Lukas stood at the grand gates of the Veridan estate, deep in thought. He had earned the respect of his grandfather and been given permission to build his own forces, but the looming issue of money weighed heavily on his mind. The estate was running low on funds due to the long years of war, and though Lukas had the drive and knowledge, without the resources, his ambitions would never come to fruition.
As he left the estate, heading toward the bustling capital marketplace, he thought about how he could make a quick profit to fund his operations. His new skills in alchemy and crafting could be one solution, but it would take time to establish a steady income. He needed something faster, something that would give him the capital required to support the training of elite forces, build a covert intelligence network, and, most importantly, gain influence.
---
The marketplace was alive with activity, merchants hawking their wares, noblewomen shopping for finery, and children running between the stalls. Lukas moved quietly, observing the ebb and flow of the city's commerce, trying to understand its dynamics. He could feel the power beneath the surface—the control certain merchants held, the way information moved between traders. It was exactly what he needed to tap into if he was going to build something greater.
As he walked, a familiar voice interrupted his thoughts.
"Well, well, if it isn't Lukas Veridan," sneered a young man with an arrogant smile. It was Alric, the son of the prime minister, surrounded by a group of noble sons, all of whom Lukas recognized from his previous life in the capital. They were a notorious group, known for their excess and love of gambling. The prime minister's son, in particular, was infamous for swindling other young nobles at dice and cards.
Lukas forced a neutral expression, though the old memories of losing badly to Alric and his friends stirred in his mind. "Alric," he greeted coolly.
Alric's grin widened, clearly eager for another victim. "Why don't you join us for a game, Lukas? It's been a while since we last saw you. I hear you've been playing soldier on the battlefield." His tone dripped with condescension, as if he couldn't believe the rumors of Lukas's victories were anything more than fabrications.
Lukas paused, his mind racing. He knew Alric's type all too well—entitled, overconfident, and always certain they had the upper hand. But that's exactly why this was the perfect opportunity. If he could bait Alric and his cronies into a high-stakes game, he could turn the tables on them and walk away with a fortune.
"Why not?" Lukas said, forcing a smile. "It might be fun."
Alric's friends exchanged looks of excitement, certain they were about to fleece Lukas once again.
---
The game began in the back of a high-end tavern, where noble sons gathered to drink, gamble, and boast about their exploits. Lukas sat at the table with Alric and the others, his mind sharp despite the wine they poured for him.
The game of choice was dice, and it didn't take Lukas long to realize that the others were cheating. Their movements were subtle, but with his newly enhanced reflexes and heightened senses, Lukas could see the sleight of hand, the rigged rolls that ensured Alric and his friends always came out ahead.
Lukas played along, pretending to be none the wiser, even losing a few hands on purpose. He watched as the others grew cockier, raising the stakes higher and higher. Eventually, Alric put forth a large sum of gold and encouraged the others to do the same, each offering up their most prized possessions—rare jewels, expensive heirlooms, and even family swords.
"Come on, Lukas," Alric taunted. "Are you going to just sit there and let us take all the glory, or do you have something worth wagering?"
Lukas smirked inwardly. "I have something worth wagering," he said, tossing in a hefty pouch of gold, far more than the others expected.
The room went silent as the dice were thrown, rolling across the table. Alric's grin faltered when Lukas's roll came out victorious, his dice showing a perfect number. Alric and the others stared in disbelief as Lukas casually raked in the pile of gold and belongings they had just wagered.
Alric's face turned red with anger. "You… you must have cheated!" he accused, standing up in frustration.
Lukas leaned back in his chair, meeting Alric's glare with a cold, calculating gaze. "Ironic," he said, "coming from you."
The other nobles, still shocked at having lost their wealth, began begging Lukas to return their heirlooms, claiming they had sentimental value—gifts from their parents, grandparents, and in one case, even the king himself. But Lukas wasn't swayed by their pleas.
"You want them back?" Lukas said calmly. "Then come to my estate tomorrow—with gold. A fair exchange for what you lost."
Alric was fuming, but he couldn't argue. They had played, and they had lost. Lukas had outsmarted them, and now, for the first time in years, he had the funds he needed to begin his plans.
---
That evening, Lukas returned to the Veridan estate with a newfound confidence. His victory in the marketplace had secured him the funds he needed, but it was just the beginning. The city's underworld held more opportunities for those bold enough to seize them, and Lukas intended to use every advantage at his disposal.
The next morning, Lukas met with his grandfather once again. The old man studied him closely as if trying to gauge how much Lukas had changed since his return from the battlefield.
"You've done well," his grandfather said after a long silence. "But there's more to this than just winning battles. You need resources. You need power. Have you thought about how you'll raise the funds to support your ambitions?"
Lukas nodded. "I've already started. But I'll need more than just gold. I need to control information."
The old man raised an eyebrow, intrigued. "Information?"
Lukas leaned forward, his voice low. "There's power in knowledge, grandfather. I plan to build an intelligence network—shops, brothels, and inns where people talk, and where information flows. I'll put trusted people in charge, and we'll gather the secrets of Valeria from every corner of the kingdom."
His grandfather's expression softened with approval. "You've grown, boy. But don't forget, that power comes with enemies. And there are more than a few who would see you fail."
"I'm counting on that," Lukas said, his eyes cold with resolve. "I'll deal with them when the time comes."
His grandfather grunted, clearly pleased with Lukas's determination. "Good. Then you have my permission to use the estate's resources to begin building. But be smart about it. We don't have much left after all these years of war."
Lukas nodded. "I'll make it work."