Snow covered Blackridge.
White and silent.
But inside the training grounds—
Heat.
Sweat.
Steel.
Rynor faced three opponents.
Wooden swords clashed rapidly.
His movements were sharp.
Controlled.
Deadly.
"Again!" he shouted.
He disarmed all three in seconds.
Captain Bren nodded proudly.
"Adept… no."
"He's already touching Elite."
Nearby, Jaren carried two massive stones.
Running laps.
Breathing steadily.
"Adept Warrior," Bren muttered.
"Almost Master in endurance."
Lyra stood at the mana circle.
Blue light swirled around her.
She raised her staff calmly.
"Wind Lance."
A compressed blade of air shot out.
Pierced a target fifty meters away.
Clean.
Perfect.
Lady Maris, watching through a mirror spell, smiled.
"Elemental Adept… close to Arcane Expert."
Arin observed quietly.
Pride mixed with pressure.
"I'm lagging behind…"
He activated the system.
[SYSTEM PROMPT: Power Evaluation Mode Activated]
New panel appeared.
[Combat Assessment – Arin Eldoria]
Sword Path: Novice
Mage Path: Mana Initiate
Leadership Path: Emerging Lord
Strength: 7
Mana: 5
Speed: 7
Endurance: 6
Intelligence: 12
Charisma: 12
Arin clenched his fist.
"Still trash…"
The system responded.
[SYSTEM PROMPT: Host Motivation Detected]
[SYSTEM PROMPT: Training Optimization Unlocked]
New options appeared.
✔ Body Refinement
✔ Mana Circulation
✔ Tactical Simulation
✔ Leadership Trials
He selected all.
Pain followed immediately.
Muscles burned.
Head pounded.
Mana surged violently.
He collapsed.
Panting.
Lyra rushed forward.
"Arin!"
"I'm fine," he whispered.
Rynor frowned.
"You push too hard."
"I have to," Arin replied.
"Enemies aren't waiting."
That afternoon, Selene Verdan returned.
She wore light armor.
A mage-sword hybrid uniform.
Arin activated Observation.
Strength: 25
Mana: 55
Speed: 35
Endurance: 28
Intelligence: 55
Charisma: 48
Sword Path: Adept
Mage Path: Elemental Adept
Talent: Dual Cultivation (Rare)
"Strong," Arin thought.
Selene watched training.
Impressed.
"You're building an army, not a guard."
"That's the plan," Arin replied.
She smiled.
"I can help."
"How?"
"I'll train officers."
Rynor blinked.
Jaren nodded.
Lyra looked thoughtful.
Kelsin whispered.
"This strengthens alliances."
Arin considered.
Then nodded.
"Accepted."
The system reacted.
[SYSTEM PROMPT: High-Grade Ally Integrated]
[SYSTEM PROMPT: Officer Training Efficiency +20%]
That night, Arin trained alone.
Under moonlight.
Sweat dripping.
Muscles shaking.
He repeated forms.
Hundreds of times.
Suddenly—
Something clicked.
[SYSTEM PROMPT: Minor Breakthrough]
[SYSTEM PROMPT: Sword Path – Apprentice Achieved]
Warmth spread through his arms.
[PLAYER PROFILE – ARIN ELDORIA
Strength: 8
Mana: 5
Speed: 8
Endurance: 7
Intelligence: 12
Charisma: 12
Sword Path: Apprentice
Mage Path: Mana Initiate
Leadership Path: Emerging Lord
Growth Potential: SSS
System Authority: Level 2
Territory Authority: Level 1
Bloodline Progress: 5%
]
Arin smiled tiredly.
"First step…"
But far away—
An army gathered.
Banners of Ravenholt.
Five hundred men.
Marching toward Blackridge.
War was coming.