A New Beginning

As Dominic guided Ashen through the grand halls of his palace, Ashen's eyes widened in amazement at the stunning architecture that surrounded him. Even though half of the palace lay in ruin, the other half remained in pristine condition and was more than sufficient to serve as a comfortable residence. The intricate designs and ornate details of the walls, ceilings, and floors were a testament to the skill and craftsmanship of the architects and builders who had created this marvel.

As they continued their exploration, Dominic's casual comment caught Ashen off guard. "This outfit suits you, my lord," he said with a smile. Ashen felt a warm sense of approval wash over him, as if he had been granted a royal blessing. He turned to Dominic, curious to know more about the clothes he was wearing.

"What type of attire is this?" Ashen asked, his eyes sparkling with curiosity and puzzled expression.

Dominic held back a laugh as he saw Ashen's puzzled expression. "Don't worry, my lord. I didn't dress you myself. We have a team of skilled wardrobe attendants who have been preparing your attire for days now," he said, a hint of amusement in his voice.

Ashen let out a sigh of relief, glad that he wasn't the only one feeling out of place in this new role. He felt like a fish out of water, struggling to navigate the intricate customs and traditions of this foreign planet. The Moonlight Regalia was just one more thing he had to get used to.

But as he looked down at himself, he couldn't help but feel a strange sense of pride. The outfit was regal and elegant, with intricate beading and embroidery that sparkled in the light. It was as if he had been draped in moonlight itself.

But despite his newfound status, Ashen couldn't shake the feeling that he was an imposter. He was a stranger to this planet, a mere mortal who had been thrust into a position of power. He couldn't help but wonder if he was truly worthy of this honour.

As he continued to walk, lost in thought, he suddenly heard the soft sound of fabric rustling behind him. He turned to see Dominic walking beside him, a small smile on his face.

"My lord, if I may offer some advice?" Dominic said, his voice gentle.

Ashen nodded, eager for any guidance that could help him navigate this new world.

"Remember that the clothes do not make the man," Dominic said, his eyes twinkling. "It is your actions and your character that will define your reign. Wear the Moonlight Regalia with pride, but remember that it is who you are inside that truly matters."

Ashen felt a wave of gratitude wash over him. It was as if Dominic had read his mind and knew exactly what he needed to hear. He straightened his shoulders and walked with renewed confidence, determined to prove himself worthy of the honour that had been bestowed upon him.

As Ashen was following Dominic he gazed into his updated status window, he couldn't help but marvel at the translucent bronze screen that appeared before him. The intricate designs on the borders of the screen were both striking and alluring, drawing his attention in with their eye-catching display.

Upon opening the status window, Ashen was greeted with several options, the first being a tutorial to help him navigate and become more familiar with the window. However, he chose to skip the tutorial and explore the various features on his own.

Name: GreyGhost

Race: Human

Title: Lord

Planet Name: Midnight Bay

Level: 1 Experience: 0/100

Status:

Health Points (HP): 100/100

Mana Points (MP): 50/50

Stamina Points (SP): 75/75

Condition: Normal

Attributes:

Strength: 5

Intelligence: 8

Wisdom: 7

Charisma: 4

Dexterity: 6

Skills:

[No skills obtained]

Inventory:

[No items in inventory]

Civilization Window: Locked (Requires Level 5)

Additionally, there were "i" signs adorning every window, providing information for each section and window. In the top right corner of the status window, three dots were perched, inviting players to click and reveal three tabs for notifications, friends, and chat.

Under the info tab, each section was displayed with relevant details:

Name: The player's name.

Title: The player's rank or title.

Level: The player's current level, determining overall strength and unlocking new skills and abilities.

Experience: The amount of experience points earned by the player character, gained through completing quests, defeating enemies, and performing other actions in the game.

Status: The player's current condition, including HP, MP, SP, and overall well-being.

For the attribute section:

Strength: This attribute represents physical power, including the ability to carry heavy objects, wield weapons, and perform physical tasks.

Intelligence: This attribute represents mental acuity, including problem-solving skills, critical thinking, and the ability to learn quickly.

Wisdom: This attribute represents common sense and practical knowledge, including the ability to make sound decisions, learn from experience, and understand the consequences of one's actions.

Charisma: This attribute represents social skills and likability, including the ability to persuade others, negotiate effectively, and build relationships.

Dexterity: This attribute represents agility and coordination, including the ability to perform fine motor skills, dodge attacks, and execute complex manoeuvres.

Skills: The player's learned abilities or actions that can be used in the game.

Inventory: The player's belongings and items in the game.

Civilization Window: The player's ability to manage and develop their civilization in the game.

Upon seeing that civilization was locked until level 5, Ashen felt disappointed.

As he followed Dominic and inspected the status window, Ashen suddenly found himself in the once majestic throne room, now reduced to ruins. The water surrounding him was a stunning turquoise colour, creating a serene atmosphere as moonlight shone through it.

The pillars and arches of the room were in a state of disrepair, as though the weight of time had caused them to crumble. Coral and various marine plants covered the walls, giving the impression that the throne room had been submerged for a long time. Two Aquaflys sat near the throne, the backrest of which was engraved with a big crimson red gem, completing the otherworldly scene.

But the most surprising sight of all was the presence of mermaids and mighty sea dragons. The mermaids' tails swished about as they chatted away in their ancient, tight-fitting outfits, while the sea dragons' scales glimmered in the light, complete with their powerful tails and formidable horns.

Ashen's expression twisted in confusion and shock as he saw these fantastical creatures. He was even more surprised when Dominic introduced him to the sea dragons and mermaids, gesturing for him to take a seat on the throne as their new lord, GreyGhost.

But Ashen was not pleased. "You said there were no inhabitants on this planet!" he exclaimed, his tone filled with anger.

Dominic, taken aback, nervously replied, "Did I?"

Despite Ashen's frustration, Dominic changed the subject and motioned towards the underwater creatures. "Ahem, everyone," he announced, "please welcome our new lord, GreyGhost."

As Ashen surveyed the mermaids and sea dragons, he realized there were about 20-30 of them in total, each with their unique features and characteristics.

Ashen's anger dissipated as he gazed at the magnificent creatures before him. He couldn't help but marvel at their beauty and power. The mermaids and sea dragons bowed respectfully towards him, acknowledging him as their new lord.

As he took his seat on the stoned throne, Ashen couldn't help but feel a sense of responsibility weighing heavily on his shoulders. He was now the ruler of this underwater kingdom, and he knew that he had a lot to learn in order to lead his new subjects wisely.

Looking around the throne room, he realized that it was a perfect metaphor for his situation - a once-great kingdom now in ruins, but with the potential to be rebuilt and restored to its former glory.