Snow melted under marching boots.
From the watchtower, scouts spotted banners in the distance.
"Ravenholt Army. Five hundred men."
The report spread instantly.
Blackridge entered emergency mode.
Gates closed.
Walls manned.
Archers positioned.
Civilians evacuated.
Arin stood in the command hall, listening calmly.
Kelsin spread the map.
"They'll reach us in three days."
Rynor clenched his sword.
"Let them come."
Lyra looked serious.
"They have mages."
Captain Bren added, "Likely Spell Apprentices and Elemental Adepts."
In this world, warriors advanced from Novice → Apprentice → Adept → Elite → Master → Grandmaster.
Mages followed Mana Initiate → Spell Apprentice → Elemental Adept → Arcane Expert → Archmage → Grand Archmage.
Blackridge had no Masters.
No Archmages.
Only rising talents.
Arin spoke firmly.
"We can't win by force. We win by terrain."
He pointed to Redstone Valley.
"We lure them here."
Selene nodded.
"The mana density will weaken their formations."
Rynor smiled.
"And boost Lyra."
Training intensified.
Soldiers drilled day and night.
Shields formed walls.
Archers practiced volley fire.
Lyra prepared battlefield spells.
Jaren reinforced barricades with stone.
Arin trained until collapse.
The system guided him.
[SYSTEM PROMPT: Wartime Growth Mode Activated]
[SYSTEM PROMPT: Training Efficiency +30%]
Pain followed.
But so did improvement.
Two nights later—
[SYSTEM PROMPT: Breakthrough Detected]
[SYSTEM PROMPT: Mage Path – Spell Apprentice Achieved]
Arin felt mana flow smoothly for the first time.
[PLAYER PROFILE – ARIN ELDORIA
Strength: 8
Mana: 7
Speed: 8
Endurance: 7
Intelligence: 12
Charisma: 12
Sword Path: Apprentice
Mage Path: Spell Apprentice
Leadership Path: Emerging Lord
Growth Potential: SSS
System Authority: Level 2
Territory Authority: Level 1
Bloodline Progress: 5%
]
He exhaled slowly.
"Still weak… but usable."
On the third morning, dust clouds appeared.
The Ravenholt army arrived.
Steel armor.
War banners.
Siege ladders.
Mage units.
Victor rode at the front.
He raised his hand.
"Surround them."
Drums thundered.
Soldiers advanced.
Lyra whispered.
"They're serious."
Arin's eyes hardened.
"Then so are we."
From the valley shadows, Blackridge forces waited.
Traps buried.
Mana mines charged.
Ambush lines ready.
This was not a defense.
It was a hunt.
And the prey had walked in willingly.