At Fort Steelward, a border outpost near the west, Angela’s Captain Cedric Durand stood alongside Aeternum’s Colonel Matthias Kael, watching as their combined forces executed a tactical drill.“You train your men well,” Captain Cedric admitted, watching as Aeternum’s soldiers swiftly took down training dummies with precise gunfire and coordinated tactics.Colonel Kael smirked. “Efficiency is key. We fight with strategy, discipline, and superior equipment.”Angela’s soldiers were still adjusting to Aeternum’s modernized warfare, but the results spoke for themselves. Crime rates near the border had dropped by 60% in just three months, and monster activity was at an all-time low.For Angela’s government, this was the best possible outcome. A safer nation meant a stronger economy, happier citizens, and more stability.In the halls of Angela’s Royal Palace, the nation’s ministers convened for a special meeting to discuss the growing partnership with Aeternum.“I must admit,” Minister Jean-
As life in Angela rapidly modernized, one final surprise awaited its citizens—a marvel unlike anything they had ever seen before.Under President Mies’ orders, Minister Rafaela of A.R.D.H.M. (Art, Research, Development, Health, and Magic) had finally completed a project years in the making.Aeternum had officially invented the world’s first television.At Angela’s Grand Plaza, a massive gathering of people stood in front of a newly constructed screen.“Is this… some kind of moving painting?” an old man asked, adjusting his spectacles.His grandson, a curious boy named Emile, tugged on his sleeve. “Grandpa, look! The picture is… changing!”The crowd gasped as the screen flickered to life, revealing an image of DJ Skelly and Quara Raedrim, two of Aeternum’s most famous radio hosts.“Greetings, citizens of Angela!” DJ Skelly’s booming voice echoed across the plaza. “Today is a historic day! For the first time ever, the people of Aeternum and Angela will witness the future of entertainmen
“For the first time ever, we bring to you, the Dukedom of Angela—as seen through the lens of Aeternum television!” Quara announced proudly.The footage zoomed in to Angela City, its sprawling medieval-style castles and townships standing in stark contrast to Aeternum’s modern metropolis. The streets of Angela were bustling, the markets filled with traders, and most importantly, the brand-new train station was shown in full glory—with an Aeternum-built high-speed train pulling in.Loud cheers erupted from across the nation.“I never thought I’d be able to see another country without having to travel!” a young boy marveled, watching from his family’s living room.Back in the Angela Grand Plaza, where a giant public viewing screen had been set up, Angela’s own citizens were watching themselves on the Aeternum News.A young Angela nobleman paled, tugging at his collar. “Is this how they see us? We look so… so old-fashioned compared to them!”His companion, a wealthy merchant, nodded. “The
On screen, ANBC reporters walked the streets, interviewed important figures, and even showed battlefield footage of Aeternum’s military exercises. The people were shocked, their jaws dropping as they saw moving images of places they had never been."It’s like I’m standing there with them!" A shopkeeper had exclaimed in an interview, reacting to seeing footage of Angela’s train network expansion.But news wasn’t the only thing that took the world by storm.I had taken it upon myself to recreate classic entertainment from Earth, bringing a whole new level of culture to Aeternum.Dramas and Soap Operas – Noble romance, political intrigue, thrilling battles, and dramatic betrayals captivated viewers. Families gathered around the television, watching scripted stories unfold before their eyes for the first time.Short Films & Movies – Storytelling evolved overnight. Actors and playwrights who once worked in theaters had now found a new home in television. The birth of Aeternum’s film indust
“Coming Soon: Aeternum’s First Movie – Directed by the President Himself!”The public reaction was beyond anything I had imagined. People were talking about it in markets, cafes, and even at work.“Did you hear? The President himself is acting in this film!”“I don’t even know what a movie is, but if the President made it, I have to see it!”“They say it’s like a play, but the characters are on a magical screen. How does that even work?”The excitement was contagious. Even foreign merchants and diplomats in Aeternum were intrigued—they, too, wanted to witness this mysterious new form of entertainment.Shooting the movie was not easy. Unlike Earth, Aeternum had no experienced film industry professionals. Camera operators had to be trained from scratch.Actors had to learn how to deliver lines naturally instead of exaggerated stage acting. Lighting and set design had to be invented entirely from the ground up.One of my biggest struggles?Teaching the actors to not look directly at the
“Learn the Craft of Visual Storytelling! Enroll in the Aeternum Film Academy Today!”Students from all over Aeternum flocked to sign up. Aspiring actors hoping to be the next big star. Writers eager to bring their stories to life. Technicians fascinated by the magic of film.Even our allied nations sent students, eager to learn about this new frontier of entertainment. The future of the film industry had been secured.“If there are no theaters, there’s no audience.”Right now, Aeternum was the only nation with cinemas. But the true money wouldn’t come from just our own population—it would come from exporting movies and cinema technology to our allied nations.And so, we struck a deal. Each allied nation would provide land and funding for the construction of cinemas. Aeternum would bring in the technology, train workers, and provide the films.The profits would be split—40% for Aeternum, 60% for the host nation. This trade cooperation would not only strengthen alliances but also ensur
