Chapter 20: Seeds of the Future
The courtyard had grown quiet.
Most of the rescued slaves had already left under Selena's guidance, heading toward the southern district where a mansion awaited them. The tension that once filled the air had slowly dissolved into cautious hope.
But one group remained.
Thirty children stood near the marble fountain of the palace courtyard.
They were small figures in an enormous place.
Some clutched each other's sleeves.
Some stared at the ground.
Some looked around nervously at the towering palace walls, as if expecting someone to suddenly shout at them.
For many of them, this was the first time they had stepped inside a royal palace.
For many of them, it was the first time they had not been chained.
Alex slowly walked toward them.
His steps were calm, steady, unhurried.
Yet the moment the children noticed him approaching, they stiffened.
Fear.
It was instinct.
Slaves feared masters.
Alex stopped a few steps away.
For a moment, he simply looked at them.
Dirty clothes.
Thin bodies.
Eyes far too old for their young faces.
These were not children who had grown up laughing in villages.
These were survivors.
Alex slowly walked closer.
Then, instead of standing above them like a ruler…
He bent down on one knee.
The movement surprised them.
One small girl near the front flinched slightly.
She looked about seven years old.
Her dark hair was tangled and messy, strands falling over her face.
Alex gently brushed the hair away from her eyes.
The girl froze.
She had expected a slap.
Or a command.
Not kindness.
Alex spoke softly.
"What is your name?"
The girl hesitated.
Her fingers tightened around the sleeve of the boy beside her.
"M-my name is… Ria."
Alex smiled.
"That's a beautiful name."
The girl blinked.
No one had ever said that before.
Alex continued gently.
"What about your parents?"
The moment he asked, her lips trembled.
Her eyes filled with tears.
"They… they died."
Her voice broke.
"They died protecting me and my brother from bandits."
The courtyard fell silent.
The boy beside her stepped forward.
He was tiny.
Barely five years old.
Yet he moved in front of his sister protectively, spreading his arms slightly as if shielding her.
His eyes were fierce despite his small size.
Alex felt a strange heaviness in his chest.
Bandits again.
This world was cruel.
Villages burned.
Travelers disappeared.
Families died without anyone remembering their names.
Alex gently asked, "And this is your brother?"
The girl nodded.
The small boy puffed his chest and spoke proudly.
"Hello… plince."
Alex couldn't help but laugh softly.
"Hello."
The boy grinned proudly.
For a moment Alex simply looked at the group of children.
Thirty small lives.
Thirty uncertain futures.
Some of them stared at him with cautious curiosity.
Others refused to meet his gaze.
Some had already learned not to expect kindness from the world.
Alex's eyes narrowed slightly.
System.
A blue translucent window appeared in his mind.
System
"Yes, Host."
"Scan their hidden potential."
"Find out if anyone here is worth investing in."
The system responded instantly.
Skill: Potential Scan
Cost: 5000 System Coins
Do you accept?
Alex didn't hesitate.
"Do it."
A faint ripple spread through his vision.
Suddenly transparent windows began appearing in front of him.
One after another.
---
Ria
Age: 7
Talent: Sewing
Potential: C
---
Tomas
Age: 11
Talent: Farming
Potential: C+
---
Lina
Age: 9
Talent: Wind Magic
Potential: C+
---
Darik
Age: 12
Talent: Shield Knight
Potential: C+
---
Miro
Age: 10
Talent: Fire Magic
Potential: C
---
Arlen
Age: 13
Talent: Archer
Potential: C+
---
Sena
Age: 12
Talent: Light Magic
Potential: B
---
Alex observed quietly.
Most children had average potential.
Nothing extraordinary.
Useful perhaps, but not exceptional.
He almost sighed.
Then—
Another window appeared.
And Alex's eyes sharpened.
---
Name: Leon Varis
Age: 12
Talent: Flash Knight
Potential: A+
---
Alex inhaled slowly.
Flash Knights were extremely rare.
They were warriors who fought with overwhelming speed, striking enemies before they could even react.
Entire battlefields could be decided by one such warrior.
And this boy…
Had A+ potential.
Alex looked toward Leon.
The boy stood stiffly with his fists clenched.
He was not crying.
Not trembling.
Just watching.
Observing.
Another window appeared.
---
Name: Kael Draven
Age: 10
Talent: Sword Master
Potential: B+
---
Alex nodded slightly.
Sword Masters were elite warriors.
Not as rare as Flash Knights, but still extremely valuable.
Kael stood quietly near the back of the group.
His posture was straight.
His gaze steady.
Even now, he was observing everything like a disciplined soldier.
Then the third window appeared.
And Alex's eyes widened slightly.
---
Name: Elira Solwen
Age: 13
Talent: Healing Magic
Potential: A
---
Alex felt genuine surprise.
Healing mages were incredibly rare.
