The moon hung high above Thelara, casting a pale silver glow over the grand halls still echoing with music, laughter, and cheer. The marriage of Nova and Scarlet had drawn nobles, warriors, scholars, and kings from across the continent. The celebration was nothing short of magical—a blend of tradition and innovation, of ancient rites and wondrous marvels born from the merging of science and magic.
As the festivities reached a calm lull, King John of Martha stepped away from the banquet, his footsteps deliberate as he approached Nova. The elder king, known for his stern diplomacy and heartfelt wisdom, had been the first to recognize Thelara's sovereignty. Nova greeted him with a respectful nod.
King John placed a firm hand on Nova's shoulder. "Thelara has risen faster than any realm I have seen in my lifetime. But such brilliance always attracts shadows. There are those who did not accept your roads—those who now watch with greed in their eyes."
Nova's brows furrowed.
"Be vigilant," the king continued. "You and your queen may not always be here to protect this kingdom. Build an army—not just of might, but of will and loyalty. Your people will need them."
With that, the old king offered a rare, warm smile and turned, disappearing into the glowing light of his departing convoy. The echo of his advice settled into Nova's heart like a command.
Four days later, Nova stood in the royal garden beside Scarlet, their fingers gently entwined. They spoke little, their bond allowing them to share thoughts in silence. Eventually, Nova broke it.
"We need to prepare. We need to train them. All of them."
Scarlet nodded. "Time is short. We can't afford a slow grind. We need something drastic."
As if summoned by their urgency, a sudden flicker passed through Nova's mind.
[System: Skill Level Up]
[BLITZ TIME STOP ———> INTERSTELL DOME]
Nova blinked, then grinned. "Perfect."
He immediately summoned Mira. "Gather every willing fighter—young warriors, veteran adventurers, even blacksmiths with strong arms. Anyone who wants to protect Thelara, their families, and their future. Tell them to come to Mount Azur."
The call spread like wildfire. By dawn, nearly 400 souls stood at the foot of Mount Azur. The mighty mountain towered into the sky, its jagged cliffs wrapped in layers of emerald mist, and streams of crystalline water cascading from its sides. A field of blooming azure roses carpeted the valley, and the trees swayed in rhythm to the cool wind, whispering age-old secrets.
Nova raised his hand.
[System: Skill — INTERSTELL DOME — Activated]
A deep hum shook the air. Lights burst across the mountaintop as a translucent dome encased the entire mountain, glowing with celestial veins of time-bound runes. The sky within turned violet, streaked with cosmic dust.
Nova's voice carried clearly through the valley. "This dome bends time. One second outside equals one full day inside. You will train here for months, but your body will age as if only minutes passed. This is your chance. Push your limits. Surpass them. Become warriors worthy of Thelara."
Gasps and murmurs passed through the crowd. Some were terrified. Others excited. But they all stayed.
Then, Scarlet stepped forward, holding her newly awakened staff. No longer a simple wooden conduit, it had become a relic of war.
The crimson light surged.
[System: Mode Change — WAR]
The druidic staff howled like a banshee, bleeding a blood-red aura that wrapped around Scarlet like fire. The staff had transformed into the "Blood Tear", a legendary artifact only granted to War Druids—beings forged for combat and chaos. Said to absorb the blood of every war it witnessed, the Blood Tear amplified the wielder's wrath and commanded the roots of war-bound trees to act as blades of judgment.
Scarlet's eyes gleamed as vines wrapped around her boots and rose in thick tendrils behind her. "You will break. You will bleed. But you will rise stronger than ever. Welcome to your first war."
And so the training began.
The vines of Mount Azur came alive—dragging students through obstacle courses, lashing out like whips when stances faltered. Heavy stone dummies, shaped like orcs and ogres, charged relentlessly. Pit traps, illusion mazes, and beasts of conjured nightmares tested the courage and instincts of every trainee.
Nova stepped in too, guiding forms, perfecting sword swings, and instilling formations and battle strategy learned from his past life.
He showed them how to counter an ambush, how to preserve stamina over long sieges, and how to keep hope alive even in the shadow of death. Scarlet meanwhile tested the soul—binding trainees with magic vines that only loosened when they faced their fears.
Veteran adventurers wept.
Young warriors collapsed.
And yet, none gave up.
One trainee—a quiet blacksmith's daughter named Elira—fell for the fourth time trying to climb the cliff wall. Her palms were bloodied, her eyes blurred by tears.
Nova walked up behind her. "Why do you keep climbing?"
Elira looked up, panting. "Because I saw my little brother holding a sword too big for him. He said he'd protect me if monsters came. I... I don't want him to need to."
Nova knelt beside her and offered his hand.
"Then climb. And this time, make it for both of you."
As the days inside the dome passed like seconds outside, changes became visible. Muscles hardened. Eyes sharpened. Confidence replaced hesitation. Warriors began to emerge from the fire.
Scarlet wielded the Blood Tear like a storm incarnate, its crimson roots now entwined with her magic. Every crack of her staff broke stone. Every chant summoned the earth to obey.
Nova began forging new battle formations: trios of spellcasters with elemental synergy, ambush squads with speed-focused enchantments, frontline tanks reinforced by enchanted armor. He tailored roles not just to physical strength, but to strategy, coordination, and heart.
Even the system joined them:
[System: Combat Module Active]
[Simulations: Hostile Orc Ambush — Deployed]
[Simulations: City Siege — Deployed]
[Reward: Skill Fragment - LOCKED]
Each simulation battered them, but also refined them.
Outside, only minutes had passed. Thelara carried on, unaware of the storm brewing beneath Mount Azur. Yet deep within the dome, an army was being reborn.
And far to the east, hidden behind the forgotten borders of the two uncooperative kingdoms, scouts observed from afar. One of them lowered his binoculars.
"They're building something... and we're already too late."
Back inside the dome, Nova stood at the summit, watching his people train.
Scarlet joined him, her hand slipping into his.
"We're readying them for war..."
Nova's gaze was sharp as steel. "No. We're readying them for peace... and all the battles it demands."