At first, even with professional teams and structured matches, the stadiums weren’t full. People didn’t understand why they should care. But then… he first matches were broadcasted on television. And suddenly, everything changed.For the first time, people saw their own cities competing. New City United vs. Shark Bay FC. Ironridge Titans vs. Silverport Eagles. Blazing Tundra vs. Redwood Strikers.It wasn’t just football anymore—these were their cities, their teams, their pride. And when fans saw their teams winning, they felt the rush of victory. When they saw their teams losing, they felt the bitterness of defeat.The spark had been ignited. Soon enough… Supporters’ clubs started popping up. Fans flooded stadiums on weekends. People debated tactics in bars, cafes, and workplaces. Children started dreaming of becoming professional players.Saturdays and Sundays were now known as Football Days, where everyone tuned in to watch their favorite teams battle for supremacy.The AFL wasn’t j
This was Aeternum’s first fully televised football match, being broadcast internationally to allied nations like Dukedom of Angela, Kingdom of Zaredon, and Kingdom of Eloesa.Even rival nations, like Hallerus Kingdom and the Golden Triangle Nation, watched the match with a mix of jealousy and curiosity.For them, this was completely new.A sport played in a massive stadium. A crowd of thousands cheering in unison. Leaders sitting among their people, showing unity and camaraderie."Is this… what Aeternum entertainment looks like?""No wonder their people love them…"Aeternum was changing the world, one goal at a time.The match continued, New City United pressing forward, desperately trying to equalize. And then—Thirty minutes in—goal! New City United equalized with a powerful shot from outside the box.Forty-second minute—goal! Another attack from New City, and they took the lead.President Mies stood up and cheered loudly with the crowd."Looks like the President is having a great t
Aeternum would continue to offer education, security, and infrastructure assistance—but always in a way that ensured we maintained our lead.We would teach them how to build schools, but we would own the publishing rights to the most advanced textbooks. We would help them create local militias, but they would still call for Aeternum troops when true threats loomed.We would help them modernize, industrialize, prosper—but they would know, always know, that Aeternum had already blazed the trail further ahead. I didn’t want vassals. I wanted allies who could never quite catch up—because they didn’t need to. They needed us to lead.I rose from my chair and walked toward the window. New City stretched into the horizon, its shining towers and clean streets proof of what discipline and vision could achieve.If left alone, the world would fall back into darkness. If left to their own devices, these medieval kings and nobles would tear each other apart again. The future needed guardians. The U
I knew what was at stake. We had to uphold this example. We had to show, beyond doubt, that the age of “Human First” was over.That the only supremacy left was the supremacy of character. Wisdom. Unity. Vision. And if we could carve that truth into the very soul of the UNA—if we could bury the old hatreds under libraries, not graves—then maybe, just maybe, this world could finally, finally leave its chains behind.I stood up from my chair, moving to the window. Out there, the city pulsed—an endless, living testament to what was possible when walls were torn down, not built higher. I closed my eyes for a moment. I didn’t want to be remembered as the conqueror of nations. I wanted to be remembered as the architect of a new era.One where no child was born inferior. One where no citizen was condemned by the shape of their ears or the color of their skin or the tail on their back. One where power didn’t mean oppression—but opportunity.Aeternum would be the beacon. And the UNA? The vessel
I took another sip of tea, letting the warmth spread through me.Because here’s the delicious irony: by copying our education system, they didn’t just adopt our books and schedules.They were adopting our mindset.Every child who learned using our curriculum. Every teacher trained by our methods. Every official who quoted Aeternum textbooks. They were all little seeds planted deep within foreign soil.In ten years?Those nations would think like us.In twenty?They would be like us. All without a single sword being drawn. I leaned back in my chair, utterly content.Without armies, without bloodshed, we were gaining soft political power over thirty-one nations.Real power.The kind that shaped futures. Mina clinked her cup lightly against mine in a silent toast, her green eyes sparkling.“To the future?” she teased.I smiled, lifting my cup.“To the future we’re writing,” I said.And out there, beneath the quiet, darkening sky, the seeds of a new world had already begun to bloom.The n
