The sun was beginning to set when Rafael left the forest behind, his steps leading him once again into the vast desert.He walked in silence, his mind racing with an idea that had taken root hours ago.
"If I can create houses… why not a castle?"
The thought lingered, echoing louder with every step.He scanned the endless horizon until he found it — a stretch of golden sand that bordered the forest's edge, flat and wide, kissed by the evening light.A perfect foundation.
He took a deep breath and raised his hand.
"Let's begin."
The ground trembled.Winds swirled violently around him as sand lifted into the air, shaping, solidifying — walls rose, towers pierced the sky, and grand gates formed in a thunder of shifting earth.
Within an hour, a colossal castle stood proudly in the middle of the desert.Rafael looked up in awe.
"That was… fast," he muttered, a small grin forming. "The power of imagination really is something else."
He stepped inside.Massive pillars lined both sides of a crimson carpet that stretched toward an empty throne at the far end. The air was still, heavy with silence, as though awaiting a ruler.
Rafael walked down the hall and sat on the throne. His fingers brushed the cold armrest as he whispered to himself,"Now… I just need a flag."
He closed his eyes, imagining the image that would define his empire.A knight holding a sword beneath a shadowed sky — a symbol of loyalty and strength.
He smiled faintly. "That's it. My banner… the Obsidian Legion."
But a thought quickly followed:
"A king without combat capability is foolish."
He clenched his fist. His creation power could build anything — even life itself. So, he stood and began to shape his next creation.
Before him, sand and light intertwined, forming the outline of a human figure. Armor gleamed like black steel under the sun's reflection. A majestic sword appeared at its side.When the figure was complete, Rafael placed his hand on its chest and whispered,"Live."
The air shimmered.The figure's eyes opened, glowing faintly with silver light. It knelt before him instinctively — head bowed.
"Rise," Rafael said. "From this moment, you are bound to me."
He extended his hand once more, invoking his Dominion.A surge of light enveloped the knight. The glow intensified, pulsing like a heartbeat, before vanishing completely. Rafael's eyes widened — his Dominion allowed him to see the being's abilities.
"Summon — Angelic Descent.Maximum summons: twenty.The fewer summoned, the stronger they become."
He kept reading the power details that appeared in glowing symbols before him.
"Invincibility — lasts one minute.During this time, no damage can be taken.Duel Command — forces an opponent into a one-on-one battle.Disobedience inflicts a 50% debuff on all abilities."
Rafael stepped back, stunned."This… this is absurd," he whispered. "A power like this belongs to someone at the Absolute Tier."
He stared at his creation — tall, silent, unwavering — and couldn't help but feel small in comparison.
"To think," he muttered, "I'm still at the Basic Tier, and my knight already stands among the strongest."
In this world, one's combat ability was ranked by seven tiers:Basic, Advanced, Expert, Master, Grand Master, Peak Grand Master, and Absolute.Each rank was a mountain few could ever climb.
Yet somehow, Rafael had created someone who stood at the summit.
He stepped closer."You," he said firmly. "From this day forward, you will be my right hand — my shield and sword. You are the Grand General King's Knight, protector of your ruler."
The knight lowered its head in silent acknowledgment."As you command, my king."
"Good. For now… hunt something to eat. I'm starving."
The knight immediately turned and strode out of the castle gates.Moments later, Rafael leaned back into his throne, sighing. "I probably shouldn't be sending a warrior of that level to hunt food and cook it…" he muttered. "But— I guess it's fine."
Time passed. Soon, the knight returned carrying a massive boar, two deer, and several other creatures from the forest.The sight made Rafael's eyes widen.
"I didn't think you'd bring this much…"
He smiled as his stomach growled."Alright, Grand General — prepare a meal."
"As you wish," the knight replied, setting down the hunt.
As the scent of roasted meat filled the grand hall, Rafael looked around his newly built fortress — his first home, his first domain, and the first step toward something far greater.
A soft smile crossed his face."From nothing… to this," he whispered."Maybe… I really can rule."