The Extra System: Summoner of Shadows

Cedric opened the menu as Ember left to make the arrangements. His retainer was not just powerful, but also efficient. She had been with him his entire life, ever since he could remember. Inside the palace of Aeloria, she treated him the best, so he trusted her.

[Character Sheet: Ember Twilight] 

[Titles: Moonlight Knight, Deadbeat Carrier, Daughter of Misfortune.] 

[Personality Traits: Courageous, Loyal, Kind, Smart.] 

[Level: (locked)] 

[Class: (locked)] 

[Skills: (locked)] 

[Background Story: (locked)] 

[Story Points (SPs) are required to unlock more information about this character. These are obtainable through finishing story arcs in the Quest Menu.]

Cedric slightly tilted his head with interest as he read the menu. The character sheet was rather extensive, unlike what he had expected. However, it wasn't as omnipotent as he thought it would be, since the system now introduced SPs as a thing. 

Before he opened the Quest Menu, Cedric studied the character sheet and matched it with his memories. From what he understood, most of them were things that he already knew about Ember, but the system confirmed. 

This wasn't useless as it sounded. It separated the truths from the lies regarding people. If Ember had a personality trait different than what he knew, it would appear in the system. He was relieved that he could trust her for now. 

"What do you mean, Deadbeat Carrier? Is this about me?" muttered Cedric with a frown, feeling like the system took every chance to insult him. First was his Charisma, and now this. "Be the better person, Cedric. You will level up soon enough."

Before he opened the Quest Menu, Cedric rose from the couch and walked toward the windows. Although they were locked shut with a barrier, he could still see the estate and the mountains beyond it.

He couldn't believe that he died and reincarnated just like that. Furthermore, he reincarnated into a world of fantasy just like the one his grandfather always loved and talked about.

"I had nothing when I died in my previous life, so I will obtain everything in this current one, whether it is wealth, power, or people I can trust. But knowing Elaris, I would die the moment I walk out of the door thanks to the countless monsters."

Cedric was worried but excited. This new opportunity to live in a world he loved seemed too good to be true, but he couldn't rest easy. The reason behind his restlessness was his lack of memories regarding how the previous owner died. 

Memories were influenced by misconceptions and misunderstandings. Even if the prince thought that the guards were the ones to kill him, Cedric thought differently. The entire situation seemed bizarre. 

"How could a prince end up in such a cell? And how would they beat him to a pulp? Can I even trust these memories?" muttered Cedric with a frown before shaking his head. "If there's really someone seeking to kill me, then I need to flee right this instant."

As a newfound sense of urgency overtook him, Cedric returned to sit on the couch and examine the Quest Menu of his system. The blue hologram became his sole hope of survival in the current world. After he ensured his safety, he would have time to process his death and transmigration into another world. 

"Open the Quest Menu," Cedric muttered, although he didn't really need to. The Extra System, which he decided to refer to as TES, could work with mental commands too in case Cedric was injured or hiding. 

[Generating a Quest Menu…] 

[Analyzing Current Story Arc…] 

[Quests Generated!] 

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[Story Arc: Irredeemable Prince] 

[Description: The Ninth Prince of Aeloria holds no merits. He is a burden to his family and the kingdom. Many people loathe him for his actions, and most treat him as the stain of the royal family. Could the prince be redeemed after his near-death experience in Valoria?] 

[Arc Goals:] 

- [Improve reputation to be positive.] 

- [Reach level 50.] 

- [Obtain an affinity.] 

[Rewards will be generated according to performance.] 

[Failure to finish the Quest within six months will result in the termination of the character.] 

--------------------

[You have entered a Sub-Arc with possible rewards.] 

[Sub-Arc: Trial of Lies] 

[Description: Cedric Everhart faces trial following accusations regarding the duke's daughter, Caroline Astrid Ravenswood. In order to avoid imprisonment, magical seals, and a damaged reputation, he must prove his innocence in the royal court of Valoria.] 

[Sub-Arc Goals:] 

- [Uncover the Truth and Prove Innocence.] 

[Sub-Arc Rewards will depend on performance, interaction with characters, and impact on the story.]

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Cedric read through everything, ensuring that he didn't miss a possible clue regarding his predicament. Once he read the main quest he had, he couldn't help but feel like he was cleaning someone else's mess.

The moment he read the line about terminating his character, Cedric felt shivers down his spine. TES was casual about the matter, like it wouldn't cost it anything to kill Cedric. 

This was a harsh reminder that Cedric needed to cling to this life and avoid becoming a deadbeat. If he wanted to stay in this world, he would have to work hard to become powerful enough to eliminate anything threatening. Eliminate the system, even, since it seemed capable of killing him. But at the moment, it was his lifeline, and he would need it to level up and survive. 

Cedric hoped the system wouldn't read his mind and was relieved when he saw that it didn't say anything. Once he finished reading the rest of the Quest Menu, he now had a plan. Once Ember arranged a meeting with Caroline, he would have to find ways to unlock her character. 

"Um, almighty system," coughed Cedric as he felt like a hypocrite. "How do I obtain Story Points? Is there a way other than quests, one that would be suitable for a prisoner?"

[SPs can be obtained through various mechanisms that the user could use. Personal achievements, quests, and creating an impact on the world can all generate SPs.]

Cedric nodded as he considered his options. At the moment, personal achievements were out of the question since they required time. He guessed that the system meant level-ups, breaking through ranks, obtaining affinities, etc. 

If he wanted to unlock the Character Sheet for Caroline, then he needed to create an impact on the world. The first step would be to meet Caroline since he only had Ember at the moment in his menu. The second step would be to create an impact on the world, and that might be possible through utilizing his knowledge from Records of Elaris. 

A knock came on the door, bringing Cedric back to the present. Ember opened the door and entered, her head low. "I apologize, your highness. It seems that Caroline refuses to meet you because of the trauma she claims you inflicted."

"Trauma, huh?" muttered Cedric with a smirk. He was not a vengeful person, but even a sage would be furious when accused of something this heinous. "Alright, Ember. That won't be a problem since I will meet her in the trial. Where is it taking place?"

"According to the laws of nobility, the trial will be held in Valoria's capital, Ironhold, for the king himself to be the judge of this trial," said Ember with slight worry. "What are we going to do, my lord?"

"We will prove my innocence, of course," said Cedric as he rose from his seat and walked to a nearby library. It must have been left here to entertain guests, but it will be his gateway to this world. "I should study."

"…Study?" muttered Ember with confusion. "You seem different, my lord. You have never studied on your own, not to mention facing something like this. In usual times, you would be panicking enough to faint."

'Damn, prince, you were that useless?' thought Cedric to himself as he held back a smile. He didn't know what had gotten into him, either, to be this calm facing this ordeal. But he knew that if he panicked, he could kiss his newfound life goodbye.