In Aterna, there were four major powers that decided the winds and rains in the plane. They were the dark empire, the light empire, the neutral empire and the land of god-beasts.

Of these 4, the light and dark empire were extremely incompatible. The reason for this was historical and cultural but most importantly, anatomical. Dark Empire was built by a congregation of dark races like vampires, ghouls, litches, undead, gargoyles, shadows etc. making them extremely suited for dark energy. The light races, on the other hand, were composed of werebeasts, elves, dwarves, barbarians and the rest which cultivated light elemental energies. The plane was extremely energy poor and thus, resources were spread thin over the myriad races.

It was just that the light and dark attributed resources could not grow together in harmony. Thus, there was a gap between the two empires which was pretty much no man's land. No resources could be grown there and this caused the area to be unpopulated.

From their inception, the new races had never seen the energy-rich Aterna. Resources for cultivation were pretty much the lifeline for any race in this terrible world. Thus, the light and dark races fought for land. In the end, their hostility reached to become a full-blown war.

Later, the god-beasts intervened in the war claiming that the plane-will was very weak and extinction of any group of races would deal a serious injury to it. Thus, with the god-beasts as moderators, the light and dark empires signed a treaty. There would be a war between the empires every 100 years and the results of these wars would decide the distribution of lands between the empires. This war had been fought many, many times and had birthed countless legends on the battlefield. Many successful warriors later went on to become immortals as well. This was the war of light and dark - the hundred-year war.

Currently, a group of people was travelling in a carriage through the forests in the light empire. But, if one looked at the carriage, they would be shocked. The carriage was huge and made up of high grade reinforced wood making it sturdier than small forts. And it was being driven by a vicious beast which was in the early saint realm.

The beast was running through the forest at speeds that left long dust trails across the path. The carriage went through the forest like a bullet. Even when there were collisions with the nearby trees, the trees would snap like paper.

Inside the carriage, Michael's group - Ramsus, Remeus, Demitrus and Omar were seated comfortably. Michael was currently using his soul arts to guide the beast in the roughly correct direction. The hundred-year war usually was seen as an opportunity to gain fame and authority but Michael knew better. Several races had pretty much gone extinct due to these wars. Currently, Ragebergs were not capable of handling such a war and any unexpected event could lead to their fall. The people in the carriage were discussing several things, mostly the possibility of invasion from beyond.

Remeus : Teacher, what do you think about the invasion and enemies from beyond? You are an elder in the tower, you must know more things. Why is it that refuse to tell me these things?

Omar : Kid, you are not old enough to know the details. There is indeed the possibility of an invasion but it is not here yet. You should focus on completing your blood fiend transformation first.

Remeus : Humph. Why is it that I can not know but that guy can?

Ramsus : Remeus! You should be respectful to your lord. He is our benefactor and it is common principle to show respect to your benefactors.

Michael : Let him be. I don't mind. And there is no reason to hide things as almost all the world knows about it now. Remeus, my teacher Karslon found some evidence of otherworldly contact. This has caused us to speculate the invasion from outside the world. We do not know the enemies' powers or the time when they will begin the attack, it is still better to be vigilant. That is why the devil slayer segment of the army has been created. And people are also preparing themselves for a potential war. You too should increase your power. It will be useful in the future.

Remeus(sarcastically) : I don't need to you to tell me that. I know.

Remeus had still not accepted Michael's friendship thoroughly. It was hard for him to be respectful to someone who was the same age as him. It did not mean that he did not understand Michael's position or power. It just felt unnatural to him.

Michael, on the other hand, was never to care much about what other's thought of him and how they acted. Thus, it led to a weird friendship between him and Remeus where Remeus acted like a Tsundere and Michael acted aloof.

As discussions continued, the carriage moved towards Redster. It was Michael's vacation....

----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

The carriage reached the human territory without much of an event. The time taken was also only a week, much shorter than the previous travels. The effect of mining of energy crystals could be seen in the human empire. All the forts and defensive structures had been thoroughly reinforced making them proper defences. Even saints would find breaching these defences extremely difficult.

The manors of various nobles were also reinforced and the equipment of the army had been improved a lot as well. But the greatest benefit was the network of information that had been established with communication devices. Through these developments, the humans had secured their position and territory in Aterna.

This was the result of a full 10 years of development. What was interesting was that in his past life, the crystal mine was discovered very late and the resources were taken by the other races. What caused such a difference in the timeline was unclear. This had made Michael more and more vigilant as his future knowledge would become useless.

