The sound of steel echoed across the western training ground.
Clang.
Clang.
Clang.
Rynor's sword moved like flowing water.
Each strike was sharper than before.
Each step more stable.
Across from him, three wooden dummies were already split apart.
Jaren roared as he lifted a massive log.
His muscles bulged.
Veins stood out on his arms.
With a loud shout, he threw it several meters away.
The ground shook.
Lyra stood nearby.
Mana gathered around her fingertips.
Small blue spheres floated in the air.
She guided them carefully, forming a triangle.
Then—
They exploded softly.
Controlled.
Precise.
Arin watched quietly.
Pride filled his chest.
"They're growing fast."
The system confirmed it.
[SYSTEM PROMPT: Subordinate Progress Verified]
[SYSTEM PROMPT: Authority Influence +5%]
For the first time, something changed.
When nearby recruits passed by…
They slowed.
They watched.
Some even whispered.
"Isn't that the Sixth Prince's group?"
"They're different…"
"They're strong…"
Arin noticed.
Respect was forming.
Slowly.
Naturally.
That afternoon, a palace administrator arrived.
A thin man with sharp eyes.
His name was Kelsin.
He bowed.
"Prince Arin, I've been assigned to assist you."
Arin was surprised.
"Assigned?"
Kelsin nodded.
"Yes. Your training program has been noticed."
Arin activated Observation quietly.
[ STR: 18 | MAG: 12 | SPD: 20 | END: 22 | INT: 45 | CHA: 28
Talent: Administrative Genius
Growth: High ]
"A treasure," Arin thought.
"Welcome," Arin said calmly.
"I'll need your help."
Kelsin smiled.
"I've already prepared reports."
He handed over several documents.
Supply costs.
Training schedules.
Recruit lists.
Budget estimates.
Arin scanned them quickly.
Clean.
Efficient.
No waste.
"Good," Arin said.
"Very good."
That evening, they held their first formal meeting.
Rynor.
Jaren.
Lyra.
Kelsin.
Arin.
A small table.
A small room.
But it felt important.
"We're expanding," Arin said.
"We'll recruit ten more trainees."
Rynor frowned.
"Can they keep up?"
"We'll make them," Arin replied.
Kelsin added, "I can manage logistics."
Lyra nodded.
"I'll help with mana training."
Jaren grinned.
"And I'll break them in."
The system reacted.
[SYSTEM PROMPT: Organization Established]
[SYSTEM PROMPT: Authority Level Increased]
Warmth spread through Arin's body.
[PLAYER PROFILE – ARIN ELDORIA
STR: 6
MAG: 5
SPD: 6
END: 6
INT: 8
CHA: 8
Growth Potential: SSS
System Authority: Level 2
]
That night, Arin walked through the sleeping quarters.
Some recruits were still practicing.
Others read manuals.
None were lazy.
"This is how it starts," he thought.
"Small."
"But solid."
From a tower window, Duke Ravenholt observed.
"So… he's building a base."
A servant whispered.
"Should we interfere?"
"Not yet," Ravenholt replied.
"Let him gather more."
"Then we'll take everything."
Far away, in the imperial capital…
An old man opened his eyes.
"The bloodline is stirring."
Arin slept peacefully that night.
Unaware.
The seeds of authority had been planted.
And soon…
They would grow into roots that could not be cut.