Morning sunlight drifted slowly over the Great Forest, bathing Aetheria in a soft golden glow. It was the kind of morning that felt new even to the ancient trees. Leaves rustled with a quiet shimmering sound, as if whispering the beginning of something grand. The breeze smelled of fresh lumber and newly carved stone. Birds circled high above, weaving through warm beams of sunlight, while a silver dragon silhouette glided lazily across the sky.
Lunara yawned loudly, stretching her wings before folding them back with a dramatic sigh."Another day of building. Aetheria demands too much energy from me. This kingdom is hungry."
Airi, however, was far from tired.
She ran in circles with both arms waving around her head like a windmill gone wild."It is finally happening. Finally. Finally. Finally. The big construction day. Onii-Chan, look. Look. Look at this. Look at everything."
Haruto placed a hand on her head to stop her spinning before she toppled over."Yes, I can see that very clearly. You have been shouting since sunrise."
"That is because this is important," she said, puffing her cheeks in determination. "Aetheria is going to become super big and super pretty and super everything. We have to plan it properly."
Lyria descended gracefully from the air, her wings glimmering with calm luminance."And we will. Today marks the beginning of Aetheria's true shape."
Behind them, hundreds of dark elves, high elves, spirits, fairies, and early Aetherian citizens formed long rows. All of them had tools, materials, or magic glowing in their hands. Their eyes shimmered with excitement.
Frost stood at the very front. His silver fur glowed in the sunlight and faint mist curled around his massive paws.He bowed his head respectfully."We await your command, Eternal Princess. Prince of Death."
Haruto stepped forward, his posture firm and steady."Today, we begin the large scale expansion of Aetheria. We divide the kingdom into districts. We establish schools, hospitals, markets, training grounds, and everything that a real nation needs. Everyone will have a home. Everyone will have safety. Everyone will have a future."
Airi raised her fist into the air."And everyone must learn how to read and write. No exceptions."
A warm wave of laughter rippled through the group.But none of them disagreed.
Aetheria was a land where knowledge would be open to all.
Haruto cleared his throat."Literacy is mandatory. Every citizen will attend the Basic Learning Hall. Reading, writing, grammar, history. These are the foundations of a strong nation."
Airi nodded proudly."And after that, students can choose their own path. They can choose any stream they want. Even more than one if they want to study everything like me."
"You already do that," Haruto muttered.
Lyria stepped forward, holding her hand into the air.Golden light gathered, forming enormous glowing symbols across the sky.
"The Schools of Aetheria will be divided into five streams."
The glowing symbols expanded.
Sword Arts.Magic Arts.Healing Arts.Spirit Arts.Architectural Arts.
Lyria continued,"The most talented students will be offered official positions in Aetheria the moment they graduate."
Gasps echoed through the crowd.
A young dark elf raised his hand timidly."Even if we are not nobles… can we still become officials?"
Haruto nodded."Aetheria does not accept nobility. Aetheria accepts effort."
Airi smiled softly."If you work hard, we will support you. That is all."
The cheers grew louder. Spirits twirled through the sky. Frost howled proudly, and Lunara flicked her tail with smug approval.
Lunara clapped once, the sound echoing like thunder."Alright. Enough emotional speeches. Tell me where your districts will be, so I can blow away a few mountains for fun."
"You are not blowing anything away," Haruto replied instantly.
Lunara stared at him with betrayed eyes."…Then I will remove things gently."
Airi proudly held up a parchment nearly larger than herself."Behold. The Aetheria Big Map. Version one hundred and eleven."
Haruto blinked."One hundred and what?"
"I have artistic passion."
Haruto did not even bother arguing.
The map was surprisingly well made.
Residential District
Tall apartments, parks, fountains, wide roads, and open gardens.
Education District
Five massive schools with shared training grounds and the grand central hall.
Medical District
Aetheria Hospital, Healing Garden, Herb Sanctuary.
Market District
Shops, bakeries, potion stores, artifact stalls, restaurants and malls.
Administrative District
Government hall, archive tower, planning council chamber.
Spirit Garden District
Homes for spirits, fairies, and magical creatures.
