The dawn after the battle against the wolves brought something Renn hadn't experienced in two years: the feeling that maybe, just maybe, he wasn't completely useless.
His body ached. Every muscle protested as he moved inside his makeshift tent, reminding him that he had spent the last few hours running, dodging, and hitting things with a stick until they stopped moving.
But his bracelet glowed with a number he had never seen before:
[LEVEL: 2]
"Two," he murmured, touching the holographic screen as if the number might disappear if he blinked too hard. "I leveled up."
"Congratulations, Substitute Lord," Valeria said from where she sat in feline form next to Princess Lysandra. "Your first real victory deserves recognition."
"I killed a young wolf that had eighty power points when I only had ten."
"And yet you won. That is progress."
Renn sat up, rubbing his eyes. The euphoria of battle had faded, replaced by the familiar weight of reality. Yes, he had leveled up. Yes, he had won his first real fight.
But he was still Renn Blackwood, the Swamp Lord, expelled from his alliance and living in the most depressing territory in the Infinite World.
"What exactly changed?" he asked, looking at his bracelet. "I leveled up, but I don't feel different."
"Your base power increased from ten to twelve points. A twenty percent increase." Valeria jumped from her rock and, in a flash of light, adopted her humanoid form. Today her purple crystal armor looked slightly different: more ornate, with patterns that glowed dimly. "Small in absolute numbers, but proportionally significant."
"And do those two extra points make a difference?"
"In direct combat against low-level creatures, yes. You have also unlocked functions on your bracelet that were previously restricted."
That caught Renn's attention.
"Functions? What kind of functions?"
Valeria touched Renn's bracelet, and the interface changed. New menus appeared where there had previously been blank spaces or "ACCESS DENIED" messages.
[UNLOCKED FUNCTIONS - LEVEL 2] → Expanded Territorial Map → Detailed Resource Analysis → Invasion Prediction (Basic) → Exchange Market (Limited Access) → Regional Communication
"Wait." Renn touched the screen, navigating through the menus. "Was all this blocked this whole time?"
"The System has progressive access levels. Basic functions are available from level one, but more advanced capabilities require the Lord to demonstrate minimal competence."
"So, the System was basically telling me I was too useless to use these things?"
"An accurate, if brutally honest, interpretation."
Renn explored the new options, his curiosity temporarily overcoming his indignation. The territorial map now showed much more detail: not just the basic shape of his swamp, but topography, water points, areas of dense vegetation, and even...
"What are these symbols?" He pointed to three markers glowing in different parts of the map.
Valeria leaned in to see better.
"Points of interest detected by the advanced scan. Places in your territory that contain significant resources or features."
"And can I go find them?"
"Of course. It is your territory." Valeria touched the first marker, and additional information appeared:
[POINT OF INTEREST #1] [LOCATION: North Sector, 1.2 km] [TYPE: Mineral Deposit] [ESTIMATE: Swamp Iron - Rare Quality] [APPROXIMATE QUANTITY: 150-200 kg]
"Swamp iron," Renn read aloud. "Is that valuable?"
"Extremely. It is common iron imbued with environmental mana from the swamp. Blacksmiths use it to forge weaponry with unique properties." Valeria opened another screen showing market prices. "On the standard market, a kilogram is worth approximately fifty resource points."
Renn did the mental math.
"If there are two hundred kilos... that's about ten thousand resource points."
"Correct. More than enough to meet your semester quota and buy basic equipment."
For the first time in months, Renn felt something akin to genuine hope.
"And the other two points?"
Valeria touched the second marker:
[POINT OF INTEREST #2] [LOCATION: East Sector, 0.8 km] [TYPE: Mana Source] [ESTIMATE: Contaminated Spring - Purifiable] [POTENTIAL PRODUCTION: 5 liters/day of pure water]
"A mana spring," Valeria explained. "Currently contaminated by the toxic nature of the swamp, but with proper treatment, it could constantly produce clean water. That would solve part of your water resource requirement."
"And the third?"
