The city square, battered by years of hardship, was alive for the first time in memory. Banners hung from windows, children darted between the legs of tired townsfolk, and the scent of roasting meat drifted from makeshift stalls. The Fenris festival—my festival—had begun, and for a day, the city pretended it was whole again.
I stood on the manor balcony, Fen at my side, as the system's cool presence flickered in my mind.
Festival Mode Active. Scanning key individuals and pets… Displaying status windows.
Blue outlines shimmered over the crowd, tagging names and stats only I could see. The system's voice was a quiet undercurrent, guiding my gaze.
At the front, my personal guards stood in formation, but I only approached Gregor, my captain. Gregor was a mountain of a man, his bald head gleaming in the sun, a jagged scar running from temple to jaw. His Stoneback Bear sat at his side, massive and calm, its fur streaked with veins of gray.
Gregor Fenris | Guard Captain | Loyalty: 91 | Potential: High
Stoneback Bear | Level: 5 (Evolution Available) | Element: Earth | Potential: Rare
Gregor nodded as I met his eyes, a silent promise of strength. I returned the gesture, pride warming my chest. The system whispered:
Stoneback Bear is at evolution threshold. Awaiting selection. Gregor's potential is High—future growth likely if chosen.
I scanned the rest of the guards. Sera's Wind Lynx, Tomas's Fire Hound, and the other beasts all hovered at levels 2 to 4, none yet ready for evolution. The system highlighted a few with bright potential—Sera, Lio the stablehand, and a pair of junior guards—but none matched Gregor's current readiness.
Note: All pets and handlers capped at Level 5 until evolution. Potential determines speed, not ceiling. Several high-potential individuals detected.
For a moment, a genuine smile broke through my nerves. Seeing so many with high potential—so much untapped promise—sparked a hope I hadn't felt in weeks. Maybe, just maybe, there was a future for us.
Mira, dignified in her ceremonial cloak, stepped forward. Her Ember Fox, fur flickering like live coals, curled at her feet. She raised her voice, clear and steady. "By the will of the ancestors, we gather to witness the rise of Lysar Fenris as our new head. May the bloodline endure!"
A ragged cheer rose from the crowd. I stepped to the edge of the balcony, heart pounding, and let the city's battered faces fill my vision.
System Notice: Speech opportunity detected. Morale: Low. Suggestion: Inspire hope. Focus on unity and resilience.
I took a breath, feeling the weight of every gaze, every expectation. The tattoo on my arm pulsed, a reminder of the power and burden I carried.
"My family," I began, my voice echoing over the square, "I know what you see when you look at me. You see a name that's lost its power, a city that's lost its pride, and a future that feels as uncertain as the dawn."
I paused, letting the silence settle.
"But I also see something else. I see people who have survived every storm, who have lost everything and still stand together. I see children with fire in their eyes, elders with wisdom in their bones, and companions—beasts and humans—who refuse to give up."
A few heads lifted. In the crowd, a child's pet fire lizard chirped, and a ripple of laughter passed through the square.
"I won't promise miracles. I won't pretend the road ahead is easy. But I promise you this: as long as I lead, I will fight for every one of you. We will train, we will grow, and together, we will find new strength. Our story isn't over. The Fenris endure—not because we are the strongest, but because we never stop trying."
A hush fell. For a heartbeat, all I heard was the wind and the hopeful thump of Fen's tail against my boot.
Then, slowly, applause began—first from the children, then the guards, then the elders. It wasn't thunderous, but it was real. For the first time in years, hope flickered in the eyes of my people.
As the festival unfolded below, I watched Gregor kneel beside his bear, pride and determination in his stance. The system's gentle commentary echoed in my mind:
Several high-potential individuals detected. Focused training and wise evolution choices may yet restore the Fenris legacy.
For the first time since my father's death, I believed it too.