The morning sunlight filtered through the curtains of Damon's bedroom.
Seated cross-legged on his bed, Damon stared at the translucent interface floating before him.
[UNIVERSAL DESIRE SYSTEM]
[Host: Damon Jubo]
[Ability: Desire Perception]
Since acquiring the ability, he had spent considerable time experimenting with it. However, he was beginning to understand that simply activating it wasn't enough.
He needed to learn how to use it properly.
"Desire Perception."
His vision subtly changed.
The familiar surroundings of his bedroom appeared almost identical, yet his attention was drawn towards details he would ordinarily overlook.
He picked up a small decorative stone from his bedside table.
[Desire Perception Activated.]
[Target: Decorative Stone]
[Assessment: Ordinary Mineral]
[Additional Information: Insufficient.]
Damon frowned.
"That's not particularly impressive."
He placed the stone down and picked up a small metallic ornament.
This time, he concentrated on the object, attempting to direct his perception beyond its outward appearance.
A few seconds passed.
[Assessment in Progress...]
[Target: Unknown Metal Alloy]
[Material Composition: Partially Identified]
[Additional Information: Requires Further Investigation.]
Damon's expression changed.
"So concentration improves the information I receive."
He tried again, focusing on the metal's structure rather than simply looking at it.
The interface flickered.
[Desire Perception Proficiency Increased.]
[Minor Improvement: Material Recognition.]
Damon smiled.
It wasn't a dramatic improvement, but it was progress.
He now understood that Desire Perception wasn't an ability that automatically revealed everything about whatever he examined. Its effectiveness depended on how he used it, the information available to the system, and the complexity of the target.
Still, its applications were considerable.
If he could eventually identify valuable materials, discover hidden properties and investigate unfamiliar objects, the ability could become an important advantage.
Especially for someone interested in commerce.
After breakfast, Damon made his way to his father's study.
Marcel was seated behind his desk, examining several documents. A number of ledgers were arranged beside him.
"Father."
Marcel looked up.
"Damon. What brings you here?"
"I wanted to ask about the family's businesses."
Marcel raised an eyebrow.
"Our businesses?"
"Yes. I've been thinking about the things you told me concerning House Voss. It made me curious about how the Jubo family generates its wealth."
Marcel studied his son for a moment before gesturing towards a chair.
"Sit down."
Damon took the offered seat.
Marcel opened one of the ledgers.
"The Jubo family has existed for generations. Naturally, our interests extend beyond our lands and military responsibilities."
He pointed towards the documents.
"One of our oldest commercial interests is the production and supply of weapons."
Damon listened attentively.
"The family owns several workshops and maintains partnerships with independent craftsmen. We produce swords, spears, armour components and other military equipment. Some are supplied to our own forces, while others are sold to noble houses, military organizations and merchants."
He opened another document.
"We also have investments in the production of war machines."
Damon became more attentive.
"War machines?"
"Siege engines, defensive equipment, heavy crossbows and other military constructions. Some require considerable technical expertise and specialized materials. Our workshops employ experienced engineers and craftsmen who oversee their production."
Damon hadn't expected that.
He had known the Jubo family was powerful, but he hadn't realized how deeply its commercial interests were connected to warfare.
"And the third major business?" he asked.
"Grains."
Marcel brought out another ledger.
"The family owns agricultural estates and maintains agreements with several independent farmers. We produce and trade different grains, supplying merchants, settlements and military establishments."
Damon nodded slowly.
Weapons, war machines and grains.
Three industries with enormous importance.
Weapons and war machines supported military strength and generated substantial commercial revenue. Grain, on the other hand, was a necessity that ensured continuous demand.
"Does the family control all these operations directly?"
"Not entirely. We have administrators, merchants and appointed managers overseeing different branches. Some operations are conducted through partnerships."
Marcel leaned back.
"The important thing is that the Jubo family doesn't depend on a single source of income."
