MTLNOVEL Chapter 2: Chapter 2: The First Task
Athenor sat on the wooden floor of their home, his small fingers tracing symbols carved into a slab of bark. Faye knelt beside him, her silver hair cascading over her shoulders as she patiently guided his hand.
"These runes are part of the Old Tongue," she explained, her voice soft yet firm. "They hold power, meaning. To understand them is to understand the past."
Athenor's young mind absorbed every word, but as he focused, a translucent notification appeared before his eyes.
[Template System Task Issued]Task: Master the ability to read and understand ancient languages, including those taught by your mother. Expand your knowledge to match or surpass your brother's comprehension before reaching the age of two.Time Limit: Before your second birthday.Reward: +5% Template Integration.
He blinked. The system had remained mostly passive until now, merely tracking his progression. But this—this was different. A direct task. And one that aligned with Faye's teachings.
Faye raised an eyebrow at his sudden pause. "Is something wrong, my little one?"
He quickly shook his head, forcing an innocent expression. He couldn't exactly explain the system, but it wasn't necessary—this was something he needed to do anyway.
Atreus, sitting nearby, struggled with his wooden slate. His brow furrowed as he tried to mimic Faye's writing. "Why do we need to learn these, Mother?"
She chuckled. "Because knowledge is a form of strength. And strength… is survival."
Athenor glanced at Kratos, who sat silently by the fire, sharpening his weapons. Strength was something Kratos understood well, but this—this was Faye's domain. And if he was to grow stronger, he had to master both aspects.
He clenched his tiny fists and returned his focus to the runes. The task was set, and he would complete it.
The days passed in diligent study. Every morning, Faye would teach both twins, but Athenor absorbed the knowledge at a startling rate. He memorized runes before Atreus, deciphered patterns in scripts far beyond his years, and even recognized the cadence of old dialects.
Each time he successfully translated a phrase, the system acknowledged his progress.
[Task Progress: 30%]
It wasn't just about reading—Faye made sure they understood the meaning behind words, and the weight history carried. Even as a child, Athenor felt the significance. These were the tongues of gods and mortals long before his time.
One evening, as Faye recited an ancient tale, Athenor, barely over a year old, completed her sentence in fluent Old Norse.
Both Kratos and Faye turned to him, their expressions unreadable.
Faye smiled, placing a gentle hand on his head. "You learn quickly, my little raven."
Kratos only grunted, his gaze lingering on Athenor for a moment longer before returning to his work.
Athenor felt a flicker of pride. But he wasn't done yet.
Months passed, and by the time his second birthday approached, Athenor had reached a level of fluency beyond even Atreus. He could read, understand, and even write the ancient scripts with near-perfect accuracy.
And then, at long last—
[Task Completed][+5% Template Integration][Integration: 8%]
Athenor exhaled, feeling a faint surge of energy within his small body. The system had rewarded him. He wasn't sure exactly how much stronger he had become, but every step forward brought him closer to his full potential.
Faye beamed at him, pride evident in her eyes. "You have done well, my son."
Kratos, standing at the doorway, watched in silence before finally speaking. "You are ready for more."
Athenor met his father's gaze and nodded.
His journey was just beginning.