Lysander stepped out of the shimmering doorway of the Awakening chamber, the subtle hum of his internal system a constant reminder of the profound change he had undergone. He moved with a newfound sense of purpose, his long strides carrying him across the polished floor towards the reception desk. He kept his senses sharp, subtly observing the reactions of the other individuals in the hall.
He noticed a few lingering gazes, a mixture of curiosity and perhaps a touch of envy in their eyes. Some whispered amongst themselves, their voices hushed with speculation. He saw one hopeful, who had been nervously fidgeting earlier, now staring at him with wide-eyed wonder. They must have sensed something, he mused, though he remained unaware of the spectacle his Awakening had caused.
As he approached the attendant with the silver hair, he maintained a composed demeanor, a hint of a self-satisfied smile playing on his lips.
"I have successfully Awakened," he stated, his voice carrying a quiet authority. "I would like to obtain my Lord's ID. My name is Lysander Adrian Veilstone."
The attendant's eyes widened slightly, a flicker of surprise momentarily breaking through their practiced neutrality. They quickly regained their composure, tapping his name into the holographic interface.
"Congratulations, Lord Veilstone," they said, their tone now carrying a note of respect. "Please confirm the spelling of your name"
Lysander recited the letters aloud.
The attendant nodded, their fingers flying across the interface. "Very well. Your Lord's ID is being generated now." A small, sleek card materialized on the counter, displaying the information he had seen in his internal interface:
[Lord's ID Card]
Name: Lysander Adrian Veilstone
Title: The Twilight Ascendant
Epithet: Veiled in Twilight, where the elements dance in the fairies' gleam, The grave in their shadows, their power a light and seraphs' dream.
Moniker: The Veiled One Shrouded in Twilight
Age: 30
He picked up the card, the cool, smooth surface feeling surprisingly significant. It was a tangible symbol of his new existence, a key to a world he was only beginning to understand.
"As a newly Awakened Lord," the attendant continued, sliding a few other items across the counter, "you are entitled to the standard starting package. This includes one Hero Summoning Card, one NPC Summoning Card, a Territory Core, and a basic allocation of initial resources: one thousand units of raw stone and one thousand units of raw lumber."
Lysander examined the items. The Hero Summoning Card was a heavy, ornate piece of cardstock that shimmered with an inner light. The NPC Summoning Card was similar but felt slightly less potent. The Territory Core was a pure white, crystalline orb, smooth and cool to the touch. The resources were represented by two compact, neatly sealed containers.
"Thank you," Lysander said, tucking the ID card and the summoning cards into his coat pockets and hefting the containers of resources. The weight of the Territory Core in his other hand felt significant, the foundation of his future dominion.
"Is there anything else I need to know?" he inquired, his glacial eyes meeting the attendant's.
"The next step, Lord Veilstone," the attendant explained, "is to choose a location and deploy your Territory Core. Once placed, it will establish your initial territory. Be mindful of your surroundings and potential threats. The world beyond these centers can be… unpredictable." Their tone held a hint of caution, a subtle warning.
Lysander nodded, absorbing the information. Unpredictable. I can imagine. His mind was already racing, considering potential locations, the implications of establishing a territory, and the best way to utilize his extraordinary skills.
"Thank you for your assistance," he said, a hint of a predatory glint in his eyes. The weariness of his past was gone, replaced by a keen sense of anticipation. The game had begun, and the Twilight Ascendant was eager to make his first move. He turned and walked towards the exit, the Territory Core a solid weight in his hand, the promise of power echoing in his thoughts.