Weeks turned into months at the Azure Tower, and Ren found himself settling into a rhythm that balanced magical studies with his duties as a bronze-ranked adventurer. His days were split between lectures on arcane theory, practical spellcasting sessions, and taking on guild assignments that often took him beyond the tower's walls. It was during one such assignment that his path took an unexpected turn.
The request had come from the guild board—a simple enough task, or so it seemed. *Escort and assist royal surveyor to the borderlands. Knowledge of terrain and structural assessment preferred. Payment: 15 silver.*
Ren had taken the job without much thought. Silver was silver, and the opportunity to apply his growing magical skills in a practical setting appealed to him more than another afternoon spent listening to theoretical debates on mana channeling efficiency.
He met the surveyor—a middle-aged man named Edwin with ink-stained fingers and a perpetually worried expression—at the western gate of the capital city. Edwin carried a satchel overflowing with maps, charts, and measuring instruments that clinked with every step.
"Master Hoshikage? Thank you for coming," Edwin said, adjusting his glasses. "The guild master said you had a good eye for land and structures."
Ren simply nodded. "Where are we headed?"
"To the Blackwood region, near the Wildwood March. The king wants the area surveyed for potential... development." Edwin's tone suggested he found this idea slightly insane.
As they traveled, Ren learned that the Blackwood region had been considered cursed or blighted for generations. Previous attempts at settlement had ended in failure—crops wouldn't take, structures collapsed unexpectedly, and there were troubling reports of shadow creatures and goblin raids from the nearby Fellspire Mountains.
"The king's advisors believe that with proper magical reinforcement and strategic planning, the land could be secured and made productive," Edwin explained as they made camp on their third evening. "But frankly, I'll believe it when I see it."
When they finally reached the Blackwood Vale, Ren understood Edwin's skepticism. The land had a tired, wounded quality that even someone without magical sensitivity could feel. The trees grew twisted and sparse, the soil had a grayish tinge, and the air carried a faint metallic tang that reminded Ren of old blood.
But where Edwin saw a lost cause, Ren's unique perspective saw potential. His Land Sense ability detected pockets of fertility beneath the blight. His Arcane Perception revealed that the magical corruption was surface-level, not deeply rooted. And his practical experience told him that the natural defenses—the river curve, the elevated ground, the stone resources—were actually quite favorable.
For two days, they conducted their survey. Edwin took measurements and notes, growing increasingly pessimistic with each reading. Ren, meanwhile, found himself making sketches and calculations of his own—how the existing ruins could be reinforced, where irrigation channels might be dug, how the natural terrain could be enhanced with strategic magical wards.
On their final evening, as Edwin prepared to pack up, a group of riders approached from the capital road. Ren recognized the royal colors immediately.
"Surveyor Edwin! Report your findings," called the lead rider, a stern-faced man in the polished armor of the king's guard.
Edwin nervously presented his maps and notes. "As you can see, Commander, the soil quality is poor, magical residue makes sustained enchantment difficult, and defensive positions would require extensive—"
The commander cut him off with a dismissive gesture. "So another failure. Just as Lord Valerius predicted." Ren noticed the mention of his rival's name and didn't miss the satisfied smirk on the commander's face.
But then something unexpected happened. One of the other riders—an older man with a thoughtful expression who had been studying Ren's makeshift camp—spoke up. "Your methods are interesting, adventurer." He gestured to the simple but effective wards Ren had placed around their campsite, the clever use of natural materials in his temporary shelter, the way he'd positioned their camp to maximize both security and comfort.
Ren simply shrugged. "Practical solutions for practical problems."
The man dismounted and approached. "I am Lord Theron, of the king's advisory council." Ren recognized the name—this was the father of Master Theron from the Azure Tower. "Explain your thoughts on this land."
So Ren did. He spoke not in the flowery language of courtiers or the complex terminology of master wizards, but in plain terms about water sources and soil composition, structural integrity and strategic sightlines. He explained how the blight could be purified with the right combination of elemental magic and alchemical treatment. How the ruins provided not just building materials but historical foundation stones that held residual stability magic. How the very challenges of the land—its difficult terrain, its magical resistance—could be turned into defensive advantages.
When he finished, Lord Theron was silent for a long moment. Then he turned to the commander. "This is the first assessment of Blackwood that doesn't read like a funeral dirge."
The commander looked uncomfortable. "With respect, my lord, this is just theoretical—"
"Actually," Ren interrupted, surprising himself with his boldness, "I've already purified a small test plot." He led them to a section of ground near the river where he'd been conducting experiments. Healthy green shoots were pushing through soil that had been barren days before.
Lord Theron knelt, touching the earth with reverence. "How?"
