[Nythera has been declared as the First Guardian of the Territory.]
Aamon exhaled slowly, reverently. Even the system—usually cold and absolute—had acknowledged it. Nythera was no longer just a beast. She was a symbol. A foundation. A harbinger of the kind of realm he was building.
The ground where she stood shimmered faintly with ethereal light. The grass grew lusher. The trees leaned subtly inward. Life was responding.
"She's becoming the heart of this land," Yue murmured, her voice almost a whisper.
Alexia crouched near Nythera, reaching out a hand cautiously. "This isn't just a guardian… she's a beacon. What else are you planning, Aamon?"
Aamon didn't answer right away.
He looked out over his realm—the blank canvas of his territory, now kissed by the first stirrings of power and purpose.
"I plan to build a sanctuary," he said finally. "A haven... and a force. And it starts with her."
Nythera raised her head proudly, the moonlight bathing her in a quiet, silver crown. The first guardian of his territory had risen.
And the world would follow.
As the moonlight bathed the quiet clearing in the territory, Aamon raised his hand and summoned the familiar pulse of light that signaled the opening of the system interface. Lines of radiant script unfurled before his eyes—clear, precise, and glowing faintly in the dark.
[System Interface – Companion Overview]
[Name: Nythera]
[Race: Lunaris Sylvara]
[Stage: Spiritual Beast – 1st order]
[Role: First Guardian Beast of the Territory]
[Affinity: Moon, Darkness]
[Unique Traits:
Moonborne Grace – Regenerates faster and grows stronger under moonlight.
Spirit Soil Aura – Passively enhances the fertility and vitality of the land within a 5000-meter radius.
Lunar Bond – Forms an emotional and spiritual bond with the summoner, allowing shared perception and energy sensing.
Blessing of Tranquility – Emits a calming aura that soothes minor spiritual unrest and promotes natural growth.]
[Description:
The Lunaris Sylvara are a rare and ethereal race of spiritual beasts born under the influence of lunar energy and awakened through the [Evolution] skill. These horned rabbits, once ordinary, have transformed into radiant guardians of nature and vitality.
Their fur glimmers with a soft silver-blue sheen that shimmers under moonlight, and their crescent-shaped horns glow faintly, pulsing with spiritual energy. Their eyes reflect starlight—calm, intelligent, and ancient beyond their years. Even when still, a quiet aura of serenity and latent power surrounds them.
Despite their small stature, Lunaris Sylvara are deeply connected to the land. Wherever they reside, spiritual energy thickens, flora flourishes, and the land becomes more fertile. It is said that a single Lunaris Sylvara can bless an entire field with bountiful harvests or guide lost souls through dense spiritual fogs.]
Aamon's eyes narrowed slightly, absorbing each detail. This wasn't just a pet. Nythera had become a cornerstone of his domain—an anchor of harmony and power.
"First the foundation," he muttered. "Then the future."
Aamon's attention shifted to the skills that Nythera was currently holding.
[Abilities:
Lunar Blessing – Enhances spiritual energy in the area, increasing cultivation speed and healing rates for allies nearby.
Sanctum Pulse – Emits a calming wave that wards off corrupted or undead creatures.
Moonlit Step – Allows short-range teleportation under moonlight, leaving behind silvery afterimages.
Celestial Bond – As they grow, Lunaris Sylvara form deep spiritual connections with their territory and its people, enhancing their protective instincts and combat capabilities when the land is threatened.]
He closed the interface, the glow fading into the air like mist under moonlight, and looked toward Nythera. The little beast was perched atop a soft mound of spirit-infused earth, its silver coat shimmering and its crystalline horn pulsing softly in rhythm with the energy around it.
Everything was beginning to change.
The world around Aamon was changing—rapidly.
His companions were growing stronger, the threats they faced more dangerous, and his view of Terra Nova had begun to shift with every revelation, every battle, every scar.
But he lagged behind.
The pressure clawed at him like a vice. If he didn't grow stronger soon, he would fall behind—not just in strength, but in purpose.
Aamon exhaled slowly, steadying his mind.
He sat cross-legged, drawing in the ambient vital energy of the Genesis Realm. The air shimmered faintly around him as energy surged toward his body, drawn in by his cultivation method and the innate pull of his evolving soul.
The energy condensed, slowly but surely, into a glowing ring in his soulscape—the second ring.
Entering the 2nd Order was no small feat. It meant a significant boost in his physical capabilities and a near doubling of his internal energy reserves. A crucial milestone.
Then it appeared again.
That mysterious golden glow—the same radiant energy that had touched his soul during his first awakening—surged forth. It wrapped around the forming ring, accelerating the process far beyond what any normal cultivator could achieve.
Three hours passed in silence.
Then, with a quiet hum, the ring clicked into place within his soul like a celestial gear locking into motion.
Aamon's eyes opened, glowing faintly with restrained power.
He had stepped into the 2nd Order.
There was no time to revel in the accomplishment. Determination burned in his chest like wildfire. Without hesitation, he reached into his storage and withdrew another beast—a Forest Horned Rabbit.
"Let's begin," he whispered.
Activating his [Evolution] skill, he funneled 100 Evolution Points into the creature. A soft white light enveloped the rabbit as it quivered under the surge of energy. Its form shifted, aura rising.
In moments, it had changed.
The Forest Horned Rabbit had become a Forest Spirit Rabbit—its fur shimmering with an emerald luster, eyes glowing with primal clarity. It was a successful evolution, yet something told Aamon that this was far from the spectacle of Nythera's transformation.
So that was it.
Nythera's evolution had been a special case—likely a racial first, triggering deeper phenomena and perhaps system recognition. It warranted deeper study. Another piece in the puzzle of how his skills, the Awakening legacy, and this world truly worked.
But for now, his focus shifted.
Tomorrow would be a crucial day.
Having reached 2nd Order, his mercenary team could attempt the official trial to advance in rank—solidifying their place in the Adventurers' Association and gaining access to more dangerous, and rewarding, missions.
Aamon stood and looked toward the resting forms of Yue and Alexia, the soft glow of the Genesis Realm casting shadows on the walls.
The climb had only just begun.