The Academy of New Lords was a cauldron of ambition and noise, a place where stone corridors echoed with the clatter of hurried footsteps and classrooms buzzed with the murmurs of eager students. For many, it was the threshold to greatness, the forge where the future lords of the Endless World were shaped. For Renn, however, it was a stage packed with overacting players who didn't realize the curtain hadn't yet risen.
That morning, Renn leaned against the wall of the main hallway, arms crossed and a faint look of boredom on his face as he watched the parade of students heading to their classes. The air crackled with a mix of excitement and tension; the Awakening ceremony was just hours away, and everyone seemed to be in a contest to boast the loudest.
"My uncle says the orb always favors those with strong blood," Torin announced, the stocky boy who seemed to take up more space than necessary, striding along with his usual entourage. His voice boomed as if he were addressing a public square. "It'll probably give me a dragon. Or something even better."
Elara, flitting around him like a bee to a flower, nodded eagerly. "That'd be epic! I'm hoping for a griffin, though I wouldn't mind a phoenix. My mom says I've got the aura for something elegant."
Renn raised an eyebrow but stayed silent. He stood a few paces away—close enough to overhear, far enough to stay out of the conversation. Not that they'd invite him in anyway. At the academy, he was like an old piece of furniture: present, but largely ignored unless someone tripped over him.
"And you, Renn?" Elara's voice cut through the air, her eyes landing on him with a mix of curiosity and mockery. "You haven't said a word all day. What do you hope you'll get?"
Renn straightened slightly, slipping his hands into the pockets of his robe. "Dunno. Maybe a flock of ducks. I hear they're fierce when they're mad."
Torin let out a guffaw that rattled the hallway lanterns. "Ducks! That'd be perfect for you. You could drown your enemies in feathers."
"Don't underestimate ducks," Renn replied with a crooked grin. "One well-timed quack and the battle's over. Plus, they're great swimmers. I could conquer whole rivers."
Elara stared at him, trying to figure out if he was serious, but Torin had already lost interest and turned back to his group. "You're so weird, Renn. I don't even know why they let you in here."
"Because I paid tuition," Renn muttered under his breath, leaning back against the wall. He didn't expect them to hear, and they didn't. The group drifted off, their laughter trailing behind with talk of dragons, armies, and legendary domains.
Renn didn't bother following. Instead, he adjusted the strap of his satchel and headed toward the Territorial Strategy classroom. The hallway was a swirl of mini-dramas: students comparing notes on tactics, others practicing grandiose gestures as if they were already anointed lords, and some just staring into space, likely overwhelmed by the pressure. Renn sidestepped a boy who nearly bowled him over while flailing about "air fleets" and continued on with the calm of someone who had nothing to prove. Yet.
Inside the classroom, he dropped into a seat at the back near the window. From there, he could see the courtyard, where a group of students drilled formations with wooden wands, mimicking imaginary armies. Professor Valtor, a wiry man with a beard that looked like it grew by accident, was already scribbling diagrams on the chalkboard.
"Remember," Valtor rasped, his voice like sandpaper, "the Endless World doesn't bend to your whims—it bends to your designs. No matter what you dream of getting, you must adapt to what you're given."
Lira, the tall, athletic girl who always carried herself like she was about to win a medal, raised her hand. "But, Professor, my family's always gotten firebirds. My dad says it's because we have a natural affinity for them."
Valtor sighed, adjusting his glasses. "The orb doesn't read family trees, Lira. But if it makes you happy to believe it, go ahead."
Renn stifled a chuckle, doodling a tiny phoenix with chicken legs in his notebook. Beside him, Kael—one of the few who didn't treat him like an outsider—leaned over. "I bet Lira ends up with a chicken instead of a phoenix. It'd be poetic."
"It'd be hilarious," Renn corrected, sketching a crooked beak on his drawing. "Imagine her trying to lead a charge with a cluck."
Kael let out a low laugh, earning a sharp glance from Valtor. "Gentlemen, if you've got something to share, do it with the class."
"No thanks," Renn said, raising his hands in surrender. "Just admiring your diagram, Professor. Very… geometric."