[POINT OF INTEREST #3] [LOCATION: Central Sector, 0.3 km] [TYPE: ???] [ANALYSIS LOCKED] [REQUIREMENT: LEVEL 5]
"Locked," Renn muttered. "Of course."
"The System only reveals information the Lord is prepared for. Apparently, you are not ready to know what is there."
"That isn't unsettling at all."
Princess Lysandra, who had been observing the conversation silently, meowed softly.
"Her Highness suggests we focus on the resources you can access now instead of worrying about the unknown," Valeria translated.
"That is... surprisingly pragmatic."
Lysandra looked at him with an expression that clearly said: Obviously. I'm not the one who worries about everything unnecessarily.
"Right," Renn said, closing the map. "Then let's go find that iron. But first..." He navigated to the regional communication section. "I want to see what else changed."
The communication interface opened, showing a list of Lords in his approximate level range and geographic area. Names appeared with basic information:
[LORD: MARCUS VELDREN] [LEVEL: 28] [AFFILIATION: Northern Alliance] [DISTANCE: 12.4 km]
[LORD: LILY THORNWHISPER] [LEVEL: 34] [AFFILIATION: Northern Alliance] [DISTANCE: 847 km]
[LORD: SARAH MOONWHISPER] [LEVEL: 25] [AFFILIATION: Eastern Alliance] [DISTANCE: 23.7 km]
The list continued, showing dozens of Lords in his region. Renn noticed something strange next to his own name:
[LORD: RENN BLACKWOOD] [LEVEL: 2] [AFFILIATION: ???] [STATUS: Pending]
"Pending affiliation?" He frowned. "What does that mean?"
Valeria examined the screen.
"Interesting. Normally, expelled Lords show as 'independent' or 'no affiliation.' But you appear as 'pending.'"
"Why?"
Lysandra meowed, a complex sound that made Valeria raise her eyebrows.
"Her Highness explains: when she granted you temporary authority as her Substitute Lord, the System registered you in her network of subordinates. Technically, you are now affiliated with the Celestial Court."
Renn blinked.
"I am WHAT?"
"Affiliated with the Celestial Court. Her Highness's faction."
"And that is...?"
"One of the oldest and powerful organizations in the Infinite World." Valeria said this as casually as if she were commenting on the weather. "It operates on dimensional scales that the local System cannot fully process."
"The local System," Renn repeated slowly. "You mean the Lord System everyone uses?"
"Correct. The System that governs the four local alliances, the twenty planetary alliances of Earth, and even many foreign factions is designed to process information within certain dimensional parameters." Valeria navigated through her own interface. "But the Celestial Court exists on a scale that the System simply... cannot properly classify."
"So, for other Lords, my affiliation appears as..."
"'Pending with unidentified faction.' Unusual, but not alarming. Most will assume it is a bureaucratic error related to your expulsion."
Renn processed this, feeling the weight of implications he didn't fully understand.
"Does that mean I can access resources from the Celestial Court?"
"Technically yes, though with restrictions." Valeria opened a new menu Renn hadn't seen before:
[CELESTIAL MARKET - RESTRICTED ACCESS] [AUTHORIZATION LEVEL: TEMPORARY SUBORDINATE] [PRIVILEGES: Basic Purchase, Standard Sale] [DISCOUNT: 30% on base materials] [WARNING: Frequent use may attract attention]
"There's a whole market," Renn murmured, scrolling through the listings. Materials he had never seen appeared with prices that made the standard market look like a scam. "These prices are..."
"Lower," Valeria confirmed. "The Celestial Court controls resource sources other factions cannot access. That allows them to sell at competitive prices while maintaining superior quality."
"And I can buy here?"
"Yes. But..." Valeria paused, her expression turning serious. "Every transaction leaves a trace. If you use this market frequently, other factions will eventually notice the pattern. They will start asking questions."
"What kind of questions?"
"Who is this low-level Lord with access to celestial resources? Why is the Celestial Court interested in an insignificant swamp territory? What is he hiding?"
Renn felt the brief moment of hope cooling.
"So I can't use it."
