After the introductions and the acceptance of fealty, Eldric led the five men to an area of the forest that required clearing. This would be the site of their new dwelling. The work was hard, and the sweat of their toil soaked their clothes, but the men worked with dedication and unity that sped the process along. By nightfall, they had cleared the area, gathered enough wood and stone, and a basic structure had begun to take shape. 

To reward their efforts, Eldric suggested they head to the nearby river to catch some fish for their dinner. The atmosphere was joyous and full of camaraderie. Laughter rang out through the trees as Lachlan, the youngest of the group, tumbled more than once in his enthusiastic attempts to catch a fish. His mishaps were affectionately teased, their laughter echoing off the forest canopy. 

With enough fish caught, they returned to their newly built shelter and started a campfire. As the flames crackled and danced, the men shared stories and sang old folk songs, their voices harmonizing with the gentle sounds of the night. The camaraderie was palpable, the bond between them growing stronger with each passing moment. 

As the night grew late, Eldric quieted the group, his voice cutting through the jovial atmosphere. The seriousness of his tone was a stark contrast to the joyous moments before, but it was necessary. It was time to cement their brotherhood with a name for their household. 

"Henceforth till the end of time, in the manner of the ancient knights, we shall abide," he began, his voice echoing within the stone walls of the cavern. His eyes stared into the flickering flames of the hearth, the light reflecting the seriousness of his proclamation. 

 

"From this moment, till the sands of time cease to fall, we shall uphold the virtues of our forebears. We shall wield our blades with honor, not for personal glory, but for the protection of the weak and the preservation of justice. Our shields will be symbols of our unyielding resolve to safeguard the realm," Eldric continued, his voice filled with passion and conviction. 

 

As Eldric spoke, the men listened, their expressions solemn. They understood the gravity of what was being said. They were not just forming a household but making a sacred vow to live and die by these principles. 

 

Eldric concluded his speech, his voice resounding with finality, "We of the House of Snow shall abide." And with those words, the newly formed House of Snow was born, their pledge echoing through the night, binding them together as knights till the end of time. 

The night was concluded, and everyone departed for their shelters eagerly, dozing off the moment they stepped into the house. 

As dawn broke, the once quiet settlement was alive with the hustle of a burgeoning community. Eldric stepped outside his humble abode, blinking against the morning sun. The five young men were already up, their agile hands working on various tasks. 

They were tilling the soil, building a crude fence, and hauling stones from a nearby area. The once barren ground was gradually transforming into an organized crop field. On the other side, piles of wood and stones were being sorted. Wood was stacked neatly, and stones were piled. The evidence of the night's hard work was all around. 

Eldric greeted them cheerfully, his voice echoing in the morning air. The young men responded in kind, their joyous greetings filling the morning with warmth. Energized, Eldric decided to freshen up. The night's sleep had done him good, but he was eager to shake off the last vestiges of sleep and join in the work. 

Galen's voice caught his attention, his shout carrying clearly across the distance. Eldric turned left as directed, his feet crunching on the undergrowth as he ventured into the dense forest. He followed a barely visible path, the trees giving way to reveal a stunning sight. A small lake shimmered under the morning sun, flanked by two streams. It was a man-made marvel, cleverly designed to serve as a bathing and cleaning area. 

He stripped down, his tired muscles relaxing as he dipped into the cool water. The lake, despite its artificial origins, was serene. The water was evident, a testament to the hard work and ingenuity of the men. Eldric couldn't help but marvel at their resourcefulness. 

Suddenly, a resonating 'Ding' sound echoed through Eldric's mind. Eldric jerked up, looking around in surprise. The sound was quickly followed by a voice, as clear as day, announcing, "Galen advanced to Tier 0 Level 9." 

Eldric looked around in confusion. What did that mean? Had Galen achieved something noteworthy? His curiosity piqued, and he quickly finished his bath and headed back to the settlement, eager to understand the strange announcement. 