Damon examined the documents.
"Do we have records of how profitable each business is?"
"Of course. Though I doubt you'll understand everything from looking at a few ledgers."
Marcel smiled faintly.
"You're welcome to study them if you're interested. Understanding the family's assets and obligations is part of your responsibility as my heir."
Damon returned the smile.
"Then I'll take you up on that offer."
He hadn't expected to discover so much.
The Jubo family wasn't simply a military household with enormous wealth. It had an established commercial foundation that supported its position among the great noble families. Follow the newest chapters on NovelPing.
And perhaps there was room to make that foundation even stronger.
Elsewhere in the capital, two young noblewomen sat together in a private garden.
Seraphina rested her teacup on the table while Vanessa examined a small arrangement of flowers.
Vanessa belonged to House Valcrest, a respected noble family holding the title of Count. Although her family's standing was below that of the great ducal houses, it maintained considerable influence within the kingdom.
The two had known each other for some time, and their conversations were usually relaxed.
"Have you heard about Damon Jubo?" Vanessa suddenly asked.
Seraphina looked up.
"Damon?"
"Yes. Apparently, he attended the House Voss gathering."
Seraphina remained quiet for a moment.
"I heard something about that."
Vanessa smiled.
"You're not surprised?"
"Why should I be?"
"Well, considering how long he remained away from public gatherings, I thought his appearance would interest you."
Seraphina looked down at her tea.
"It's good that he's recovering."
Vanessa studied her expression.
"You sound rather calm."
"What exactly are you expecting me to say?"
Vanessa laughed softly.
"Nothing. I'm simply curious. There have been so many rumours surrounding his condition. Some people believed he might never return to his former self."
Seraphina's expression became slightly serious.
"People enjoy talking about things they don't understand."
"True."
Vanessa took another sip.
"Still, his appearance at House Voss suggests that the Jubo family is gradually bringing him back into society."
"Perhaps."
"Have you seen him recently?"
"No."
Vanessa leaned back.
"Well, I suppose we'll eventually find out what has changed."
Seraphina didn't respond immediately.
She remembered Damon as someone who had once attracted considerable attention among their generation.
But circumstances had changed.
And there was another person whose name she preferred not to bring into their conversation.
Gassi.
For now, she simply returned her attention to her tea.
Later that afternoon, Damon was in the training grounds.
Roderick stood several steps away, holding a wooden training sword.
"Your physical condition has improved considerably, Young Master. However, strength alone isn't enough."
Damon picked up his own training sword.
"I know. That's why I'm here."
Roderick smiled.
"Good. Show me what you've learned."
Damon moved forward.
Their wooden swords collided with a sharp crack.
Roderick's movements were controlled and experienced. He easily redirected Damon's first attack before launching a counterattack.
Damon barely managed to defend himself.
He retreated several steps.
"Again," Roderick instructed.
Damon attacked once more.
This time, he paid closer attention to Roderick's movements. He noticed the slight adjustment of his shoulders and the positioning of his feet before each strike.
However, Roderick was still considerably faster.
Within moments, Damon's wooden sword was knocked aside.
"You're improving," Roderick said, "but you're still reacting after your opponent has already begun attacking."
Damon glanced at him.
Perhaps this was the perfect opportunity.
"Desire Perception."
His vision changed.
[Desire Perception Activated.]
Roderick raised his sword and approached.
Something strange happened.
Damon began noticing subtle changes in Roderick's movements before the attacks were fully executed.
The slight tightening of his muscles, the shift in his weight and the direction of his shoulders became unusually clear.
Then the system responded.
[Target Detected: Roderick]
[Combat Observation Activated.]
[Movement Analysis: Available]
[Attack Trajectory: Partially Predictable]
Damon's eyes widened slightly.
So it could be used in combat.
Roderick launched another attack.
This time, Damon moved before the wooden sword reached him.
He shifted his body to the side, allowing the strike to pass narrowly before counterattacking.
