Chapter 16: The Blink of an eye

"The Blink of an eye—"

The silver-haired boy sat at the edge of the bed, his pale violet eyes suddenly deepening, revealing a faintly intricate pattern resembling a hexagram magic circle, emitting a soft golden glow.

The boy's eyes in the silver-coated round mirror radiated a faint gold, and his demeanor seemed to change abruptly, becoming somewhat cold and quiet.

As his gaze swept across his field of vision, everything around him seemed to slow down, including himself, the dust drifting slowly in the fragmented sunlight on the windowsill, the gentle rise and fall of his chest as he breathed, and his hand that slowly lifted due to shock.

Then, his brain felt as if it had been struck by a heavy hammer.

Boom—

The boy fell onto the floor, gasping for air, and closed his eyes in pain.

"Damn it."

Everything before his eyes vanished, the faint hexagram magic circle in his eyes disappeared, and his aura returned to its previous state.

The pain in his pupils, like a needle prick, forced him to stop, and his brain felt somewhat sore.

However, in that instant, he had seen many things. Time seemed to have frozen in that second, and the movement of everything around him slowed dramatically in his eyes.

"It hurts."

Viserys sat on the edge of the bed, covering his eyes with both hands, but tears still flowed uncontrollably, gasping for air. It took him a while to regain his composure.

He now knew what the special ability he had acquired upon reaching the 20th Moon Awakening was.

It was a dynamic vision ability, similar to the legendary "bullet time", which allowed him to slow down all movement around him in his eyes.

"This ability... is very useful!"

He didn't need to think twice.

Viserys understood the benefits this special ability brought him.

It could give him more time to react and judge in dangerous situations, allowing him to turn calamities into blessings, and also gain an advantage in evenly matched battles.

Reaching the 20th Moon, this extraordinary mental power gave him more abilities, beyond just his photographic memory.

In fact, the Blink of an eye did not actually slow down time, but rather, because of his strong mental power, his mind quickly constructed the movements of others at first glance.

The result was that the movements appeared 'slower' in his eyes, but in reality, it was not that the others had slowed down, but rather that his reaction time had become quicker.

However.

His joy was short-lived, and Viserys soon composed himself and regained his calm demeanor.

"The road ahead is long."

After all, this was a world filled with mysterious and enigmatic powers, and the fact that he could be reborn from another world and take the place of Viserys Targaryen was already fantastical enough.

So much so that other things no longer fazed him.

And so...

He kept this secret hidden deep within himself, not telling anyone that he could see the mysterious black mist.

Ever since he realized that the black mist could strengthen his body and even his soul, his attitude towards it changed. It was no longer just a playful matter; he treated it with more seriousness and caution.

"Next time, I can try practicing more and control the intensity of this power."

After a brief rest, Viserys's eyes had fully recovered, but he didn't rush to use the Blink of an eye ability again.

He feared that repeated experimentation in a short period would affect his eyesight, as he didn't want to wear glasses again in this life.

However, as Viserys reflected on his first attempt at using the power, he realized that he hadn't controlled the intensity well, releasing it all at once. Now, he thought, he could consciously limit the release.

"That may not slow it down significantly, but it will extend the usage time, and the side effects won't be as pronounced."

He wouldn't uncontrollably shed tears as he had before.

Viserys pondered in silence, feeling his way like crossing a river by touching stones. There was no one to offer advice or assistance; he had to rely on his own guesses and inferences.

...

Days later.

Disturbing news arrived.

A raven, having traveled from the continent of Westeros by hitching a ride on several ships, reached Dragonstone Island.

This cunning raven had saved much of its energy, fluttering down to land on top of Sea Dragon Tower, the tower facing the ocean and resembling a slumbering dragon.

The tower's stairs were narrow and winding, and just below the ravenry at the top were the chambers of the maesters. Due to Rhaegar's neglect of Dragonstone affairs, only Maester Daniel resided there now.

Fluttering—

The raven's wings shook the silver bell on a thread, and a pale-faced Maester Daniel hurriedly climbed the stairs, took the letter from the raven, read it, and then his face turned pale.

He quickly descended the narrow staircase, rushing towards the garden near Dragon Tail Gate.

At that moment.

Viserys was practicing his swordsmanship in the Aegon Garden.

"Thrust!"

"Slash!"

Sir William, who had been seriously injured not long ago, was still healing from his rib injury, wrapped in bandages, but was now able to walk.

He stood in the shade of a dark tree, coaching Viserys on his swordplay.

Following the middle-aged tutor's instructions, Viserys practiced diligently, carefully swinging his longsword. Due to the height mismatch, the sword seemed like a greatsword in his hands.

The boy gripped the sword hilt with both hands, his movements constrained by the weight, but he still tried to correct his actions, striving for perfection. Sweat dripped from his forehead.

Sir William, with unhealed wounds, looked pale as he watched the boy practicing swordsmanship in the sunny meadow.

Although his face was expressionless, surprise could be seen in his eyes.

"How did this child manage it?"

He remembered that not long ago, the boy had struggled to lift the sword.

Yet now, he could handle it with ease.

"Could it be that Viserys truly possesses a talent equal to his brother?"

Rhaegar had been the most talented knight he had ever seen, proficient with any weapon.

But now, Viserys's astonishing rate of progress made him question whether his offhand remark might have actually become a prophecy.

Even Viserys's height seemed to have increased by a few centimeters, though it could just be his imagination.

Although the boy was still slender, with silver hair cascading down his shoulders and a youthful face, there was something about him that gave Sir William a sense of growth.

Especially those pale purple eyes, like precious gems.

Every time Viserys looked at him, the middle-aged tutor felt a slight flutter in his heart.

"This…" (To be continued.)