"You can," Valeria corrected. "But you must be strategic. Occasional small transactions won't raise flags. But if you suddenly start buying high-level equipment or rare materials in large quantities..."
"Everyone will know something is going on."
"Exactly."
His bracelet vibrated. An incoming message:
[NEW MESSAGE - LILY THORNWHISPER]
Renn opened it:
> Renn > I saw something weird in the academy logs > Your status shows "pending affiliation - unidentified faction" > What does that mean? > Is it a System error after your expulsion?
"Shit," Renn murmured. "Lily already noticed."
"It was inevitable," Valeria said. "Miss Thornwhisper clearly monitors your information. She probably configured alerts for changes in your status."
"What do I tell her?"
Lysandra meowed, a sound that communicated the answer obviously.
"Her Highness suggests honesty. Miss Thornwhisper already knows about us. There is no reason to lie now."
Renn typed his reply:
> Not exactly an error > When Lysandra gave me authority > The System registered me as something > But apparently it's too complicated for the local System to process correctly > So it shows up as "unidentified"
Lily's reply came almost immediately:
> Wait > The LOCAL System? > Renn > How big exactly is Lysandra's faction?
> Honestly? > No idea > Valeria says it operates on "dimensional scales the System cannot process" > Which sounds impressive but also terrifying
> That is... > Okay > Well > At least it shows up as "unidentified" and not something obvious > Most people will assume it's an administrative error
> I hope so
> But Renn > You have to be careful > Being in the process of expulsion is already dangerous > When the Eastern Alliance finally processes your case...
> I know > They'll send me to neutral territory > No protection
> Exactly > How much time do you think you have?
Renn navigated to his status information:
[EXPULSION PROCESS] [STATUS: Pending Final Summons] [ESTIMATED TIME: 2-8 weeks] [NOTE: Subject to administrative variation]
> Between two and eight weeks > Apparently bureaucracy is slow
> That gives you time to prepare > But Renn, listen to me > You could request affiliation with another alliance > The Northern Alliance would accept you > Especially if you show them what you can do now
> And then I'd have to explain my troops?
> ...yes
> And if I explain my troops > Everyone will know about Lysandra
> Also yes
> And if everyone knows about Lysandra...
Lily's reply took a moment:
> I understand > You don't want that attention > Makes sense > But Renn > Neutral territory is DANGEROUS > Not just other human alliances > There are Lords from other worlds there > Creatures we haven't even cataloged > Going there alone is...
> I know > I'm working on a plan
> What kind of plan?
Renn looked at Valeria and Lysandra, who had been observing the conversation silently.
"Do I have options?" he asked aloud. "Besides joining another alliance or risking it in neutral territory?"
Valeria considered the question.
"Technically, yes. You could remain independent but maintain your access to the celestial market. Use those resources to strengthen your territory enough to survive in the neutral zone."
"Is that possible?"
"Difficult, but possible. It would require careful planning and strategic use of your celestial privileges without attracting undue attention." Valeria navigated through several screens. "You would also need to level up quickly. A level two Lord won't survive in neutral territory, no matter his troops."
"What level would I need?"
"Minimum level ten to have a reasonable probability of survival. Ideally fifteen or higher."
"And currently I am level two."
"Correct."
"How long would it take to reach level ten?"
Valeria did some mental calculations.
"With intensive training and regular combat against appropriate threats... four to six weeks."
"So barely within the timeframe before my expulsion."
"Yes. It would be tight."
Renn took a deep breath, considering his options. Joining another alliance meant immediate safety but total exposure. Going to neutral territory unprepared was suicide. But staying independent while using celestial resources to prepare...
It was risky. It would require hard work. It would probably hurt.
But it was his. His decision. His path.
"I want to stay independent," he said finally.
Valeria raised her eyebrows.
"Are you sure? It is the most difficult option."
"I know. But..." Renn looked around his depressing swamp territory. "For two years, everyone told me what to do. The academy told me to try harder. The alliance told me to meet quotas. Marcus told me to give up. And maybe they were right at the time."
He turned to Valeria and Lysandra.
"But now I have something I didn't have before. I have a real chance to do things my way. And I want to try."