His wooden sword stopped just short of Roderick's chest.
For a brief moment, the training ground became quiet.
Roderick looked at the sword before turning his attention to Damon.
"Interesting."
Damon lowered his weapon.
Roderick narrowed his eyes.
"What exactly?"
"I could tell where your next attack was likely to come from."
Roderick examined him carefully.
"Was that intuition?"
"Something like that."
Damon wasn't ready to explain the ability.
Roderick nodded thoughtfully.
"Whatever it was, you should continue developing it. An opponent who can read movements has an advantage over someone who relies entirely on speed and strength."
He stepped backwards.
"But don't become dependent on it. An experienced warrior can deliberately change their rhythm, disguise their movements or use feints to mislead an opponent."
Damon nodded.
He understood.
Desire Perception wasn't making him invincible. It was giving him additional information that he could use to make better decisions.
And that was already valuable.
[Desire Perception Proficiency Increased.]
[New Application Discovered: Combat Observation.]
Damon smiled inwardly.
He had just discovered another application of his ability.
The training continued.
Damon's movements became increasingly fluid as he practiced with Roderick.
His body had recovered much of its strength, and the training he had undergone was beginning to produce visible results.
Yet something different was happening within him.
He could feel that his physical capabilities were approaching another threshold.
After completing another sequence of exercises, Damon placed his training sword aside.
He closed his eyes and regulated his breathing.
A familiar sensation spread throughout his body.
[Physical Condition: Breaking Through...]
His muscles tightened before gradually relaxing. An unfamiliar feeling of strength flowed through his limbs.
Then—
[Congratulations, Host.]
[Knight Cultivation Breakthrough Successful.]
[New Realm Achieved: Iron Rank.]
Damon opened his eyes.
He had done it.
He had advanced beyond Wood Rank and entered the second realm of knight cultivation.
Iron Rank.
Roderick approached, his expression showing genuine surprise.
"Young Master, you've broken through?"
Damon looked at his hands.
"I believe so."
Roderick examined him carefully before breaking into a satisfied smile.
"Congratulations, Young Master. This is a significant achievement."
Damon stood and tested his movements.
His body felt noticeably stronger and more stable.
The difference wasn't simply about lifting heavier weights. His endurance, physical resilience and ability to maintain his movements had all improved.
He summoned the system.
[Knight Cultivation: Iron Rank]
Damon smiled.
His progress was becoming tangible.
"How long did it take you to reach Iron Rank?" Damon asked.
Roderick chuckled.
"Longer than you might imagine. Advancement depends on several things: physical talent, training, experience and the quality of one's cultivation."
He looked at Damon.
"You've worked hard to reach this point. Don't become complacent."
"I won't."
Roderick nodded.
"Good. We still have a great deal of work ahead of us."
Damon understood that perfectly.
This was only the beginning.
That evening, Damon returned to his bedroom.
He sat beside the window, reflecting on the day's events.
He had discovered that the Jubo family possessed substantial commercial interests in weapons, war machines and grains.
He had also made progress with Desire Perception, discovering that it could assist him in combat by helping him observe an opponent's movements.
And, perhaps most importantly, he had finally broken through into Iron Rank.
His development was beginning to take shape in more ways than one.
He summoned the Universal Desire System once more.
[UNIVERSAL DESIRE SYSTEM]
[Knight Cultivation: Iron Rank]
[Ability: Desire Perception]
[New Application: Combat Observation]
Damon examined the interface before dismissing it.
His father had once told him that strength protected what a person possessed, while wisdom determined how much they could acquire.
Perhaps there was more truth in those words than he had initially realized.
He would need strength to protect the Jubo family.
He would need knowledge to understand the world.
And he would need ambition to take the family somewhere greater than it had ever been.
Damon looked towards the distant lights of the capital.
His return to society had only just begun.
And the name Jubo was about to mean much more than it once did.