The carriage made its way to Redster in the next few days. After arriving, Michael spent some time with his family without starting any new plans. He was enjoying a few days of rest with his family.

The Rageberg family's power had been on a continuous rise. Both Collins and Sitara Rageberg had managed to achieve a breakthrough and had reached the late saint realm. While they were not at the peak of saint realm yet, their combined prowess exceeded one. Leonor had also managed to reach the mid-saint realm. This progress was so fast that most of the people who knew of it were extremely wary of the Ragebergs.

Of course, it had been made possible by the purification medicine that had been given by the Beast Emperor. Tresline had also reached the early solid soul stage and late emperor realm. Michael had sent some very precious resources from the tower which were allocated to him for his cultivation. As he had taken a break from body cultivation, he gave those resources to his sister. Adding to that, several resources were given by the Millers and Zenids to Michael's family members. They did not provide resources for the family's guards and soldiers but only for the main family. This was all in hopes of maintaining good relations with Michael.

All in all, the Rageberg family at the moment was the strongest it had ever been with 3 saints and 2 powerful emperors. Leonor and Tresline had returned to Redster to spend some time with Michael. After a few days of loitering around, Michael called his family members to the secret chamber and began telling them of the plan he had.

Michael : Everyone, you all know that the forbidden forest had been under the expedition just 3 years ago. As a result, most of the powerful beasts in the forest were slain and the people also found out the way to break the illusion array. Right now, the forbidden forest is pretty much a gold mine with all the resources that it can offer. As a result, many races have already started to conquer the forest. I am telling you this because I believe that we should also make our move on the forest.

Collins : Of course, we have already earned quite a lot from the forest already and know of it's value. But, getting more resources than we are already getting is too difficult. To go inside the forest, we need to have soul experts that can break the illusion array. This already places a number on how many people can be sent to mine for resources. Also, the other nobles of the kingdom have also figured out the method and hence, they are all suppressing each other. It has led to an equilibrium between the different families. If any family breaks this equilibrium, they will face an attack from all the rest. Hence, getting more resources is easier said than done.

Michael : I know, Father. But I have been studying illusion arrays with senior Demitrus for a long time and we recently developed a method to change the illusion array in the forbidden forest. At the core of the forest, in the ancient ruins, there is the formation core that generates the array based on the life energy of plants. We have a method to further complicate the array by including all living organisms in the forest. Since the beasts and insects would move around, this formation would be impossible to break for any ordinary soul expert. This will make sure that the expansion of others in the forest would be stopped.

Leonor : But, wouldn't that stop our expansion as well? You have a method to exclusively use the forest?

Michael : Yes. Brother, you are quite smart!

Leonor : This kid! You trying to tease me for being a brute? I may not know the complicated stuff but I am not an idiot.

Tresline : Yes, and that is indeed brutish!

Tresline and Leonor shared a close relationship as they had comparable ages. Thus teasing each other was normal for them. But Michael too would usually tease the two. In case of any other family, such a thing would never happen. But among Ragebergs, who had roots with the commoners, mannerisms were not that well emphasized. Thus, even though Leonor and Tresline were much older than Michael, they did not mind acting as friends with him.

Michael : I indeed have the method to change the formation so that only we would be able to use the forest. This will create a perfect base for the upcoming war and even in case of invasion from beyond. I am planning on secretly establishing a military base at the centre of the forest. I am thinking of using High Priest Mubal for this purpose. He will be able to enjoy his solitude in the forest. Also, as I am indebted to senior Demitrus, I will let him use the forest as a safe base for the moonflower race.

Michael's tone was not one asking for permission but one laying out a decision!

It was indeed quite weird for a teenager to handle important decisions like these but the Rageberg family had full confidence in Michael's decisions. Thus, they started thinking about the different parts of the plan for establishing a secret base.

Some days later, High Priest Mubal officially resigned as the high priest of the empire giving the position to one of his apprentices. The said apprentice - Jesper, was a commoner. But, the succession of High Priest was a matter that had always been decided by the High Priest in position. The requirements for becoming a High Priest were high soul cultivation and the knowledge of ceremonies to attract plane will.

Jesper was at the peak of solid soul stage and was well versed in ceremonies. As he was not too old, only 50 years old and a peak emperor, he had a very good chance of breaking through to the saint realm and attaining the sublime soul realm. If he was not a commoner, he would have been given the position much before. After all, Mubal was nearing the end of his life and the more he performed ceremonies, the more strain he had to bear.

