Kaen announced his decision to appoint Tifa as the kingdom's Treasurer to his generals. Even the internal affairs officers stationed far away in Rivendell received formal letters from him detailing the news.

No one raised any objections—quite the opposite, in fact. The entire court welcomed the decision with unanimous support.

Everyone knew well that the kingdom's weapons and armor were all provided by Tifa.

Even Old Jack and the others sent their congratulations in letters from Rivendell.

Tifa hailed from a family of merchants and had dealt with money since childhood. She had spent many years traveling across the powers of the Western Continent, gaining deep insights into the tax systems and economic policies of different realms.

With Kaen's backing, she quickly established a Ministry of Finance and drafted tax policies for commerce and agriculture, detailed military expenditures, and political financial statements.

With this, the kingdom's upper administrative structure was fully in place. Now, all that remained was to fill out the mid- and lower-level administrative systems.

….

Despite indulging in fleeting pleasures, Kaen didn't allow himself to become lost in them.

This was his first time ruling as a king, and there was much he needed to learn, earnestly and thoroughly.

Lord Elrond of Rivendell, once the vice-regent of King Gil-galad of the Elven Kingdom of Lindon, was said to be one of the most learned beings in all of Middle-earth. Now ruling Rivendell on his own, Elrond possessed profound knowledge and unparalleled experience in governance.

Kaen, bound to his kingdom and unable to leave, frequently wrote to Elrond, seeking wisdom in the ways of kingship.

Elrond, like a patient elder, replied to each letter with thoughtful care, detailing the nuances of ruling a realm. Though they had never met in person, a relationship of mentor and pupil slowly began to blossom through these written exchanges.

Occasionally, Kaen would consult Elrond on other matters.

Ever since his interface—his system—leveled up to Level 3, Kaen discovered that with focused concentration, he could sense the presence of elemental forces.

He shared this experience in a letter to Elrond, though he deliberately omitted any mention of the "system" and its deeper mechanics.

This time, Elrond's response took longer than usual.

After several days, a squadron of elven cavalry arrived, bearing a stack of ancient tomes—and a letter.

The letter read:

"Kaen, I understand your situation well. In fact, every Elf can relate to what you're experiencing—for the sensation of elemental presence is a hallmark of that connection."

"Among the Elves, this is common. We have always lived in harmony with nature. Even your own ancestors—the Edain of old—once possessed this same bond."

"Alas, over generations, mankind and the Elves chose different paths. Humans ceased to attune themselves to the world, and in doing so, lost this ability."

"This gift allows you to control magic as the Elves do. I dearly wish you could come to Rivendell so I might teach you in person—but that is no longer possible. You are now a king, and with that comes duty."

"So I have sent these soldiers to deliver to you several tomes of the ancient Noldor—High Elves from the Blessed Realm—on elemental magic, or what mortals call 'Elven magic.'"

"Young King Kaen, if you ever have questions, write to me. Or if time permits, come visit me—I will help you master this power."

—Signed, Elrond.

Kaen was deeply moved after reading the letter and wrote back at once, thanking Elrond and calling him a mentor in both governance and life.

Then he locked himself away in his room and began to study the ancient tomes that Elrond had gifted him.

Only then did Kaen begin to understand:

The Elves' uncanny abilities—leaping lightly like birds, speaking with trees, blending with nature—were not "magic" to them. These abilities were simply a part of who they were, as natural as breathing.

Elves were bound to the fate of the world. As long as the world endured, so did they. Even if their bodies were destroyed, their spirits would journey across the sea to Aman, the land of the Valar, where they would dwell in the halls of Mandos.

Because their fates were entwined with the world itself, Elves could perceive elemental forces and channel them through sheer will and intent.

When Elves forged blades that glowed in the presence of Orcs, it was not alchemy—it was the result of deep-seated hatred for those foul creatures, instilled into the weapon at the moment of creation.

When they crafted cloaks that seemed to render the wearer invisible, it was because the Elves had poured their love for the natural world into every stitch.

Natural elements—fire, water, light, earth, iron—were older than the world itself. They formed the very foundation of Arda.

Ordinary Elves could instinctively manipulate these forces to a limited degree.

But the High Elves of the ancient days—those who had once lived in the Blessed Realm of Aman—were taught by the Valar themselves. They learned incantations and refined their control, mastering the elements with spell and song.

Some of these High Elves had grown so powerful, they could rival the Maiar in battle. They dared to draw blades against Morgoth, the Dark Enemy of the World.

It was they who slew Balrogs… who brought down dragons.

By contrast, the fate of Men was not bound to the world. Their destinies were manifold, shaped by the choices they made.

Only the earliest of mankind—the noble Houses of the Edain—still retained the old gifts.

In the generations that followed, mankind's connection to the elements faded, until it disappeared altogether.

….

Understanding all this, Kaen discovered within the tomes a method of meditation designed to heighten elemental sensitivity.

Through meditation, he could strengthen his attunement—and eventually learn to control the elements themselves.

Following the method precisely, Kaen began to meditate.

When his mind grew still, the world before his eyes transformed into a tapestry of swirling colors:

Red for fire.

White for light.

Black for shadow.

Blue for water.

Yellow for earth.

Gold for iron…

He recalled the moment in the dungeon when Gandalf enchanted a sword.

Kaen found a spell that enhanced sharpness. Drawing his sword, he chanted the words softly.

Gradually, tendrils of golden energy began to gather and fuse with the blade, until a faint, cold gleam shimmered across its edge.

Though not as potent as Gandalf's enchantment, it was still a remarkable achievement.

Kaen was thrilled—he had finally grasped the fundamental principle of magic:

Elemental manipulation.

Put simply, he now wielded magic with the body of a man.

This was no minor feat. Since the ancient days, humankind had lost its ability to sense and command the elements.

But now, Kaen had reclaimed that birthright.

Even though he was a traveler from another world—his body and soul foreign to this one—

Could anyone say he was not human?

….

Inspecting the barracks, practicing magic, and sharing quiet nights with Tifa—these became Kaen's daily routine.

But such peace soon began to stir restlessness within him.

He found himself reminiscing about the days in the Anduin River Valley, when he had hunted Trolls with sword in hand.

This quiet life was not in his nature.

War was his true romance.

With his Mount & Blade System at the ready, how could he be content in a land of silk and tenderness?

And so—

Kaen ordered rangers to venture deep into the forests in search of Troll lairs. He had them chart maps and gather intelligence, all in preparation for the war to come.

….

Then came a certain day.

A five-man ranger squad entered the forest, as they had done countless times before.

They were due back in three days.

But they did not return.

Kaen immediately dispatched a search party, following the map the rangers had previously charted.

Soon enough—

The search party returned, bringing back not only the five missing rangers—

But also a piece of news that shocked everyone.