Valtor eyed him suspiciously but didn't press. The lesson droned on with more talk of resources and troops, though most students were too distracted to care. Torin, up front, turned at one point to lob a crumpled paper ball at Renn. It wasn't the first time.
Renn caught it without looking and let it drop to the floor. "Nice shot," he said quietly. "Too bad you don't have dragons to aim for you."
Torin scowled, but before he could retort, Elara distracted him with a question about flight tactics. Renn sighed in relief. He wasn't here to fight—not there. If Torin wanted to feel superior by chucking trash, let him. Renn would get his chance to prove something later.
When the bell rang, the room emptied in seconds. Renn gathered his things slowly, but as he stepped into the hallway, he ran into a small crowd blocking the way. Lira stood at the center, showing off a ceremonial dagger her father had given her as "inspiration" for the ceremony.
"It's a family heirloom," she said, twirling it proudly in her hands. "My brother used it when he awakened his storm hawk."
"Cool," said one of the boys, a scrawny kid named Gav, leaning in for a better look. Then his eyes flicked to Renn, who was trying to slip by unnoticed. "Hey, Renn, did you bring anything from your family? Or do you just have… what, a stick?"
The others laughed, and Lira gave him a condescending smile. "Not everyone has heirlooms, Gav. Some just show up with what they're wearing."
Renn paused, locking eyes with her for a second before shrugging. "Yeah, I brought my wits. They're light and don't rust. What've you got besides that fancy knife?"
Lira blinked, thrown off, and Gav let out a nervous chuckle. "Always with the weird answers, Renn. I bet you get a toad or something just as useless."
"Maybe," Renn said, sidestepping the group. "But toads have quick tongues. I could use it to catch flies like you."
The laughter turned to murmurs, and Renn kept walking without looking back. They weren't worth the energy. Let them laugh all they wanted; soon they'd be too busy wrestling their own domains to care about him.
The rest of the day passed in a blur of preparations. In the dining hall, as Renn ate alone in a corner, he caught snippets of chatter: speculation about who'd get the best troops, bets on how many would fail in the first month, and more jabs aimed at "nobodies" like him. One kid even "accidentally" dropped an apple near his table, snickering as he picked it up and muttered something about "fruit for losers."
Renn ignored it, slicing his bread with more force than needed. It wasn't that he cared much about what they said; he'd long ago learned to let words bounce off like stones on water. But there was a small, stubborn part of him that wanted to prove them wrong—not with shouting or swagger, but with results.
When the ceremony hour arrived, the great hall was packed. Students clustered in uneven groups, their starched robes rustling with every move. The headmaster, a gaunt man with a voice that cut like a blade, explained the process again: touch the orb, get transported, face your fate. Simple, but heavy with meaning.
Renn hung back, watching the others step up. Torin went early, vanishing in a flash of golden light that drew cheers. Elara followed, her silver glow making her friends gasp. Lira strutted to the orb like she was already a legend, and her departure sparked applause.
One by one, students were called. Some trembled, others grinned smugly. Renn waited, tapping his fingers against his leg, until he finally heard his name.
"Renn," the headmaster said, raising an eyebrow as if unsure he belonged on the list.
Renn stepped forward through the stares of the few still left. Someone whispered, "Good luck with those ducks," and another snickered, but he kept his head up. He didn't give them the satisfaction of a reply. At the pedestal, he took a deep breath and placed his hand on the orb.
Warmth enveloped him, light blinded him, and the hall vanished.
When he opened his eyes, he stood in a clearing ringed by tall, leafy trees. The air was crisp, scented with damp earth and wildflowers. In the center, an amber crystal glowed softly, pulsing like a living heart.
"Welcome to your domain, Lord Renn," said a clear, serene voice. Renn turned and saw an ethereal figure hovering beside the crystal—a guardian spirit, humanoid but crafted from golden light.
"So this is mine," Renn murmured, scanning the landscape. It wasn't what he'd expected, but there was something comforting in its stillness.
