Name: Ludger

Level: 71 (2,450 / 7,100)

Current Job: Cook (Lv 35 – 620 / 3,500)

Current Class: Geomancer (Lv 81 – 1,300 / 8,100)

Health: 2,930 / 2,930

Mana: 11,530 / 11,530

Stamina: 4,150 / 4,150

Strength: 393

Dexterity: 306

Intelligence: 806

Vitality: 293

Wisdom: 1153

Endurance: 415

Luck: 150

Classes & Skills

Sage Lv 79 (+2 INT, +4 WIS / level)

Skills:

[Mana Bolt Lv 25]

[Mana Wall Lv 06]

[Spiritual Core Lv 67]

[Meditation Lv 41]

[Mana Armor Lv 01]

[Mana Arrow Lv 01]

[Arcane Arrow Lv 01]

[Mana Spear Lv 01]

[Arcane Focus Lv 01]

[Astral Veil Lv 01]

[Mana Sword Lv 01]

[Mana Cyclone Lv 01]

[Mana Fang Lv 01]

[Mana Channeling Lv 01] – Allows user to transfer a portion of their mana flow into allies or constructs, stabilizing external spell formations.

[Overcast Lv 01] – Temporarily amplifies the power of all active mana-based spells by 25% at the cost of rapidly increased mana drain.

[Mana  Discharge Lv 01] – Converts stored mana into a focused, high-intensity blast capable of piercing through magical barriers.

Geomancer Lv 84 (+6 INT, +3 WIS / level)

Skills:

[Earth Manipulation Lv 85]

[Stone Grip Lv 62]

[Quicksand Lv 14]

[Seismic Sense Lv 14]

[Mineral Skin Lv 01]

[Terra Burst Lv 01]

[Gaia’s Grasp Lv 01]

[Rock Spike Lv 01]

[Continental Shield Lv 01]

[Earthen Surge Lv 01]

[Dust Curtain Lv 01]

[Tectonic Pulse Lv 11]

[Stoneflow Lv 01]

[Earthen Ward Lv 01]

[Landslide Break Lv 01] – Collapses terrain in a controlled radius to crush enemies or reshape the battlefield.

[Geo Resonance Lv 01] – Links nearby earth-aspected mana signatures, enhancing allied geomancy and reducing mana cost by 30% within range.

[Earth Pulse Lv 01] – A high-tier detection technique that senses mana fluctuations and seismic activity across several kilometers; reveals hidden movement underground or underwater. Giving more details about the detected parts.

Another month passed.

The days had grown warmer, and the air along the southern coast carried the steady hum of progress instead of the scent of salt and fear. The bridge, once a scattered dream of coral pillars and broken scaffolds, was finally taking shape as a true passage across the sea.

Ludger stood at the midpoint of the stretch that connected the mainland to the first island, wiping a bit of grit from his hands as he studied his work. He couldn’t help but feel a flicker of satisfaction.

The stone path one the side was finally complete, smooth, sturdy, and wide enough for three carts to pass side by side. The coral pillars below had fused perfectly with the carved foundation, the result of weeks of tuning mana density between earth and coral until they behaved like a single material. The structure gleamed faintly under the sun, veins of pale mineral light running through it like the bridge itself was alive. And it wasn’t just a path anymore.

On the right side ran a stone rail, perfectly even from one end to the other, designed to carry carts filled with the labyrinth’s mana cores straight from the islands to the continent. The Ironhand engineers had helped refine the system, embedding smooth channels for wheeled lifts enchanted to glide with minimal resistance.

It meant that soon, they wouldn’t need ships to haul the cores back to the ports every week. The flow of resources would be constant, safe, efficient, and independent of the sea’s temper.

Only the wooden upper layers of the bridge remained unfinished, those parts still being shipped in from the northern ports. But the hardest foundation work was done, and Ludger had overseen every step of it personally. He took a slow breath, letting the salt air fill his lungs. The ocean stretched on endlessly beneath him, calm and quiet.

