The tournament stretched on for several days.
From the stands, Adlet watched each duel with a keen, analytical gaze. Every clash, every flare of Aura was a lesson — a chance to study how other Protectors fought. Some relied on sheer physical strength, hammering through defenses with brutal efficiency. Others favored precision and control, weaving their Auras into refined bursts of speed or pressure. A few fought like predators, patient and quiet until the moment they struck.
Adlet watched with growing focus, his mind racing. Some Protectors fought with brutal force, others with the finesse of a dancer. He couldn't help but compare himself to them — he had yet to find a style that felt truly his own. His training was broad, but was it enough to overcome such seasoned warriors?
Adlet observed them all, memorizing patterns, weaknesses, and the subtle rhythm behind each technique. He wasn't just watching fights — he was learning how to surpass them.
When the final battle ended and the crowd's roar began to fade, he made his way back to the academy hall. The familiar scent of parchment and ink filled Barno's office as he stepped inside.
Barno looked up from his desk, a small, satisfied smile crossing his face.
"A fine spectacle, boy. You've done well."
He reached into a drawer and pulled out a bronze insignia — the same shape as Adlet's old one, but the stone at its center had been replaced by solid metal.
"You've earned this. From now on, you're a Confirmed Protector."
Adlet accepted the insignia carefully, the metal warm against his palm.
"What's next?" he asked after a pause. "My next mission?"
Barno chuckled softly.
"That's for you to decide now. Confirmed Protectors are free to travel wherever they wish — any region, any guild hall that suits them. You can choose your assignments according to your rank. The world's a big place, Adlet. Make it yours."
He leaned back, his tone turning more thoughtful.
"You've got the instincts for it. Just remember — freedom also means responsibility. Choose your path wisely."
Adlet nodded slowly, but the weight of Barno's words settled deep in his chest. Freedom. It was a luxury, yes, but it came at a price. The world was wide, but the burden of choosing where to go next… he wasn't sure he was ready for that.
Adlet nodded, his mind already wandering beyond the walls of the capital. The Neraid Sea… or perhaps the Horus Desert. Vast, distant names that stirred something restless within him. Then, a memory resurfaced — Niccolo's voice, calm and steady.
"If you ever pass through my region, come see me."
That settled it.
"I'll head east, to the Neraid Sea," he said.
Barno's smile returned, approving.
"Then follow the eastern roads until you reach the great cliff that marks the edge of the world. South of the Dryad Forest, keep along the wall until the air grows heavy with salt — you'll know you're close. Atlantis isn't easy to miss."
Adlet fastened the bronze insignia to his chest and inclined his head.
"Thank you… for everything."
Barno waved him off with a half-smile.
"Go on, boy. The world won't wait for you."
The days that followed were filled with quiet miles and steady determination.
He crossed familiar plains, passed through golden meadows and small groves, following the path eastward. As the landscape shifted, the ground grew rockier, and soon the great cliff came into view — a colossal wall of stone rising into the heavens, its jagged surface seeming to touch the Stars themselves.
He followed it south, the wind whispering along the stone.
Three thousand kilometers, covered in three short weeks. His pace never slowed, driven by the same curiosity that had once led him to the Academy's gates.
The air grew denser, warmer. A faint scent began to drift with the breeze — foreign, sharp, and invigorating all at once.
Adlet stopped, lifting his gaze toward the horizon. A glimmer of blue teased at the distance. The sea was near.
Moments later, the path opened fully, revealing the Neraid Sea in all its splendor. An immense beach stretched before him, golden sand gleaming under the muted light, waves rolling rhythmically onto the shore, each crash sending up a fine spray that carried the scent of salt and distant lands. The horizon seemed endless, the water stretching beyond what his eyes could take in. Far off, seagulls cried, riding the wind as they skimmed over the surface.
In the distance, a city emerged along the edge of the beach. Curious and eager, Adlet made his way toward it. As he drew closer, details became clearer: bustling quays, ships of every size bobbing gently in the water, sailors shouting orders as they loaded and unloaded cargo. Boats were a novelty to him, and it quickly became evident they were the primary means of travel across the sea.
Approaching one of the mariners, he asked how to reach Atlantis. The man glanced at the young boy's medallion and smiled warmly.
"You're in luck. My ship sets sail soon. Come aboard, and I'll take you there."
The journey began. Over the next ten days, Adlet sailed across the sparkling waters of the Neraid Sea, watching countless islands drift past, each with its own shape and color. The voyage was not without danger: Apex flying predators harried the ship at times, and a large shark-like creature attacked once, forcing Adlet and several other Protectors aboard to fend it off. He relished the challenge, enjoying the rhythm of life at sea, the fresh wind, and the constant sense of discovery.
The sea stretched out before him, endless and unyielding. Adlet's heart beat in sync with the rhythm of the waves. He had once believed that the land held all the answers, but here, on this vast expanse of water, he felt small, insignificant even. And yet, it was exhilarating. The world was wide, and he was just one part of it. He didn't know where the path would take him, but the journey had already begun.
Finally, the main island of the Neraid Sea appeared on the horizon. Stretching along its edge, the vast city of Atlantis came into view.
Docking at the bustling port, Adlet stepped ashore and beheld the city in all its grandeur. White stone buildings rose beneath colonnades, streets teeming with merchants and travelers. The architecture was both elegant and imposing. Atlantis was the kingdom's greatest trading city, alive with the hum of commerce, and it was here that Adlet would begin the next chapter of his journey.
Navigating the bustling streets, Adlet scanned the sprawling city in search of the Protectors' guild. The streets twisted and branched like a labyrinth, merchants shouting their wares, carts rattling over stone, and citizens hurrying about their business. The scale of the city was overwhelming; every turn revealed another district, another market, another quay brimming with activity.
Hours passed as he weaved through the streets, following signs and asking directions, occasionally pausing to admire the architecture — white stone buildings rising high, colonnades framing grand halls, mosaics depicting rare Apexes in their natural habitats and the untamed wilderness. Despite his growing determination, the enormity of the city made locating the guild a challenge.
Finally, after what felt like an endless search, he arrived at the Protectors' guild. Even from the street, the building's grandeur was impossible to ignore. Towering white columns soared above a vast façade, carved with intricate reliefs, the doors larger than many homes. It was more magnificent than anything he had seen in Villa-Sylva. Adlet froze in awe, his mouth slightly parted, eyes drinking in every detail.
A voice cut through his daze.
"Adlet?"
He spun around, startled, and saw a familiar figure approaching through the crowd. It was Niccolo, who had just happened to be passing by. A grin spread across the young man's face as he came closer, his steps quick and eager.
"Niccolo…" Adlet breathed, a mixture of surprise and relief washing over him.
Niccolo's words echoed in Adlet's mind, calm and unwavering. He had promised to meet him if he ever passed through. Adlet had barely realized how much he had relied on those words until this moment — how much they had shaped his choices. The pressure to prove himself had never been heavier.
The moment Niccolo stepped forward, Adlet felt a strange weight lift off his shoulders. Here, in this bustling city full of strangers, was the one person who had seen him, truly seen him. For a fleeting moment, the vastness of the world seemed a little smaller.