Eldric found Galen amidst the bustle, hauling stones for a new structure. His muscular arms flexed under the strain, but he moved with a steady determination that spoke of his hardiness. 

"Galen," Eldric began, "do you feel any different?" 

Galen looked at him, his brows furrowing in confusion. He set the stone down, rubbing the sweat off his brow. "Different? No, I feel pretty normal. Why do you ask?" 

Eldric shrugged, trying to shake off his confusion. "No reason, just checking." 

With a last puzzled glance at Eldric, Galen returned to his work. Eldric walked away, his mind buzzing with questions. He decided to consult the system, hoping it would provide some insight. 

"System," he began, "can you explain what happened with Galen earlier?" 

A disembodied voice replied, its tone neutral. "Galen has advanced to Tier 0 Level 9. However, at Tier 0, no visible changes will occur in the status of the individual. Changes will only become apparent upon reaching Tier 1." 

Eldric frowned, piecing together the information. "So, then, what about the rest? Are they also at Level 9?" "No, every individual has a different starting point," The system replied. "For instance, Galen began at Tier 0 Level 8, while Lachlan is currently at Tier 0 Level 5." 

Eldric nodded, understanding dawning. "And how do they advance?" 

"They would need to gather experience points. Upon reaching the required number of points, they will advance to the next level." 

"And how would they be able to gather experience points?" He asked. Explore on your own, was the system's reply. 

Eldric mulled over this new knowledge. The system had brought an unexpected development. He didn't know what this meant for him and his knights, but he was determined to find out. The sun was high, the day was young, and there was time to explore.

Eldric gathered the group in the early morning light, his unmistakable voice cutting through the crisp air. "We have tasks to accomplish today. We need to expand the crop field, build another house, reinforce the new houses, and start building a gathering area around the campfire. Galen, you will go hunting." 

Each member of the group nodded, acknowledging their tasks. They split up, each heading towards their respective responsibilities. Galen, with a swift nod, disappeared into the forest. 

As the day progressed, the sounds of hard work echoed throughout their village - the rhythmic thud of the makeshift hammer, the rustle of leaves in the expanded crop field, and the crackling of wood around the campfire being moved. As dusk fell, Galen returned with five hares slung over his shoulders, a satisfied grin on his face. 

They gathered in the newly built campfire area around the fire, their faces glowing in the warm light. Galen's hares were roasted to perfection, and as they feasted, laughter and chatter filled the night. Eldric looked around, a sense of happiness and contentment swelling within him. 

The following day, they resumed their tasks. Galen once again disappeared into the forest, his hunting knife glinting in the morning sun. The others continued clearing the paths, constructing a beautiful wooden fence, and planting seeds in the expanded crop field. Finishing up all that they could not yesterday. At the end of the day, the cavern looked nice and neat. 

As the sun began to set, Galen returned, dragging two hefty boars behind him. His face was flushed from the effort, but his eyes sparkled with triumph. Suddenly, a sound rang in Eldric's ears, followed by the system's voice. 

 

*Ding* 

Congratulations to the House of Snow for having their first Tier 1 Knight. Galen has advanced to Tier 1 Level 1. 

Reward: Blueprints for traditional houses 

Additional Reward: A Knight's Broadsword. 

 

Eldric's eyes turned to Galen, clapping him on the shoulder with a wide grin. "Knights of the House of Snow listen up. Today is a day of great celebration, for today we have welcomed a True Knight into our ranks. Galen, today you have pathed the way for our House, and as the House leader I want to reward you for this achievement." Galen calmly went down on one knee. 

 

"Kneel, good man, upon this sacred ground. By the power vested in me and in the hallowed traditions of our noble House, I stand here ready to bestow upon thee the ancient honor of knighthood. 

 

In the name of Eldric Balmore from the House of Snow, I charge thee: be valiant, be truthful, be merciful. Art thou ready to uphold these virtues?" 

 

"I, Galen am ready to uphold these virtues!" 

