It takes a couple of minutes to reach the tower, but the door is already open when I do. Entering inside and climbing the stairs, I find myself eye-to-socket with Laxreal. "Hey, Laxreal, how are you doing?" I say, trying to ease into the conversation.

"Drake," he starts, his voice neutral, "I know you are a young man and like to go off on adventures, and I know today was a... Different circumstances, but you can't run off without telling people your instructions."

"You did fine," I compliment.

"I know I did because I asked people to help me and to get a set of priorities. Something you should have done. It's not like they couldn't have waited any longer. Their volition bound them, meaning they wouldn't have moved from the room until someone grabbed hold and brought them out, something you and your now sister took great interest in."

"It wasn't like that," I try to play the situation down.

"Drake. You had the biggest smile, knowing you got to explore with your family. Not that I can complain and scold you for wanting to do it, but there was a place and a time. YOU. HAVE. RESPONSIBILITIES." With the last three words, he takes one of his fingers and jabs my chest to enunciate.

"I know, but-"

"NO. BUTS. You are the lord of this settlement whether you want this position. That means you have responsibilities to all the people in this settlement. If you don't feel up to the task, then TOO BAD. The more you do these stupid shenanigans, the less people will want to hear you out when you have plans for the future."

"I need to get stronger!" I try to defend myself.

"Yes, you do, but you rush to get stronger and aren't paying attention to the details around you. Where is Ritotorous? Where are the other commanders? What have you been doing recently that has made a difference in the settlement? Did you know there was a goblin encampment in the hill region of our settlement? A full goblin encampment, there are 50 of the blighters. They haven't approached us for some reason but are just sitting there, and at any moment, they could attack us."

Raising my finger to answer, I realize I can't answer one of his questions. Slumping my shoulders forward, I know I am over my head. "How do we know about the goblins, and what action can we take?"

"One of the scouts was bored waiting around today and decided to look around in the south. After climbing the cliff the stone outpost was at, he quickly spotted the camp. They are about 200 meters from the cliff face, so it isn't easy to see them. And they never use fires, so there was no way to know until someone went scouting."

"Thank goodness they haven't attacked. Though I don't think they will be an issue." Thinking about the towers we have in the settlement for our protection."

"That's not the point of me bringing it up, Drake. You need to do better." With those words, the anger in his voice has subsided.

"What can I do to improve?" I asked.

"Talk more with your subordinates. Ask questions, be willing to listen, and, for the love of all things undead, be more available than you have been. Either you are rushing into one battle after another or neck deep in your enchanting. As your advisor, I recommend that you stay in the settlement for the next week to get things organized."

Thinking about his words, I can't help but agree with him. Since I arrived, I haven't had much time to stop and think things over. If it wasn't the wave event, it was me in my command center; if not there, I was delving into enchanting wonders or at an auction. A lot has happened to me in the last half-month, and it isn't all for the best. I guess the fear of not being able to do much from my past went away because there was a reason for my ailments, and from the moment I entered this world, my ailments were alleviated.

Taking a deep breath, "Okay, where do we start?

"First, we start with you fulfilling your promises to your three trainers. Rognar and Sylvasti have been waiting for you to train. I can only hope you show them something to ease their minds."

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Smiling a little, knowing I would surprise them, I head out of the mage tower and to the training grounds. It's time to show them the skills I acquired in the Tower of Trials.

When I arrived at the training grounds, I met with Sylvasti and Rognar. I apologized for my tardiness and showed them my new swordsmanship and archery skills. They were shocked when they saw the skills, but an evil smile creased Rognar's lips. Seeing that smile, a feeling of unease rose in my chest.

For the next hour, he had me battered up and down the training field while trying to avoid his blows or strike back when I could if I could. And in that one hour, I was battered so much I had to consider healing myself the moment I had enough mana to cast the spell. Once that torture was over, I had another hour of shooting different targets that Sylvasti had set up.

Physically exhausted from all the running around and the physical beating I took in the training yard, I returned to the tower for my lesson with Laxreal. Slumping into a chair when I entered the room, I asked, "What is on the agenda for us today?"

"We will be continuing our etiquette lessons, and they start now. Sit straight, heels shoulder-width apart, shoulders back, and head up." He started correcting my sitting posture.

Wanting to complain, I start to speak and then remember that I need to improve, not just for myself but for everyone in the settlement. Sucking up my complaints, I decided to focus on my posture in hopes that it allows my brain to avoid the pain that is coursing through my body.

I felt like I was sitting for hours as Laxreal instructed me on the different things I needed to be aware of as a simple lord. He wants me to improve my natural aura. When I show people I am confident in what I am talking about, they are likelier to listen. When walking into a room, being mindful of how groups of people congregate can make it easier for me to approach and interact with them.

During the lesson, he walked around me, adjusting my posture as he saw fit. He did not let a slight hunch go without a forced adjustment to get my body used to the position so I could fall into it naturally. There was so much information that I didn't retain all of it, but I can tell he also knows this.

Finally, I stand up when he finishes his lesson, but he stops me before I get halfway up. "Drake, I know you have had a rough afternoon, but know we are all doing this for your own sake and the sake of the settlement. You are our lord, and even if people don't find that attractive or they find fault in you, it is not your place to satisfy everyone. You must find the path of least resistance and take it. In some cases, it might lead to people disliking you; in others, it might lead to the opposite. Just know that I will be there to advise you, and so will your commanders and council."

Nodding in understanding, I stand up fully, "Thank you, Laxreal. I have lots of work to do, and I hope you are by my side as we grow together."

"As you wish, sire."

"By the way, what is this Lich-Laxreal that I heard earlier?"

"You know how I came back to life?"

"Yes, what does that have to do with this?"

"It has everything to do, and it is because of what I became after returning."

"You mean the reward from the quest hinting at a guardian?"

"Correct, the guardian part of that reward was more on the nose than you think. My race changed to that of a Guardian-Lich. Usually, I would become just a normal Lich in certain circumstances, but this time, it was different. As a Guardian-Lich, I have restrictions, but I also have more power regarding the confines of the settlement."

"What sort of restrictions?" I asked, trying to remember he had already mentioned if there was a restriction when he came back.

"I am unable to leave the settlement. As my soul is bound to the settlement, I have become a permanent fixture of the settlement. I can still gain levels, but only through quests and monsters that have come into the settlement's territory. I will lose most of my stronger powers if not within the settlement's walls."

Remembering the discussion at the mention of his powers growing stronger in the walls and that he will be unable to leave the settlement, I smack my head. "Crap, I forgot that you had already mentioned this. So, that means you will be unable to join the group in expeditions outside the settlement."

"Correct, you will have to take someone else," he answers flatly, "Do know it was my choice to become what I am. I thought I would only become a normal Lich, but these have more benefits. I have more power to research and can't die unless the entire settlement is destroyed."

Then I ask about the guards, "Do you have your own guards, then?"

"Draemish is setting up guards for those in important positions; right now, it is on a volunteer basis. That soldier I sent to you wants to learn something from me, but he hasn't had the nerve to ask yet." Chuckling to himself, he shoos me off. "We have lots of work to do this next week, so ensure you get enough rest. I don't think you will have as much time to yourself as you would think. And don't forget to set an alarm; I expect you to be in the training yard with Rognar by 7 am sharp."

With another cackle that only a skeleton could do, he turns around and heads into the instructor's room.