This was the moment Kent had been anticipating for a long time.
Beside the campfire, a skewer of roasted wild beef, propped up on wooden forks, had been dripping its oil. Now, it was slightly charred and dry, but no one paid attention to such details anymore.
The blue flame flickered gently at Kent's fingertip.
With a flick of his finger, the first flicker of fire floated toward the giant sitting opposite him.
The blue flame vanished in an instant, merging into the giant's chest, bringing an indescribable sense of coolness and warmth.
"The show is about to begin," Kent thought to himself. "Let this act mark the start of a new life."
He closed his eyes and unleashed the third Tier 1 spell in his ability system: Meditation.
Meditation was a mana recovery spell—the higher the level, the faster the recovery. However, due to the nature of Kent's recent battles, he had never had the chance to exhaust his mana completely and therefore had not used this spell.
The reason Kent chose this spell was simple: its effect was spectacular.
Tiny points of light seemed to radiate around Kent's body, illuminating the night like the descent of a divine revelation.
More blue flames ignited at his fingertips and flew one by one toward the members of his squad.
Everyone waited with bated breath for the next moment to unfold.
Kent took a deep breath and confirmed the activation of Piercing Formation Strike, a feature in his system.
At that moment, the squad gathered around the fire, prepared to witness what they could only describe as a miracle.
The giant suddenly felt his body change. Suppressing the unease and excitement in his heart, his body trembled uncontrollably.
For a brief moment, his heart seemed to stop, and then it began pounding with an intensity that shook his chest. A surge of boundless energy rushed through him, flooding his chest, shoulders, limbs, and hands.
The giant clenched his teeth, letting down his guard and accepting the strange yet familiar transformation. The log he had been clutching in his hand snapped with a loud crack under the force of his grip.
Bones as strong as steel creaked; veins and flesh tugged and fused together. His muscles visibly swelled, and bulging veins coursed with the overwhelming energy that filled his body, compelling him to let out a deafening roar.
Panting heavily, the giant opened his eyes and rose to his feet with a thundering motion.
Everyone around him could feel the shift within themselves—a surge of strength that transformed into an immense and overwhelming fighting spirit. The shock it delivered was unprecedented. Though everyone had changed, the giant's sheer size made his transformation the most striking.
The sound of his cracking bones echoed as the giant stood, his entire presence undergoing a monumental shift.
So this is… the power of magic?
The giant took a step forward, exuding the fervor of a tribal warrior seeking a worthy opponent. His eyes glimmered with fervent light as he stared at Kent.
But the shadows surrounding Kent radiated a chilling, piercing killing intent that instantly suppressed the giant's momentum.
The giant dropped to one knee in submission.
Satisfaction value from Fatty Bull: +100, +100, +100...
"Boss, this is truly incredible," the giant said, lowering his head as much as possible and forcing himself to bow. "To serve the chosen of magic is my honor."
He lifted his head and pounded his chest three times with a clenched fist, knuckles inward.
It was a gesture every tribal warrior understood.
The rest of the guards also knelt on one knee.
Satisfaction value from the guard squad: +800, +800, +800...
Satisfaction value from Water Stream: +1, +1, +1...
"No." Kent stood, still bathed in the radiant glow of Meditation.
"Having you as my companions is my honor."
He used the word companions.
For a royal heir of the Highland Alliance's supreme tribes, such a description for subordinates was rare.
The guards exchanged glances with one another.
"We've all come to Spear Valley by different fates," Kent said, his voice soft but commanding. "I don't know what the valley will become in the future, but I know what I hope it will be."
"It will be unlike any tribe or domain. It will be a new world where more people will come—not bound by race or status. There will be no slaves here, only brothers and sisters. The more capable will take on greater responsibilities, and everything we create will be passed on to the women, the children, and the next generation of this valley."
In the shadows, Water Stream's eyes gleamed as she watched Kent.
There he stood, still glowing faintly—a figure almost divine.
"Loose sand and mud can't build a sturdy house. I hope Spear Valley becomes more than just our domain—it will be our home. This will be a feat never before achieved, and it will be completed by each and every one of you."
Each person's eyes shone with something new.
In recent days, they had seen surprises—miracles, even—that they had rarely encountered before. There was something about Kent, something intangible yet undeniably present, that none of them had ever seen in anyone else.
Now, it seemed the miracles were only just beginning.
"Boss, we'll follow you!" Splitting Blade shouted.
"Life or death, we're with you!" Scythe added, punching his fist into the air.
"Life or death!" Scar echoed.
"Life or death!" the group roared together.
Satisfaction value from the guard squad: +900, +900, +900...
Satisfaction value from Water Stream: +2, +2, +2...
The campfire blazed more fiercely, igniting dreams in every heart—a fervor they had never known. And Kent was the creator of it all.
In the shadows, Water Stream watched Kent in silence.
Lark had already been sent back to the Blood Rose's secret camp. Soon, more Blood Roses would arrive at Spear Valley.
This valley would become the new home of the Blood Rose.
And it was all because of this man...
What a peculiar man he was.
As she pondered this, Kent turned back, lips moving as if he said a word.
Water Stream froze, uncertain how to respond.
A piercing screech shattered the silence, echoing from the distant darkness—a sound unlike anything they had ever heard.
It was like a whistle and the dying cry of a magic flute bird.
The night guard, Earth Bear, screamed at the top of his lungs:
"ENEMY—ATTACK—"