The hot bath did wonders for my aching muscles. As I soaked in the ornate marble tub, steam rising around me, I decided to explore my system interface more thoroughly. There had to be more to it than just stats and skills.
"System," I said aloud, then felt foolish. I tried thinking it instead. Status window.
The familiar blue screen materialized in my vision.
---
[STATUS WINDOW]
Name: Zane Morgenstern
Level: 1 (45/100 EXP)
Authority: ???
Stats:
- Strength: 8
- Agility: 9
- Endurance: 8
- Mana: 12
- Intelligence: 14
- Luck: 8
Skills:
- Basic Weapon Mastery (Rank E)
- Basic Dagger Arts (Rank F)
Unique Items:
- Shadow (Growth-Type Weapon - Rank F)
Free Stat Points: 1
---
I stared at the Authority line. Three question marks. Not "None" or "Locked" like I'd expected, but question marks, as if the system wasn't sure what to display.
'What does that mean?' I thought at the interface.
Suddenly a new text appeared.
---
[AUTHORITY DETECTED]
Soul-bound Authority identified. Access granted.
Would you like to view Authority details?
[YES] / [NO]
---
My heart hammered in my chest. I had an Authority? Already? I mentally selected yes, and the screen shifted.
---
[AUTHORITY UNLOCKED]
Authority Name: Usurper
Rank: Unique (Growth-Type)
Main Skill - Usurpation: Copy any technique, skill, or ability you witness being used. All copied abilities are automatically enhanced beyond their original capability, improving in power, efficiency, or versatility.
Sub-skill - Technique Library: Store all copied abilities in an unlimited mental archive. Switch between stored techniques instantly with no cooldown or resource cost. Retained abilities can be further trained and improved independently.
Current Stored Techniques: [0/∞]
Note: This Authority is bound to your soul and cannot be stolen, sealed, or removed by any known means.
---
I forgot to breathe.
For a long moment, I just stared at the description, reading it over and over, making sure I understood what I was seeing.
Usurper. The ability to copy any technique I witnessed and automatically make it better. Store unlimited techniques. Switch between them freely. And it was growth-type, meaning it could evolve further.
This was... this was insane.
In Chronicles of the Starborn Hero, there had been a minor villain in the later chapters—around chapter 600—who had an ability called "Mimic." It let him copy one technique at a time, but only at the original's power level, and he could only store three techniques maximum. That character had been terrifying enough that it took the protagonist and three of his companions to defeat him.
And my Authority was that concept on steroids.
I could copy anything I saw. Make it better and keep it forever. The implications made my head spin.
If I watched Marcus demonstrate a sword technique, I could copy it and my version would be superior to his. If I saw someone use an Authority—wait, could I copy Authorities? The description said "any technique, skill, or ability." Abilities could mean Authorities.
My hands were shaking. This wasn't just powerful. This was potentially world-breaking.
No wonder the original Zane never awakened this. Authorities were soul-bound—they came with the soul, not the body. This was my power, brought with me from Earth. Or maybe it was granted because of the reincarnation itself.
Either way, I had just discovered I possessed one of the most versatile and potentially overpowered abilities I could imagine.
'Okay. Okay, calm down.' I took a deep breath, forcing myself to think clearly. *Don't get ahead of yourself. You haven't even tested it yet. And you need to be smart about this.*
If anyone found out about Usurper, I would become a target immediately. Every powerful faction would either try to recruit me or eliminate me as a threat. The protagonist himself might see me as dangerous.
I needed to keep this secret. Use it carefully, strategically.
And I needed to test its limits.
I finished my bath quickly, dressed in fresh clothes, and made my way to the library where I'd asked the servants to gather. The Morgenstern estate library was smaller than the main family's collection but still impressive—three walls of floor-to-ceiling bookshelves filled with everything from historical texts to combat manuals.
Five women in maid uniforms stood waiting, along with Captain Marcus who lingered near the doorway. They all looked uncertain, nervous about why they'd been summoned.
Elise I already knew. The others I examined with interest: Anna, a petite blonde who couldn't be more than sixteen; Claire, a tall woman in her late twenties with sharp, intelligent eyes; Martha, an older woman with gray-streaked hair and a motherly demeanor; and Cook, whose actual name I realized I didn't know.
"Thank you all for coming," I began, keeping my tone measured. "I know this is unusual, but I wanted to speak with everyone directly."
They exchanged glances, clearly confused. The original Zane had never held meetings with servants.
"I'll be direct," I continued. "I know my reputation. I know I've been... difficult to work for." That was putting it mildly—the original Zane had been verbally abusive and dismissive. "But things are going to change."
Claire's eyes narrowed skeptically. Smart woman.
"I don't expect you to believe me based on words alone," I said. "But starting today, I want to establish something different here. This estate may be small, but it's ours to manage. I want your input on how to run it better."
"Our input, Young Master?" Martha spoke up, her voice gentle but uncertain.
"Yes. You're the ones who actually keep this place running day-to-day. You know what works and what doesn't, what we need and what we're wasting resources on." I looked at each of them in turn. "I want to hear it. There will be no repercussions or punishments for honesty. I want the truth."
The silence that followed was heavy with disbelief.
Claire was the first to speak. "Young Master, forgive my bluntness, but why the sudden change? You've never cared about our opinions before."
"Fair question," I acknowledged. "The truth is, I've had time to reflect on my priorities. The academy exams are in three months. If I'm going to succeed there, I can't afford to maintain a poorly run household or alienate the people who keep it functioning. Beyond that..." I paused, choosing my words carefully. "I was wrong about how I treated all of you. That changes now."
Anna's eyes widened. Martha looked close to tears. Even Claire's skepticism seemed to crack slightly.