"Even if you fail?"
"Especially if I fail. Because at least it will be my failure, not someone else's failure imposed on me."
Silence. Then, surprisingly, Valeria smiled. Not her usual small professional smile, but something genuine and warm.
"That," she said, "is the first truly intelligent response I have heard you say, Substitute Lord."
Lysandra purred, a sound of approval that made the air vibrate.
"Her Highness agrees. And..." Valeria paused, as if listening to something Renn couldn't hear. "She says that since her Substitute Lord has chosen the path of independence, she will grant you expanded privileges in the celestial market."
Renn's bracelet screen glowed, and new notifications appeared:
[MARKET PRIVILEGES UPDATED] [AUTHORIZATION LEVEL: TEMPORARY SUBORDINATE → RECOGNIZED SUBORDINATE] [DISCOUNT: 30% → 40%] [NEW FUNCTIONS UNLOCKED:] → Access to Celestial Missions (Low Level) → Dimensional Storage (10 slots) → Encrypted Celestial Communication
"Celestial missions," Renn read. "What are those?"
"Tasks the Celestial Court needs completed in various territories. Usually collection of specific materials, elimination of particular threats, or investigation of anomalies." Valeria opened the list. "Completing them grants rewards in addition to regular experience."
The list showed several options:
[MISSION: Moon Moss Collection] [DIFFICULTY: Easy] [REWARD: 50 resource points + 50 EXP]
[MISSION: Eliminate Poison Spider Nest] [DIFFICULTY: Medium] [REWARD: 150 resource points + 100 EXP]
[MISSION: Investigate Mana Fluctuation] [DIFFICULTY: ???] [REWARD: ???]
"These are... really generous," Renn murmured.
"The Celestial Court pays well for services rendered. Also..." Valeria pointed to something on her own screen. "Her Highness has designated a portion of her personal resource allowance for your use."
"Her what?"
Lysandra meowed, and Valeria translated with an amused expression:
"As a member of the royal family, Her Highness receives a monthly allowance from the Court. She has decided that as her Substitute Lord, you have access to twenty percent of that allowance."
"How much is that?"
"Five thousand resource points monthly."
Renn almost fell over.
"FIVE THOUSAND?"
"It is a small amount for royalty," Valeria said in a neutral tone. "But for a low-level Lord, it is considerable."
"Small? That's half my semester quota!"
"Her Highness is generous."
Renn looked at Lysandra, who watched him with those orange eyes that somehow communicated both judgment and affection.
"Thank you," he said simply. "Seriously. Thank you."
The cat purred and closed her eyes in what Renn had learned to recognize as her version of a gesture of affection.
"So," Valeria said, closing several screens, "your plan is: remain independent, use celestial resources discreetly to strengthen your territory, level up quickly before your expulsion, and prepare to survive in neutral territory."
"Basically."
"It is ambitious. Probably too ambitious."
"But?"
Valeria smiled.
"But Her Highness wouldn't have chosen someone without potential. And I don't train Lords destined to fail."
"That's almost a compliment."
"Almost." Valeria adopted her feline form in a flash of light. "Now, Substitute Lord. We have iron to excavate and a spring to purify. And if you're going to reach level ten in six weeks, we need to start your real training."
"Real? Yesterday wasn't real?"
"Yesterday was an introduction. Today we begin the true work."
Renn groaned, but there was a smile on his face. For the first time in two years, he had a plan. It wasn't perfect. It would probably kill him.
But it was his.
"Alright," he said, standing up and grabbing his backpack. "Let's go get that iron."
As they walked toward the North Sector, Renn sent one last message to Lily:
> I have a plan > I'm going to stay independent > Use the resources I have access to to prepare > It's probably a terrible idea > But it's MY terrible idea
Lily's reply came after a moment:
> If you need help > Whatever you need > Just ask 💕
Renn put away his bracelet, feeling warmth expand in his chest.
Yes, he decided. This was going to work.
Or at least, it was going to be a spectacular disaster trying.
And honestly, after two years of passive failures, an active disaster sounded pretty good.
****
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