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  The next morning started out hectic. Before I could even think about eating anything, Sentil showed up and invited me to go with him to the castle. He said we would be leaving with a group to exterminate monsters outside the city, but first, we needed to stop by the castle.

  I didn’t complain. I mean… it was a castle.

  In the carriage, I learned a few things about Cirgo. It’s considered a small kingdom, “only” eighty million square meters, divided into four districts with around twenty million each. And four gates. Small, he said.

  I also learned that even the animals in this world could have extra abilities. The horse pulling the carriage had the ability [Flow], which allowed it to run at full speed without losing energy, keeping a steady pace.

  A tireless horse. Yes, that definitely explained how it was trotting like a machine.

  “We’re here,” Sentil announced.

  I looked out the window and my jaw almost dropped. The castle was gigantic, towering, with spires so tall they looked like they touched the clouds. An armored guard approached, opened the door for Sentil, and I followed behind him.

  “He's my guest,” Sentil said simply, and the drawbridge began to lower, covering the stream that surrounded the castle. It was literally on an island in the middle of the city.

  “I’ve never been inside a castle before,” I muttered, trying to sound calm.

  “Don’t break anything,” Sentil replied, not even looking at me.

  Inside, the air smelled like polished wood and expensive perfume. Red carpets with gold edges, heavy curtains, vases with lush flowers, and hand-painted portraits decorated the walls. Everything was so luxurious I was afraid to breathe too hard.

  While I admired the place, an older man with a gray beard walked toward us.

  “Your Majesty. Welcome back.”

  I blinked at Sentil, who just nodded casually.

  “I’m back, Hogan.” Then he pointed at me. “This is Victor. He’s pretty strong and will help us with the monsters.”

  The man extended his hand with a smile.

  “Hogan. His Majesty’s personal swordsman. A pleasure to meet you. You’ll be of great help.”

  I shook his hand. “I’ll do my best.”

  Seconds passed… and he didn’t let go of my hand. He kept staring at me, smiling. I kept smiling too, out of politeness… but it was starting to get uncomfortable.

  “…”

  “…”

  Then he burst out laughing and finally let go.

  “Good! I tried crushing your hand with everything I had and you didn’t even flinch! You're strong indeed.”

  ‘What a psycho old man. I didn’t even notice he was testing me.’

  Sentil sighed. “You always do that…”

  “Of course. You fell for it many times yourself when you were my apprentice.”

  Sentil looked away, embarrassed. A maid approached and bowed.

  You could be reading stolen content. Head to Royal Road for the genuine story.

  “Your Highness, your father wishes to see you.”

  “Alright. Victor, wait in the garden. I’ll be back.”

  Sentil left and Hogan followed. And just like that, I was… abandoned in the castle.

  I headed toward the garden through the side, carefully going down a staircase, it felt like one wrong step could cost me a very expensive vase or my life.

  “[Appraisal], what’s this in front of me?” I whispered, seeing a door.

  ? A door. ?

  My heart jumped a bit in surprise. “It answered…”

  I stepped through and reached the garden. Snow and green leaves together, as if winter had fought spring and neither had won. Hedges formed paths that looked like an elegant maze.

  “What’s this?” I pointed at the snow at my feet.

  ? Snow. ?

  The voice was female. Familiar, as if I’d heard it before.

  “Are you the Voice?”

  ? No. ?

  “Then what are you?”

  ? A consciousness. I am part of your unique skill [Skillful King], not the entity that governs the world. ?

  I kept walking until I reached a small chapel in the center of the garden, snow crunching under my feet.

  “So not all analytical and evaluative skills speak?”

  ? No. Only unique skills of class (S) usually possess their own consciousness. I am you, the essence of your soul. ?

  ‘So Merlin also has a voice in her head… that’s really cool.’

  “So you can do things for me, right?”

  ? I can manage absorbed skills, merge with extra skills, and optimize combinations for the best development. ?

  ‘You could’ve said that earlier.’

  ? You did not ask. ?

  She said it with such a smug tone that even my skill seemed to be judging me. Great. Even my own soul lectures me now.

  ? Sir. Someone formidable is watching you to your right. ?

  I turned quickly and looked at the highest castle window. There was a girl there, pale skin, white hair falling like fresh snow, clear blue eyes. Her dark-blue dress left her shoulders exposed.

  I smiled and waved nervously. After a moment of surprise, she returned the wave and disappeared.

  “What a beautiful girl… must be Sentil’s sister,” I murmured, walking to a bench and sitting. “Hey, how did you notice her?”

  ? You are a Metamorph. Your body reacts to stimuli before your mind. I simply interpret what your body already detects. ?

  “So you can identify everything for me and warn me about important things?”

  ? As you wish. Extra skill [Analytical Perception] has been acquired. Class (A). ?

  ‘Another skill… just like that?’

  ? Sir, I would like to share my feelings. ?

  I blinked, caught off guard. “S-sure… go ahead.”

  ? As your unique skill, I feel extreme contentment being in your hands. Truly, I cannot imagine a more compatible bearer. However, I must express concern about your… level of intelligence and understanding of things. ?

  I froze. She just called me stupid.

  “Hey, you said you're part of me. That means I'm not that bad!”

  She went silent.

  “…Anyway. Continue.”

  ? Metamorphs possess the innate skill [Adaptation]. It means you have no limits. Your race can evolve endlessly, body, mana, mind, everything. There is no peak for you. Only progress. If your human mind cannot keep up with your potential, I will. My purpose is to ensure you become the best version of yourself and achieve your great dream of reaching happiness, as you previously stated. ?

  I swallowed. “Right, that’s… incredible, but don’t you think you’re taking this a bit too seriously? I didn’t even have you when I said that…”

  ? It is my nature. I was never made to accept “enough.” Only more. More power, more growth, more than anyone could ever handle. I hate losing, I hate being surpassed. We will no longer lose anything important. To ensure you achieve the happiness you desire, I will do anything to make us limitless. ?

  A shiver ran violently down my spine. My breath quickened without warning. It felt like staring into an abyss, and it stared back.

  ? That is all. Thank you for listening to my feelings, sir. ?

  I felt like I had just spoken to something far too immense.

  And I hadn’t even had breakfast yet.

  Then I turned my head before I even heard footsteps. I knew Sentil was coming.

  “There you are. Come, the group is waiting,” he said, looking at me for a moment. “What’s wrong? You look pale as a ghost.”

  I stood up. “N-nothing. Just the cold…”

  I wasn’t feeling cold anymore. It was like my body had developed immunity to it.

  “Alright. Let’s go.” He began walking ahead.

  “A-ah… your sister is really kind.”

  Sentil stopped. “You saw Serena? And what do you mean ‘kind’?”

  “I waved at her and she waved back. I thought that was really nice of her.”

  He stared at me, confused.

  “Serena is blind.”

  “Huh…?”

  He just sighed and kept walking, and I followed him back inside the castle, where about twenty soldiers were waiting. It was time to leave the safety of the city and enter the real world.

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