The morning mist still clung to the trees around Greystone as Kaelen rose from his simple bed. His room was modest, furnished with only what was necessary, yet it bore the weight of countless strategies and dreams. Today was no ordinary day — the time had come to begin training the village militia in earnest.
His little sister, Neria, was already up and pacing the floor. Her silver hair shimmered in the early sunlight, her amber eyes bright with determination. She held a carved wooden staff tightly, a symbol of her Runebinder class and her resolve to protect their home.
Outside, the village square was alive with activity. Villagers gathered with makeshift weapons, ranging from sharpened spears to worn bows. Most had never fought before, but the recent attack had awakened a fierce survival instinct.
Kaelen stood atop a raised platform and cleared his throat. "Listen up! From today onward, every able-bodied person in Greystone will train to defend this village. The Lords' War is coming. We cannot afford to be weak."
Murmurs of agreement rippled through the crowd.
Liora stood nearby, her eyes scanning the faces before her. "We'll start with basic combat drills, then move to formations and tactics."
Kaelen nodded. "And remember — I'll be using the Refund System to fund this. Every resource spent will come back to us multiplied. This means we can afford better equipment and longer training."
He pulled out the amulet housing the system's interface. With a few taps, he activated a refund on the supplies being distributed.
Refund Activated: Basic Weaponry AllocationSpent: 50 units of iron, 200 units of woodRefund Multiplier: 100xRefunded: 5000 units (iron and wood combined)SP Gained: 1 System Point
The villagers gasped, watching the piles of materials multiply before their eyes.
"This will change everything," Liora whispered.
After the crowd dispersed to begin drills, Kaelen called Neria aside. "Come. We have much to practice."
She followed eagerly, and they moved toward the edge of the village where an ancient stone circle lay half-buried beneath moss and ivy.
"This place is sacred," Kaelen said softly. "It's where the runes in your class come from. Today, I want to help you unlock the next level of your Runebinder powers."
Neria's eyes widened. "I want to protect everyone better."
Kaelen smiled. "Good. Then focus. I'll guide you."
He touched the amulet, activating a quest.
Quest: Teach Neria Advanced Rune Control
Objective: Train Neria to cast and manipulate protective and offensive runes.
Reward: 15 SP for Kaelen, 10 SP for Neria, unlocks new sister skills.
The air shimmered as Neria began tracing complex patterns on the stones. Slowly, faint glowing runes appeared on the ground, forming barriers and traps.
Kaelen observed carefully, correcting her movements, encouraging her focus.
As Neria successfully cast a rune that emitted a protective barrier, Kaelen tapped the system again.
Because Neria was using resources (runes, energy) to develop her skills, Kaelen activated the refund on her resource consumption.
Refund Activated: Sister Resource UsageSpent: 20 units of mana stones and crafted runesRefund Multiplier: 200x (due to unique hybrid class and developmental investment)Refunded: 4000 units (mana stones, runes, and energy equivalents)SP Gained: 2 System Points
This mechanic was new and unique — a synergy between Kaelen's Necromancer Refund System and his sister's Runebinder resource needs. The refund not only profited Kaelen's SP but also supplied Neria with replenished resources and materials.
"It's like a circle of growth," Kaelen explained. "The more you grow, the more resources we get back — fueling both of us."
Neria beamed. "We'll be unstoppable!"
Back in his quarters, Kaelen opened the system's skill tree.
Necromancer Skills Available:
Necrotic Surge (50 SP): Unleash a wave of necrotic energy that damages enemies and heals undead summons.
Summon Undead Dragon (150 SP): Call forth the fearsome skeletal dragon to fight by your side.
Refund Exploit (Permanent): Allows three weekly refund exploits on summonings, each with massive refund multipliers.
Kaelen's SP balance was now 76. Should he purchase Necrotic Surge today or save for the Undead Dragon? He hesitated.
Meanwhile, the system prompted a new quest:
Quest: Prepare Defenses for the Lord's War
Objective: Construct fortifications, train fighters, and ensure resource stability.
Reward: 50 SP, unlock village defense buffs.
The door to his room opened quietly. It was Liora.
"I brought food," she said softly, placing a basket on the table.
Kaelen smiled. "Thank you. You always think ahead."
She hesitated, then said, "Kaelen, I... I've been meaning to tell you something. I admire how you've taken charge. You're not just a lord to me — you're someone I trust with my life."
His heart quickened. This was the moment he'd been waiting for since the end of Arc 1.
"I care for you, Liora," Kaelen admitted. "I want to protect you and this village... and all who live here."
Her eyes sparkled. "Then let me stand by your side."
The bond between them solidified in that quiet moment — a promise of love and partnership amidst the looming chaos.
The following evening, Kaelen convened the village council, including Liora, Neria, and key elders.
"We've made progress, but the Lord's War is near," Kaelen began. "We must be ready to defend not just our homes but our way of life."
He revealed the system's mechanics to the council — the Refund System's multiplier benefits, the SP usage, and the importance of territory investment.
"We will invest in expanding farmland and hunting grounds to sustain the population," Kaelen explained. "And train a militia ready for battle."
The elders nodded in agreement, impressed by the clarity of his vision.
As the meeting adjourned, a messenger arrived with urgent news: a nearby lord's army was moving closer to Greystone's borders.
Kaelen's mind raced. The Lord's War was beginning earlier than expected.
He knew this skirmish would test everything they had built.
Kaelen and Liora walked through the village walls, inspecting the fortifications.
"Archers ready?" Kaelen asked.
Liora nodded. "And traps set along the eastern approach."
Neria stood nearby, holding her staff, ready to deploy her runes.
Kaelen looked at his sister and then at the village — their home.
"This fight will be our first real test," he said. "But with the Refund System and our combined strength, we will prevail."
That night, Kaelen sat alone by the fire, the system interface glowing softly.
He had 76 SP, three weekly refund exploits still intact, and a village slowly rising from ashes.
The journey ahead was long and perilous.
But for the first time in a long while, Kaelen felt hope — a hope born from growth, love, and unbreakable bonds.