"Correct," the spirit replied. "This is your starting dominion in the Endless World. From here, you'll build your legacy or fall to your foes. It's up to you."
Renn nodded, slipping his hands into his pockets. "Guess there's no going back. What's next?"
"Your troop building is being generated," the spirit explained. "You'll soon know what you're working with."
As it spoke, the ground near the crystal trembled. A structure rose slowly: a small shrine of white stone, adorned with colorful stained glass and a bronze bell atop it. At the entrance, a carved wooden arch with religious symbols welcomed him.
"Your troop building is the 'Sanctuary of Faith,'" the spirit announced. "From here, you can recruit nuns of various races."
Renn arched an eyebrow. "Nuns? Seriously?"
The spirit tilted its head. "Yes. They are devout warriors, skilled in holy magic and unwaveringly loyal to their lord."
Renn scratched the back of his neck, eyeing the shrine skeptically. "Dunno. Sounds like I got a choir instead of an army. What do I do, hold mass for the monsters?"
The spirit didn't react to the sarcasm. "Underestimating them would be a mistake. Their faith and magic can be potent weapons if wielded well. Unlike other lords' summons, which are often independent and hard to control at first, these nuns will be loyal to you from the start."
"Really?" Renn asked, tilting his head. "So Torin's out there wrestling his dragon while I've got a squad that won't stab me in the back?"
"Precisely," the spirit said. "Their devotion is their strength. Now, your first summon is free. Place your hand on the altar and focus."
Renn approached the shrine and stepped inside. The interior was simple but warm, with wooden pews and a stone altar at the center. On the altar, an open book seemed to await his touch. He reached out, hesitating a moment before resting his hand on the pages. The book felt warm, and a sense of peace washed over him.
The air hummed, and a figure emerged from golden light flooding the room. She was tall and slender, with pale skin and intense red eyes that glowed with an inner fire. Her long, midnight-black hair cascaded over her shoulders, and two small horns peeked discreetly from among the strands. She wore a dark habit embroidered with flame patterns, and a sleek tail swayed behind her, barely visible beneath the fabric. A succubus.
"Greetings, my lord," she said in a soft, alluring voice, bowing slightly. "I am Lilith, your humble servant."
Renn blinked, impressed despite himself. "Uh… hi, Lilith. I'm Renn. Guess you're my troop."
She smiled, revealing delicate fangs. "Indeed, my lord. I'm here to serve and protect this domain with my faith and power."
The spirit chimed in: "Lilith is a basic succubus nun, but with time, she can grow stronger and unlock new abilities."
"What can you do now?" Renn asked, crossing his arms.
Lilith raised a hand, and a dark shadow coalesced around her, forming an ethereal shield that floated in front of her. "I can protect with shadow barriers, charm enemies to fight each other, and heal emotional wounds. My faith makes me resistant to corruption."
Renn tilted his head. "Interesting. So you can manipulate emotions and set up defenses?"
"Exactly," she replied, a playful glint in her eyes. "My loyalty to you is absolute, my lord. I'll serve until my last breath."
"Good," Renn said, nodding slowly. "That could be real useful. Especially if other lords are busy taming rebellious troops."
"You should explore her capabilities," the spirit suggested. "The Sanctuary of Faith can also be upgraded over time, letting you recruit nuns of other races with unique skills. My task here is done; now that you know your domain, I leave it in your hands."
Before Renn could reply, the spirit vanished in a flash of light, leaving only an echo of its voice. Renn shrugged. "Guess it's just us now, Lilith."
She nodded with a seductive smile. "Indeed, my lord. How do you wish to proceed?"
Before he could answer, a voice rang in his mind, clear and commanding: [System: Holy Order System activated.]
Renn froze, glancing at Lilith. "Did you hear that?"
She looked at him, puzzled. "Hear what, my lord?"
"A voice. It said 'Holy Order System activated.'"
"I heard nothing," she replied. "But I trust your judgment."
Renn frowned but let it drop for now. "Alright. Lilith, what else can you tell me about yourself?"