 

"Then, by my sword and the strength it represents, I dub thee knight. Rise, Sir Galen Snow, Knight of the House of Snow, protector of the weak, champion of justice. May thy blade be swift and accurate, thy heart steadfast and courageous. Be ever guided by the knightly virtues, and may thy deeds echo through the annals of the kingdom. 

 

Now, go forth, Sir Galen! Serve House Snow with honor, and let thy chivalry be a beacon for all who seek righteousness. To thy new life as a knight, I say, 'Rise and be recognized!'" 

 

"I bestow upon you A Knights Broadsword and it's a sacred duty." 

As the knighting was finished, they gathered around the campfire once again, this time with an air of celebration. They feasted on the boar, the laughter and cheers echoing into the night, marking the end of a fruitful day and glorious day. 

Eldric opened his eyes to the first light of dawn, stretching his aching muscles. Now, it was time to put the rewards the system gave him to good use. He looked at the blueprints; it wasn't a grand fortress or a luxurious mansion but something far more humble and homey. He could almost imagine the comforting scent of wood and feel the sturdy solidity of stones that would make up their dwelling as he examined the blueprints. 

 "We'll need a lot of wood and rocks," Eldric murmured, studying the design. 

He ventured outside and saw the men busy at work. He called them and showed them the blueprints. His gaze met Galen's, who had been watching him silently. Galen nodded, his face determined. "Let's get to work then." 

They set about collecting materials, their hands and tools making short work of the surrounding trees. Sweat trickled down their foreheads as they worked without pause, the sun climbing its arc in the sky. Galen, despite only being a Tier 1 Level 1, was a powerhouse of strength. His muscles bulged as he swung his axe, each stroke causing a tree to shudder before toppling to the ground. 

By the time the sun was halfway across the sky, they had amassed a sizeable pile of wood and rocks. They began to assemble the House, following the blueprint's instructions meticulously. The process was straightforward but laborious, and their old, crude houses seemed like primitive huts in comparison. 

By the time dusk painted the sky with hues of red and orange, their work was complete. They stood back, admiring the neat, cozy House that was a testament to their hard work and determination. Eldric couldn't help but smile warmly. 

"But this is just the beginning," Eldric declared, turning to Galen. Galen nodded, his eyes reflecting the setting sun. "Tomorrow, we hunt." 

Eldric had set three goals for their hunting expedition. The first was to gain experience points to level up. As he had learned through the system that the summoned knights did not need techniques and so on to advance but only needed experience points. The second was to gather more food. The chill in the morning air was a stark reminder that winter was coming, and they needed to stock up. Lastly, he wanted to survey their surroundings for potential dangers. The wilderness was full of unknown threats, and it was better to be prepared than sorry. 

As they retreated into their new home for the night, Eldric could feel anticipation bubbling within him. The hunt would be an adventure, a challenge, and a vital step for their survival. But for now, he was content to enjoy the warmth of their new home and the company of his friends, his people.  

With the break of dawn, the group stirred from their slumber, the piercing rays of the sun seeping through their humble abode. Each one woke up, stretching and yawning, ready to take on the new day. From preparing breakfast to cleaning their new home, they all had their roles to play and tasks to perform. 

As the sun reached its zenith, it was time for the part of the day they all looked forward to - the hunt. The men gathered their sharpened spears and sturdy axes, their faces set in determined lines. They exited their house, stepping onto the rough mountain terrain that stretched out before them. 

"Ready for the hunt, lads?" Eldric asked, his voice carrying the excitement and anticipation they all felt. A chorus of determined affirmation echoed back at him. 

The outside was a sight to behold. The mountainous terrain was rugged and full of challenges. Jagged rocks jutted out from the ground, and the undergrowth was full of hidden dangers. But it also held a wild, untamed beauty that took their breath away. To their right was a massive lake, its surface glittering like diamonds under the afternoon sun. It was here that the inhabitants of the environment came to drink, and it was here they would find their game.