the visionary

The Royal Invitation:

After the battle against the Lich in the previous chapter, Rafa's fame spread quickly throughout Valdoria and beyond. Rumors about his extraordinary abilities reached the ears of the King of Eldoria, King Alden IV, a shrewd and visionary ruler who always sought to strengthen his kingdom with powerful allies.

A royal messenger was sent to Rafa's modern home, bringing a formal invitation for an audience at the castle. "His Majesty wishes to meet the man who defeated the Rank A Lich," said the messenger, handing him a scroll sealed with the royal crest.

Rafa accepted the invitation, curious to see how the king would react to the speculations about his power. He knew this was an opportunity to gain influence and resources, but also a test to see how far he could go without revealing his true nature.

Arrival at the Royal Castle:

The royal castle of Eldoria was an imposing fortress built atop a hill, with tall towers that seemed to touch the sky and walls covered in golden ivy. Armed guards watched every entrance, and nobles dressed in extravagant attire walked through the halls.

Rafa was led to the throne room, where King Alden IV awaited, seated on a golden throne adorned with shining gems. Beside him stood advisors and generals, all watching Rafa with curious and wary eyes.

"You are Rafael Verde, the Architect," said the king, his deep voice echoing through the room. "They say you possess skills worthy of Rank S. Is it true?"

Rafa bowed respectfully but did not answer directly. "Your Majesty can judge for himself," he said, maintaining a calm and confident tone.

The Power Test:

To assess Rafa's abilities, the king ordered him to participate in a test in a special training field within the castle. The area was surrounded by magical barriers to prevent collateral damage, and several elite warriors were summoned to face him.

Before starting, Rafa mentally recalled recent events, especially the invasion of the magical horde in Valdoria. He thought about the Rank A Lich, the devastation it caused, and how he himself had faced the creature with apparent ease.

Recalling the Dungeon Break (Flashback):

The horde of magical beasts emerged from the ruins of the Crypt of a Thousand Nightmares, led by the Lich. Rafa had used his Visionary ability to create protective barriers, traps, and even a gigantic figure made of light to confront the Lich. Although other adventurers fought bravely, it was he who finally defeated the creature with a celestial sword imagined at a critical moment.

"That Lich was just the beginning," Rafa thought, returning to the present. "Rank A? That barely scratches the surface of what I can do."

Battle Vision (Third Person):

The warriors advanced simultaneously, wielding swords, spears, and elemental magic. Rafa remained still, calmly observing as he created a protective barrier around himself. The warriors' weapons bounced off the barrier, unable to penetrate it.

Then, he imagined a rain of flaming arrows that fell upon the warriors, forcing them to retreat. Some tried to use defensive magic, but Rafa had already created force fields that neutralized their attacks.

When the warriors finally gathered for a coordinated attack, Rafa decided to end the test. He closed his eyes, concentrating, and when he opened them again, a gigantic figure made of light appeared at his side. The figure advanced against the warriors, enveloping them in a storm of pure energy.

The warriors fell to their knees, unable to continue. Rafa dissipated the light figure and returned to the center of the training field, breathing calmly as if nothing had happened.

The king and his advisors watched in silence, impressed by the display of power. "Impressive," said the king, rising from his throne. "You truly deserve the title of Rank S."

Explanation of the Ranking System:

While the advisors discussed the test results, the king took the opportunity to explain the ranking system to Rafa, ensuring he understood the magnitude of his new status.

Rank F: Individuals or creatures with minimal abilities, capable only of handling small problems, like wild animals or petty bandits. Not a significant threat. Rank E: Light threats, such as goblin bands or weak magical animals. Can cause limited damage to small villages or isolated groups. Rank D: Moderate threats, like young werewolves or small dragons. Capable of devastating entire villages if not contained quickly. Rank C: Serious threats, such as enraged minotaurs or rogue mages. Can cause significant damage to smaller towns. Rank B: Severe threats, like powerful magical beasts or small armies of creatures. Capable of widespread damage to a single city or region. Rank A: Regional calamities, such as Liches or young dragons. Represent a threat that could overthrow a nation's government if not faced by equally powerful forces. Rank S: National disasters, like adult dragons or mystical entities. Small nations would have no chance against such a threat, and a larger one would need to use all its resources to deal with it. Special Rank S (Catastrophe): Apocalyptic threats, such as ancestral dragons or cosmic entities. Reflect the type of threat that no nation could withstand alone. This would require international cooperation to give humanity a chance of survival.

"You have proven worthy of Rank S," said the king. "But remember, with great power comes great responsibility."

The Title of Baron:

After the test, the king granted Rafa the title of Baron, a noble position that granted him authority over a territory of his choice. "You have proven to be a valuable ally to the kingdom," said the king. "Choose a location for your territory, and it will be yours to govern."

Rafa accepted the title with gratitude, but internally he was calculating his next steps. He knew this was the perfect time to start building something bigger.

"I choose the lands south of the Twilight Mountains," he said, referring to a remote and sparsely inhabited region. It was a strategic place, far from the king's direct control, but with access to abundant natural resources.

Leaving the Castle:

After the ceremony, Rafa left the royal castle in a carriage prepared to take him back home. During the journey, he began to reflect on the future.

"With this title, I can start building something lasting," he thought. "A clan... a lineage that will carry my legacy for generations."

However, he knew he needed to act cautiously. Creating a clan would require time, planning, and reliable allies. For now, he decided to start slowly, exploring the lands that were now his and establishing a base of operations.

First Steps for the Clan:

Upon arriving at the lands south of the Twilight Mountains, Rafa used his Visionary ability to build a modern and functional fortress. The structure combined elements of medieval architecture with magical technology, creating a place that was both intimidating and practical.

He began recruiting people to help build and maintain the territory, offering protection and resources in exchange for loyalty. Although he had not yet officially announced the formation of a clan, he knew he was laying the foundation for something grand.

"This is just the beginning," he thought, watching the horizon as the sun set behind the mountains. "Soon, the name 'Visionaries of Eldoria' will be known by all."