The forge glowed with a fierce heat as Lukas wiped the sweat from his brow. His mind was focused on the materials laid out in front of him, a limited supply of high-grade ores and elements from the Ether cave expedition. The system chimed in his mind, drawing his attention away from the molten metal.
[System Notification: You have enough materials left to craft four more weapons. Choose wisely.]
Lukas stared at the glowing pile of metals, his thoughts racing. He needed to arm his most trusted and powerful allies, those who could tip the scales in the battles to come. His gaze drifted to the thought of his Uncle Marcus, his staunchest supporter, and the three strongest members of his elite troops: Ikar Velnor, Darian Kael, and Vespera Flameveil.
These four were the pillars of his strategy. Enhancing their abilities would not only solidify his power but also give them a crucial edge in the war against the Dark Commander and the Drevyn forces.
The system hummed again, offering guidance.
[System Suggestion: Infuse each weapon with the appropriate elemental energy to maximize compatibility with their wielders.]
Lukas smiled as he thought of how each soldier fought. Ikar, swift as the wind. Darian, a force of thunder. Vespera, burning with fiery passion. And his uncle, a steadfast mountain of strength.
He set to work, following the system's precise instructions.
Ikar had always been the fastest among his peers. His speed and precision on the battlefield were unmatched, making him the perfect candidate for a spear infused with the Wind element. As Lukas hammered the metal, he channeled his Ether, pulling in the Wind element from the surroundings. The spear felt light in his hands like it was meant to dance through the air.
[System Notification: Wind Element Infused – Weapon Name: Wind-Splitter Spear]
The system confirmed the infusion was a success. The weapon would amplify Ikar's already natural speed, allowing him to move like a whisper on the wind, striking swiftly and retreating just as fast.
Next, Lukas turned his attention to crafting a weapon for Darian Kael, the strongest and most durable of his elite soldiers. Darian's brute strength called for a heavy weapon, something that could break enemy lines and sow chaos. The halberd was perfect for this, and Lukas infused it with the crackling energy of Lightning.
As the final strike landed on the halberd, it hummed with barely contained power.
[System Notification: Lightning Element Infused – Weapon Name: Thunderclap Halberd]
This weapon would allow Darian to bring thunderous strikes down on his enemies, disrupting formations and disorienting his foes with each hit.
Vespera's combat style was fierce and relentless. Her fiery nature demanded a weapon that matched her spirit. Lukas envisioned her dual-wielding two blades infused with the power of Fire, each cut leaving a searing burn. As he worked the metal, the Fire element flowed into the twin swords, making them glow with a faint red hue.
[System Notification: Fire Element Infused – Weapon Name: Flame-Edge Swords]
With these weapons, Vespera would cut through the battlefield like a wildfire, her enemies consumed by the flames she wielded.
---
Zane stepped forward, pulling a small brown crystal from his pouch. "I found this during the Ether cave expedition," he said, holding it up. "Wasn't sure what it was, but I figured it might be important."
Lukas took the crystal, and the system immediately identified it.
[System Notification: Earth-type Ether Crystal detected. Ideal for crafting Earth-elemental weapons.]
A plan formed in Lukas's mind. His uncle, Marcus, fought with unwavering strength, always standing his ground. A weapon infused with Earth energy would complement Marcus perfectly, allowing him to manipulate the terrain and create tremors with each strike.
As Lukas forged the greatsword, the Earth crystal dissolved into the metal, binding its power to the weapon. The blade darkened, becoming a rugged, almost natural-looking weapon, heavy with Earth's weight.
[System Notification: Earth Element Infused – Weapon Name: Earthshaker]
The greatsword pulsed with latent power, a weapon fit for a warrior like Marcus, who could bring entire battlefields to their knees with a single strike.
With the weapons complete, Lukas paused, admiring his work. These were more than just tools of war; they were extensions of the soldiers who would wield them. However, the weapons would have to wait to be used. His elite troops were still at the eastern frontier, fighting the Drevyn forces. Ikar, Darian, and Vespera were pushing back against the tide of battle, unaware that their new weapons awaited them.
Lukas knew that once he returned to the battlefield, these weapons would shift the balance of power.
'Soon,' he thought, gripping the hilt of the saber that he had forged for himself, named Stormbreaker by the system. 'We will have the strength to turn the tide.'
---
Before heading to the eastern frontier, Lukas decided to test his own powers. Standing in the training grounds of his estate, he drew Stormbreaker, the saber humming with the power of Wind and Lightning. As Lukas swung the blade, the air around him seemed to move in unison, guiding his strikes with an ethereal grace.
He focused next on the Lightning element. With a thought, electricity crackled along the blade, sparking with each movement. The system guided his control over the elements, reminding him to balance the power with precision.
[System Notification: Wind and Lightning Mastery increased.]
Lukas felt the raw energy within him growing. The battle against the Dark Commander had shown him his weaknesses, but now he was ready. The next time they met, he wouldn't just fight—he would dominate.
Meanwhile, the capital buzzed with rumors. The prime minister and his advisor were scrambling to confirm the whispers that Lukas had returned. Though Aurelia defended him fiercely in court, even she had not seen him since their last parting.
The nobles were divided—some still doubted his strength, while others quietly wondered if the young Veridan heir had truly returned to shift the tides of war.
Lukas knew the time would come to reveal his presence, but for now, he had to remain in the shadows, preparing for the next phase of his plan. The eastern frontier awaited, and with these new weapons and his growing power, Lukas was ready to face the enemy head-on.