Evan and Luke stood in awe at the entrance to Myron’s penthouse apartment. The elevator doors had opened directly into the grand living space, revealing floor-to-ceiling windows offering a panoramic view of the city skyline. The soft glow of the setting sun reflected off sleek marble floors, while modern, minimalist furniture adorned the room like art pieces.
Evan adjusted his glasses nervously, clutching his backpack as though it might ground him. “This… this is where you live?”
Luke, who had never been one to let anything faze him, blinked in genuine surprise. “Yeah, Myron. You didn’t tell us you lived in a Bond villain’s lair.”
Myron chuckled, tossing his keys onto a small silver tray by the entrance. “It’s just home,” he said casually, though he couldn’t quite hide the pride in his voice.
Evan shot him a wide-eyed glance. “Just home? My whole apartment could fit in here like, three times.”
“And still have room for a pool,” Luke added dryly, his crimson eyes scanning the space. “Do you actually swim in that thing?” He gestured to the sleek infinity pool that shimmered under the golden light spilling through the windows.
“Sometimes,” Myron replied with a shrug. “But enough sightseeing. Follow me—I have something better to show you.”
The VR Reveal
Evan and Luke followed Myron through a polished corridor into a separate room. The space was dimly lit, with soft LED strips along the walls casting a faint blue glow. At the center of the room stood three state-of-the-art VR cabinets, their sleek black exteriors glowing faintly with circuits of neon green and blue. Each one was outfitted with adjustable seating, a custom display interface, and a surrounding semi-dome of glass for full immersion.
Evan stopped in his tracks, his mouth falling open. “I… I’ve only seen these online.”
Luke let out a low whistle, running a hand along one of the cabinets. “These are insane. You didn’t just buy VR cabinets—you got the top-tier ones.”
Myron smirked, leaning casually against the wall. “Of course. You can’t dominate Aethel with some cheap setup. These will give you full immersion, better neural feedback, and enhanced response time. Plus, no lag.”
Evan hesitated, his hands fidgeting with the straps of his backpack. “I-I can’t accept this, Myron. This is… it’s too much.”
Luke, however, slid into the nearest cabinet like he’d been born for it. “Speak for yourself, Evan. If Myron’s offering, I’m not saying no. This thing’s a beast.”
Myron laughed. “Evan, consider it an investment. The three of us? We’re going to change Aethel. But we can’t do that if you’re stuck with that basic headset of yours.”
Evan glanced at the cabinet, then back at Myron. “Are you sure?”
Myron stepped forward, placing a hand on Evan’s shoulder. “Absolutely. Now stop overthinking and claim your spot.”
Settling In
A few minutes later, all three boys stood beside their assigned cabinets, their excitement palpable. Luke was already adjusting his settings, his confident smirk firmly in place. Evan, after some hesitation, was carefully examining the controls, a mixture of awe and nervousness on his face. Myron leaned against his own cabinet, his golden eyes scanning his friends with satisfaction.
“Alright,” Myron said, his voice carrying a note of finality. “We’ve got everything we need. Snacks are on the counter, and the cabinets are synced. The second we log in, we check in with our councils, assess the situation, and start planning.”
Evan glanced at him nervously. “What if… what if something’s gone wrong?”
“Then we fix it,” Luke said bluntly, his tone leaving no room for doubt. “We’re not going to lose control of our territories. Not after everything we’ve built.”
Myron grinned. “Exactly. Besides, our councils are competent. They can handle a few days without us.”
The three exchanged determined nods before stepping into their respective VR cabinets. The glass domes slid closed with a soft hum, the interfaces glowing brighter as they powered up.
As the immersive worlds of Aethel began to take shape around them, the worries of the real world melted away. They were back—lords of their own domains, ready to face whatever awaited them.
----------------------------------------
Evan opened his eyes and found himself standing at the heart of the Harmonious Enclave, the glowing mana streams surrounding him feeling more alive than ever. The colors shimmered with a richness he had never noticed before, and the faint hum of magic pulsing through the air resonated in his chest. The world didn’t just look real—it felt real. Every detail, from the texture of the cobblestones beneath his boots to the gentle rustling of the enchanted trees overhead, was sharper, more vivid.
“So this is what full immersion feels like…” Evan whispered to himself, running a hand along one of the mana-infused walls. The energy buzzed faintly under his fingertips, and he marveled at the sensation.
His gaze shifted, taking in the sight of the Harmonious Enclave with a fresh perspective. Several new structures caught his eye. Near the mana streams, he noticed small elegant dwellings with glowing runes etched into their doors—new housing for his growing population. To the west, he spotted the faint outline of a training grounds, where a few High Elves sparred gracefully under the supervision of senior trainers.
This tale has been unlawfully obtained from Royal Road. If you discover it on Amazon, kindly report it.
Evan frowned, his curiosity piqued. “They’ve been busy.”
But the sight of the Arcane Sanctum drew his attention. The tall, gleaming tower stood at the heart of the enclave, its spire radiating soft arcs of magic into the skies. He knew, instinctively, that this was where his council members would be. He took a deep breath, adjusted his robes, and headed toward the sanctum.
----------------------------------------
The double doors of the Arcane Sanctum opened soundlessly as Evan approached. Inside, the air was cool, tinged with the faint scent of mana potions and enchanted herbs. His council members were gathered around the central mana well, their postures tense.
Tharien was the first to notice Evan’s presence. His sharp gaze lifted, and his golden eyes softened as he inclined his head respectfully. “Lord Evan,” he said, his voice steady but carrying a hint of relief. “You’ve returned.”
The other council members turned to face him. Aelyndris’s silver eyes brightened with warmth, while Cyrion straightened his posture, his usual analytical expression softening into something almost… grateful. Alarion stepped forward, his hand instinctively resting on the hilt of his blade as if ready to give a report.
