Dragon Monarch System Chapter 3

In this world, Cultivation is categorized by orders, ranging from the zeroth to the ninth. The blessing of cultivation is not granted to everyone, and Aditya was no exception to this rule. However, everything changed with the awakening of his bloodline, finally allowing Aditya to pursue the path of Cultivation. Even among those capable of cultivating, reaching the second order is a feat many fail to achieve; consequently, roughly 60% to 70% of cultivators remain trapped at the first order for their entire lives.

Approximately 65% of the total population lacks the inherent capacity to cultivate. Nevertheless, through millennia of experimentation and study, the inhabitants of this world developed methods for those without cultivation talent to gain power.

The journey of growth is split into two distinct paths: external cultivation and internal cultivation. Those unable to cultivate naturally utilize external cultivation, which focuses on strengthening the physical vessel using mana. Conversely, internal cultivation follows the traditional route where a practitioner manipulates mana to manifest elemental abilities.

Upon reaching a specific threshold, a cultivator gains the ability to command elements. Alternatively, one can wield these powers through an elemental bloodline, such as Aditya’s newly acquired Inferno Blaze Dragon Bloodline. The five fundamental elements consist of fire, earth, water, wind, and lightning. Beyond these primary forces, certain rare elements exist, typically possessed by individuals born with unique traits or specific bloodlines.

Within the Cultivation world, those fortunate enough to trigger a bloodline awakening hold a supreme advantage. Such an awakening provides a multitude of benefits, including enhanced physical strength, accelerated cultivation and recovery speeds, and access to rare elemental affinities, among other boons.

Despite Aditya never having practiced cultivation—meaning he was still technically at the zeroth order—the awakening of his bloodline via the system granted a massive surge to his attributes.

“Young Master, our forces are reduced to a mere 100 soldiers and a single second-order guard. Everyone else has deserted the army because we failed to provide their wages on time.” As Watson spoke, Aditya felt as though a phantom bolt had pierced his chest. Because the memories of the old and new Aditya had fused, they had essentially become a single entity. Carrying the memories of his predecessor, Aditya felt a profound sense of guilt, knowing he was the primary cause of the city's misery.

“Our circumstances would be far more favorable if the nobles had simply paid their taxes as required.” The former Aditya had dumped the entirety of the financial burden onto Watson. It was nothing short of a miracle that the Castle remained standing, considering the staggering amount of debt accumulated to keep it operational.

The currency of this realm dictates that 100 silver coins equal 1 gold, while 100 gold coins make up 1 royal gold. Tallying his current liabilities, Aditya found himself owing 50 royal gold coins. To put this in perspective, a single gold coin is typically enough to sustain a middle-class household for a month. Aditya realized that even if he liquidated portions of his territory, it wouldn't suffice to clear the debt. Furthermore, selling land was hardly a viable strategy given the limited size of his domain.

“Master, it isn't just the nobility; even the local merchants in this city have ceased their tax payments.”

Slap!

Frustrated, Aditya struck his own forehead. The situation was dire. As the sovereign of this realm, he commanded no respect; even petty shopkeepers felt emboldened enough to ignore their taxes. ‘I wouldn’t be shocked if a usurper had already started ruling in my stead,’ he thought bitterly.

Setting the documents aside, Aditya fixed a serious gaze on Watson. Assessing the Aura radiating from his butler, it was evident that the man was a second-order body cultivator.

“Watson, who holds the title of the most prominent business owner in this city?”

“That would be the Norlor family, Young Master. Years ago, they operated only two shops. Today, they own 19 establishments throughout the city, controlling approximately 80% of Azure City's total commerce.”

“And how long has it been since they last paid their taxes?”

“Twenty-four months—no, it has actually been twenty-five.”

“Watson, what do you think? Shall we pay the Norlor Family a visit?” Aditya’s tone was icy. With the pride of a dragon woven into his very soul, he could not tolerate such blatant disrespect.

“I shall follow wherever my Young Master leads.” It was clear to Aditya that Watson was also eager to take action.

“Excellent. We set out tomorrow.”

–

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–

Scene change___

After exiting Aditya’s chambers, Watson went to provide a report to his true mistress, Julia, who was one of Aditya’s wives. Aditya, however, did not sleep. Instead, he took the opportunity to review his current attributes and abilities.

