Smart." He leaned forward, clasping his hands together. "You're not wrong to be cautious. A bond with the royal family offers security, but it also places you within their control. The King will expect loyalty. Perhaps even obedience."

Rave nodded slowly. "And if I refuse?"

Lady Elara, who had been watching quietly, finally spoke. "Then the Gallant Family must decide whether to support your choice or convince you otherwise."

It was a simple answer with layers of meaning. If he refused, the family would either protect his decision… or pressure him to reconsider.

Before Rave could respond, another voice cut through the room. "Why hesitate? This is a once-in-a-lifetime chance."

The speaker was Damian Gallant, one of his older cousins. A skilled knight, ambitious and bold, but lacking the patience for subtlety. He leaned forward, his expression unreadable. "The princess is royalty. Her bloodline is blessed by the heavens. Why question what is clearly in your favor?"

Rave turned to him, keeping his expression neutral. "And yet, even a golden chain is still a chain."

A few of the elders chuckled softly. His words carried weight, and more importantly, they showed he wasn't someone who would blindly accept a leash—no matter how gilded.

Damian frowned but said nothing more.

Cedric exhaled, leaning back in his chair. "I expected nothing less from you." His tone held a trace of approval. "There is no need for an immediate answer. The King has given us time to deliberate." He glanced toward the others in the hall. "This matter is not yet settled."

Rave nodded, sensing that the conversation was nearing its end. But even as the meeting continued, his mind remained sharp.

The King wanted an alliance. The family wanted security. The princess was likely indifferent, treating it as her duty. And him?

He had been given a choice. But choices in noble society were never as free as they seemed.

As the meeting adjourned, Rave rose from his seat, his thoughts already shifting.

If the King thought he could dictate Rave Gallant's future… he was sorely mistaken.

Last night at the Royal Palace – The King's Chambers

The golden chandeliers cast a soft glow over the massive chamber, their light reflecting off polished marble floors. Heavy velvet curtains swayed slightly from the evening breeze filtering through the tall windows. The atmosphere was serene, yet the tension in the room was unmistakable.

Seated on an ornate throne was King Alden Drodia, his sharp golden eyes locked onto the young girl standing before him—his daughter, Princess Lucia Drodia.

Lucia stood firm, her red dress shimmering under the candlelight, her expression unwavering.

"I want to be engaged to Rave Gallant."

The chamber fell into stunned silence. Even the royal advisors, trained to keep their composure, exchanged uneasy glances.

The King exhaled slowly, studying his daughter. "You realize what you're asking, don't you?"

Lucia nodded, completely unfazed. "I do. I want Rave. No one else."

A flicker of something unreadable passed through the King's gaze. He leaned back on his throne, tapping a finger against the armrest.

Rave Gallant.

A name that had shaken the foundations of nobility two years ago during the grand banquet.

At the time, Rave had been just another noble heir—young, promising, but nothing extraordinary. But that night, when the Head Mage Eldric conducted a simple affinity test on the gathered children, everything changed.

Most nobles were born with one magical affinity, two if they were talented, and rarely—very rarely—three.

But Rave?

He was the only person in the kingdom to be compatible with six elements.

Fire. Wind. Water. Earth. Light. Dark.

It was an impossibility. A miracle. A phenomenon never before recorded in Drodian history.

The nobles had erupted into whispers. The other family heads had exchanged wary glances. The Gallant Family, already the most powerful among the Four Great Families, had just gained something even more dangerous—a true prodigy.

The King had kept his expression neutral that night, but inwardly, he had known:

If left unchecked, the Gallant Family could one day overshadow the throne itself.

The royal family had always maintained control over the Four Great Families through careful political manoeuvring, ensuring that no one faction could ever become too dominant.

But Rave's existence threatened to tip the scales.

And now, two years later, Lucia was standing before him, demanding a political engagement with that very boy.

The King's gaze darkened slightly. Did she truly understand what she was asking for?

Or was she simply following her own childish heart?

He turned his gaze toward the far side of the chamber, where a familiar figure stood in the shadows. "Eldric."

The Head Mage stepped forward, his long white beard flowing like a river of wisdom, his ancient eyes unreadable. "Yes, Your Majesty?"

"What do you think of Lucia's request?"

Eldric chuckled softly. "It's bold. But not unreasonable." His eyes flickered toward Lucia. "The princess has good instincts. Rave Gallant is not someone to ignore."

Lucia lifted her chin. "You were there, Grand Magus. You saw what happened. You know he's the only one worthy of standing beside me."

Eldric's lips curled into a knowing smile. "And here I thought you disliked him."

Lucia hesitated for a fraction of a second before responding, "I don't dislike him. I respect him."

The King sighed, rubbing his temple. "Respect is one thing. But an engagement? You are nine, Lucia."

Lucia didn't flinch. "Then let me grow up with him."

A long silence filled the chamber.

The King studied his daughter, searching for any sign of childish whimsy. But there was none. She was serious.

And more than that—she was right.

If he allowed this engagement to happen, he would gain more than just a marriage alliance.

He would gain a way to keep the Gallant Family in check.

No matter how powerful they became, if Rave was bound to the royal family through Lucia, then the King would always have leverage over them.

A slow, calculated smile formed on the King's lips. "Very well."

Lucia's expression flickered with surprise before she quickly masked it with a composed nod. "Then you'll arrange it?"

The King raised a hand. "I will propose the engagement to the Gallant Family." His golden eyes gleamed. "But whether Rave accepts it or not… that is up to him."

Lucia frowned slightly but nodded. She had no doubt that Rave would hesitate.

He wasn't someone who followed orders blindly, not even from his own family.

But that was exactly why she wanted him.

She turned toward the grand doors, her small hands clenching into fists.

She would make him accept her, one way or another.