---
Ace woke up to the familiar glow of his system screen, his gold reserves proudly displayed;
Gold: 30,460 coins.
"Like clockwork," he thought with a smile. Just as he'd expected, more than 5,000 gold coins had been added overnight thanks to his talent.
Still lounging in bed, a knock came at the door.
"Come in," he called, his voice still groggy.
The door creaked open, and Lucia stepped in, holding a neatly folded piece of parchment.
As always, she looked composed, her dark hair tied back, and her calm eyes filled with quiet determination.
"Master," she began, her voice gentle yet firm, "I've prepared a draft for the next phase of development. Would you like to review it?"
Ace waved lazily. "Uh… no. Just brief me if you can."
Lucia nodded and began reciting the details of her plan with meticulous precision.
Her voice was steady and measured, but Ace found himself distracted, his focus drifting away.
There was something about her presence that was far too… captivating.
He shook his head, trying to regain his focus, but it was no use.
With a sigh, he pulled out 1,000 gold coins from the system and handed her a small bag of gold.
"Here. Take this and work the plan out. Come to me if you need more funds."
"Understood, Master," Lucia replied with a slight bow, her graceful movements never failing to impress. She exited the room quietly, leaving Ace to collect his thoughts.
After getting dressed, Ace decided to take a stroll around the settlement.
---
Walking through the bustling village, Ace was struck by how much had changed. Where there was once empty land, rows of neatly arranged houses now stood. Settlers were busy tending small gardens, chatting, and working together to maintain the community.
The food supply, which had originally been enough for Ace and his soldiers for a week, was depleting much faster than expected. With the growing population, he estimated he'd soon need to spend at least 100 gold coins daily just to keep up.
"Expansion comes with its costs," he thought with a sigh.
With nothing pressing to handle, Ace decided to train with his soldiers. Grabbing a wooden sword, he headed to the training grounds, where his guards were sparring.
---
A week passed in a blur of development and rigorous training.
Ace's gold reserves had skyrocketed to 105,060 coins, a testament to his talent's monstrous potential. But the training was another story. Every session left him sore and exhausted, and he often felt like his bones might snap under the pressure. Still, he pushed himself. "This time," he resolved, "I'll change. No more wasting my life away."
Meanwhile, Lucia had aggressively spearheaded the expansion of the settlement.
The land area had nearly doubled, but her efficiency had taken a toll on the soldiers. The ten guards were overworked, running patrols and maintaining order across the growing territory.
One morning, as Ace prepared for another day of training, a knock interrupted him.
"Come in," he called, already guessing who it was.
Lucia entered, her usual composure intact. "Master," she began, "our land has expanded significantly, and the population has grown. However, we lack sufficient troops to maintain order. If this continues, it could lead to unnecessary conflicts and larger issues."
Ace frowned. "What's your solution?"
"More troops," she said without hesitation.
"How many?"
"At least 100, Master. That would require 1,000 gold coins."
Ace nodded thoughtfully. "Approved," he said, but instead of sending just 1,000 gold coins, he transferred 5,000 coins through the system.
"Use the extra funds to improve defenses—build walls, upgrade the infrastructure. Come to me if you need more," he instructed.
Lucia's lips curled into a slight smile. "Thank you, Master. I'll ensure the funds are used efficiently."
She exited the room gracefully, leaving Ace to prepare for another grueling training session.
---
Ace's muscles ached as he swung the wooden sword during drills. He had never trained his body in his previous life, but this world was different. Here, strength mattered. As sweat dripped down his brow, he resolved to keep pushing himself.
During his break, Ace browsed from the World Chat. The tone had shifted in recent days, with one lord boasting about establishing a Chamber of Commerce.
The chat was abuzz with discussions about the opportunity, but Ace remained skeptical.
"Pay to enter their little club?" he muttered, shaking his head. "Not interested. I don't even know how it even works."
He returned to his training, focusing on his form, when a young man approached.
The stranger had a respectful demeanor, his back straight and hands clasped. He looked no older than 20, with sharp features and an eager expression.
Ace wiped his brow and regarded him curiously. "Who are you?"
The young man bowed slightly. "My lord, my name is John Barns. I'm an aspiring alchemist and have traveled here seeking sponsorship. I believe my skills could be of great benefit to your growing territory."
Ace raised an eyebrow, a smirk tugging at his lips. "An alchemist, huh? What exactly do you want from me?"
"Only your support, my lord," John replied earnestly. "With the right resources, I can craft potions and remedies that would greatly benefit the people and the troops."
Ace found the proposal amusing but intriguing. "You're asking me to gamble on you," he said, crossing his arms.
John straightened his posture. "I promise you, my lord, the return on your investment will be worth it."
Ace studied him for a moment, then nodded. "Come back tomorrow. We'll discuss this properly."
Though he looked a bit conflicted, John bowed again and left without argument.
Ace watched him leave, then turned back to his training. "An alchemist could be useful," he thought, "but let's see how serious he is first."
---
After finishing his training, Ace returned home, his body aching and his mind weary. Collapsing onto his bed, he stared at the ceiling, allowing his thoughts to drift.
Memories of his arrival in this world flooded back—how uncertain and lost he had felt at first along with the joy of having a second chance in life.
One word lingered in his mind as he closed his eyes: miracle. This world, despite its challenges, was a second chance—a gift he wouldn't take for granted.