After this event occurred in the kingdom, Mubal retired with great fanfare. After all, Mubal's work and research had helped the kingdom advance by leaps and bounds. In the grand event, all human nobles attended and gave their thanks to this person for his contributions to the race.

After the event, Michael coerced Mubal to take command of the secret military base that was already in the process of being made.

Michael : Teacher, why are you being so stubborn? Just come with me. I will make you a very advanced laboratory and give you tons of money to continue your research. You just have to be present at the base. With your expertise in soul arts, the entire base would be safe.

Mubal : And why should I take care of this nameless base? Listen kid, I am already very old. At most, I will live for another 30 years. That is already the maximum. My weakened body can hardly make another breakthrough. I don't desire any power. Even if I was to take over as the commander of this military base, what use would I be? You have many capable people, why not give them this position.

Michael : I don't have trustworthy and competent people. I know that teacher is nearing the end of your life. I don't want to force anything on you but in this case, I must insist. Teacher, the invasion that we are talking about is not just a threat. I know that it will happen. I want you to develop this base into a powerful fortress so that the experts of different races can gather there. But, I also want to be in command of the situation. With the array under your control, you would be able to stall and trap even immortal experts. I have no one else I can trust for this.

Mubal : Haaaah (sighes). I know what you are planning but I don't want to work any more. But, I will agree to your offer if you can promise me one thing.

Michael : Okay teacher. Just ask for anything.

Mubal : You managed to obtain life essence some years ago. I know that it is not a common entity and it is not commonly found. I am not asking for you to find me one as well. I want you to promise that if you manage to get a life extending treasure or find a method to increase my life, you would help me.

Michael was at a loss of words. Extending life was easier said than done. Such treasures were so rare that Michael did not know if another even existed in Aterna. The first time was due to his previous knowledge. But to find such treasure again, it was very, very improbable. Michael said:

Michael : Teacher, you should know that if I had something like that, I would not have hesitated to help you. Even if I make a promise, I will not be able to fulfill it. Getting a treasure like that is dependent on luck and not on one's efforts.

Mubal : Haha. Kid, do you think that I don't know that? I am making a gamble. I don't want to die. The same is true for anyone. And I don't know anyone who can help me now. So I am making a gamble with fate. I will help you but I don't desire power or money. I want to live longer. So you must remember, that if you find something in the future, do not forget this old man.

Michael ultimately agreed with a heavy heart. While it could be said that Mubal was pretty much working for free for Michael, both Mubal and Michael knew that Michael's own heart would not allow him to take advantage of his teacher. Michael would definitely search heaven and earth for a way. If he could not do it, then Mubal believed that no one he knew could either.

After getting Mubal on board, Michael left all the matters regarding the base to Mubal and his family. Then with Mubal and Demitrus, he went to the forbidden forest to change the array formation. He segmented the array in such a way that the authority to wield it was fragmented between himself, Mubal and Demitrus.

Mubal would be the head commander of the base. Demitrus was also given a portion of authority as he was the main developer of the idea.

A few days ago, Michael had tried to convince Demitrus of shifting the Moonflower race to the forbidden forest.

Michael : With the presence of the array formation, senior's race would not face many external threats. As for the beasts, we will post guards around the village as well as several other formations. While it would not be the safest place, it will still be much safer than the race's current territory.

Demitrus : You are not thinking clearly. The hundred-year war is upon us. My race would also be called to fight. If all the capable men and women were to leave for the war, who will protect the weak elderly and children? You, I trust. But I can not trust my entire race to guards and soldiers from your family.

Michael : Senior, you don't need to feel at edge against my family. My word is the law. If anyone dares to bully your race, they would feel the wrath of entire Rageberg family. If you are worried, you can shift the village someplace different from the military base. I will reinforce the formation so that you can be safe from the monster attacks. I am also prepared to clear out the forest of the stronger beasts to lay a foundation. I will leave the final decision to you.

While Demitrus had not made a decision yet, he now had an extra option for his race. This itself made him grateful. After all, the moonflower race was a very weak race. If they could migrate to the forbidden forest, they would be comparatively safer.

Aside from his worries about how much he could trust Michael and his family, he did not have much to worry about. For a race that was so weak, they had to be very careful about everything if they were to take any decisions. Any unnecessary attention would lead to a catastrophe.

Upgrading the illusion array was a very tiring task and even with three powerful and experienced soul experts working together, the entire process took around 10 days.

Michael was preparing ahead for the war. After all, it was the only way they could successfully cross this tribulation.