Kael stood at the edge of Emberleaf's central clearing, fingers twitching with nervous energy. Around him, goblins gathered in a loose circle—some curious, some excited, and a few downright terrified. Rimuru bounced lightly on his shoulder, pulsing with anticipation.
"Ready?" Kael asked aloud, though mostly for himself.
"Mana levels are stable," Great Sage replied. "Naming protocol is authorized. Recommend beginning with a low-tier subject to measure drain."
Kael looked to Gobrin, who stood nearby fidgeting with a stick.
"You sure about this?" Kael asked.
Gobrin hesitated, then nodded. "If it means I get cooler ears and maybe more height... yeah."
Kael reached out. "Then from this moment forward, your name is Gobrinus."
"Designation: Gobrinus registered," Great Sage said.
"You sound like a DMV clerk," Kael muttered.
"Alternate name suggestions included: Gobren, Gribnar, and Gob-Unit."
Kael blinked. "Gob-Unit? Seriously? That sounds like a goblin boy band."
"Analysis: High memorability."
"Yeah, and zero dignity."
"Name selection protocol allows for cultural variation."
Kael groaned. "You're lucky I don't name you next."
"Request denied."
A ripple of magic pulsed outward.
Gobrinus blinked, stumbled, and let out a low groan. His body shimmered faintly, then shifted—just slightly. His posture straightened. His eyes sharpened. His skin took on a healthier shade of green.
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"Whoa," Gobrinus muttered. "I feel... like I could beat Zelga in a headbutt contest."
"Unlikely," Great Sage chimed. "But your evolution is confirmed."
The goblins gasped and murmured.
Kael grinned—and nearly fell over.
Rimuru squeaked and caught him.
"Mana output: 17%. Recommend resting between naming rituals."
Kael sat on a rock, wiping sweat from his brow. "Okay... definitely can't spam this."
He named two more that day: Gobtae became Gobtaeus, and Gobsy became Gobsina. Both changed—smarter eyes, leaner frames, a faint glow in their cores. Kael, on the other hand, looked like he needed a nap and a gallon of soup.
Nana arrived mid-process, glasses fogged from running. "You're doing what?!"
"Naming," Kael groaned. "Apparently, it's exhausting."
Nana scanned him with a crude mana detector. "You're burning three times your regen rate. Sit down before you explode."
Zelga stood nearby, arms crossed. "If he explodes, I get his hoodie."
Kael shot her a weak glare. "I don't die that easy."
Great Sage: "Mortality rate: reduced but not zero."
Rimuru let out a sympathetic wobble.
Once Kael recovered enough, he looked to the two who had become pillars in his new life.
He turned to Nana, who adjusted her glasses nervously. "You ready for a name upgrade?"
She nodded, slowly. "I think so."
Kael smiled. "Then from this moment on, you are Nanari."
Mana surged again. Nanari's posture shifted, her eyes glinting with clarity. Her glasses cracked slightly from the energy discharge.
"My brain feels lighter,” she whispered, eyes wide.
Next, Kael faced Zelga. "You’ve earned this. More than anyone."
Zelga shrugged, though Kael noticed the faint twitch of anticipation.
"Zelganna," Kael said. "That name suits your strength."
Zelganna’s muscles tightened, and a faint aura of earthy power shimmered around her. She cracked her neck and grinned. "Feels right."
That evening, as the village gathered around a fire pit, Kael stood again.
"I'm not naming all of you tonight," he said, loud enough for everyone to hear. "But I will. Over time. Because names matter. You're not just 'Goblins' anymore. You're my people."
A quiet pride settled over the clearing.
Chief Bokku stepped forward. "What shall we call this place now that it breathes anew?"
Kael looked around. The flame-lit trees, the evolving goblins, the soft wind stirring embers into the leaves.
"Emberleaf," he said.
Bokku blinked. "But... that's already what we've been calling it."
Kael nodded. "Right. But now we announce it. Not just as a name—but as a declaration."
"This village is Emberleaf."
Rimuru pulsed with approval.
Great Sage: "Designation registered. 'Emberleaf' now recognized as independent settlement under House Drayke."
Kael smiled. For the first time, he felt it—not like a visitor, not a runaway prince, but a king.
And Emberleaf? It was just getting started.