The Scholar's Rebirth

Eira took a deep breath as the cool island air filled her lungs. She was awake—finally, truly awake. Strength pulsed through her veins, unlike anything she had ever felt before. The trial had left her changed, her mind sharper, her body stronger, and her magic… deeper.

Elandor and Kael hovered around her, watching her like she was fragile glass.

"You need rest," Elandor insisted, his stern expression betraying the worry in his eyes. "You've only just woken up. Your body needs time to adjust."

Eira shook her head, already stepping out of Mirela's hut. "I don't have time to rest, Elandor. I've been gone for too long already. Bring me up to date."

Elandor sighed but relented, falling into step beside her as Kael followed closely behind. "Not much has changed," he admitted, voice low with frustration. "The land is fertile again, but progress is slow. The elves are not used to hard labor, nor extensive use of their abilities."

Eira's brow furrowed as she took in her surroundings. He was right. The village still bore the scars of war—damaged homes, incomplete repairs, and an undeniable sluggishness in the people.

She had expected more progress.

Draco, who had been leaning against a tree nearby, finally spoke up. "Some are trying," he said, his arms crossed. "I've been training those willing to fight. But most of them…" He gestured toward the fields, where a group of elves struggled to tend to the land with their magic. "...they aren't warriors, and they aren't laborers either."

Eira inhaled deeply, letting the weight of the situation settle in her mind.

The elves had lived in seclusion for centuries, relying on their magic and natural talents to sustain themselves. But war had shattered that way of life, and now they were expected to rebuild—not just a village, but a stronghold.

She turned back to Elandor. "What about the casualties?"

A shadow passed over his face. "We lost over 150 elves."

Eira clenched her fists. One hundred and fifty. That was almost a third of their fighting force.

"And the families?" she asked, voice quieter now.

Elandor hesitated. "We compensated them… as much as we could."

Eira caught the flicker of shame in his expression.

Kael, who had remained silent, finally spoke up. "Our treasury is nearly empty, Eira." His voice was tight with frustration. "We barely had enough for basic supplies, let alone proper compensation."

That hit harder than she expected.

Without gold, their ability to trade was severely limited. They needed weapons, better farming equipment, and reinforcements. But acquiring all of that required wealth, and they had none to spare.

Eira racked her brain for a solution, but it was Draco who finally broke the silence.

"You're thinking too hard."

Eira shot him a look. "And what exactly do you suggest, Draco?"

He smirked. "The raiders."

Her brows knitted together. "What about them?"

Draco stepped forward, his expression darkening slightly. "While you were unconscious, I kept scouting the island. I found something—a hidden cave, west of the forest." His golden eyes gleamed with interest. "There were signs of movement, remnants of supplies. And most importantly… gold."

Eira straightened. "Gold?"

Draco nodded. "Lots of it. I doubt they'll be coming back for it anytime soon."

Kael's mouth fell open slightly. "If it's that much…" He trailed off, his mind already calculating what could be done with it.

Eira didn't waste time. "Take me there."

-----------

The forest was dense, its towering trees forming a thick canopy overhead. Sunlight filtered through the leaves, casting golden patterns onto the forest floor as Draco led them westward.

Eira moved swiftly, her energy renewed. Kael, who had once been the weakest of the three, now kept up with ease. He had changed too.

After a while, Draco halted, his gaze scanning the surroundings before he stepped aside to reveal a concealed cave entrance, covered by thick foliage.

"This is it," he murmured.

Eira and Kael exchanged a look before stepping inside.

The moment they entered, Eira saw them.

Crates upon crates were stacked inside, covered with thick animal hides. Kael rushed forward and pulled one open, his eyes going wide.

"Gold," he breathed. "And silver. Jewelry too."

Eira exhaled slowly, stepping forward and running her fingers across an intricately designed elven pendant. It had likely been stolen from their people.

She turned to Kael. "Is it enough?"

Kael, still staring at the fortune before him, nodded quickly. "More than enough."

Draco, however, snorted. "This is nothing," he said. "I've seen far larger hoards. But it'll do for now."

Eira made a quick decision. "We take everything."

Kael's brows shot up. "Everything?"

"Everything," she repeated firmly. "Resources, gold, weapons—anything useful. We're reclaiming what's ours."

