Arthur followed the mysterious woman across the sky, as he maintained a steady pace behind her.

After a few minutes, they arrived at a flat-topped hill that offered a breathtaking view of the surrounding landscape. Lush forests stretched out in every direction, and in the far distance, Arthur could make out faint silhouettes of mountain peaks against the horizon.

The woman floated down gracefully, landing with an elegance that made the entire act seem effortless. Arthur followed, his boots making a light clank as he touched down.

She turned to him and, without any grand introductions or explanations, simply said, “I would like to build the castle here.”

Arthur raised an eyebrow at the sudden request, but before he could question her, she waved her hand. In an instant, a massive quantity of materials materialized in front of him, pristine white stone that looked like marble, gold, silver, glowing gems and various other materials that exuded an aura of rarity.

He took a moment to process the sheer amount of resources now piled in front of him.

The woman, unconcerned with his reaction, conjured a small ornate table and chair some distance away. She sat down, crossed her legs elegantly, and with a flick of her wrist, produced a teapot and a porcelain teacup. Pouring herself a drink, she took a slow, satisfied sip before gesturing towards the materials.

“You can start.”

Arthur sighed, rubbing his temple. “You sure know how to ask for favors.”

The woman simply smiled behind her teacup, golden eyes watching him with quiet amusement.

Arthur shook his head and pulled out his datapad. He might have nanobots capable of constructing a castle, but he wasn’t an architect. Designing something so complex from scratch wasn’t exactly in his skill set.

He quickly booted up the AI-assisted design program and began feeding it parameters.

“A castle… Hm, let’s try a few different styles first.”

The AI ran multiple simulations, rendering a variety of holographic blueprints, ranging from traditional medieval fortresses to elegant palaces to highly modernized strongholds. Arthur, not being an expert in architecture, decided to let the AI do most of the work, adjusting some things as necessary.

When he was satisfied with a few different options, he turned towards the woman, projecting the holograms in front of her.

Her golden eyes flickered with intrigue. She placed her teacup down and stood up, stepping closer to examine the designs.

“Interesting…” she murmured, circling the holograms with curiosity. She even reached out, her fingers gliding through the shimmering projections as if testing their solidity.

After a moment of contemplation, she pointed to a specific design.

“This one.”

Arthur glanced at the selection. It was an elegant fusion of modern efficiency and medieval grandeur. Towering spires, intricate stonework, reinforced walls, it had the charm of an ancient castle but with a sleek, contemporary touch. The interior was equally impressive, with vaulted ceilings, sweeping staircases, and strategically placed large windows for natural lighting.

“Good choice,” Arthur admitted before glancing at the materials again. He frowned. “Though, I think we’re missing a few things.”

He reached into his dimensional storage and retrieved additional high-strength metals and other essential building materials. If he was going to do this, he might as well do it properly.

The woman lifted her brow at seeing Arthur taking out different materials, but didn’t say anything and just smiled as she sipped tea from her cup.

Now comes the real work.

…

Arthur summoned a swarm of nanobots, their silver forms rippling through the air like liquid mercury before coalescing into a dense, hovering mass. With a quick mental command, they surged forward, dispersing into different tasks.

First, the foundation.

Arthur directed the nanobots to clear and compact the soil, ensuring a stable base. The ground trembled slightly as layers of earth were reinforced, forming a perfectly leveled surface. Once the base was secured, he began shaping the raw materials. The nanobots sliced through the marble with precision, carving massive blocks that would serve as the castle’s main structure.

The outer walls rose first. White stone seamlessly fitted together, layer by layer, forming an imposing yet elegant fortress. Golden accents were incorporated into the design, decorating the edges of windows, doors, and pillars, giving the castle an almost divine radiance when touched by sunlight.

Next came the towers and spires. The nanobots sculpted them to perfection, their pointed tips reaching toward the sky like fingers grasping for the heavens. The highest tower stood at the center, acting as the heart of the castle.

Arthur worked methodically, ensuring every detail matched the chosen design. He used a mix of silver and dark alloys to reinforce structural integrity, making the castle not just visually stunning but also incredibly durable.

As the walls and towers took shape, he moved onto the interior.

Grand staircases were sculpted from polished stone, their banisters adorned with intricate engravings. Hallways stretched in perfect symmetry, their floors inlaid with a beautiful mosaic of colored marble. The main hall boasted towering columns, each carved with elaborate patterns, supporting an arched ceiling adorned with delicate golden filigree.

For the furniture, Arthur decided to incorporate natural elements. He located a cluster of teak trees nearby, quickly felling them before feeding the wood to the nanobots. Within minutes, they were reshaped into elegant chairs, tables, and decorative panels.

The windows were fitted with reinforced glass used in spaceships, strong enough to withstand magical and physical impacts while allowing ample sunlight to filter in.