In New City, the public watched it all unfold on massive news screens and digital displays.A young woman in a coffee shop blinked back tears.“My mother couldn’t even sign her name,” she said. “Now, she’s going to school at sixty. Can you imagine?”A factory worker on break raised his can of iced tea. “They used to mock us for thinking machines would replace us. Now? My kid’s learning to design them.”Later that evening, President Mies stood at his office window in the Black House, overlooking a city glowing with lights and ambition.Minister Myers entered, holding the finalized signed charter.“It’s done,” he said quietly. “They all agreed. The future begins today.”Mies nodded. “We’ve unified their borders, their defense, and their markets,” he said. “Now, we unify their minds.”A long silence followed. Then, just a single line: “History will remember this moment.” And across the continent, it already had.The evening air was soft, almost languid, as I sat back in my chair, savorin
As the documents were sealed, cameras flashed and live broadcasts streamed the images of rulers shaking hands with President Mies—smiles genuine, eyes alight with purpose.The message to the world was unmistakable:Aeternum does not just lead with power—it leads with knowledge.Later, in a private conversation, Jonathan Myers turned to Mies.“This is more than we hoped.”Mies looked out the window of his office, where the UNA flags fluttered in a perfect row.“No,” he said. “This is exactly what I planned.”Jonathan raised a brow. “And what next?”Mies smiled faintly. “We teach the world… to think like us.”The central assembly hall of New Concordia UNA Headquarters—a gleaming white dome adorned with banners of thirty-one nations—had never been so full.Delegates filled every seat. National flags stood in perfect rows. The giant LED display behind the stage glowed with the symbol of the United Nation Alliance, now framed by a new banner in golden letters:"Education for All – A Future
Outside the palace gates, the citizens of Hallerus City buzzed with excitement. News traveled fast: another king had come, and he, too, had seen the truth.And far beyond the city walls, whispers began in other UNA courts:“Perhaps we should ask Queen Helen for assistance.”“Maybe Aeternum’s model isn’t just for them.”“Could we build this future too?”In the Black House of New City, when President Mies received the report of King Leopold’s visit, he simply closed the folder and smiled slightly."One seed sows a thousand trees," he murmured.And in the fields of Fantasma, the seeds of knowledge had already begun to sprout.The towering skyline of New City shimmered beneath a clear morning sky. It was a perfect day for diplomacy—and a historic one.Within the great glass-paneled east wing of the Black House, Aeternum’s political nerve center, a long oval table had been prepared. Security was tight, the air dignified, yet the atmosphere was distinctly welcoming. For today, President Mie
That evening, Queen Helen hosted a quiet reception for the UNA visitors. Modest food, strong Hallerian tea, and conversation flowed freely.“We’re not pretending it’s perfect,” Helen told them. “But we’re not pretending it’s impossible, either.”One observer raised a hand, smiling. “Would you be open to helping other nations start similar programs?”Helen looked to Merrica, then back to them.“Of course,” she said. “We’ve taken help. It would be wrong not to offer it.”It was the kind of answer that made diplomats take notes. And so, Hallerus—once a fractured kingdom cast in shadow—began to shine in a new light. Not as a symbol of power. But as a model of transformation. And as the scholars walked the streets of Hallerus City, alongside teachers and curious children, they quietly realized: The future wasn’t just being forged in Aeternum anymore. It was spreading.The scent of blooming gardenias filled the royal courtyard of Hallerus Royal Palace. The sun hung high above the battlement
“It’s… beautiful,” she said.Jonathan smiled. “It’s sure is,.”The first major step was the immediate conversion of six major city libraries into public education centers. Then came the pilot schools—one for each major region of the kingdom. Each staffed with a blend of local teachers (newly trained) and educational experts from Aeternum who came to oversee implementation.Within a month, Hallerus Elementary Schools opened their doors for the first time. Children from farming villages and mining towns, who had never once held a book of their own, were now reading stories about space, science, and society. They learned arithmetic on digital chalkboards and watched recorded lectures from Aeternum instructors. Classrooms were modest, but organized. Desks were salvaged, but steady.The change was jarring. But it was real. Queen Helen visited one of these pilot schools in the outskirts of Archenport. There, she saw barefoot children reciting alphabet lines. She watched a young girl raise h
Outside in the streets of New City, a mural was already being painted on the wall of a youth center—depicting two children, one Aeternian and one Hallerian, sitting together at a shared desk beneath the words:"Wisdom Unites What War Divides."The mural was uncommission—but no one was taking it down. From within the homes, classrooms, and council chambers of Aeternum, the message was clear: the world was learning, and they were learning from Aeternum.And that made the people walk taller.Because every road rebuilt in Hallerus, every classroom opened, every young mind taught in their system—was a quiet victory for Aeternum’s vision. The age of empires was ending. The age of influence had begun.The great hall of Hallerus Royal Palace hadn’t hosted a summit like this in over a generation. Not for war. Not for taxation. But for education.Long tables stretched beneath arched stone windows, newly adorned with fresh flags representing each province of the Hallerus Kingdom. The air smelled