"Combination of light and water magic, plus some alchemical additives to neutralize the residual death magic. The land wants to heal—it just needed the right help."
The lord stood, decision firming in his eyes. "Commander, prepare the proclamation."
The commander looked confused. "Proclamation, my lord?"
Lord Theron didn't take his eyes off Ren. "By the authority vested by King Alaric, I am granting provisional stewardship of Blackwood Vale to Ren Hoshikage, for a period of five years. He will be granted resources commensurate with a borderland barony and given full authority to enact his reclamation plans."
Ren stared, speechless. This wasn't what he'd expected when he took a simple escort mission.
Lord Theron lowered his voice. "This land has been a thorn in the crown's side for generations. Many have tried to claim it; all have failed. Frankly, most on the council expect you to fail as well—Lord Valerius's faction pushed for this assignment specifically because they believe it will finally discredit you."
He placed a hand on Ren's shoulder. "But I've seen your work at the Azure Tower through my son's letters. You see things differently. Perhaps that's what this land needs."
The official documents were signed and sealed right there at the campsite. Ren became the provisional steward of Blackwood Vale—five hundred acres of "cursed" land that nobody else wanted, with a modest stipend from the crown and permission to recruit settlers willing to take the risk.
As the royal party rode away, Edwin looked at Ren with something between pity and admiration. "They've given you just enough rope to hang yourself with, you know."
Ren looked out over the challenging, beautiful, wounded land. "Or just enough to build something new."
He spent three more days alone at Blackwood after Edwin left, conducting a more thorough survey now that the land was officially his responsibility. His system abilities proved invaluable—Arcane Perception helped him map magical ley lines and residual energies, Land Sense revealed the health of the soil beneath the blight, and his growing knowledge of Foundational Magic suggested where structures would be most stable.
When he finally returned to the Azure Tower, he went straight to Master Theron's office and laid out the maps and plans he'd developed.
Theron studied them with interest. "So my father has given you your own personal crucible. I wondered if he might."
"You knew about this?"
"Father mentioned the Blackwood problem was being discussed at court. I may have suggested that someone with your... unique perspective might see solutions others missed." Theron smiled slightly. "Consider this your final examination—practical application on a grand scale."
News spread quickly through the tower. Reactions were mixed. Some common-born students saw it as an opportunity—a chance to prove that talent mattered more than birthright. Many nobles, particularly Valerius and his circle, treated it as a joke—the peasant given a patch of cursed earth to play lord.
Ren took it all in stride. He began spending more time in the library, researching land reclamation techniques, architectural magic, and historical settlements. He sought out students with skills that might be useful—earth mages, water specialists, those with knowledge of agriculture or construction.
To his surprise, several agreed to join him, at least temporarily. Marin was the first to volunteer. "Someone has to keep you from accidentally transmuting your own boots to stone," he'd said with a grin.
Even Kaelen, the elf who had initially been so skeptical, offered advice on working with the land rather than against it. "The forest remembers the damage done to that place, but it also remembers the care once given there. If you approach with respect, the land may respond in kind."
Three weeks after receiving his commission, Ren led a small expedition back to Blackwood Vale—a dozen students and adventurers willing to spend their summer break on what many called "Hoshikage's Folly."
They established a base camp in the sturdiest part of the ruins and began work. Ren's systematic approach proved effective. He didn't try to do everything at once but focused on key priorities: clean water, secure shelter, sustainable food.
His magic became a tool for practical solutions. He used Transmutation to reinforce structures rather than rebuild from scratch. He employed Elemental magic to purify water and soil. He set up wards designed not to destroy threats but to discourage them—confusing paths, alarming sounds, unpleasant sensations.
Slowly, almost imperceptibly at first, the land began to respond. The first real success came when a patch of purified soil yielded a bumper crop of quick-growing vegetables. Then the reinforced storehouse survived a flash storm that would have flattened their previous shelter.
One evening, as Ren was updating his ever-growing plans for the vale, a system message appeared:
> [Quest Updated: The Steward of Blackwood]
> [Objective 1: Establish a self-sustaining settlement - IN PROGRESS]
> [Objective 2: Purify at least 50 acres of blighted land - 12/50]
> [Objective 3: Establish diplomatic relations with local factions - PENDING]
> [Reward: Title "Steward of Blackwood," unique building options, territory management system]
Ren looked out over their growing camp—the repaired structures, the newly planted fields, the defensive wards glowing softly in the twilight. It was a start. A small one, but his.
He didn't know it yet, but back at the royal court, Lord Valerius was confidently taking bets on how long until "the peasant steward" would come crawling back in failure. Nor did he know that Lord Theron was quietly diverting additional resources his way, curious to see what this unconventional young man might achieve.
All Ren knew was that he had work to do. And for now, that was enough.