Draco cracked his knuckles. "Fine by me."

With that, Eira and Kael began sorting through the stolen wealth, while Draco, in his dragon form, transported the goods back to the village.

----------

By the time they returned to the village, the sun had begun its descent.

As the gold were moved,Eira approached Kael. If they wanted to move foward then they needed a system as soon as possible.

"Gather every single able-bodied and healthy elf to gather at an open field two days from now. Let them know that their skills would be put into test and of passed would be sorted into a unit,don't forget to let them know that the job would come with a salary as well."

Kael nodded and sped up,meanwhile Eira and Draco along side some other elves began to set the space for the test.

Eira predicted the test to last days considering the large amount of people to be tested.

They spent the next few days organising the field and areas for the test.

Meanwhile the elves as well were looking forward to it as well.

Finally the D-day arrived.

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The morning light filtered through the towering trees of Eldoria, casting a golden glow over the village. The clearing was filled with elves, their expressions ranging from determination to nervous anticipation. They stood in clusters, whispering amongst themselves.

Eira took in the sight before her.

"Listen well," she commanded, her voice cutting through the murmurs. "From this day forward, this island will no longer be a defenseless sanctuary. It will be a stronghold. A kingdom. And every kingdom must have its warriors, its defenders, its workers. This is about survival."

Silence fell. Some elves looked uneasy, but others straightened their backs, nodding in quiet acceptance.

"Each of you will be tested. Your abilities will determine where you belong. mages, scouts, archers,healers,builders—everyone has a role to play."

Beside her, Elandor and Draco, observed the elves carefully. Kael was somewhere in the crowd as well,he was required to carry out the tests as well. Eira was very much looking forwards to this,in this one year that she left,a lot of things seemed to have changed for them both.

######

The first test was simple: basic combat sparring.

Weapons of different kinds were displayed—swords, spears, bows, daggers, even shields. The elves were given the chance to choose their weapon before stepping into the arena.

Vaelen, a tall elf with sharp green eyes and powerful build, was the first to step forward. He took up a sword, gripping it naturally. His stance was strong, his balance steady.

"You seem confident," Draco noted with a smirk. "Let's see if you can fight."

A sparring match was set between Vaelen and an older elf with some battle experience. As soon as the match began, Vaelen moved instinctively. He dodged a strike, pivoted smoothly, and delivered a calculated counterattack. His technique was raw, but his instincts were sharp.

After a few more clashes, Vaelen disarmed his opponent, pressing the blade to their chest.

Draco chuckled. "A natural-born fighter. You'll lead others soon enough."

Vaelen was placed in the Warrior Division.

######

The next elf to step forward was Ceylan, a stocky male with a determined look. He picked up a spear, rolling his shoulders as he adjusted his grip.

Eira watched closely. Spears required precision and patience.

His opponent, a younger elf wielding a sword, was faster. But Ceylan quickly adapted, keeping his opponent at bay with well-placed thrusts. He didn't have the quickest reflexes, but his understanding of reach and defense was excellent.

"Good," Eira said after the match ended. "You fight with control. You'll do well in the front lines."

Ceylan was placed in the Warrior Division, spear unit.

#####

Not everyone fared as well.

An elf named Thalos, lanky and nervous, picked up a sword but fumbled his grip. When his opponent lunged, he panicked, swinging wildly. He was quickly disarmed, falling onto his back.

Draco sighed, shaking his head. "You wouldn't last a second in a real fight."

Thalos clenched his fists, embarrassment evident in his eyes. "I just need practice—"

But then something unexpected happened. As his opponent moved to help him up, Thalos' instincts took over. He dodged to the side and—without thinking—threw a dagger straight into the center of a wooden target behind them.

The elves around him stared in shock.

Eira smirked. "Not a warrior, but definitely not useless. Scouts or archers, perhaps?"

Thalos was placed in the Ranger Division.

#####

PHASE TWO

The next trial was meant to test those who had an affinity for magic.

Raven stepped forward first. Everyone already knew she was an exceptional mage, but they still needed a demonstration.

Eira nodded at her. "Show them what magic is truly capable of."

Raven raised her hands, whispering an incantation. Within seconds, the air shimmered, forming intricate glowing sigils above her head.