The Scholar's Rebirth

Days later

Eira sat back in her chair, scanning the parchment in front of her. The numbers were clear, but the reality of the situation was stark. Only 1,650 elves remained after the battle. They were rebuilding, but the population was dangerously low.

Elandor stood beside her, arms crossed. "This is what we have left," he said grimly. "And this is what we've managed to divide them into."

500 Soldiers → Currently undergoing rigorous training.

350 Farmers → Maintaining the food supply but struggling to increase production.

300 Builders → Constructing new housing, barracks, and fortifications.

400 Miners and Blacksmiths → Extracting and refining raw materials, though there is no clear plan for their use yet.

100 Non-Workers → The elderly and children who cannot contribute physically.

Eira sighed. "This is bad." Their population was ridiculously low.

Draco, who had been leaning lazily against the wall, suddenly spoke up. "You could buy slaves."

Eira's head snapped towards him. "Slaves?"

Draco shrugged. "Yeah. This world isn't exactly kind. Slavery exists, especially in bigger cities and ports. There are entire markets dedicated to it."

Eira's eyes narrowed. She hadn't even considered slavery to be an issue here. She had been so focused on the island that she hadn't explored the outside world since waking up in this body.

Elandor frowned. "That's a dangerous idea, Draco."

Draco smirked. "Oh? And struggling to survive with no manpower isn't?" He turned back to Eira. "You don't have to buy them to be slaves. You can free them and give them a choice—work for you, build a new life here. Either way, it solves your labor problem."

Eira crossed her arms. The idea made her uncomfortable, but he had a point. If she could liberate slaves and give them a real home, she'd be solving two problems at once.

"I need to see the outside world for myself," she finally said. "I've been stuck on this island too long."

Draco grinned. "Then I'll come with you."

Eira shook her head. "No."

Draco blinked. "What?"

"I need to do this alone." She could feel the need to understand this world properly, without the presence of someone powerful shielding her. If she was to rule, she needed to see reality with her own eyes.

Draco scowled. "You're being reckless."

Eira smirked. "I thought you liked reckless."

He crossed his arms. "Fine. But don't die."

She then looked at Elandor. "Rebuild the destroyed buildings. Strengthen the village infrastructure. They would need a place to stay."

Elandor placed a fist over his chest. "It will be done."

With that, the meeting was adjourned. Now,to prepare for her little voyage,but before she leaves,she would need to settle the soldiers first.

-------

It's been weeks now,the recruits—as Eira referred to them as,had been undergoing rigorous training. Time was ticking and it was getting close to the day of their exams.

Eira and Draco were in charge of this of course. The barracks were yet to be fully constructed so they resided in tents for now.

Meanwhile Eira and Draco had moved to a more bigger house,it was still lacking a lot but at least she now had a room and study of her own.

A day to the exam,Eira woke up to the familiar chime of the system.She stirred awake, blinking as the blue text of the system's notification hovered before her.

> Ding! Mission Complete!

First Crops Grown Successfully!

Congratulations, Host! Your planted seeds have sprouted. Your first step toward agricultural independence has been achieved!

Rewards: 100 development points.

A satisfied smile tugged at Eira's lips.However, before she could bask in the victory, another ding followed.

> New Mission(s) Issued!

Her eyes focused as two separate tasks unfolded before her.

"Task 1: Produce functional guns and cannons.

No deadline

Reward: Knowledge of cement production.

"Task 2: Establish the first trade route or trade partnership.

No deadline

Reward: 20 new recipes + 10 spice recipes.

Missions yet to be completed:

Sub-mission : Use the system to map out territories for future use.

Would host like to receive the knowledge needed to complete the first mission.

[Yes/No ]

She clicked yes and The system wasted no time and flooded her mind with blueprints, formulas, and precise techniques for crafting firearms and artillery. Guns, gunpowder, cannon structures, materials needed—everything.

Eira sat up sharply, gripping her head as the sudden influx of information settled. This was no coincidence...not that she was complaining.

As she took a good look at the rewards for the second mission, she couldn't help but reminisce about her life as Athena. Back in school she was so used to junk food that she was beginning to hate it,but God knows how much she wanted them right now.

She deeply exhaled as she comforted herself,"It's okay,soon. You can do this."

With this she sat up,and was faced with another dilemma, she needed to put down the knowledge but how? She couldn't keep using parchment and paper was too expensive, as they said.

As Eira grumbled internally about her lack of proper writing materials, the familiar chime of the system interrupted her thoughts. Before she could finish voicing her complaints, she suddenly found herself in an unfamiliar space.

She blinked in surprise. Gone was her usual wooden desk and the candle-lit study. Instead, she stood inside what looked like a modern office, something straight out of her old world. A large wooden desk stood at the center, polished and spacious, with neatly stacked blank books and an array of ink pens and quills waiting to be used. The most shocking part, however, was the sleek desktop computer sitting at the corner of the desk, humming faintly as if inviting her to explore it.

Just as she was about to touch it, the system's voice rang in her mind.

[System Notification: This is your personal office space. Time inside moves at a different rate—one day in the outside world equals a full week here. However, access requires 10 Development Points per visit. You may only take completed books outside.]

Eira's eyes sparkled with excitement. A place where she could write without distractions and effectively store all her knowledge? She didn't need to think twice.

She quickly scrawled a note for Draco, leaving it on the table in her study:

"Draco, the preparations for tomorrow's test are in your hands. I trust you won't disappoint me."

Satisfied, she immediately paid the 10 Development Points and stepped inside, feeling a rush of energy wash over her.

Once inside, Eira wasted no time. She picked up a quill and began writing, pouring out every ounce of knowledge she had received from the system.

1. Introduction to Chemistry – A detailed book explaining the elements, compounds, and basic chemical reactions, paving the way for advanced knowledge.

2. The Principles of Gunpowder and Firearms – A book dedicated to the manufacturing of firearms, gunpowder formulas, and the mechanics behind cannons and muskets.

3. Farming and Agriculture for a Thriving Kingdom – Step-by-step guides on crop rotation, irrigation techniques, and soil enrichment to increase food production.

4. Mining and Resource Utilization – Covering extraction methods, mineral refinement, and how to use mined resources for industrial growth.

She worked tirelessly, her hands never stopping as pages filled with neatly written words. Whenever she felt exhausted, she took a short break, sipped on the hot tea that mysteriously appeared on the desk, and continued writing.

######

The sky was still cloaked in darkness when Draco strode onto the training grounds. A cold breeze swept through the open field, carrying the scent of damp earth and the quiet, restless breaths of the elves who had already assembled. The minute his towering figure entered the grounds, the murmurs ceased.

Not a second later, every single elf snapped to attention, standing in perfectly rigid lines, backs straight, heads high, not daring to move an inch.

They had been hoping for Eira this morning.

Instead, they got Draco.

And everyone knew—training under him was a nightmare.

Draco exhaled through his nose, scanning the crowd with sharp, golden eyes. He had long since gotten used to acting on matters in place of Eira,though he must say,this was the very first time she missed training.

A deep sigh almost escaped his lips, but instead, he just tilted his head, cracking his neck.

Fine. He'd make today especially painful.