"Now then," I continued, "let's start with the basics. What are the biggest problems with running this estate?"
It took a few more minutes of coaxing, but eventually they began to talk. The budget the main family allocated was barely enough to maintain the grounds. Two of the guard positions had been empty for months. The kitchen equipment was outdated. The servant quarters needed repairs that kept getting delayed.
I listened, making mental notes. Most of these issues came down to money and resources—things the main Morgenstern family could provide but chose not to, because Zane was an embarrassment they'd rather forget.
"I'll address the budget issue," I said once they'd finished. "It may take some time, but I'll find a way to secure additional funds. In the meantime, prioritize the critical repairs. Claire, you seem to have a head for organization—I'd like you to compile a detailed list of everything that needs attention, ranked by urgency."
Claire blinked in surprise. "Of course, Young Master."
"Anna, Elise—work with Martha to create an inventory of our current supplies. I want to know exactly what we have and what we're running low on. And..." I turned to the Cook. "I'm sorry, but I don't actually know your name."
The robust woman looked startled. "It's Helena, Young Master."
"Helena. Thank you for your patience with my ignorance. The meals have been excellent, by the way. I'd like to discuss expanding the menu options once our budget allows for it."
Helena actually smiled at that.
"Captain Marcus," I said, turning to the man who'd been silently observing. "After this meeting, I'd like to discuss the guard situation in more detail."
"Of course, Young Master," Marcus replied, a hint of approval in his voice.
I dismissed the servants after a few more minutes of discussion, asking them to report back in two days with their assessments. As they filed out, I could hear them whispering to each other—shock, confusion, cautious hope.
Marcus remained behind, closing the library door after the others had left.
"That was well done," he said simply. "They needed to hear that."
"It's overdue," I replied. "But I meant what I said about the guard situation. Eight men isn't enough."
"Twelve minimum, ideally fifteen," Marcus confirmed. "But hiring trained guards requires funds the main family won't allocate."
"Then I'll have to find alternative sources of income," I said. "Which brings me to my next question. Captain Marcus, you were a soldier before this, correct?"
"Twenty years in the Royal Army. Rose to the rank of Lieutenant before a leg injury forced my retirement." He said it matter-of-factly, without bitterness.
"And you have an Authority?"
Marcus's expression shifted to surprise. "Yes, though it's not particularly common knowledge. How did you know?"
"Just a hunch. You move with a precision that suggests more than just skill." It was partially true—I'd noticed the way he handled weapons during training with an almost supernatural familiarity.
"It's called Weapon Saint," Marcus said after a moment. "I can achieve mastery with any weapon after minimal practice. It's what made me valuable in the army—I could fight with whatever was available."
I felt Usurper stir in the back of my mind, like a predator catching a scent. But there was nothing to copy yet—he had only described his Authority, not demonstrated it.
"That's impressive," I said honestly. "And the sub-skill?"
"Arsenal Shift. I can switch between different weapon styles mid-combat without losing momentum." He paused. "Why do you ask?"
"Because I want to understand what's possible with Authorities. I haven't awakened mine yet, and I'm trying to learn everything I can about them."
It was a half-truth. I had awakened—or rather, discovered—mine, but I wasn't ready to reveal Usurper to anyone. Not yet.
Marcus nodded thoughtfully. "Authorities manifest differently for everyone. Some are combat-focused, others utility-based. The power level varies wildly as well. My Weapon Saint is useful, but it's not on the level of someone like the Sword Saint of the Royal Guard, or the Kingdom's Battle Authorities."
"Have you heard of an Authority called Limitless Growth?" I asked carefully.
Marcus's eyes widened slightly. "That's... that's the protagonist of that novel series everyone's been talking about, isn't it? Chronicles of the Starborn Hero? Though whether such an Authority actually exists..." He shrugged. "It would be incredibly powerful if it did. Breaking through all limitations on growth? That's the kind of ability that creates legends."
If only he knew.
"What about Usurper?" I asked, keeping my voice casual. "An Authority that lets you copy techniques and make them better?"
Marcus went very still. "Where did you hear that name?"
"It's just something I read," I said quickly. "Does it exist?"
"There are legends," Marcus said slowly. "Ancient texts mention an Authority by that name, wielded by a warrior who could master any fighting style just by observing it once. But that was centuries ago, and most scholars think it was exaggerated myth rather than historical fact." He looked at me intently. "Why the specific interest?"
"I'm just curious about powerful Authorities," I deflected. "Trying to understand what I might be up against at the academy."
Marcus seemed to accept that. "The academy will have plenty of Authority users, though most will be newly awakened with limited control. Your biggest advantage is that you're aware of this and preparing for it. Many nobles assume their status alone will carry them through."
We discussed training schedules for a while longer before Marcus excused himself to check on the evening guard rotation. Once I was alone, I let out a long breath.
Usurper wasn't completely unknown, then. There were legends about it. That meant I needed to be even more careful about revealing it.
I pulled up my status window again, staring at the Authority description.
*Alright,* I thought. *I have three months before the academy. Three months to grow stronger, gather techniques, and prepare. I need to be smart about this.*
First priority: test Usurper's capabilities and limitations. Could I copy just combat techniques, or did it extend to magical abilities, Authority skills, even mundane crafts?
Second: gather as many useful techniques as possible before the academy. Marcus's Weapon Saint would be invaluable if I could copy it. I'd need to get him to demonstrate it somehow.
Third: train my body to handle the techniques I'd copy. Having the knowledge meant nothing if my physical stats couldn't execute them properly.
And fourth: keep Usurper secret from everyone. The moment people knew what I could do, everything would change.
I dismissed the status window and headed for my bedroom. Tomorrow I'd resume training with Marcus, and I'd find a way to get him to show me what Weapon Saint could really do.