Chapter 3 - Setting the Scene

  My name is Lance Loren, heir to the Barony of Knighthelm and first son of Lars Loren. My father serves as a Tier 5 military commander within the Lascara Kingdoms Army, a man respected throughout the northern territories for both strength and resolve. My mother, Lafiel Loren, is a Tier 4 Snow Elf who oversees the affairs of our home while Father is away fulfilling his knightly duties. Although she possesses the power of a capable Priest, she chooses to remain here in Knighthelm, tending to both the estate and her newborn child. It is a role she performs with a quiet grace, one that keeps the barony running with efficiency despite the isolation that defines the Far North.

  Two years have passed since the strange, disorienting moment I first witnessed the system of this world. I still cannot recall every detail of that initial revelation, only the sense of overwhelming pressure and unfamiliar knowledge. Since then, the system has refused to appear again. No matter how many times I attempt to summon it or recreate the situation, nothing responds. I cannot ask anyone for clarification. A baby asking adults about metaphysical scripts floating in the air would only raise concern. So I keep that knowledge tucked safely away, waiting for the day I can investigate properly.

  Despite my body being that of a toddler, my mind remains that of a twenty-one year old. This has made eavesdropping on conversations around the estate my most effective way of gathering information. There is not much else I can do at my age. I am too small to explore on my own and too physically untrained to attempt meaningful practice. Listening has become both pastime and necessity. Piece by piece, I have begun assembling a clearer picture of the world I have been reborn into.

  The Barony of Knighthelm lies in the Far North, tucked between rugged mountains and snow-beaten plains. When my father was first granted this land, it was little more than a failing village barely clinging to existence. The former leader had grown old, too frail to maintain order or guide development. My father became the ideal replacement. He possessed strength, determination, and the willingness to face the harsh northern environment head on. The region had little bandit activity, but it also had very little trade or population movement. Northern winds are merciless, a natural barrier to those lacking acclimation.

  Under my father’s command, the small village slowly transformed. He used the abundant mountain stone in the region to expand the settlement, reinforcing the walls and constructing sturdier housing. His disciplined work ethic set the tone for Knighthelm. Whether rain, frost, or howling storms, he contributed to the building efforts personally, earning respect from the villagers he intended to lead. Over time the town began to grow in both population and influence.

  Trade became a crucial component of that growth. Father established a relationship with the dwarfs and gnomes who lived at an eastern outpost. Through exchanges of stone from our mines and the occasional mana infused jewel discovered during excavation, Knighthelm obtained food, clothing, and basic arms. These early resources allowed the settlement to survive harsh winters and prepare for future expansion. Without those early trade routes, the village would likely have remained stagnant, vulnerable to famine or collapse.

  Years of development eventually elevated Knighthelm to the status of a thriving northern town. The surrounding geography served as natural protection. A calmer region lies only a few miles south, home to a freshwater lake and open stretches of forest. These resources proved invaluable. To the far south lie the farmlands worked by two villages under our jurisdiction. They are a half day’s ride from the barony and provide consistent crop yields that keep food stores stable even during the long winter seasons. Despite all the travel and trade, I have personally yet to see another race besides my own. My world so far is limited to humans and the occasional glimpse of a Snow Elf when Mother receives a guest or assistant.

  The northern lands carry their own dangers. Wild animals roam the snowy forests, alongside monsters that inhabit abandoned places or deep woods. So far, the only creatures I have heard mentioned by the servants or guards are goblins and skeletons. Both are considered manageable threats, but they become far more troublesome when allowed to roam unchecked. Goblins grow bold if left to multiply and skeletons linger around forgotten ruins and graveyards until something provokes them. They are not threats to the barony itself, but they do threaten the villages when no patrols are active.

  Enjoying this book? Seek out the original to ensure the author gets credit.

