Chapter 226 - 225 : Prodigy system
Arthur looked at the two bulky, towering students blocking his path.
They looked less like students and more like bodybuilders.
Both of them wore the academy’s black uniform over a white shirt. On their chests were red badges, marking them as third years. The first years wore green badges, the second years wore yellow, and the third years wore red.
Arthur remained calm.
"Lead the way," he said. "I will meet her."
The two third years nodded, then turned to Aiden.
"Not you. Only Arthur."
Aiden smiled instantly.
"It cannot be helped then," he said. "Sorry, Arthur. I am going back to my sister. Bye-bye."
Without waiting for a reply, he ran off.
Arthur watched him leave with a flat expression.
Then the third years led Arthur toward the student council office, and Arthur followed without protest.
A few minutes later, they reached the office.
The third years stepped aside, making way for him, and Arthur entered.
Inside, he saw a large office table with documents stacked on it and chairs arranged neatly around the room. Even from a distance, Arthur’s vampiric vision allowed him to read the nameplate on the desk clearly.
Lalatina Rion Armsberg.
Arthur blinked.
’Isn’t her name Layla?’
He turned around and took in the rest of the room.
There was also a guest sofa, and the office itself was quite spacious.
Sitting on the sofa was a beautiful young woman with sky-blue hair and beautiful brown eyes.
The moment she turned her head and met Arthur’s gaze, a chill ran down his spine.
The woman smiled calmly.
"What are you standing there for?" she asked. "Come and sit."
Without saying a word, Arthur sat opposite her.
Layla leaned back slightly.
"I do not like beating around the bush," she said. "So I will be direct. You are a system user, right?"
Arthur smiled.
"Wow," he said. "You really are quite straightforward, aren’t you, Miss Lalatina?"
Layla’s expression stiffened for a second.
"Where did you get my name?" she asked.
Then her eyes flicked toward the nameplate.
"Ah. The nameplate."
Her tone sharpened immediately.
"Listen carefully. You can call me Miss Layla. Do not use my real name, or I will kill you."
Arthur understood at once that she was serious.
’Looks like she really does not like her name,’ he thought.
Then he said, "Alright, Miss Layla. What do you want from me?"
Layla wore a bored expression.
"I want nothing from you," she said. "You are the one meddling when everything was going smoothly. Right now, I am quite pissed."
She crossed one leg over the other.
"So let us settle this straightforwardly. You and I will have a duel. The winner will represent the academy in the competition."
Arthur paused for a moment.
’System, give me the conditions.’
At that instant, several system notifications filled Arthur’s vision.
DING!
[ Target Detected. ]
[ Name: Lalatina Rion Armsberg ]
[ System Identified: Prodigy System ]
[ System Analysis Complete. ]
[ Prodigy System Functions ]
[ • Allows the host to permanently copy any technique, skill, spell, martial art, or combat style after witnessing it once. ]
[ • Copied techniques can be refined, optimized, and improved beyond their original level through continuous use. ]
[ • The host earns Prodigy Points by defeating opponents while utilizing copied techniques. ]
[ • Prodigy Points can be exchanged to strengthen copied techniques, unlock new enhancements, or increase mastery. ]
[ • Attribute Points are awarded after every victory, with greater rewards granted for defeating stronger opponents. ]
[ Ability Extraction Available ]
[ Extraction Target: Lalatina Rion Armsberg ]
[ Extraction Reward: One Random Ability from the Target ]
[ Extraction Conditions ]
[ • Defeat Lalatina Rion Armsberg in an official one-on-one duel. ]
[ Condition Status: Incomplete ]
[ Extraction Link will be established after all conditions have been fulfilled. ]
Arthur read the notifications carefully.
’Damn. Her system is quite overpowered. This is going to be challenging.’
At the same time, Layla received a quest from her own system.
DING!
[ Prodigy System ]
[ S-Rank Quest Generated. ]
[ Quest Title: Show Who Is the True Prodigy ]
[ Target: Arthur ]
[ Quest Description ]
[ Defeat Arthur in an official one-on-one duel and prove yourself to be the greatest prodigy of your generation. ]
[ Quest Reward ]
[ • Shadow Extraction (???-Rank) ]
[ Ability Analysis Complete. ]
[ Shadow Extraction has been identified as an ability belonging to the host of the Ultimate Scavenger System, Arthur. ]
[ Upon successful completion of the quest, the Prodigy System will permanently copy and integrate Shadow Extraction into the host’s abilities. ]
[ Failure Penalty: ??? ]
[ Warning ]
[ Failure will trigger a severe system punishment. ]
[ Quest Accepted Automatically. ]
[ Success is mandatory for the host’s growth. ]
Layla read the notification with visible surprise.
She stared at the reward, then at the penalty.
For the first time, the system had not even specified what kind of punishment she would receive.
An S-Rank quest.
Her thoughts sharpened.
’Looks like this one will not be easy.’
Then she looked at Arthur again.
’And it seems he also got a quest. Just what kind of overpowered ability is this Shadow Extraction?’
Arthur looked at her and spoke first.
"Looks like you also got a quest, huh."
Layla smiled.
"Yes, I did," she said. "And believe it or not, this is the first time I have seen something like this. It is going to be quite fun. I just hope you do not turn out to be like those other two first years."
Arthur’s grin turned smug.
"Do not worry. I will make you taste defeat for the first time in your life."
Layla’s smile widened.
"I have met many people who said the same thing," she said. "They did not amount to much."
Arthur nodded.
"Alright. Now that that is settled, should we do it right now?"
Layla let out a small sigh.
"As much as I would like to, you can see that I have a mountain of work," she said. "But do not worry. I have reserved the training grounds for tomorrow. We can fight to the death inside a subspace."
Arthur’s eyes lit up.
He stood up.
"Then I will see you tomorrow."
Layla extended her hand for a handshake.
Arthur took it.
They shook hands once.
"See you tomorrow," Layla said.
"Likewise," Arthur replied.
Then Arthur left the office.
As he walked down the hallway alone, he spoke under his breath.
’I had better bring my A-game tomorrow. Her system... her absurd abilities... I wish I had a system like that.’
[ You already have me, you ungrateful host. ]
Arthur rolled his eyes.
"Yeah, yeah."
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The next day arrived.
Arthur stood in the training grounds.
The stands were packed with noisy first years, second years, and third years, all watching with excitement.