Elara, still slightly bewildered by the display of devotion, looked at the kneeling villagers. The weight of their expectation settled gently upon her shoulders, not as a burden, but as a quiet understanding. She might love sleep, but she also cared about these people. And if they needed a leader, then she would try her best.
"Please," she said, her voice soft but carrying across the hushed crowd. "Please rise." She gestured towards the man she had saved, the one who had brought her to the village. "He was the first to show me kindness here. He deserves to stand beside me."
The villagers exchanged glances, then slowly rose to their feet. Gran Doma, the old man, was helped up by a few villagers. He looked at Elara, his eyes filled with a mixture of surprise and gratitude. He hadn't expected to be singled out, let alone placed in such a position of honor.
"And you," Elara continued, addressing Gran Doma directly. "You will be my advisor. Your wisdom and experience will be invaluable." She paused, considering. "You need a name... a proper name." She closed her eyes for a moment, letting the subtle currents of psionic energy flow through her.
Then, she opened them, a gentle smile gracing her lips. "Gran Doma. It suits you."
As she spoke the name, a subtle shift occurred. A faint glow enveloped Gran Doma, and the wrinkles on his face seemed to smooth out slightly. His posture straightened, and a newfound vitality sparked in his eyes. Along with the name, a unique skill was bestowed upon him: Precognitive Insight. He gained the ability to glimpse fleeting moments of the future, useful for advising Elara and the village. The villagers gasped, recognizing the subtle magic inherent in the naming. They knew that Elara's words held power, that she wasn't just a sleepy girl, but something far more.
Elara, oblivious to the full extent of the change she had wrought, simply nodded to Gran Doma. "Now," she said, yawning slightly. "Perhaps we can discuss... plans... after I've had a little more rest?"
The villagers chuckled softly. They understood Elara's love for sleep. It was part of who she was. And somehow, it made them trust her even more. They knew that her kindness and strength weren't flashy or demanding, but quiet and reliable, like the gentle rhythm of her breathing when she slept.
Gran Doma, feeling the surge of his newfound abilities and the subtle shift in his own being, bowed his head. "Of course, Elara," he said, already formulating plans in his mind. He could see glimpses of the future, of the empire that Elara would build, an empire founded on compassion and guided by her gentle hand. He knew that his precognitive insights would be crucial in helping her navigate the treacherous landscape of Tensura.
Elara, meanwhile, was already heading back to her hut, a contented sigh escaping her lips. The seed of an empire had been planted, and she, the sleepy psionic, was at its heart. She might not have realized it yet, but her journey had just begun.
The morning sun, filtering through the gaps in the wooden shutters, finally roused Elara from her slumber. She stretched languidly, a soft groan of contentment escaping her lips. She felt refreshed, her psionic energies subtly recharged by the long hours of sleep. But as she opened her eyes, she noticed something… unexpected.
Sitting on a small stool near the foot of her bed was a young girl, no older than fifteen, with bright, inquisitive eyes and a determined set to her jaw. She was dressed in simple but clean clothes, and she held a small tray containing a steaming cup of tea and a plate of what looked like freshly baked bread.
Elara blinked, momentarily disoriented. "Um… hello?" she mumbled, still half-asleep.
The girl jumped up, a small curtsy. "Good morning, Elara-sama! I am here to serve you. The village elder, on Gran Doma's advice, thought it would be best if you had someone to… assist you." She paused, as if searching for the right words. "Someone to ensure you are comfortable and… well, taken care of."
Elara looked at the girl, her sleepy eyes widening slightly. "Taken care of?" she repeated, a hint of amusement in her voice. "I'm perfectly capable of taking care of myself." Though, she admitted internally, having someone bring her tea in bed was rather nice.
The girl stood her ground, her expression unwavering. "With all due respect, Elara-sama, you are now our leader. You have saved us, and you have named Gran Doma, granting him a powerful gift. We want to show our gratitude and make your… reign… as comfortable as possible."
Elara sighed, realizing that arguing was probably futile. These people were determined to treat her like royalty, whether she wanted them to or not. "Alright," she conceded, "but no fuss, okay? Just… tea and maybe some more pillows?"
The girl beamed. "Of course, Elara-sama! My name is… well, I don't actually have a name yet."
Elara blinked. "No name?" She looked at the girl, a flicker of psionic energy passing between them. "How about… Sylvie?" The name felt right, somehow.
As Elara spoke the name, the same subtle shift that had occurred with Gran Doma happened again. A faint glow enveloped Sylvie, and her eyes widened in surprise. "Sylvie… I like it," she said, her voice filled with newfound confidence. Along with the name, Sylvie gained the unique skill: Unwavering Focus. She could now maintain absolute concentration on any task she set her mind to, a perfect complement to Elara's more… relaxed approach to leadership.
"Thank you, Elara-sama," Sylvie said, her voice brimming with gratitude. She curtsied again, then busied herself with preparing Elara's breakfast.
Elara watched her, a small smile playing on her lips. She might not have asked for a personal assistant, but Sylvie's enthusiasm and dedication were… endearing. And perhaps, having someone to manage the day-to-day details would free her up to focus on… well, whatever it was that leaders did. Perhaps she could even get in a few extra naps.