After an entire month maintaining the same rhythm, one thing started to become clear to me. It wasn't just about strength or growth in combat.
It was about control.
Control over power… and control over what came with it.
That morning, I woke up earlier than usual. There was no training planned at that moment, nor any urgent mission. Even so, my mind was active.
Thinking.
I stared at the ceiling for a few seconds before getting up. The room was still silent, but I knew it wouldn't take long before the rest of the group woke up.
I sat on the edge of the bed, resting my arms on my legs.
Money.
Until recently, it hadn't carried that much weight in my decisions. But now…
Everything was changing.
High-level missions.
Greater rewards.
Profits from the lands.
Constant sales.
The accumulated amount was no longer small.
And that brought a problem.
Lyannis was the first to notice I was already awake. "You're thinking about something."
"Yes."
Rai'kanna was still lying down, but she opened her eyes. "That's never simple."
"No."
Scarlett got up calmly. "Strategic situation."
Elara completed: "Analysis in progress."
Vespera slowly sat up. "Important matter."
Liriel rubbed her eyes, still half asleep. "What is it?"
I took a deep breath before answering.
"Money."
The silence lasted a second.
Then Lyannis let out a light laugh. "I didn't think you were going to talk about that."
"Neither did I, some time ago."
Rai'kanna sat up as well. "But it makes sense."
Scarlett stated: "Essential resource."
Elara completed: "Foundation of sustainability."
Vespera said: "Necessary for expansion."
Liriel tilted her head. "Are you worried about that?"
"Yes."
I stood up.
Walked toward the window.
"We already have a large amount."
Lyannis commented: "And it's going to increase."
"It will."
Rai'kanna crossed her arms. "So the problem isn't earning it."
"No."
Scarlett analyzed: "Storage."
Elara stated: "Security."
Vespera completed: "Management."
Liriel looked at me. "You don't trust banks."
"No."
The answer came out directly.
"And I don't intend to start now."
I stayed silent for a moment, organizing my thoughts.
"If we keep this pace… we're going to accumulate much more."
Lyannis smirked. "You're already thinking about the future."
"I need to."
Rai'kanna said: "So what's the plan?"
I looked at everyone.
"To create our own vault."
Silence returned.
But this time… different.
Scarlett was the first to react. "Viable strategy."
Elara stated: "Total control."
Vespera completed: "Reduced risk."
Lyannis crossed her arms. "And where do you intend to do that?"
"At the mansion in Vailor."
Rai'kanna nodded. "Makes sense."
Liriel blinked a few times. "You want to build a… bank?"
"A vault."
I corrected.
"Private."
Lyannis laughed quietly. "You're becoming more cautious."
"I learned."
I didn't go into details, but everyone understood.
Mistakes from the past couldn't be repeated.
"Then let's do this properly."
---
Later that same day, we headed to Vailor. The trip was quick, and as soon as we arrived, I went straight to handle what was necessary.
It wasn't something I could do alone.
I needed someone reliable.
And efficient.
It didn't take long to find one.
The builder I already knew was still active in the city, responsible for several important constructions. Experienced, direct, no nonsense.
Exactly the kind of person I needed.
He received me with an attentive look. "It's been a while."
"Yes."
"Came to build something?"
"Yes."
Lyannis stayed beside me, observing. Rai'kanna kept her arms crossed. Scarlett, Elara, and Vespera analyzed the surroundings, while Liriel simply followed in silence.
"I need something specific."
The builder crossed his arms. "Speak."
"An underground vault."
He stayed silent for a moment.
Then… smiled slightly.
"Interesting."
"I want it to be large. Secure. And discreet."
Lyannis commented quietly. "He already has everything planned."
"Almost everything."
Rai'kanna said: "And the rest?"
"It'll be decided now."
The builder nodded. "Depth?"
"Good enough that it can't be easily detected."
"Structure?"
"Reinforced."
Scarlett stated: "High resistance."
Elara completed: "High durability."
Vespera said: "Low vulnerability."
Liriel asked: "And the access?"
I looked directly at the builder.
"Only me."
He raised an eyebrow. "How do you intend to do that?"
"A mana-based system."
Silence returned for a second.
Then he slowly nodded.
"Complicated… but possible."
Lyannis smiled. "Of course it is."
Rai'kanna said: "He wouldn't do something simple."
"No."
The builder took a deep breath. "It's going to cost."
"How much?"
"3000 gold coins."
I didn't hesitate.
"Deal."
Scarlett commented: "Appropriate investment."
Elara stated: "Guaranteed return."
Vespera completed: "Security prioritized."
Liriel looked at me. "You didn't even negotiate."
"It's not necessary."
Lyannis laughed quietly. "You're really taking this seriously."
"Yes."
The builder nodded. "Then we start today."
We returned to the mansion, and the work began immediately. The chosen area was a rarely used room, discreet enough not to attract attention.
During the first few days, the movement was constant. Workers coming and going, tools being used, the structure being opened.
Lyannis observed everything with interest. "You're really going to do this."
"Yes."
Rai'kanna commented: "It's already underway."
Scarlett analyzed every detail. "Efficient execution."
Elara stated: "Appropriate planning."
Vespera completed: "Continuous progress."
Liriel looked at the opened floor. "It's going to be deep…"
"That's the goal."
I remained silent for a moment, watching the construction.
Every strike against the ground, every layer removed…
It was more than just a construction project.
It was a decision.
A change.
I wasn't just becoming stronger.
I was preparing myself.
For the future.
For what was coming.
I took a deep breath.
And thought to myself:
"This time… I won't let anything slip away."