“Welcome back, my lord,” Alarion said formally, though there was a flicker of genuine relief in his tone.
Evan nodded, his heart lifting at their reception. “Thank you. It’s good to be back. I… I trust the enclave has been well managed in my absence?”
Aelyndris smiled faintly. “We have done our best to follow your guidance, my lord. The House of Velyndral has been integrated successfully, and their wards now bolster our defenses.”
“And the new structures?” Evan asked, gesturing to the changes he had noticed on his way in.
Cyrion stepped forward, producing a glowing scroll from his satchel. “The daily quests and village integration allowed us to redirect resources toward expansion. The new housing was constructed to accommodate our growing population. The training grounds were added to strengthen our militia.”
Evan’s brow furrowed. “Have you been recruiting the three tiers from the arcane sanctum each day?”
Cyrion hesitated for a moment, glancing at Tharien. It was the latter who spoke. “Not entirely, my lord. While we’ve made efforts to recruit daily, the sanctum’s current level only allows us to access Tier 1 recruits. Resources have been steadily gathered, but further upgrades are necessary to unlock higher tiers.”
Evan hesitated, his brow furrowing as a flicker of confusion crossed his face. “Before I left, I was able to recruit Tier 1 to Tier 3 from all three unit types. What do you mean by at the current level it only allows us access to Tier 1 recruits?”
Cyrion and Tharien exchanged glances, a shadow of unease passing between them. Tharien stepped forward, his tone measured. “My lord, it appears the arcane sanctum reverted to its initial stage after your departure. Without consistent upgrades, we’ve only been able to recruit Tier 1 units. To restore access to higher tiers, the sanctum must be advanced once more.”
Evan’s frown deepened as he processed this. “Reverted? Why would it do that? Was this a system update or something unforeseen?”
Cyrion adjusted his robes, his expression thoughtful. “It may be tied to the sanctum’s reliance on the territory’s overall progression. Without consistent oversight or proper allocation of resources during your absence, the sanctum may have simply regressed due to natural inefficiencies in its operation.”
Evan tilted his head, his confusion deepening. “Natural inefficiencies? That doesn’t seem right. Are you certain this isn’t tied to something else—something unseen?”
Tharien’s eyes flickered with understanding, but he maintained his silence, his knowledge of the system unspoken. Instead, he interjected smoothly, “Regardless of the cause, my lord, the solution is clear. With your guidance restored, we can address this setback swiftly and ensure the sanctum operates at its full potential again.”
Evan exhaled and nodded, his determination returning. “Then let’s fix it. I want the sanctum upgraded immediately—prioritize this above all else. Full access to Tier 3 units is critical for our plans moving forward.”
“Yes, my lord,” Tharien said, his voice steady, while Cyrion inclined his head, ready to take action.
Evan turned to Tharien, his golden eyes sharp with purpose. “Do you know what is required to upgrade the Arcane Sanctum?”
Tharien inclined his head respectfully, his tone measured. “Yes, my lord. To upgrade the Arcane Sanctum to Tier 2, we require 100 mana crystals and 50 gold. As for Tier 3, we will not know the requirements until the sanctum itself has been upgraded.”
Evan nodded, absorbing the information. “Do we have enough resources?”
Tharien’s expression turned apologetic but composed. “Unfortunately, no. We currently have 70 mana crystals and 45 gold—short of what is needed for the upgrade.”
Evan exhaled slowly, his mind already calculating the next steps. “Then our path forward is clear. Focus on gathering resources. Strengthen our hold over the Crystal Nexus and the Mana Well. I want detailed output reports on both by tomorrow.”
Tharien bowed slightly. “It will be done, my lord.”
Evan’s voice gained an edge of urgency. “Send out a team of archers to scout for additional mana wells. Even if other territories control them, we need to know their locations. Information is just as valuable as the resources themselves.”
----------------------------------------
As Tharien stepped away to relay the new orders, a notification from the system appeared in Evan’s vision:
“System Notice: Lords can appoint a Second-in-Command. This individual will have limited access to the system and can assist in administrative tasks. Current Steward: Tharien.”
Evan glanced at Tharien, curiosity flickering in his expression. “Tharien, with all respect, why didn’t you mention this feature of the system?”
Tharien hesitated briefly before responding. “My lord, with the council’s agreement, I was appointed your steward during your absence. The decision was made to ensure the Enclave functioned smoothly. I did not wish to overwhelm you with unnecessary details upon your return.”
Evan’s brow furrowed, but then a small smile softened his expression. “You’ve taken initiative, and for that, I thank you. Your support is invaluable.”
Tharien inclined his head, his voice steady. “I am here to serve your vision, my lord. Always.”
----------------------------------------
Returning his focus to the Arcane Sanctum, Evan’s expression hardened with resolve. “Moving forward, all efforts must be directed at resource optimization. Strengthen our control over the Crystal Nexus and Mana Well, and ensure their output is maximized. Assign teams to guard these sites and ensure their protection. I want the scout reports on additional mana wells delivered as soon as possible.”
Tharien’s tone carried confidence. “Your orders will be carried out immediately, my lord. The Enclave stands ready.”
Evan gazed at the Arcane Sanctum, its sleek architecture glowing faintly under the pulse of mana streams. “We’ll upgrade soon enough,” he murmured. “For now, we build, prepare, and expand.”
As Tharien and the other council members moved swiftly to implement his directives, Evan allowed himself a rare moment of quiet reflection. Every choice was a step toward solidifying the Enclave’s power. Though the path ahead remained uncertain, his resolve never wavered. The Harmonious Enclave would thrive—and its foundation would shine brighter with every calculated decision.