The bedrooms, each designed with both comfort and luxury in mind, featured massive four-poster beds, soft velvet drapes, and ornate chandeliers that emitted a soft, ambient glow. The woman had requested a castle, but Arthur wanted it to be functional as well. He included hidden compartments, reinforced doors, and a secure underground chamber, just in case.

The true masterpiece, however, was the throne room.

Arthur made sure it would be the grandest part of the castle. The walls were lined with gold and silver inlays, forming intricate patterns that shimmered under the soft glow of internal lights. The floor was made of polished black marble, a golden vein running through it like frozen lightning. Stained-glass windows stretched high, their colorful patterns casting mesmerizing reflections across the chamber.

At the end of it all stood the throne.

Arthur took his time crafting it, shaping the frame from a blend of Darksteel and Mithril, ensuring both strength and elegance. The seat and backrest were cushioned with enchanted velvet, impossibly soft yet durable. He embedded precious gemstones along the armrests, their presence giving the throne an almost regal appearance.

As a final touch, Arthur directed the nanobots to craft a stairway leading up the hill. Made from polished black stone, each step was perfectly cut and reinforced, ensuring a smooth ascent from the base of the hill to the castle’s entrance.

As Arthur worked, the woman continued sipping her tea, occasionally glancing at the progress. She seemed in no hurry, as if watching him work was more entertaining than anything else.

Stepping back, he observed his work. It was nothing short of majestic.

…

By the time Arthur finished, the sun had shifted noticeably in the sky. He took a step back, exhaling deeply as he surveyed his work. The castle stood tall, regal, and commanding. The white marble gleamed under the fading light, while the golden accents reflected a warm glow. The entire structure exuded both power and elegance befitting the castle of a king.

He turned to the woman, who had finished her tea at some point and was now admiring the finished castle with a small, satisfied smile.

“Well?” Arthur asked, crossing his arms.

She turned to him, her golden eyes shimmering with something unreadable.

“You exceeded my expectations,” she admitted. Then, with a smirk, she added, “Not bad for a human.”

Arthur narrowed his eyes slightly. “You’re not human, are you?”

The woman simply chuckled, not answering. Instead, she stepped forward and ran her fingers along the smooth stone of the castle’s walls, seemingly lost in thought.

After a moment, she turned back to Arthur.

“I suppose I should reward you,” she mused.

Arthur raised an eyebrow. “Reward?”

The woman’s smile widened, and for the first time, a strange, almost mischievous glint appeared in her golden eyes.

“Yes,” she said. “A gift… fitting for someone as intriguing as you.”

Arthur felt a chill run down his spine.

‘Just what have I gotten myself into?’

…

As Arthur flew back toward Velcrest Academy, his gaze drifted to the back of his left hand. There, imprinted on his skin, was a dragon-shaped mark, its design eerily lifelike, as if the creature would come to life at any moment. He clenched and unclenched his fist, feeling no pain or discomfort, but the mark carried a weight far beyond its appearance.

The woman had told him that with this insignia, he could travel anywhere on the continent of Drakmire without interference. No one would dare to stop him if he showed them the mark. More than that, she had mentioned that she could communicate with him anywhere on this world through the insignia.

Arthur exhaled, his brows furrowing slightly. If he looked at this from a purely political standpoint, this was an incredible advantage, too good of a reward for simply building a castle. The ability to move freely without obstruction, without needing to worry about borders or permissions, was an enviable privilege. Only rulers and high-ranking figures of immense influence could command such authority.

Which meant the woman’s identity had to be terrifying.

He still didn’t know who she was, but the fact that she could bestow something like this so casually made it clear, she was no ordinary person.

‘But why?’

That was the real question gnawing at him. Why had she granted him such a precious insignia for something as simple as constructing a castle? Sure, the castle was magnificent, but it hadn’t taken much effort on his part. With his nanobots and AI-assisted construction, it was just another task. Even if she had been testing his abilities, this reward was far beyond what he expected.

Arthur had tried asking her about her identity before he left, but she had merely given him that same amused smile, saying nothing. He had sighed and shaken his head, knowing he wouldn’t get any answers unless she decided to reveal them herself.

“Guess I’ll just see where this goes,” he muttered to himself.

As he entered Brightwater, the familiar sights of the bustling town greeted him. Market stalls were still open, merchants calling out their final offers before the evening rush ended. He didn’t linger, flying above the streets before reaching the academy gates.

He landed in a secluded area, and after putting the shuttle away entered the academy. He walked past the open courtyards, the towering academy buildings casting long shadows under the evening sun.

He needed to process everything that had happened today.

Arthur glanced once more at the dragon insignia on his hand before sighing again and shaking his head.

***

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