She sat on a pew, crossing her legs gracefully. "My magic is tied to shadows and seduction. I can create illusions, manipulate emotions, and bolster your troops' morale. If there's a place of power nearby, my strength grows. If not, I can craft temporary altars."
"That could come in handy," Renn muttered. "This place seems quiet, but I bet there's trouble ahead."
[System: In 20 seconds, take three steps east and face the shrine to activate a special bonus.]
Renn narrowed his eyes. "What the hell…?"
"My lord?" Lilith asked, tilting her head.
"Nothing, just… hang on a sec." Renn counted down mentally, then took three steps east and turned to face the shrine. Sunlight streamed through the stained glass, painting the floor in a mosaic of colors.
"Perform a prayer gesture," the voice said.
Renn sighed, feeling a bit silly, but clasped his hands and closed his eyes as if praying. "Uh… thanks for the opportunity, I guess."
Lilith watched with approval, nodding slowly. "A worthy gesture, my lord."
[System: You've activated a special bonus. Lilith's next ability will be 50% more effective for the first 24 hours.]
Renn blinked. "What's that mean?"
"It means my illusions and manipulations will be stronger for a day," Lilith explained, as if sensing the shift. "My power's been boosted temporarily."
"Did you hear that too?" Renn asked, surprised.
"No," she said. "But I felt a surge in my strength. I assume it's your blessing as lord."
Renn chuckled. "Sure, I'm a regular saint. Well, if this system wants to toss me weird perks, I'm not complaining."
He turned to the amber crystal, still glowing in the clearing's center. "So, we've got three days before the barrier drops. What do we do first?"
Lilith rose gracefully. "I suggest exploring the domain, my lord. Knowing your resources and fortifying our defenses will give us an edge."
"Good call," Renn said. "Let's walk. I wanna see what I'm working with."
The two set out across the clearing—Renn leading with a steady stride, Lilith gliding beside him with an almost supernatural elegance. The clearing soon gave way to a dense forest of ancient trees and a faint path. The air carried the scent of moss and rich soil.
As they moved, Renn spotted something in the distance: a pack of wild wolves prowling among the trees, their eyes glinting with hunger.
"Are those hostile?" he asked, pointing.
Lilith squinted. "Yes, they seem aggressive. Shall I handle them?"
Renn grinned. "Let's test that barrier of yours. See how that bonus holds up."
Lilith nodded and stepped forward. She raised her hands, and a dark shadow poured from her, forming a solid shield in front of them. The wolves lunged, but they bounced off with frustrated growls, unable to breach it.
Renn let out a low whistle. "Nice. That could save us a lot of headaches."
"Thank you, my lord," Lilith said, holding her stance firmly.
[System: You've successfully used one of Lilith's abilities. Reward: expanded territory vision for one hour.]
Before Renn could ask what that meant, his sight sharpened. Suddenly, he could see details hundreds of yards away: a small glade with medicinal herbs to the north, a cave on the forest's eastern edge, and what looked like an ancient altar half-buried in the soil to the south.
"This is ridiculous," he muttered, shaking his head. "But useful. Let's hit the altar first. Might be something we can use."
Lilith followed without question. As they walked, Renn felt a spark of excitement. Maybe his academy peers got dragons or griffins, but he had something different. With Lilith and this bizarre Holy Order System, he could turn this forest into a stronghold of faith and power. Let them underestimate him; he'd prove them wrong—his way.
The ancient altar was overgrown with moss and vines, but carved symbols of devotion and sacrifice were still visible, depicting figures kneeling before a being of light.
"This place has strong energy," Lilith said, running her hand over the stone. "It could be a focal point for prayers and rituals."
Renn nodded, scanning the area. He found a small wooden chest half-buried beside the altar. Opening it carefully, he revealed a necklace with a holy symbol, a prayer book, and a pouch of aromatic herbs.
"Not bad," he said, stashing the items in his inventory. "This could help with defenses or rituals."
Flipping through the book, he noticed it held protection spells and blessings. "Might be a good start for learning holy magic."
A low growl rumbled from nearby trees. Renn tensed, glancing at Lilith. "What was that?"
