Julian Argent's gaze was chilling, full of unspoken challenge. He, heir to the Duke, had always dismissed Alex as a nuisance. But now, he sensed change—a ripple in the power he had long counted as his own.
"What game are you playing, brother?" Julian's voice dripped with arrogance as he stepped into the stables.
Maria and Felix shrank behind Alex, while Tomas stood with a trembling jaw. Alex looked Julian in the eye, refusing to bow.
"No games," Alex replied. "Simply gathering those who believe in a better future."
Julian laughed. "Rebellion? From an extra? You'll bring shame to our house."
Alex's fist curled, but the King System urged patience:
[New Quest: Survive Julian's Test. Reward — Reputation Points.]
Julian flung a leather satchel at Alex's feet. "Prove your loyalty," he sneered. "Fix the southern stable, it's on the verge of collapse. You have three days. Fail, and you'll all be thrown out."
The three followers blanched. The southern stable was a forgotten ruin, plagued with rot and dangerous creatures.
Alex's mind raced. The King System offered a solution:
[King's Domain (Lv.1) activated: Allocate resources, assign roles, create order from chaos.]
"Maria, you know horses—lead the repairs. Felix, track supplies and keep the workers organized. Tomas, gather help among the staff. We will succeed."
For three days, Alex led his small team—patching beams, cleaning refuse, convincing others to join for fair pay and safe conditions. He didn't simply fix the stable; he transformed it into the finest in the manor.
On the final evening, Julian arrived, expecting failure. Instead, he found a bustling, orderly stable and loyal workers singing Alex's name.
Mission Complete:
[Quest Complete: Survive Julian's Test — Reputation Points awarded.]
Alex's social standing rose for the first time.
Julian departed, quietly shaken. The servants watched Alex differently now, whispers of respect starting to ripple through the manor halls.
Alex smiled at his followers. "We change the future—one step at a time."