For once, there were no sahuagins, no collapsing pillars, and no tremors from below. Just the steady crash of waves against coral and the distant clang of hammers as the next phase of workers began setting the first support beams for the wooden topway.

Ludger looked down the long expanse of stone, the bridge gleaming like a gray-white scar across the water, and allowed himself a faint, rare smile.

“It’s finally starting to look like something real,” he muttered.

Behind him, carts rolled slowly along the new rail system, their wheels gliding on the polished grooves as workers loaded mana cores and construction materials.

No ships required, no risk of attack, just solid ground, carved by his own mana and will.

For now, at least, things were stable. And Ludger knew enough to savor that, because on the frontier, peace like this never lasted long.

Gaius stood at the edge of the newly completed bridge, the wind tugging at his cloak as he looked over the endless stretch of coral and stone that now connected the mainland to the first island. The late afternoon sun painted the surface gold, and for once, the sea was calm, quiet enough that even the old geomancer seemed content.

He took a slow breath, then turned toward Ludger with a faint grin. “Well… this is it. Time to go home.”

Ludger nodded and, for once, bowed his head slightly. “Thanks for the help, old man.”

Gaius chuckled, waving him off. “Don’t exaggerate, boy. I was just repaying a favor.”

Ludger smirked. “Good. Bowing my head is tiresome anyway.”

That earned him a low, rumbling laugh from the old mage. “Still cheeky as ever.”

They stood there for a moment, watching the waves lap gently against the coral pillars below, the product of months of work, blood, and stubborn willpower.

Gaius finally broke the silence, his tone turning curious. “What about you? What’s next for Lionguard’s little vice guildmaster?”

Ludger exhaled softly, crossing his arms. “I’ll head back too. Six months playing bridge architect in the south probably buried the guild under enough paperwork to drown Yvar twice over. I’ll have to clean up that mess before Dad starts pretending he’s allergic to documents again.”

That drew another amused snort from Gaius. “Sounds about right. I’d almost pity you if you didn’t deserve it.”

Ludger shrugged. “Comes with the job.”

For a moment, they both looked toward the horizon, the sun dipping low, the world turning orange and quiet. It almost felt peaceful.

Then Gaius’s voice dropped a tone lower. “As for me… I’ll be resuming my search.”

Ludger’s smirk faded. “For the bastards who tried to have you killed?”

Gaius nodded, eyes narrowing slightly. “Aye. The ones who tried to buy my head. I’ve let that trail go cold long enough. Whoever was behind it had money, connections, and patience, not your average underworld scum. If I don’t find out who’s pulling those strings, they’ll just try again.”

Ludger’s jaw tightened. “You think it’s tied to the same people who tampered with the sahuagins?”

Gaius gave a quiet grunt. “Could be. The more I see, the more I think all this, the monsters, the golems, even the labyrinth, isn’t random. Someone’s testing things. Someone with resources. Still, it also could be just someone from inside using the chaos to destroy anyone who can protect the empire.”

The younger geomancer went silent, eyes darkening with focus.

For months, they’d been building, fighting, and surviving, but deep down, Ludger knew the southern project wasn’t the end, it was just another layer of something larger. Something that reached beyond the Empire’s borders, maybe even beyond their world.

He finally met Gaius’s gaze again. “Then when you find them, let me know. You might need to be rescued again.”

Gaius’s grin returned, sharp, faintly proud. “Heh. Thought you’d say that.”

They stood there a moment longer, the wind rising around them, carrying the scent of salt and stone. The work was done, for now,  but both of them knew their real battles were still waiting.

Ludger glanced toward the horizon one last time. “Safe travels, old man. Remember, the Lionsguard will have its open doors for you when you decide to join us.”

“… You too, boy.”

And with that, the master and apprentice parted,  one heading north, the other east, both carrying unfinished work that the sea itself seemed to whisper about.