Entire armies sometimes had only a handful.
An A-rank healing potential meant she could someday become a Saint Healer.
A figure nations would fight wars to obtain.
Alex slowly stood up.
Three gems.
Hidden among broken children.
The system was right.
Opportunity always hid in unexpected places.
Alex clapped his hands once.
"Children."
They immediately looked at him.
"Follow me."
No one questioned him.
They simply obeyed.
For the first time in their lives…
Someone was leading them somewhere other than a slave market.
---
The Royal Training Grounds
Soon Alex arrived at the royal training grounds.
The sound of steel echoed through the air.
Knights practiced sword techniques in formation.
Sparks flew as blades clashed.
Dust rose beneath armored boots.
The commander of the knight corps noticed Alex immediately.
"Your Highness?"
He walked over quickly.
"Why are you here?"
Alex gestured behind him.
"These children."
The commander looked surprised.
"They are slaves."
Alex's eyes turned cold.
"No."
The word was calm.
But heavy.
"They are my people."
The commander froze slightly.
Alex continued.
"Twelve of them have the potential to become knights."
"They are now under your responsibility."
The commander studied the children carefully.
Leon stood tall.
Kael stood calmly.
Others looked nervous but determined.
Finally the commander nodded.
"As you wish, Your Highness."
"They will be trained properly."
Alex watched as the twelve children were led away.
Leon glanced back once.
Their eyes met.
For a moment…
Neither spoke.
But something passed between them.
Respect.
Then the boy walked toward his new future.
---
The Mage Grounds
Next Alex walked toward the mage training area.
The atmosphere here was completely different.
Symbols glowed on the ground.
Students practiced spells.
Fire flickered.
Wind stirred.
A young woman stood in the center giving instructions.
She wore royal mage robes.
Silver hair flowed behind her.
Her name was Lyra Valen, a talented royal mage.
She bowed slightly when she saw Alex.
"Your Highness."
Alex gestured toward three children.
"These have magical talent."
Lyra studied them carefully.
Her eyes suddenly widened when she saw Elira.
"She has light affinity."
Alex nodded.
"She's yours."
Lyra looked impressed.
"She could become something extraordinary."
"I know."
Lyra smiled slightly.
"I will train them personally."
---
The Temple
Next Alex visited the palace chapel.
A quiet sacred place filled with incense and soft chanting.
He left one child with the royal priest.
The priest nodded respectfully.
"We will guide him."
---
That left fourteen children.
Not warriors.
Not mages.
But children with other talents.
Crafting.
Learning.
Administration.
Alex stopped the head butler in the hallway.
"Butler."
The old man bowed deeply.
"Yes, Your Highness."
"I want a manor prepared."
"For these children."
"Clean it."
"Prepare beds."
"Clothes."
"Food."
"Teachers."
"All expenses will be sent to me monthly."
The butler nodded.
"As you wish, Prince Alex."
---
Hours later Alex finally returned to his room.
He sat down slowly.
Today had been long.
But satisfying.
Thirty broken children now had paths.
Inside his mind—
System Notification
Leadership Action Detected
Reward: 500 System Coins
Alex leaned back.
"System."
"Yes, Host."
"Explain the ranking system."
The system responded immediately.
---
Power Ranking System
F – Ordinary humans
E – Basic trainees
D – Skilled fighters
C – Professional warriors
B – Elite warriors
A – National level experts
S – Legendary figures
SS – Continental heroes
SSS – Mythical legends
---
Knight Path
D – Knight Apprentice
C – Knight
B – Sword Master
A – Grand Knight
S – Sword Saint
SS – Heroic Knight
SSS – Legendary Blade
---
Mage Path
D – Apprentice Mage
C – Battle Mage
B – Archmage
A – Grand Archmage
S – Supreme Magus
SS – Arcane Hero
SSS – Mythical Archmage
---
Priest Path
D – Acolyte
C – Priest
B – High Priest
A – Saint Healer
S – Divine Apostle
SS – Chosen Saint
SSS – Oracle
---
Alex studied the ranks quietly.
Leon.
Flash Knight.
A+ potential.
Elira.
Future Saint Healer.
He smiled slightly.
"I picked up some dangerous talents today."
Just then—
Knock.
A knock echoed through the room.
"Enter."
The door opened.
Anna stepped inside.
Behind her stood several short figures.
Broad shoulders.
Heavy beards.
Eyes sharp like steel.
The dwarves had arrived.
Ten of them walked into the room.
Their leader stepped forward.
His gaze studied Alex carefully.
"You wished to speak with us, Prince?"
Alex leaned forward slightly.
A faint smile appeared on his face.
"Yes."
"I believe…"
"Our conversation will shape the future."
Because tonight—
The prince of the empire…
Was about to negotiate with the masters of the mountain.
The dwarves.