  Recently, Knighthelm citizens completed construction on a new outpost overseen by a friendly dwarf. It now houses squires and soldiers in training. This addition allows patrols to reach the villages more quickly and address emergencies with greater efficiency. To the east stands a single lookout tower used as a halfway point for travel and communication with our dwarven trade partners. These structures form the backbone of Knighthelm’s early military infrastructure.

  Our army is surprisingly powerful for a barony. This is due almost entirely to my father’s rare Tier 5 class and the strength of his most trusted retainer, Sir Darvish, who recently ascended to Tier 4. Beneath them stand five Tier 3 commanders and a large force of Tier 1 and Tier 0 soldiers. In total, the barony commands around eight hundred of these lower tier troops, with one hundred to one hundred fifty stationed at the outposts at any given time.

  We also possess a battalion of cavalry supported by Powder Wolfs and Rhast Rhinos. I have not yet seen either creature with my own eyes, but the way the soldiers speak of them paints a vivid picture. Powder Wolfs are said to move fluidly across snow, blending with blizzards and icy terrain. Rhast Rhinos are creatures of immense weight and muscle, built to withstand northern storms. Both are tamed animals, not bonded beasts. My father is the only person in the barony who possesses a bonded creature. I do not yet understand the full meaning behind bonding, but it is apparently connected to tier growth and profession ascension. When I am older, I will no doubt learn more. For now, the library is far too large and far too complex for my current reading level.

  With these forces accounted for, Knighthelm maintains at least four hundred twenty Tier 1 and Tier 0 soldiers within the barony itself. They train, patrol, conduct culling missions, and protect the peace. In Father’s absence, the Tier 3 commanders oversee military operations while Sir Darvish remains close to Father at all times.

  Five years before my birth, my father married my mother. Together they vowed to carve out a haven in the north, one built from stone, snow, and storm. Their combined efforts have created precisely that. Now, at forty years old, my parents stand at the head of a thriving territory, supported by loyal retainers and responsible for raising a young heir. According to the head maid, that heir is rather unusual for his age. Apparently I am too curious, too observant, and too quiet for a typical toddler. I cannot exactly challenge that claim. She is not wrong.

  I often find myself in awe of their accomplishment. What they have built is no modest frontier settlement. It is a stronghold of northern power, a rising domain with influence and stability. Knighthelm stands as a testament to my parents’ perseverance. Only recently did I overhear Mother telling one of her administrative aides that Father will return in one month. He attends a gathering of nobles in the Main City of Duke Nox and is expected to return as soon as those matters conclude. The news fills me with a strange mixture of anticipation and nervousness. I have only faint memories of him from early infancy, and soon I will see him again with clearer eyes.

  Lastly, there is the most important discovery I have made. At age ten, all sentient beings on the planet Silara undergo what is known as the introduction to ascension. The process is simple in appearance but monumental in effect. A child places their hand upon a stone of unknown magical origin. A pillar of light envelops them. From this moment onward, their system awakens fully, revealing class paths, affinities, and the foundation for future growth. Mana is abundant throughout this world. It’s the core of all the magical activity that I’ve been witnessing.

  Mother brought me to the town square to witness the yearly Ascension Festival from a safe vantage point. There I watched as children received their blessings and administrators recorded notable results. The ceremony felt sacred, woven into the very culture of this world. It reminded me of the system screen I once saw and have not seen since.

  Although I am only two years old now, I understand the stakes. Many factors determine one’s results during the ascension trial. Mana compatibility is one of the most important. Mana is everywhere. It saturates living creatures, clings to stones, shapes weather patterns, and fuels the growth of trees. Too much mana can harm young bodies, but the right amount promotes strength and development. Skills practiced before the ascension also influence class outcomes. Even lifestyle and environment affect elemental affinities.

  If I want to match my father someday, if I want even a chance of reaching Tier 5 like him, I will need to train hard. The path ahead will demand years of discipline. But with time, I believe I can rise to the challenge.

  In a few short years, my training will begin.

  And when it does, I intend to be ready.