The wagons were being loaded, the bridge echoing with the dull rhythm of boots, crates, and shouted orders as the expedition finally wound down. Most of the crews were already prepared to head home, ropes tied, sails checked, supplies accounted for.

But, of course, Lucius and Viola were still standing near the docks, talking.

Or rather, arguing softly in that way only they could, him with that calm, princely tone that could stretch a simple sentence into a lecture, and her answering with arms crossed and eyes sharp, half defensive, half reluctant. Ludger could tell that Lucius tried to make the farewell more romantic than it could be, but Viola couldn’t see that.

Ludger sighed and rolled his eyes. “Of course.”

He was halfway through turning away when Rathen approached, a thick, weathered book in his hand. The Ironhand guildmaster’s usual stern expression had softened a little.

“This is for you,” Rathen said, holding the book out.

Ludger blinked, taking it. “A book?”

“A gift,” Rathen explained. “From the engineers. They enjoyed working with you, said you have a real mind for the craft. Figured you’d want something to study while you’re away.”

Ludger turned the book over in his hands. The cover was old leather, etched faintly with faded geometric markings, simple rune patterns, but clean, disciplined work. When he flipped through the first few pages, he saw sketches, diagrams, mana-flow sequences… an introduction to applied rune layering. Practical stuff. The kind that was actually useful.

He closed it with a small nod. “I’ll be sure to use it well.”

Rathen’s lips curled slightly, the closest thing to a smile he ever managed. “I imagine you will.”

Ludger tucked the book under his arm, glancing once more toward the sea. The coral pillars gleamed under the morning light, steady, silent, almost too peaceful.

“Tell your engineers thanks for me,” he said. “And if that giant monster shows up again…” He looked back at Rathen, his tone steady but laced with challenge. “…I’ll come. Assuming the Ironhand lasts long enough.”

That earned him a quiet snort and a ghost of amusement from the older man. “Don’t worry. The Ironhand’s tougher than it looks. Next time, we’ll pull more of our own weight.”

“Good,” Ludger said simply.

The wind carried the faint creak of ropes and the splash of oars as the first ships began to pull away. Viola finally waved goodbye to the workers, Lucius still talking beside her, and the others gathered on deck.

Ludger watched for a few seconds more, then turned his gaze toward the horizon, calm waves, golden sky, and the faint hum of mana beneath the bridge. The work here was done. For now.

When it was finally time to leave, the morning air carried a strange stillness, the kind that came after long effort and too many goodbyes. Ludger stood near the edge of the bridge, arms crossed, watching as Lucius turned toward him one last time.

The noble didn’t say anything. He just raised his hand in a quiet wave, the hint of a tired, almost defeated smile on his face. There was a weight in his expression, the kind that said he hadn’t gotten the answer he wanted from Viola.

Ludger lifted his right hand lazily in response, a half-hearted wave at best, then turned away before the moment could linger. Whatever it was between those two, it wasn’t his problem.

He walked back to the carriage waiting at the southern checkpoint. His mother sat inside with the twins, Elle and Arash, both fast asleep, tiny chests rising and falling under a soft blanket. The sight made the tension in his shoulders ease, just a little.

He opened the door and climbed in. “Time to go home, Mom.”

Elaine looked up from where she was adjusting Elle’s blanket, her eyes narrowing faintly, that mix of affection and quiet disapproval only mothers seemed to master. “And how exactly are you planning to make me worry next, hmm?”

Ludger gave a small, tired smirk. “Can’t say, really. If I could predict the problems that fall into my lap, life would be a lot easier.”

She sighed, a long, familiar sound, then reached out to brush a bit of dirt from his cheek. “You’re just like your father when you say things like that.”

Ludger leaned back against the seat as the carriage started to move, the rhythmic clatter of wheels filling the silence. The bridge faded behind them, along with the sea, the islands, and the faint outline of the half-finished archipelago in the distance.

Home was waiting — paperwork, reports, and whatever new crisis the Lionsguard would drag onto his desk next. But for now, for the first time in months, Ludger let himself rest.

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