Mana Dome District
A huge stadium-like dome for large scale training and grand events.
Frost bowed again."We shall begin with expanding the land."
Haruto raised his hand. Blue light surged from his palm, spreading across the land like a living river. The earth trembled. Soil lifted. Forest trees moved aside gently without being harmed. Landmass extended in every direction until it was ten times larger.
Gasps filled the air.
Airi cheered loudly."Go Onii-Chan. Go Onii-Chan. Go Onii-Chan."
Haruto's ears reddened slightly.
Then Lyria walked forward.
She closed her eyes with serene focus."Nature, answer my call."
Golden green mana washed over the newly expanded land. Flowers bloomed instantly. Grass rose in perfect patterns. Pure air filled the kingdom. Trees bent respectfully, clearing the land without resistance.
Lunara stepped next."Now it is my turn."
She inhaled deeply and released a gentle purple breath.
Stones floated into the air, reshaping themselves.Metal ores flew from underground and melted into beams.Boulders carved themselves into perfect architectural blocks.
Haruto blinked."You did not destroy anything."
Lunara smirked proudly."I can behave when I want to."
Airi whispered faintly,"That is the biggest lie ever."
Construction officially began.
Dark elves shaped foundations, spirits carried walls through the air, high elves reinforced structures with mana, and fairies sprinkled glowing dust that accelerated plant growth.
Even Frost used his ice magic to create temporary stabilizers.
Haruto walked among the workers, examining each detail.
Airi walked beside him holding a clipboard she absolutely did not need."So the residential district will have eight apartment towers. Each with parks, gardens, balconies, and reading corners."
Haruto nodded."And a huge courtyard in the center. Children will gather there."
"I designed that," Airi said proudly. "I drew the whole thing."
Haruto lifted her parchment."You also drew a random cat in the corner."
Airi puffed her cheeks."The creative spirit cannot be controlled."
Haruto gently tapped her forehead."You did well."
Airi froze.Her entire face went red.
Lyria giggled softly from afar."She is too easy to fluster."
The Education District rose next.
Massive buildings made from pure white stone and crystal.Wide windows.Spell proof corridors.Training courtyards.Meditation gardens.Mana reinforced floors.
Airi stared at them with sparkling eyes."They look like palaces."
Haruto smiled."That is the intention. Education deserves the best."
Lyria added,"Sword Arts School has a gravity enhanced combat arena. Magic Arts School has elemental chambers. Healing Arts School has life force fountains created by the fairies."
"And Spirit Arts," Airi said with pride, "will hold most classes outside, in the nature fields."
"And Architectural Arts," Haruto continued, "will teach how to build structures like these. They are the backbone of Aetheria's future."
Children helped carry small pieces of wood. Spirits lifted materials twenty times their size. Lunara carved roads by pressing her claws lightly against the soil.
Hours passed like sand slipping silently through fingers.
Buildings rose.
Districts took shape.
Gardens bloomed.
Bridges formed.
The entire kingdom breathed.
And Airi's map slowly transformed into reality.
By late afternoon, the central plaza shimmered with soft light. Everyone gathered there for the final briefing of the day.
Haruto stepped forward once again, his presence calm but powerful.
"Aetheria was once only a forest. A place we found ourselves in by fate. A place filled with danger and uncertainty."
He looked at Airi.
"And now it is a home."
Airi smiled faintly."A home for everyone."
Frost bowed deeply."We swear to protect this dream forever."
Lyria raised her hand.Golden petals showered over the crowd like falling stars.
"To Aetheria. The kingdom born from their dreams."
Lunara smirked with a glint of pride."And the kingdom that will shake the entire world."
Airi reached out instinctively and grabbed Haruto's hand.He did not pull away.
The two siblings stood together, watching Aetheria glow under the evening light.
Aetheria was no longer a settlement.It had become a nation.A dream turned real.A promise given shape.A future waiting to unfold.
Airi whispered quietly,"Onii-Chan… our kingdom is alive."
Haruto nodded."Yes. And this is only the beginning."
The wind blew softly.The sky glittered.And Aetheria breathed like a living entity.