Rolan awoke slowly, a dull throbbing pain pounding at the base of his skull. He groaned as he sat up, rubbing his temples. He sat on his bed and removed his blanket. He squinted his eyes and and then thought. "Damn… felt like my head was about to crack," he muttered under his breath.
His vision slowly cleared as he blinked a few times. Shapes formed around him—faces. Dozens of them. Warriors and Mages alike, all of his underlings gathered around, their expressions filled with concern.
"Master! We are glad that you're awake!" Kuro said, stepping forward.
"Master, you collapsed so suddenly," Rein added, worry thick in his voice. Anna's father bowed slightly, his hands clenched in worry.
"Anna was worried too," said Mary, her voice soft.
"Big brother… are you okay now?" Anna asked timidly, her large eyes shimmering with tears.
Rolan forced a small smile and gently patted her head. "Yeah, I'm fine now. Thanks for worrying."
As he looked around, he noticed something different. Everyone—especially the mages—looked rejuvenated. Their features had become sharper, their posture stronger, and they even seemed younger.
A notification blinked in his vision.
> [Notification]
[Mages' Lifespan Extended by 100 Years]
"Cool," Rolan muttered, scratching the back of his head.
Reynald approached, placing a hand on his shoulder. "Master, we're all relieved. Rein suggested we prepare a feast to celebrate your recovery—and to thank you again."
"A feast, huh?" Rolan grinned. "Sounds great. Let's go!"
Outside, Reginald was already waiting, arms crossed and a wide smile on his face. "Yo! Rolan, you alive or what?"
Rolan chuckled and bumped fists with him. "Yeah, still in one piece."
"Let's eat and talk," Reginald said, throwing an arm around his shoulder.
The villagers had prepared an impressive banquet. They served roasted meats from freshly hunted animals, rich soups, and wild vegetables. Despite the grim state of the world outside, the Soul Realm felt like a sanctuary. Warm laughter and joyful voices filled the air.
As they ate, several of the newly evolved Mages approached Rolan. "Master, with your permission… we'd like to begin training the warrior tribes in basic magic. If they can learn, they might become Tribal Mages too."
Rolan raised a brow. "You're serious?"
They nodded in unison.
"Then go for it," Rolan said, giving them a thumbs-up.
The next morning, training began. The warriors practiced casting basic magic—magic missiles were the first technique taught, the most fundamental offensive spell. Though awkward at first, their determination pushed them through. After rigorous testing, the results arrived:
> [100 Tribal Villagers have Evolved into Tribal Mages]
[Mana Expended]
[Entering Hibernation…]
Rolan once again fell into magical hibernation. When he awoke, he was greeted by the Mage mentors.
This time, they insisted on training him.
Activating his passive skills, Rolan absorbed their teachings at a terrifying rate.
> [Healer Class Copied]
[Conjurer Class Copied]
[Telekinetic Class Copied]
[Spatial Class Copied]
[Elementalist Class Copied]
[Teleporter Class Copied]
[Support Class Copied]
[Enchanter Class Copied]
Within days, he had mastered all of them.
As a Healer, his restoration magic was on par with his instructors. As a Conjurer, he summoned intricate weapons, clones, and illusions effortlessly. His telekinetic might crushed stone dummies into powder. Spatial control allowed him to blink across the battlefield and open stable portals. His elemental spells rivaled natural disasters. And his enchanter skills began boosting allies beyond their limits.
The Mages were stunned. Their jaws dropped as Rolan not only kept up—but surpassed them.
Soon, many of the Tribal Mages were ready for evolution.
> [20 Tribal Mages Evolved to Elementalists]
[20 Tribal Mages Evolved to Healers]
[20 Tribal Mages Evolved to Conjurers]
[20 Tribal Mages Evolved to Telekinetics]
[20 Tribal Mages Evolved to Teleporters]
[20 Tribal Mages Evolved to Supports]
[20 Tribal Mages Evolved to Enchanters]
[Mana Expended]
[Entering Hibernation…]
Rolan woke once again, fully recovered, but something was wrong.
The Soul Realm's perimeter buzzed with unease. Undead were appearing again—emerging near the portal entrance to the realm. The guards had dispatched the scouts easily, but Rolan knew this was more than a coincidence.
"They shouldn't be able to enter here," he muttered. "Unless…"
His eyes narrowed. He soared into the sky using his mimic bat wings, scanning the edge of the realm. And then—he saw it.
A black crow with glowing red eyes perched on a tree, watching. The moment it realized Rolan had spotted it, it took flight.
Too late.
Rolan snatched it from the air and crushed it in his hand.
> [Spy Crow Analyzed]
[Scry Magic Detected]
A magical echo of fury reverberated through his senses. The Lich Overlord had been watching.
And now, the entire undead horde was on the move—toward his portal.
He gritted his teeth. "So they've found us."
There was no time to waste.
Rolan summoned his army—100 Tribal Warriors, 100 Tribal Mages, and all the newly evolved class masters. Every hand would be needed.
"Prepare yourselves. We face an army far greater than any before."
As the army readied, Rolan used the same spell the Lich used on him. A scrying orb soared skyward and projected its vision into his mind.
The clearing darkened.
A wave of undead stretched endlessly across the landscape.
Three thousand strong.
They marched without rest, their twisted bodies propelled by dark sorcery. There was no fear. No exhaustion. No soul.
Rolan's heart pounded. They had fought three hundred before and barely scraped by.
This… this was something else entirely.
"They feel no pain… no fear. And they don't stop," he murmured. "This isn't a battle we can win with force alone."
He turned to his commanders.
"We need to think. Strategize. If we attack head-on, we'll be wiped out. We have the Soul Realm. We have knowledge. We have magic. And we have me."
The Tribal Masters and Mages bowed.
"We await your command, Lord Rolan," Kuro said solemnly.
Rolan looked toward the portal. The enemy was coming—and fast.
He had to outsmart them. Or everything he had built, everything he had saved… would fall in a single night.