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[_Name: – Aditya Bainnith

_Race: – Dragon

_Bloodline: – Inferno Blaze Dragon Bloodline

_Current Class: – War Dancer

_Current class Level: – 01

_Innate Skill: – Instant learning and adaptation, Fiery Blaze, Weapon Mastery

_Passive skill: – Eruption Wave, Molten Bolt, Silence Mind

_Strength: – 70

_Speed: – 70

_Stamina: - 70

_Health: – 70

_Mana: – 70

_Free stats: – 0]

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[Instant learning and adaptation: – This skill enhances the user’s cognitive functions, granting genius-level learning and adaptation capabilities. The brain's processing power is increased by 25 times.]

[Fiery Blaze: – Grants the user authority over fire. Activation drains [2+] mana per second. The potency of this skill is limited only by the user’s imagination.]

[Eruption Wave: – Allows the user to manipulate lava. Activation drains [5+] mana per second. The potency of this skill is limited only by the user’s imagination.]

[Molten Bolt: – Enables the user to discharge a bolt of lava. Each use consumes [05+] mana. The potency of this skill is limited only by the user’s imagination.]

[Weapon Mastery: – Provides immediate proficiency and knowledge of any weapon held. This skill boosts the effectiveness of any weapon by [10%].]

[Silence Mind: – A unique skill that maintains the user’s composure on the battlefield, ensuring constant alertness during combat.]

—–

“Did you employ the spell?” Julia inquired while gazing at the moon.

Standing at a respectful distance behind her, Watson answered gravely. “I utilized the orb to determine if the Young Master was under the influence of a mind-control enchantment. The findings were contrary to our suspicions. No outside force is manipulating him.”

Julia let out a sigh.

“Watson, based on your conversation today, do you believe Aditya has truly changed?” Julia had often lamented her lot in life, being wed to a man who lacked cultivation talent and suffered from a severe alcohol addiction. If Aditya was truly turning over a new leaf, it would be a blessing.

Watson paused, reflecting deeply for several minutes before finally answering.

“Our interaction today suggested that the Young Master is genuinely troubled by the state of the Kingdom. He displayed legitimate anger regarding the corruption of the nobles. I do believe a change has occurred within him. Whether this transformation leads to prosperity or ruin, however, remains to be seen.”

“I understand.”

“Watson, we shall maintain our observations for the time being. Use your strength to support him whenever necessary.”

“As you wish, Milady. However, how much longer do you intend to keep your true identity a secret?” Watson felt that with the Young Master showing signs of improvement, it might be the right time for a revelation.

“I will continue to watch him for now. Just because my parents arranged this marriage doesn't mean I harbor any affection for him.”

The Following Day

–

Aditya, Julia, and Watson shared breakfast together. Following the meal, Aditya bathed. The castle felt hollow, occupied only by the three of them. As Aditya wandered the halls, he noticed the crumbling infrastructure; the ancient fortress was in desperate need of repair.

“Are you prepared, Young Master?” Watson asked. He was dressed in the unassuming garb of a commoner. Aditya had instructed him to use a disguise to hide his true status, as Aditya wished to keep his bloodline awakening a secret for the time being. Consequently, both men were operating under false identities that day.

“Uncle Jack, you are to address me as Isaac. We are simply guards dispatched by the King to collect taxes.” Watson nodded, though he looked slightly uncomfortable. It was difficult for him to drop the formal address he had used for years.

“Young Master, why is this disguise necessary?” Watson asked as they walked.

“Watson, to catch the nobility off guard, I must remain anonymous. In their eyes, I am still nothing but a drunkard. If they realize I am taking action, they might panic and flee to a neighboring kingdom, taking their stolen riches with them.”

“I see your point, Young Master.”

As they traversed the streets, the wretched state of the capital became even more apparent to Aditya. This was meant to be the heart of the Kingdom, yet it was in a worse state than a backwater village.

The roads were broken and unkempt. Trash was piled in the streets, where stray animals roamed freely. Beggars lined the thoroughfares, and dilapidated mud houses looked ready to collapse. Slaves were seen laboring for wealthy traders, while intoxicated men stumbled through the gutters.

After only ten minutes of observation, it was obvious that the city lacked any semblance of planning. The previous monarch had clearly neglected even the most basic standards of hygiene and order.

“Master, we have arrived.”