Zefyros, the Arclume Drakeling Spirit Beast seemed to thhly enjoy himself in the pond, spshing around while some of the troops bravely dipped their feet into the water, pyfully spshing at the spirit beast.

  Zefyros responded in kind—not just with water, but with waves that surged pyfully over them, dreng everyone in the process.

  As the ughter grew, more troops joined in, turning the pond into a lively se of fun with the newborn spirit beast. Despite his crag electric charge, Zefyros seemed to have gained enough trol to make it more tolerable for those around him.

  While the tingling shocks ier were still noticeable, they were no longer enough to deter anyone from joining in.

  Ats, from the edge of the pond, decided to join the fu at the water’s edge, dipping his feet into the cool, electrified pool, and beed to Zefyros with a wave of his hand. The drakeli onto Ats’s p, its wide, curious eyes log onto him.

  With a steady breath, Ats nicked his fiip with his thumbnail, allowing a single drop of blood to fall onto Zefyros’s head. As the blood nded, a faint glow of elemental particles gathered, swirling and casg over the drakeling before sinking into its form.

  [Establishing a tract with the Spirit Beast, Arclume Drakeling...]

  [Synizing both parties...]

  [gratutions! The tract has been successfully created. You have bohe Arclume Drakeling as your spirit beast tractor.]

  Ats’s vision filled with system notifications:

  [Due to the traew skills have been unlocked as a result of synization.]

  [You have unlocked a new skill: Spiritfe Haven]

  [The tracted beast ow merge with one choseo act as its vessel, creating a pocket dimension feion and recovery while enhang the item’s performance.]

  [Elemental patibility will affect the final oute.]

  A vessel for Zefyros would not only allow the beast to recuperate but also amplify the power of a on or piece of equipment in ways he could only begin to imagine.

  Ats quickly decided on the best option for where to house Zefyros. He drew the Wavebreaker Spear, its surface already beginning to shimmer with water energy and crag electricity.

  [Applying Spiritfe Haven to Legendary-grade Wavebreaker Spear]

  The spear’s appearance shifted, the lightning crag more fiercely, and a powerful surge of water flowing along its length.

  “Now, Zefyros, retreat to your Haven.”

  Creaakkk...

  The beast dissolved into pure energy and flowed into the spear.

  Ats stood still for a moment, spinning the spear experimentally in his hand. He immediately noticed how much lighter it felt, its movements imbued with a newfound push of vibrant energy. The enha from Zefyros’ essence wasn’t just etic—it signifitly amplified the on’s potential.

  With this fusion, he could now el the spear’s abilities alongside Zefyros’ own skills, creating a formidable synergy.

  What an upgrade!

  Curious to test the bas summoned Zefyros again. This teique would make it far easier to carry the creature wherever he went, seamlessly blending strength and mobility.

  With the tracted beast fully settled, Ats and his elite subordiurheir attention to reviewing their strategy for the uping week. The current season's battles were nearing their end, and Ats still had oack tokeo use.

  Edrik had already identified a target for their challenge. For months, he had been monit the movements of various floating isnds nearby. This vigince paid off, as the system periodically updated the status and development of these isnds, valuable insights into potential oppos.

  The chosen target still had an avaible challenge slot, which was surprising. Even other lords within the same division hadn’t dared to challehis particur oppo. The hesitation likely stemmed from the sheer size of the target’s army—nearly double the average force of lords at their rank.

  Moreover, the progress of this lord’s floating isnd throughout the season was impressive. The sistent wins in battles and also potentially did an all-out frontation once.

  With the target set, Ats wasted no time submitting the battle challehis final frontatiohe potential to be a season-defini for their team.

  Now, all they could do was wait for the opposing lord to respond to the challenge. A defeance would work in their favor, but if the response came as an all-out frontation, it would be an exhirating phase facha Haven and its residents—it would mark their very first full-scale war at this level.

  With only seven days left before the battle season cluded, Ats decided to postpone on leveling himself up to 50, and would do it after ing up his st battle. This would allow him to fully trate oask at hand without unnecessary distras.

  In the meahe team adjusted their training schedule for the ing days, redug the iy and duration of their sessions. This ge was a strategic move to ensure everyone remained in peak dition should their challenge be accepted. It also served to prevent the dulling of their bat instincts, which could happen if they ceased trainiirely.

  This banced approach aimed to keep the team sharp and ready for the real battle while avoiding unnecessary fatigue. Every preparation was being fiuo ehey could perform at their best when the decisive moment arrived.

  Over the past two months of releraining, nearly every batant oeam had undergone remarkable upgrades. They unlocked alents, gained new skills, and achieved signifit level boosts.

  Their hunts at Fre Peak also proved fruitful, yielding valuable items like skill scrolls and materials that strengthehe eeam. These resources were instrumental in enhang their bat readiness.

  In terms of fortifications, Ats had established four Fme Beas on each side of Gacha Haven, signifitly bolstering its defenses. While these improvements wouldn’t py a role in the uping all-out frontation—sihe battle would take p a ral Warzohey underscored the team's growing strength and preparedness.

  Finally, the fourth day arrived, and with it came the long-awaited decision from their oppo.

  [Ragnor of The Infernal Reach accepts the challenge for the all-out frontation.]

  Edrik’s predi ot on. Their carefully crafted strategy had worked. By keeping their troop t minimal but fog oe quality, they created the illusion of being a weaker force. This made their oppo uimate them, believing that fewer numbers meant less of a threat.

  In war, troop t was the easiest metric to judge strength, and their oppo boasted nearly four times as many soldiers as Ats’s forces.

  The challenge ahead was immense. Each member of Ats’s team would o take responsibility for defeating at least three enemies during the battle. This wasn’t just a test of strategy—it was a trial of skill, resolve, and unity.

  Even so, one crucial factor couldn’t be ignored—several elite subordinates in Ats’s arsenal were capable of handling multiple oppos at once during the battle. Additionally, even non-bat roles like the Resource Manager, Bcksmith, and even a Gardener were set to tribute meaningfully to the war effort.

  [The battle will en 13 hours.]

  [The tdown begins now.]

  Thirteen hours provided enough time to rest and finalize preparations. This was shaping up to be a moal battle, and Ats could see the resolve and fiden the eyes of his subordinates.

  Yet, those thirteen hours stretched endlessly. Some of them even thought it might have beeer if the tdown were only thirteen mi would have spared them the weight of anticipation.

  Until…

  It was time. Everyone readied themselves. The moment they had prepared for was finally here.