Asher, now fully aware of the poison and the perpetrator, felt a cold resolve settle in Xander's frail body. The emptied goblet sat innocuously on the tray, a silent testament to his immediate success. He still felt weak, but the System's notifications glowed like beacons in the dim room: "30 XP," "+1 Foresight Clarity." It wasn't much, but it was a start. The next quest, "Avoid Immediate Re-Poisoning," was a constant, ticking reminder of the ongoing danger.
He closed his eyes, focusing on the faint, chaotic hum of his Temporal Foresight. The previous flashes had been blurry, disjointed, like static on an old scrying pool. But with the toxin purged, and the System's recent boost, there was a subtle shift. Images still flickered, but they held for a fraction of a second longer, gaining a sliver more clarity. He saw fragmented scenes: Elara, the maid, moving about the room, her back turned; then a quick, unsettling flash of a small, ornate vial, identical to the one he'd seen in his vision of the tall, commanding figure, being poured into another glass.
She's complicit, not just a pawn, Asher concluded. And she'll be back soon.
A soft knock at the door startled him. Asher's eyes snapped open. Too soon. It wasn't noon. He quickly composed himself, forcing Xander's usual meek expression onto his face, forcing his breath to remain shallow.
The door opened, and it was indeed Elara. She carried another tray, identical to the first, but this time there was no broth, only a fresh glass of water and a plate of plain biscuits. Her movements were stiffer today, her plain face holding a subtle tension that Asher's sharpened senses, aided by the System, immediately picked up.
"Good morning, Your Highness," she murmured, her voice tight, devoid of its usual flat calm. "I trust your rest was well. I've brought you fresh water and some biscuits. Your… your usual physician wished for you to try a lighter meal."
Asher's Temporal Foresight flared, briefly overwhelming him. A torrent of images. Elara's hand, rigid, pouring the water. A glint of metal on a hidden ring on her finger. The commanding figure's face, cold and demanding. A swift, brutal punch landing on Elara's stomach in a darkened corridor. A System notification flashed at the edge of his vision, barely registered amidst the psychic storm: "High-level temporal interference detected. Psychic Overload imminent."
The visions vanished, leaving a searing headache that throbbed behind Asher's eyes. He clenched his teeth, a gasp escaping his lips. Psychic Overload. This was the weakness the System alluded to. He'd pushed his nascent Foresight too hard, trying to discern too much at once.
Elara's grey eyes sharpened, a flicker of concern, or perhaps suspicion, crossing her face. "Your Highness? Are you unwell?" she asked, stepping closer to the bed, her hand instinctively reaching towards the untouched glass of water.
Asher had to act. He couldn't afford another overload, nor could he directly refuse the water without tipping his hand. He needed a distraction, something to buy time. He spotted a stack of worn books on a nearby nightstand – Xander's comfort reads.
"Yes," Asher gasped, forcing the words out through the pain. "Just… a sudden wave of dizziness. My head… if you could just pass me those books, Elara? I find reading helps calm my mind."
Elara hesitated, her hand hovering over the water. Her gaze flickered to the books, then back to the glass. It was a clear choice. The System's screen flashed, "Objective: Divert Attention."
Finally, with a sigh of almost imperceptible exasperation, she picked up the stack of books. "Of course, Your Highness."
As she leaned over, passing the books, Asher saw it. A faint, almost invisible residue of liquid on the rim of the glass. Not in the water itself, but on the edge. The commanding figure hadn't wanted it ingested; he wanted it absorbed, touched. He was adapting.
Elara placed the books carefully beside him. As she pulled her hand back, her sleeve snagged on the edge of the tray. The glass of water wobbled precariously.
Asher reacted instinctively. He plunged his hand into his Pocket Dimension. The familiar, chilling void shimmered into existence just under his palm, unseen by Elara. With a subtle, almost imperceptible twitch of his fingers, he tapped the bottom of the glass just as it tilted.
The water, with its subtle trace of poison on the rim, vanished into the void. The glass, now empty and clean, clinked harmlessly back onto the tray.
Elara barely noticed. "Oh, my apologies, Your Highness! How clumsy of me." She quickly steadied the tray.
"No matter," Asher murmured, his voice still weak but controlled. "It appears I have a rather shaky hand this morning." He offered a strained, meek smile, one that belied the surge of adrenaline and satisfaction within him.
QUEST COMPLETE!
QUEST: AVOID IMMEDIATE RE-POISONING
OBJECTIVE: Ensure no further toxic intake for 24 hours. (Current progress: 24/24)
REWARD: 50 XP, +1 Resilience.
TOTAL XP: 80 (30 + 50)
STATUS: Toxin Accumulation (Minor Residue) - Detected.
NEW QUEST ALERT!
QUEST: NEUTRALIZE MINOR TOXIN RESIDUE
OBJECTIVE: Identify and consume a common antidote to eliminate lingering toxins. (Progress: 0/1)
REWARD: 30 XP, +1 Healing.
Asher mentally cataloged the information. The commanding figure was getting more subtle, more dangerous. He wasn't just poisoning his food now, but perhaps leaving contact toxins. His Foresight was a blessing, but its Psychic Overload was a critical flaw he needed to manage.
Elara, after ensuring nothing else was amiss, curtsied and departed. As the door clicked shut, Asher collapsed back against the pillows, exhaustion washing over him. The headache from the Foresight overload still throbbed, but underneath it, a fierce determination burned. He had survived. Again. And he had gained.
He touched the System screen, scrolling through the Status. His Resilience had increased, making him feel subtly stronger, his skin less clammy. His Healing stat was still low, but a pathway had been opened.
He looked at the System's quest: "Neutralize Minor Toxin Residue." He focused on the quest, and a new sub-hint appeared, detailing the properties of the toxin and, to his surprise, suggesting a specific antidote. "HINT: Antidote - Glimmerleaf. Commonly found in palace kitchen gardens for culinary and minor medicinal use."
This was perfect. The System was guiding him precisely. He needed to get to the kitchen gardens. That would be his next step. The stakes were rising, but so was he. And the System, his silent guide, was always watching.