Lumberling let out a slow breath and leaned back in his chair.
Now that things had finally cald down, he allowed himself a mont of quiet. Closing his eyes, he focused inward.
There it was again, the faint, steady pulse deep within him. It wasn’t his heartbeat. It was the seed, the strange, living thing that had ford inside him, like a small world hidden within his heart.
He could sense it clearly now. Different kinds of energy flowed within that space, threads linking to every skill and every path he had ever walked. Even the faint traces of divine blessings glimred there, like distant stars.
’This seed... born from a divine blessing, fused with my power and my paths,’ he thought, curiosity stirring. ’There might be hidden effects tied to my other blessings too. I’ll have to study it carefully.’
Opening his eyes, he finally brought up the notifications he had been ignoring since waking up. One by one, glowing words appeared before him in the air.
(Active skill: Spear Domain - Circle of Eternity Lv.0 (1/1000) has been learned.)
(Low-Level Spearheart Doctrine Lv.2 → Lv.6 | Power 1175)
(Beginner Shadow Glide Lv.8 → Lv.10 | Power 945)
(Beginner Flowing Edge Lv.5 → Lv.8 | Power 358)
(Beginner Shield Bash Lv.3 → Lv.5 | Power 586)
(Beginner Bowmanship Lv.2 → Lv.3 | Power 144)
(Beginner Bonecrush thod Lv.2 → Lv.3 | Power 144)
(Beginner Dual Wielding Axe Lv.1 → Lv.2 | Power 120)
(Beginner Dagger Fang Lv.1 | Power 100)
(Beginner Sprint Lv.2 → Lv.3 | Power 144)
(Beginner Spearheart Thrust Lv.1 → Lv.2 | Power 120)
(Beginner Thundering Lunge Lv.1 | Power 100)
(Beginner Triple Fang Lv.1 | Power 100)
Before, he could match an early-stage Knight Two Stage through sheer strength alone. But now, he felt he could stand against a mid-rank, maybe even brush the level of a Peak Knight.
’Centuries’ worth of experience and essence had rged within . Most of my skills advanced... so even jumped by two levels at once.’
"Absorbing the Legate really was the right choice," Lumberling murmured under his breath.
"Did you gain a lot?" Thessalia asked from beside him, curiosity bright in her eyes.
He grinned. "More than a lot. We’ll find out once we spar."
Aurelya crossed her arms, her tone sharp but caring. "Don’t even think about it, battle maniac. You just recovered."
Lumberling chuckled. "What about you all? You’ve clearly gotten stronger since the last ti we t. What have you been up to?"
Aurelya’s lips twitched into a faint smirk. "We trained a little."
"And battled a lot," Vaenyra added smoothly, earning a knowing look from Lumberling.
He raised a brow. "Battled a lot, huh?"
Thessalia let out a quiet sigh. "They went wild after returning, challenging anyone they could find back in the empire. Looks like your madness rubbed off on them."
"Shut up," Aurelya shot back, glaring lightly. "You talk like you didn’t join us."
Lumberling laughed softly, watching them banter. It was one of those rare, peaceful monts he genuinely enjoyed. "I’m proud of you all," he said warmly. "You’ve done well."
The three elves smiled faintly, a quiet sense of pride in their eyes.
"Let’s go check on my captains," Lumberling said, pushing himself up from his seat. "I want to see them now."
"You’ll see another surprise," Liraeth said with a small smirk as she fell in beside him.
"Oh?" Lumberling raised a brow, the corner of his lips curving into a grin. "Now you’ve got curious."
...
The camp was lively when they arrived. Soldiers moved busily around, so cleaning their weapons, others tending to their wounds or sharing quiet laughter near the fires. But the mont Lumberling appeared, the noise faded.
One man and four striking won walked side by side, and all eyes naturally followed them. Heads turned, whispers spread like ripples through the camp.
"Is that... Lord Lumberling? Whoa, he’s got four won with him now!"
"Wait, those won... they’re elves!"
"Don’t stare too much, idiot!"
The soldiers quickly straightened, stepping aside to clear the path. Their eyes held respect, and a bit of awe.
Lumberling’s group stopped in front of one of the larger tents. Waiting outside were Skitz and his captains, already lined up neatly in formation.
The goblin’s grin stretched from ear to ear the mont he saw him. "It seems you’re doing just fine, my Lord," Skitz said giving a sharp salute, "and enjoying the best ti of your life too!"
Further back stood Shade and Lunira, flanked by the wolves and the lizardn. Not far from them were familiar faces, Uncle Drake, Jen, and another elf, Sylra, all watching with smiles filled with relief and pride.
The mont Lumberling stepped closer, Jen was already running toward him. She threw her arms around him in a light hug, her grin as bright as ever.
"Brother, you’re finally awake," she said playfully. "Looks like those elf sisters took really good care of you, huh?"
Lumberling chuckled, shaking his head. "You haven’t changed at all."
"Of course not," Jen said proudly, hands on her hips before stepping aside with a satisfied smirk.
Sylra followed behind Jen, her steps graceful and calm. She stopped a few paces away and gave a small, respectful bow. "Lord Lumberling," she greeted softly.
Lumberling’s eyes lingered on her. The gloom that once surrounded her was gone. Her silver hair shimred faintly under the light, and her violet eyes now held warmth instead of sorrow. She felt different, steadier and stronger, as if she had finally found her footing again.
"You look better than the last ti I saw you," Lumberling said with a faint smile.
"I do," Sylra replied gently. "Thanks to my sisters." Her gaze shifted to the three elves standing behind him, a soft smile forming on her lips. "And... thank you, for saving that day. If you hadn’t co, I might have faced a far worse fate."
Lumberling nodded slightly, his tone calm but sincere. "Mm. What matters is that you’re alright now."
As his gaze moved past Sylra, it fell on his captains lined up ahead. At the front stood Krivex, Aren, and Skarn, each one radiating the grounded strength of a True Knight. But among them, another figure quietly drew his attention.
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