Nerulia Haven had begun as a dream whispered in a broken forest, a sanctuary for outcasts, spirits, and those wronged by the corrupted world.
Now, it was becoming a reality.
Mages carved glowing glyphs into stone pillars. Dwarven artisans hammered enchanted steel frames into walls. Spirit-infused water channels purified themselves as they flowed through the city rings.
Yuto stood on a rising tower, wind tugging at his cloak, and exhaled softly.
"We're… really doing this, huh?"
[Correction: You are doing this. I am merely your superior thinking organ.]
"Advisor, I swear I will uninstall your sarcasm module."
["You may try. I would enjoy your failure.]
"…I'd punch you if you had a face."
---
Below him, Elira supervised a group of stone-shapers. She glanced up catching Yuto staring and immediately pretended to examine a pebble like it was the most fascinating object in existence.
Mimi sprinted across the plaza, chasing three spirit foxes who had stolen her dumplings.
"GET BACK HERE YOU FLUFFY THIEVES!"
Lyra floated above, sprinkling mana sparks like festive lanterns.
And citizens , real citizens walked, traded, laughed.
Nerulia Haven was alive.
---
Yuto extended his palm. Spirit-light condensed, forming building components in mid-air beams, plates, lattice.
[Mana Shaping: Advanced Structural Casting]
> New Sub-Skill Detected:
Spirit Architecture : efficiency +32%
He shaped an entire watchtower frame in seconds. Workers froze, staring in awe.
"Lord Yuto, you're incredible…"
"No, no," Yuto waved humbly, "I'm only incredible on Tuesdays. Today I'm just super amazing."
[Your humility is malfunctioning again.]
"I'll malfunction your data core."
The workers laughed, bowing gratefully before continuing.
Not for the last time, Yuto realized the truth he wasn't just building a city. He was building a future.
---
Later that evening, Elira approached, holding two cups of glowing herbal tea.
"You've been working nonstop. Take a break."
Yuto accepted the drink, fingers brushing hers.
A jolt shot up both their arms.
She pretended not to notice. He pretended harder.
"So…" she hesitated, cheeks warming. "Everyone… believes in you. In this place. Because of you."
"That's funny," Yuto murmured, looking over the city lights. "Sometimes I feel like they're building me too."
Elira's voice softened. "Yuto… you don't have to carry everything alone."
He blinked.
Her eyes calm, gentle, and yet strong held his heart like it already belonged there.
He looked away too quickly.
"H-ha! Well, uh, it's not like I..."
He took a sip to hide the embarrassment.
Burning heat.
Eyes bulged.
"AAAAAAAAH MY TONGUE..."
Elira burst into laughter, light and musical.
[Stat update: User has upgraded Fire Resistance skill from tea.]
"Advisor I SWEAR..!"
Elira placed a hand on his sleeve again, steadying him.
"I'll cool it...here."
She held his hand gently, channeling frost-mana. She had gotten better at magic now.
Yuto froze , not from the spell, but because her hand lingered too long.
Elira realized it and snatched away, face red.
"I-I was just healing! Nothing weird!"
"Y-yeah! Nothing weird at all! Totally normal! Definitely not… anything!"
Silence.
Both dying inside.
Advisor judging silently.
["…Hopeless.]
---
Nerulia Haven wasn't just flourishing — it was fortifying.
Yuto watched warriors train: spirit blades, mana-enhanced bows, shield-tanks emerging from dwarven armor workshops.
Mimi strutted with a tiny sword way too large for her, swinging wildly.
"I am the Knight of Dumplings! Fear me!"
Yuto chuckled.
Then BOOM, she tripped and the sword stabbed into the ground, sticking upright like a monument of clumsiness.
"...I meant to do that!"
Lyra pat her head. "Of course you did, brave warrior."
Yuto exhaled proudly.
"These people… they're not just survivors anymore."
[They are becoming a nation.]
His heart tightened. Responsibility. Weight. Pride.
"I need to grow faster too."
[Correct. Your evolution pace is more sufficient. Estimated timelines for future threats unfavorable.]
"…Thanks for the optimism."
[That was optimism.]
---
At night, spirit lanterns lit the city like stars fallen to earth.
Children chased tiny spirit wisps.
The smell of warm bread and grilled beast-meat drifted through the streets.
Yuto stood atop a balcony overlooking everything, Elira joining him silently.
No words.
Just quiet warmth.
Maybe… peace wasn't a dream.
Maybe this world could be saved.
Maybe...
A chill cut the air.
Yuto stood straighter.
Spirit senses sharpening.
[Warning: Presence detected Unknown aura approaching from forest perimeter , corrupted energy trace faint]
Elira noticed his shift.
"Something wrong?"
He smiled slightly, though eyes hard.
"Not yet. But the world doesn't sleep peacefully. And neither can I."
---