"Ah, it seems I overdid the shopping."
Nevalis said this as he sat in his room, staring at the pile of items he had bought from the market. Although Edward had provided him with a decent amount of money, it wasn't unlimited. Continuing to spend like this would only lead to one outcome... bankruptcy.
He sighed slowly as he recalculated his finances. He split the remaining money into two parts: one would be given to old Elias, and the other he would keep for himself to invest carefully in ways that would yield future benefits.
"I need a clear plan to make money. I can't keep going like this. If I don't do something, I'll be left with nothing soon."
---
A week passed, and Nevalis returned to old Elias's house. But the scene that greeted him this time was completely different. Many new faces filled the place—young and old, children and youths standing here and there, filled with curiosity, fear, and anticipation. Along with Elias, there were Ivan, Ryan, and two others who immediately caught Nevalis's attention.
An elderly man with silver hair, tall, exuding an aura of dignity and calm. Nevalis guessed he was an Earth Mage, and possibly the friend Elias had mentioned before. The second person was a man in his early forties, with a well-built physique and eyes that bore the look of a warrior who had fought in many battles.
Nevalis approached without hesitation, then spoke to Elias while looking at the two men:
"This must be your friend, old man," he said, extending his hand to the mage. "I'm Nevalis."
The silver-haired man smiled slightly and shook his hand. "Valder. This is Daeros, a former warrior."
Daeros nodded and said, "I have a lot of questions to ask you about what we're about to face."
But Nevalis simply replied, "Later. Now, let's get to the aura and magic test."
---
Three hours passed.
The tests were over. Once again, the results exceeded expectations. They had found an Ice Mage and three knights. Nevalis knew very well that, if these results were used correctly, they could change the face of the empire. But he also knew that the current emperor, that insane fool, would see nothing but a threat.
Once everyone was done, Nevalis asked Elias to gather the group. He stood before them, silent for a moment, then began speaking.
His words were directed at Elias, Valder, and Daeros. He explained the basic outline of the upcoming training. Only seven months—such a short time, but enough if used correctly. He assigned roles: who would go to the army, who would infiltrate the noble families, and who would learn how to kill silently. A comprehensive plan was set, covering education, training, and psychological integration.
It was clear to everyone that Nevalis left nothing to chance. His precision in assigning roles, his schedule, and even his tone of voice... everything about him resembled the great leaders, despite his young age.
---
Four months passed.
It wasn't easy at first. The children who came from the streets didn't even know how to dress properly or how to speak politely. It was a daily challenge, and Nevalis was in constant battle with chaos.
But he didn't give up. Little by little, discipline began to be instilled in them. Order, cleanliness, training, speech—every aspect of their lives began to change.
The last meeting wasn't for training. This time, it was to announce his departure.
He explained that he wouldn't stay because he had delivered everything that needed to be delivered. Elias now had the complete plan, and Ivan and Ryan had learned the basics. The mages had begun to feel the mana, and the warriors were training rigorously under Daeros's leadership.
He gave Elias the clothes, money, and full instructions. He had laid the foundation... but he knew that the foundation alone wouldn't be enough.
He needed to grow too. He needed to become more than just a leader in the shadows.
He left the house silently and headed west toward the city of Heras. His goal was simple: to join the Adventurers' Guild. There, he would begin the second phase of his plan... to strengthen himself.
Nevalis knew the truth that everyone was ignoring.
"I'd be a fool to rely on a poor people's army alone to overthrow the nobles."
The nobles wouldn't be overthrown by a revolutionary army of the poor. That would be foolish.
That was never his goal anyway—wiping out the nobles with only a poor people's army. He knew that was impossible.
But he intended something else... to weaken them, to shake their very foundation.
Even if the children failed, even if everyone betrayed him, they would still be part of his plan. Pawns in a much larger game than they could comprehend.
And the north and south wouldn't remain bystanders if a civil war broke out in the kingdom.
So, he had to plan carefully. He had to wait for the coming monster war, in three years, when the entire continent would be occupied. The Niharif Mountains stretched from the far north to the south, and they would be overrun by monsters. This wasn't just the kingdom's war—it was the entire continent against the monster armies.
And when that happened... he would move. No one would intervene.
Would the north and south sit idly by when they saw the kingdom in a civil war?
Of course not.
Would the four ducal families fall just from a revolutionary army?
Of course not.
So how was he planning to bring down the dukedoms?
First, he needed to ensure that the north and south wouldn't intervene. This would be achieved by taking advantage of the monster war in three years.
The war wouldn't just affect the kingdom; the Niharif Mountains stretched across the entire continent, from north to south. So, the war would involve the entire continent against the monster armies.
Second, he needed to ensure a second army, other than the poor people's army, which was somewhat ready as well.
But most importantly... were the leaders. The leaders of the revolutionary army. People with competence and loyalty.
And this... was partially ready.
Everything was going according to plan, but the cornerstone of all this... was Nevalis himself. His personal strength. If he wasn't strong enough, nothing would survive.
And so, he began his own journey. He wouldn't wait. He wouldn't depend on anyone.
---
Somewhere far, outside the kingdom's borders, a thick silence hung over the lifeless land.
Crack... Crack...