I Can Copy And Evolve Talents

Chapter 1182: The Foundational Moments of The Northern Empire

Northern reached the ground floor of the Tower, scanning the space. Pristine walls stretched before him, adorned with intricate engravings. No one lived in the Tower.

Having learned a hard lesson from Lotheliwan, only those with business inside were allowed entry—and that business had to contribute to the livelihoods outside.

For one, Northern had converted a storeroom into a depot, so all the resources the ruined city could muster were secured within its walls.

Then he’d assembled a team to manage feeding the masses.

Northern also wanted to release the other survivors from his soul. But he wasn’t sure it was wise, which was why he was downstairs searching for Thalen.

’I’m sure I felt his presence somewhere just now...’

Northern examined his surroundings. He’d intentionally dampened his sensory and perceptive abilities so he could function like a human.

The transition from one perception to nearly a hundred at once was immensely jarring. Even without physical pain, adjusting proved difficult. So he’d toned down his perception, though Aoi kept some abilities subtly active. His Omni-thermic sense worked in the background, ready to spike the moment anyone within his vicinity even *thought* of violence—let alone dared to act on it.

He walked toward a green-haired man speaking with a blonde-haired kid.

Long, pointed ears flickered as Northern approached. The man turned, regarding him with regal green eyes.

”Northern! You’re awake!” Thalen’s face lit up.

Northern stared at him, expression dubious. His gaze persisted until confusion crept across the elf’s features.

”Is all well?”

”Headmaster Thalen?”

”Yes. Oh... this!” Thalen gestured to himself. ”This is what I really look like. I apologize for not showing you sooner.”

Northern raised a brow, keeping his reaction neutral.

”I see. That’s alright, I guess. So—do you have a moment?”

”Of course. Excuse me for a second.” Thalen turned to the blonde-haired boy. ”Zeek, that should be enough to get you through it.”

Zeek gave a casual, playful salute and glanced at Northern as Thalen rejoined him.

They walked together through the Tower.

”Is there something you wish to discuss?”

”I wanted to ask—did your people survive? And were you able to find out more about those attackers?”

Thalen’s smile carried gratitude.

”You’re still worrying about us after everything you’ve done. Don’t worry—Alystren handled most of it. He’s still at Drywall. Actually, since Lady Annette and the others don’t have much to do, they’re planning to travel back to the Central Plains.”

Northern nodded.

”Right. Annette’s here—I sensed her earlier. Makes sense, though. I need to head to the Central Plains myself. I’ve lost contact with two of my subordinates, and I have to find my parents.”

His gaze drifted around the Tower.

Thalen followed his line of sight, then stiffened as realization struck—this Tower was actually an airship.

”Ah... you’ll have to take the Tower with you?”

Northern waved dismissively.

”Nah, not really. I have an easier solution. But there’s something else. Do you think this place can accommodate thirty thousand more people?”

Thalen stopped. His eyes widened slightly.

”Thirty thousand?”

Northern sighed.

”Yes. Survivors from Lithia. I carried them through the battle in my soul, and they nearly died without even realizing it. Good news is I brought them back. Now I need to release them before something else happens.”

With Kryos’s destabilized echo in his soul, he couldn’t risk keeping them any longer.

Thalen fell silent, his gaze dropping. Several seconds passed before he lifted his head.

”Honestly, thirty thousand would strain us. But it’s not impossible. There are other ruins beyond the scarred lands, toward the southern edge of Stelia itself.”

Northern considered this.

”You mean Lotheliwan and beyond? Isn’t that quite far? The battlefield won’t make for easy travel.”

Thalen nodded.

”True, but that’s the best option we can offer them.”

Northern’s brow furrowed as he mulled it over.

”Maybe I should just drop them in the Central Plains.”

Thalen’s expression darkened.

”That’s a bad idea, Northern.”

Northern blinked, caught off guard.

”Why?”

Thalen’s expression remained neutral.

”We need people. The reason I was initially shocked is that thirty thousand plus the seven thousand Luinngard already has gives us a solid starting population for a nation. If we want to become an Empire, we have to start strong.”

Northern’s brow furrowed.

’Nation? Empire? What?’

”Wait a moment, Headmaster. What are you talking about?”

Surprise stretched across Thalen’s features.

”Oh? You didn’t know.”

Northern’s gaze sharpened.

”Know... what?”

Thalen let out an awkward chuckle.

”I’m not sure I’m supposed to be telling you, then.”

A cold light flickered in Northern’s eyes. Thalen’s spine stiffened, and he swallowed hard.

”Lord Bairan and the others have begun the process to create a foundation for the Great Northern Empire.”

Northern’s brows shot up.

”What? Great Northern Empire?”

Thalen chuckled softly.

”Lord Bairan, Lady Annette, and the others have even gone to the Dark Hollows to clear the monsters and expand our civilization. We plan to lay full claim to the entirety of Stelia and make it an Empire, one larger than even Rei—”

He stopped abruptly as Northern grimaced and pressed his index finger to his lips. Northern’s eyes shifted to the corner—he could sense two individuals, one boy and one girl, both considerably strong, especially the boy. They’d been eavesdropping the entire time.

Thalen didn’t know this, and didn’t understand why Northern had suddenly silenced him.

Still, he dipped his head in a respectful bow, reading it as caution.

”I apologize. But frankly, you have no reason to be cautious.”

Northern’s brow arched.

”Lord Bairan alone could take on most nations by himself. I’d say the continent’s strongest force is gathered here, and we haven’t even become a proper nation yet.”

Northern sighed in disappointment and continued toward the Tower’s entrance.

”Really, Headmaster—has Bairan infected you with that kind of thinking too?”

Thalen fell into step beside him, his voice steady.

”I’m telling you because it’s true. You know me.”

Northern sighed.

”You’re right. I’m confident too. But caution doesn’t hurt.”

Thalen’s eyes narrowed as he nodded.

”Well, you’re right about that.”

Northern finally stepped outside the Tower, taking in the vast ocean and the bustling harbor.

He stopped, staring straight ahead.

”Moreover, the Empire is definitely hiding something.”

Thalen studied him.

”Really? What makes you say that?”

Northern’s gaze narrowed.

”I thought Rughsbourgh was the first Luminary in a while.”

Thalen’s frown deepened.

”Yes. I heard he became a Luminary, and you fought him... and lived.”

Northern shrugged, the memory of that terrifying battle flashing through his mind. Then he shook his head.

”That’s not the point.”

His gaze sharpened.

”My sister—stepsister... is a Luminary too.”

Thalen’s eyes widened.

”What?”