Chapter One: The Sovereign’s Awakening

The air was crisp with the scent of salt and pine as the first rays of dawn illuminated the island. Standing atop a gentle hill, Aedric Leiyen von Vandemir, now a living embodiment of his in-game avatar, gazed out at the vast landscape that stretched before him. His dark hair gleamed in the sunlight, his sharp features set with quiet determination. Around him, the untouched wilderness awaited his command.

This was no game anymore. The stakes were real. And as the Sovereign of this new world, he intended to build a legacy that would stand the test of time.

A familiar chime echoed in his mind, and the translucent screen of the Dominion System materialized before him.

Dominion System Activated

[Welcome, Sovereign Aedric Leiyen von Vandemir.]

[To aid in the establishment of your Dominion, a Starter Pack has been granted.]

Starter Pack Rewards:

1,000,000 Gold Coins (For trade and construction.)

Resources:

10,000 Wood

10,000 Stone

5,000 Steel

2,000 Units of Glass

2,000 Units of Marble

5,000 Units of Food (Rations, Livestock, and Seeds)

Manpower:

100 NPC Workers (Builders, Craftsmen, and Farmers)

20 Servants (Butlers, Maids, and Cooks)

10 Guards (Skilled in basic martial arts and firearms)

Blueprints Unlocked:

Versailles-Style Manor (Starter Castle)

Fortress (Germania Style)

Neoclassical Worker Housing

Steam-Powered Sawmill

Coal Refinery

Arcane Generator (Steam-Magic Hybrid Power Source)

Magic Core Unlocked:

Steamfire Conjuration

Arcane Construction (Instantly manifest minor structures using magic and resources.)

Gravity Manipulation

Martial Arts Unlocked:

Heavenly Saber Art

Ironclad Body Technique

The rewards made Aedric pause. The sheer wealth and resources were enough to establish not just a village but the beginnings of a thriving city. The manpower—intelligent NPCs capable of independent action—was perhaps even more valuable.

Before he could issue any commands, the sound of footsteps interrupted his thoughts. A group of twenty figures emerged from the woods, led by a tall, middle-aged man dressed in a pristine black suit. His silver hair was slicked back, and his expression was the epitome of professionalism. He carried himself with the poise of a seasoned butler.

The man bowed deeply. "My lord, I am Sebastian, your appointed steward. These are your household staff and the initial workforce provided by the Dominion System. We are at your service."

Behind him stood a line of maids, cooks, and laborers. The workers carried tools, while the maids and butlers looked ready to attend to his every need.

Aedric nodded, his gaze sweeping over the group. "Sebastian, you and your team arrived just in time. We have much to do. This island will become the foundation of my empire."

"Indeed, my lord," Sebastian replied smoothly. "Where shall we begin?"

Aedric opened the Construction Menu, its interface shimmering before his eyes. He carefully reviewed the available options.

Construction Menu

Versailles-Style Manor – 2,000 Wood, 1,500 Stone, 500 Glass, 500 Marble

A grand residence befitting a Sovereign, complete with gardens, halls, and personal quarters.

Fortress (Germania Style) – 3,000 Wood, 2,000 Stone, 1,000 Steel

A fortified structure designed for defense and military operations.

Neoclassical Worker Housing – 200 Wood, 100 Stone each

Elegant yet functional housing for up to 10 workers per unit.

Steam-Powered Sawmill – 500 Wood, 300 Stone, 200 Steel

Processes wood into planks at +100 Wood per minute.

Arcane Generator – 700 Wood, 500 Steel, 300 Marble

A hybrid power source combining steam and magic to supply energy to advanced buildings.

"The manor first," Aedric said decisively. "We need a proper base of operations. Place it here, on this hill overlooking the central clearing."

Sebastian nodded, and Aedric mentally confirmed the location on the Dominion System. The ground beneath him shimmered as a glowing blueprint of the manor appeared. The design was magnificent—a sprawling structure with marble columns, intricate ironwork, and tall arched windows.

"Workers, begin construction," Aedric commanded.

The hundred NPC workers immediately moved into action, hauling wood, stone, and marble to the site. Some began cutting timber, while others mixed mortar or carved decorative pieces from the marble slabs. The efficiency of their movements was remarkable.

Construction Started: Versailles-Style Manor

Remaining Resources: Wood: 8,000 | Stone: 8,500 | Glass: 1,500 | Marble: 1,500

Estimated Completion Time: 1 Hour

While the manor took shape, Aedric turned his attention to the fortress. Defense was paramount; though the island seemed peaceful now, he wasn't naive enough to assume it would remain so.

"Sebastian, mark a location for the fortress on that rocky outcrop near the northern cliffs," Aedric instructed.

"An excellent choice, my lord," Sebastian replied, issuing orders to a smaller team of workers.

Construction Started: Fortress (Germania Style)

Remaining Resources: Wood: 5,000 | Stone: 6,500 | Steel: 4,000

Estimated Completion Time: 2 Hours

The land bustled with activity. Workers cleared paths through the forest, setting up temporary camps, while others raised scaffolding for the manor. The rhythmic pounding of hammers and the hum of steam-powered tools filled the air.

Aedric decided it was time to integrate some steampunk machinery into his fledgling settlement. He opened the Construction Menu again and selected the Steam-Powered Sawmill.

"Place it near the forest," he instructed. "We'll need a steady supply of wood for future expansions."

As the glowing blueprint materialized, he used one of his newfound magical abilities: Arcane Construction. With a wave of his hand, the structure began to take shape, the resources vanishing from his inventory and manifesting into a fully functional sawmill in seconds.

Steam-Powered Sawmill Constructed

Output: +100 Wood per Minute

Remaining Resources: Wood: 4,500 | Stone: 6,500 | Steel: 3,800

A similar approach was taken for the Arcane Generator, which Aedric placed near the construction site of the manor. The glowing blue device pulsed with energy as steam pipes and arcane runes fused together in perfect harmony.

Arcane Generator Constructed

Output: Energy supply for up to 10 buildings

Remaining Resources: Wood: 3,800 | Steel: 3,300 | Marble: 1,200

The Dawn of Vandemir

By the time the sun began to set, the Versailles-style manor was nearly complete. Its gilded gates and marble fountains gleamed in the twilight, a testament to Aedric's vision.

The fortress stood tall on the northern cliffs, its imposing walls and steel-reinforced towers casting long shadows over the surrounding landscape. Worker housing—rows of elegant neoclassical homes—lined the clearing near the sawmill, providing shelter for the bustling workforce.

Aedric stood on the grand balcony of the nearly finished manor, Sebastian at his side. The butler handed him a glass of wine, bowing slightly.

"My lord, the day's progress has been remarkable," Sebastian said. "You've laid the foundation of a truly magnificent Dominion."

Aedric sipped the wine, his sharp eyes scanning the horizon. "This is just the beginning, Sebastian. Soon, this island will be the heart of an empire. A land of steam, magic, and power."

He turned, the light of the Arcane Generator casting a faint glow behind him.

"Let the Age of Vandemir begin."