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Dawn Over Nerulia Haven
Morning sunlight spilled across the city, glowing off spirit-crystal lanterns and freshly built stone walls. The once-quiet frontier had become a living heartbeat, markets humming, guards training, healers chanting recovery spells, kids practicing beginner magic under surveillance to avoid… explosions.
Yuto stood on the newly renovated Council Hall balcony, deep in thought.
He could still feel the faint trace of that ominous presence from yesterday. ancient, hungry, watching.
It felt like the world had started paying attention to him.
Elira approached with a steaming cup of hot tea, dress swaying slightly.
"You're tense again," she said softly.
Yuto took the cup, fingers brushing hers, a spark of heat shot up both of them.
Elira blinked fast and stepped away, ears pink.
"I...,I just don't want you collapsing from stress again. Purely tactical concern."
"Sure," Yuto smirked. "Totally not worrying about me personally."
Her face puffed. "D-don't make me kick you off this balcony."
[Advisor: Romantic progress detected. Two more interactions until hand-holding side quest unlocks.]
"…I still hate you sometimes," Yuto muttered.
[Advisor: I live to serve. And to emotionally bully you when needed.]
---
Sudden Commotion
A roar echoed from the city gate.
"ANNOUNCE YOURSELVES!"
Footsteps thundered. Yuto and Elira dashed into the air , landing atop the reinforced gate.
A small army approached, armored figures bearing different banners.
At the front was…
A tall man with battle scars and a huge war-hammer strapped to his back.
Beside him, a robed elf woman holding a glowing staff.
And behind them, dozens of seasoned fighters, healers, archers, mages.
The man dropped to one knee.
"Lord Yuto of Nerulia Haven," he boomed, voice shaking the air.
"I am Gareth Iron-Oath, once commander of the Northern Crusade forces."
The elf woman bowed next.
"I am Althea Windbloom, archmage exiled from the capital for refusing corruption."
"For months," Gareth continued, "whispers spoke of a rising light. A protector. A lord who heals instead of enslaves."
His eyes lifted, burning with loyalty.
"We swear fealty to you. Let us fight under your banner."
A murmur rolled through the watching crowd.
Mimi jumped in place, excited.
Yuto blinked slowly. "You came willingly?"
Gareth slammed his fist over his chest.
"The world is rotting. Kingdoms fall to corrupted nobles and shadow lords. You are building hope, and hope must be protected."
[Advisor: Recruit quality: S-rank. Congratulations. You are now a real protagonist instead of a village babysitter.]
Yuto ignored him. Mostly.
"You're welcome to join," he said. "But this path is dangerous. Corruption is moving. Strong enemies are coming."
Gareth grinned. "Good. I was getting bored."
Althea whispered, eyes widening.
"Lord Yuto… there is power inside you. Something ancient. You will change this world."
Elira leaned close and murmured, "She's looking at you like she sees destiny."
"…I'm uncomfortable."
[ Advisor: Get used to it. Hero problems.]
---
Soon after, a ceremony was prepared.
The city square filled as Yuto raised his voice.
"Today, Nerulia grows stronger. We welcome new brothers and sisters, all who seek a future free from corruption!"
Cheers roared through the city.
Zarek slammed his fist into Gareth's.
"Finally! Someone who can lift heavy things with me!"
Gareth grinned. "First challenge: who throws mountains faster?"
Zarek lit up. "YES."
Everyone nearby backed away.
Mimi bounced up to Althea.
"Do you like explosions?! I love explosions!"
Althea blinked.
"Um… I prefer controlled arcane flows..."
"SO YOU LOVE BIG SPELLS TOO!"
Serphina shooked her head.
Lyra approached gently, robes flowing.
"Welcome. Any injured in your ranks may come to the Healing Ward."
Gareth stared at her in awe.
"You created a functioning hospital in a frontier wilderness…"
Lyra smiled warmly. "Healing is the soul of civilization."
Elira whispered to Yuto, "…our city is becoming… amazing."
Yuto nodded. "And that means enemies will take notice."
His expression hardened.
---
Meanwhile....
A shadow rolled across the sky, no clouds, no creature.
Just a pressure.
Like the world exhaling darkness for a moment.
Children stopped laughing.
Mages instinctively raised barriers.
Beasts howled in the distance.
A chilling whisper crawled through the air:
Elira's ear's bristled.
"That voice..."
[Advisor: Unknown entity. Likely high-class corruption construct. Possibly scouting. Possibly taunting. Either way rude.]
Yuto clenched his fists.
"So it begins."
[Advisor: Correction, it has already begun. You are simply now important enough to be noticed.]
Elira put a hand on his arm.
"You won't face it alone."
Yuto nodded. "I know."
---
Afternoon.
In the training arena, Yuto stood facing Gareth, Althea, Zarek, Elira, Mimi, and several elite recruits.
"If we're fighting corruption, we train like we mean it."
He summoned a faint shimmering blade, Spirit Armament: Proto.
Gareth whistled. "A spirit-forge technique? Rare…"
Althea adjusted her glasses, eyes shining.
"It resonates at a divine frequency. Your path… is beyond mortal mages."
Yuto slashed through stone dummies , wind spirals exploding outward.
Wind Mastery increased
Spirit Sanctification rising
Core Stability +2%
Sweat rolled down his neck, but he felt stronger. Sharper.
Focused.
Elira circled him with fox-flame blades, grinning.
"You're improving fast. Try keeping up!"
Zarek swung a training axe that sent shockwaves.
"If you break again, I will drag you to the healers myself."
Mimi… attempted a lightning sphere.
It exploded.
As usual.
"Oops."
Half the training ground smoked.
Yuto coughed. "That's… progress? Somehow?"
[Advisor: Your survival rate increases by 8% every time she doesn't kill you. Keep it up.]
...
---
After alot of training...
Later, Yuto returned to the balcony, city lights sparkling below like a star-field.
He leaned forward, hands gripping the railing.
He wasn't the same weak boy anymore.
But the world was not the same, either. It was shifting. Watching him rise, and preparing to crush him if he faltered.
Elira stepped beside him. Quiet, calm.
"You're carrying too much alone," she whispered. "Lean on us."
"I will," he said softly. "But I have to be stronger. A leader. Someone who can protect all of you."
Elira's voice turned barely above a whisper.
"And who protects you, Yuto?"
That silence lingered.
Warm. Heavy. Invincible.
Yuto looked at her, sincere.
"Maybe… you do."
Her ears froze.
Her face turned red.
"I-I,.. I need to check perimeter security goodnight...!!"
She vanished in into the dark alone.
[Advisor: Romantic progress +1. Also, I enjoyed watching that panic.]
"…you scare me more than any demon."
[ Advisor: Good. Fear builds discipline.]
---
Meanwhile.....
Far beyond Nerulia, deep in corrupted lands,
A massive shadow curled around a throne made of bone and fog.
A glowing eye opened.
"The Spirit-Ascendant rises."
"He gathers forces."
"We must end him before he grows wings."
A voice like venom replied:
"Very well. Send the Dragon."
A monstrous roar shook the night.
War was coming.
And Nerulia Haven… was no longer hidden.
----