"Wait," Isaac called out just as they were about to leave. "Emily, can you leave behind a few summons? We’ll need someone to guard Professor Catherine while she’s going through her evolution."
Emily paused, understanding immediately.
Knowing Professor Catherine, she probably had her own defensive measures, but Isaac wasn’t one to leave something like that to chance.
"Give me a few seconds," she said, stepping closer.
She placed her fingers on the Soulbind Pendant hanging around his neck.
A faint pulse of light spread from it, shooting outside the house and landing on the field outside.
Moments later, the ground trembled slightly as four figures appeared through the light.
Basin, the insectoid champion with his massive blade-like arms; Genos, the Guardian Machina; Draghar, the lizard like champion rank monster; and Tirra, the ghostly bird who perched on a wooden post.
Emily nodded approvingly. "These should be strong enough. They can hold off even a top guild for a few dozen minutes. Tirra will alert us if anything goes wrong, and can return immediately when that happens."
Isaac smiled. "Perfect."
Leaving the summons to guard the property and the surrounding farm, the group walked toward the jeep waiting outside.
It was a larger model, built for all of them to fit comfortably.
Isaac took the driver’s seat while Emily sat beside him.
Behind them sat Alice, Selene, and Celia. In the last row were Priscilla and Leora.
The jeep’s engine hummed to life, and they began moving down the dirt road.
The morning sun reflected off the vehicle’s metal frame, scattering light through the windows.
Selene, who had always been a fan of Celia, quickly struck up a conversation with her. "So, uh, that outfit. Where did you get it’s from? It looks kind of magical."
Celia chuckled softly. "From the mansion in the Cradle. I think it’s enchanted to boost charm, but it is doing its job too well. Isaac looked like he forgot how to blink earlier."
That earned a laugh from everyone except Isaac, who sighed but smiled. "I’m starting to regret ever inviting you along."
"Don’t lie. It’s fine to be amazed by how beautiful I am," Celia teased.
Meanwhile, Priscilla watched everything in quiet fascination.
Her eyes darted from the passing scenery to the lively group inside.
Leora leaned closer and explained small details: the teleport system, the city management process, and how people lived in these times.
When they reached the teleportation hub, the group stepped out.
The air shimmered faintly as the dark cloud materialled above them.
One moment they were in the Fortified City 89, and the next, the familiar structured skyline of Fortified City 50 appeared before them.
"So where’s the City’s Central Node?" Isaac asked as they walked through the gates.
"Follow me," Leora said, taking the lead.
Her tone carried a hint of pride.
The streets were bustling with students, professors, and academy staff.
Unlike before, the city seemed to have more activity, possibly due to the news of a new Lord candidate.
They made their way to the large administrative building at the center.
"This is where everyone gets their Class Quests from Ruby," Leora explained, gesturing toward the building.
Isaac glanced at her. "The Central Node is here? I thought it would be inside the Sanctum of Masters."
"It is," she said, then explained proudly. "The node is deep under this building. With the Sword Empress stationed in Sanctum of Masters, it was the safest location. Nobody from outside will dare to take over the city by force."
’Toothing your own horn, eh?’ Isaac thought, and chuckled inwardly.
They descended into the basement through a guarded staircase.
The temperature dropped slightly, and faint blue light reflected off metal walls.
When they reached the bottom, they found themselves in a sci-fi-like chamber filled with humming machinery and glowing conduits.
At the center floated a blue orb, pulsing rhythmically.
A figure materialized beside it. It was Ruby, the City’s AI.
"Lord candidate detected. Are you here to assume control of Fortified City 50?" she questioned.
Isaac nodded once. "Yes."
Emily placed her hand on his arm and transferred the Gold Coins they had prepared.
The faint glimmer of coins materialized in Isaac’s system window.
As they prepared, the chamber’s door slid open.
Dozens of people entered. Freya and her media team, representatives from top universities, and awakened individuals from former major guilds.
They were here to take part in the what would be a monumental moment in their history.
Cameras began recording as Ruby raised her voice.
"Please step forward, Isaac. Place your hand on the Central Node."
Isaac did as instructed.
He exhaled slowly and stretched his hand toward the glowing orb. The air trembled.
[Would you like to purchase Fortified City 50?]
[Warning: Becoming a Lord will lock you on the Lord Path. Endless fortune and reward await, but so do countless trials.]
[Warning: Your World’s difficulty is set to Hell Mode. All future scenarios will match this level.]
[Do you still wish to proceed?]
"Yes."
The moment he spoke, the room dimmed.
His vision flickered, and his body suddenly felt weightless.
It was as if something invisible pulled his soul out of his body.
Then, he was floating above the city, looking down at everything from the sky.
His form was translucent, made of wisps of light instead of flesh.
Below him lay Fortified City 50.
[Fortified City 50 has gained a Lord.]
[The city is in poor condition. Repairing and upgrading the City to Level 1. Resources will be provided by the System.]
A surge of brilliance spread across the city.
Isaac watched in stunned silence as structures began to shift and rise.
Walls grew taller, metallic supports extended outward, and new streets and towers formed.
The city’s size doubled in a matter of moments.
It was surreal, watching an entire city evolve like a living creature.
But the phenomenon didn’t stop there.
More notifications appeared one after another.
[Regional Lord Chat unlocked.]
[Basic Blueprints unlocked.]
[Newbie Lord Gift received: Summoning Altar Blueprint.]
[Detected: Special candidate under your command. Additional reward—Praying Altar Blueprint (Rare).]
Isaac blinked.
"Praying Altar?"
He could already guess it was related to Alice, but he didn’t dwell on it for long.
As the upgrades continued, a distortion suddenly appeared far from the city.
A rip in space formed over a barren stretch of land.
[A Tutorial Dungeon has been created.]
[Difficulty: Hell Mode.]
[Duration: Seven days.]
[The dungeon may be cleared multiple times for rewards.]
[First clear grants 500% rewards.]
Isaac raised an eyebrow. "Hell Mode again, huh?"
Before he could say more, thunder boomed above him.
The skies darkened, swirling with red lightning.
[New Quest generated: Build, Protect, Grow!]
[Details: In three days, a heavy downpour will strike Fortified City 50. The Red Rain will mutate nearby monsters, driving them berserk. They will form a horde and attack the city.]
[Difficulty: Hell Mode.]
[Requirements: Upgrade city walls to Level 3 and the Sky Dome to Level 2 before the attack to survive the calamity that will strike in three days.]
[Additional Requirement: Defeat the horde.]
[Rewards: Based on completion.]
Isaac’s expression hardened.
"Three days... that’s not a lot of time."
The implications were clear.
This wasn’t a simple mission. It was the system’s way of testing new Lords. Those who failed would lose everything.
’It’s designed to weed out the weak,’ he thought.
More messages appeared in front of his eyes.
[Detected: Dormant Lord Talent.]
[Would you like to awaken your Lord Talent?]