"I'm not sure," she replied, frowning. "But it doesn't sound friendly."
Renn edged toward the sound, Lilith at his side. Parting a cluster of bushes, sunlight revealed a crouched figure: a black wolf, larger than the others, with red eyes and a dark aura swirling around it.
"Watch out!" Lilith shouted as the wolf lunged, baring its fangs.
Renn stumbled back, but the wolf was fast. Lilith reacted instantly, raising her hands and conjuring a shadow barrier that stopped it cold. The beast howled in frustration, clawing at the shield.
"Now, my lord," Lilith said, holding focus. "We can purify it or drive it off."
Renn scanned the ground, grabbed a fallen branch, and chucked it at the wolf, distracting it briefly. "Purify it!"
Lilith nodded and channeled her magic, sending a beam of light at the wolf. It writhed, its black fur turning gray, and collapsed, unconscious.
"Good work," Renn said, exhaling. "Think we can leave it here. Looks like the corruption's gone."
Lilith smiled, lowering her hands. "Thank you, my lord. My faith will shield us."
"Maybe we could study it later," Renn half-joked. "A purified wolf might make a decent guard."
Lilith laughed softly. "Perhaps, my lord. But for now, I suggest we return to the shrine. Night's falling, and we should prepare for the days ahead."
"You're right," Renn said, glancing back toward the path. "Let's go."
Back at the clearing, the sun dipped low, painting the sky in pinks and golds. Renn sat on a shrine bench, eyeing the amber crystal while Lilith inspected the walls, muttering about reinforcing them with magic.
"Not a bad spot," Renn thought. "With Lilith and this system, I can make something big here. Let the others deal with their rogue dragons; I've got a loyal succubus and a system handing out weird tricks."
He decided to explore more before resting. "Lilith, how about we find that holy spring you mentioned? Could give us an edge."
She nodded eagerly. "Good idea, my lord. I sensed it to the west. We might reach it before dark."
They left the shrine and ventured west through the forest. The ground grew rockier, and soon the sound of running water reached them. Between two large boulders, a small spring bubbled up, its water shimmering with a faint silver glow.
"It's beautiful," Lilith said, kneeling beside it. "And sacred. I can use it to enhance my rituals."
Renn dipped his fingers in the cool water, feeling a wave of calm. "This could be a big resource. Can you do anything with it now?"
Lilith closed her eyes and murmured a prayer. The spring's glow intensified, and a small orb of light rose from it, drifting toward Renn.
"It's a minor blessing," she explained. "It'll boost your stamina for a few hours."
Renn caught the orb, a pleasant warmth spreading through him. "Not bad. Could come in handy if we get jumped soon."
[System: You've discovered a holy spring. Reward: Lilith permanently unlocks the 'Reinforcement Prayer' ability.]
Renn grinned. "Hear that, Lilith? Looks like you just leveled up."
She blinked, confused, then nodded. "I feel a new prayer in my mind. I can strengthen our defenses with it. Thank you, my lord."
"Don't thank me," Renn said, shrugging. "It's this weird system. But I like the sound of stronger defenses. Let's test it on the shrine."
They returned to the clearing, and Lilith approached the shrine. She placed her hands on the wall and recited the new prayer. Silver light traced the stone, sealing cracks and making the stained glass shine brighter.
"This should hold against a basic attack," Lilith said, pleased. "With more resources, I could make it even tougher."
Renn nodded, impressed. "Nice job. Think we're set to rest. Tomorrow, we'll explore more and see what else this place has."
He sat back on the bench as Lilith settled near the altar, murmuring prayers softly. The sky darkened, speckled with stars, and the amber crystal cast a gentle glow over the clearing.
"Succubus nuns," Renn thought, chuckling to himself. "Who'd have guessed? But if this is what I got, I'm gonna make it work. Let Torin and the rest wrestle their disloyal troops; I've got a devoted succubus and a system dishing out weird perks. This is gonna be fun."
He closed his eyes, letting the forest sounds lull him. Tomorrow would bring new challenges and chances. For now, he just savored the peace of his new home.