Adlet followed Niccolo in silence, his eyes darting from one colorful market stall to the next. The sounds of traders shouting prices seemed to bounce off the stone streets, overwhelming him. The air tasted of salt, spices, and the sharp tang of exotic fruits he couldn't name. Every moment felt like he was drowning in the noise, and yet, the city kept moving, indifferent to his discomfort.
This place is huge... Adlet thought, the weight of it pressing down on him. The streets stretched endlessly in all directions, each corner more foreign than the last. He was just one small figure among thousands. I don't belong here.
They passed through crowded markets where traders shouted prices above the noise of carts and gulls. The scent of salt and spices mixed with the sweetness of exotic fruits, while silk banners of every color fluttered in the sea breeze.
"Over there," Niccolo said, pointing toward the hill that overlooked the harbor. "That's the Lord's Palace. And beyond those arches, you'll find the western quarters — the craftsmen, the shipbuilders, and most of the merchant guilds. Everything that matters in this city runs through these streets."
Adlet followed in silence, trying to absorb every sound and every detail. The stone beneath his feet was white and smooth, worn by centuries of footsteps. The air itself felt lighter here — charged with energy, trade, and endless movement.
Yet, despite the vibrancy around him, a small part of Adlet still felt small. The vastness of the city, the noise, the crowds — they were a constant reminder that he was far from home. He was still trying to find his place in a world that felt so much larger than the small village he had left behind.
Finally, Niccolo stopped in front of a small building on the outskirts of the city. It looked modest compared to the grand merchant halls they had passed earlier — two floors of pale wood, a tiled roof, and a sign bearing a simple engraved symbol of a wave.
"This is my company," Niccolo said with a faint smile. "Not the biggest, but it's home. Come in."
Inside, the smell of ink and parchment filled the air. Behind a wooden table, a young man slightly older than Adlet was bent over a set of documents. His hair was blonde and curly, just like Niccolo's, and his eyes reflected the same bright determination.
"Polo, I've got someone I want you to meet," Niccolo said.
The young man looked up, his serious expression giving way to curiosity.
"Adlet," Niccolo continued, "this is my son. Polo, this is the boy I told you about — the one from Villa-Sylva."
Polo stood, offering his hand with a friendly smile. "Nice to meet you. You made quite an impression on my father," he said, glancing at Adlet's bronze insignia. "Looks like you're strong."
Adlet chuckled softly. "Your father left quite an impression on me too — his knowledge is remarkable."
Niccolo leaned against the table. "Heh, my knowledge's not that impressive — you just haven't met enough scholars yet." Now, listen — here in the Neraid region, things work a bit differently. Protectors don't stay tied to the guild. Most of them offer their services to merchant companies, like mine, to join expeditions across the sea. There are hundreds of islands out there, each already mapped but still holding hidden riches. That's where fortune — and danger — lie.
Adlet's eyes lit up. "Across the sea… So that's how it works here. How do I get hired?"
Niccolo exchanged a glance with Polo before answering. "It's not that simple. The best companies already have their own Protectors — and those positions are hard to earn. If you can't find a company to take you, you'll be limited to small guard jobs along the shore."
Adlet frowned, thoughtful. "Then what about the big companies? How do you know which are worth joining?"
Polo spoke up, his tone animated. "There are three ranks for merchant companies — Bronze, Silver, and Gold. Bronze companies can only travel among the nearest islands. Silver can venture further, and Gold... they go where few dare. The higher the rank, the greater the risk — and the greater the rewards. Rare minerals and Apex materials... That's where real fame is earned."
He paused for a moment before adding with a grin, "We're Bronze for now. But I plan to change that someday. That's why I became a Protector myself."
Adlet smiled, recognizing that spark of ambition. "I understand. Maybe fate brought us together again, Niccolo — and now, you too, Polo. If you'll have me, I'll help however I can."
Niccolo laughed warmly. "I'd be a fool to refuse. Welcome aboard, Adlet."
The days passed quietly. Adlet stayed with Niccolo and Polo, helping with small tasks, training by the docks, and learning the rhythms of life by the sea. Each morning, the sound of waves crashing against the cliffs seemed to fill him with a new sense of purpose. The sea felt like freedom — something he had never known before. But with it came the constant reminder that he was far from home, and the world he was stepping into was much larger than he had ever imagined.
Then came the day of departure. Polo stood proudly at the head of a modest crew — a small ship, sturdy and well-maintained, carrying several Confirmed Protectors. Niccolo stayed behind in Atlantis to oversee trade and continue his studies on Apex behavior.
The journey began under a gentle breeze, the vast expanse of the Neraid Sea unfolding endlessly ahead.
For two months, they explored every island their license allowed — small jungles, barren rocks, coral coves. Few yielded any real resources, and most Apexes they encountered were weak or fled at the sight of the group.
Still, Adlet loved every moment. The sea wind, the endless horizon, the thrill of discovery — it felt like freedom. It was the same rush he had felt when he first learned what it meant to be a Protector — the promise of something greater, something beyond what he had known.
But as the days passed, an unease began to settle in. The further they ventured, the more the world felt unfamiliar. The islands seemed to grow more desolate, the air heavier. Adlet couldn't shake the feeling that something was waiting for them — something they weren't prepared for.
Until one morning, the lookout shouted from above.
"An island ahead! Bigger than the rest!"
The crew disembarked, spreading out to explore. Polo and Adlet stayed together, advancing inland beneath the shade of tall palm trees. Yet as they moved, an eerie stillness fell over the forest.
Then, without warning, the air hissed.
A rain of sharp projectiles tore through the canopy. The two boys reacted instantly, dodging aside as the ground erupted around them.
Adlet rolled, glancing at one of the embedded shafts — not arrows, but enormous white feathers, their edges gleaming like steel.
Both ignited their Aura at once.
From above, a massive white bird swooped low — its wings shimmering with deadly precision, like the blade of a master swordsman. Adlet's pulse quickened, the hairs on his neck standing on end.
"A Javeline Seagull," Polo's voice was steady, but there was a sharp edge of caution. "Apex, rank 3!"
Adlet's heart raced, his breath caught in his chest. The air felt thick — every instinct screamed at him to move, to act. This wasn't a game. The bird had the upper hand, and it wasn't going to wait for them to be ready. His feet pushed off the ground before his mind could catch up.
He used the trees as stepping stones, his body snapping into motion with all the precision of his training. But the bird was quicker — every time he thought he had a shot, it twisted away, its wings slicing through the air with mocking ease. It wasn't just a predator; it was playing with them.
Another barrage of feathers sliced through the air. Adlet's body reacted instinctively, but the weight of his own exhaustion was catching up. Each dodge felt slower, his breath coming in sharp gasps as he swerved and rolled. The bird wasn't even trying to hit him — it was toying with him.
Why can't I land a hit? His mind screamed. Why is it so fast?
The Aura burned in his veins, but it didn't matter. Every time he thought he had the angle, the bird was already gone, leaving only a mocking flash of white feathers in its wake.
His muscles screamed, his thoughts scattered. It's not just a fight. It's a test. It's testing me... to see how far I'll push before I break.
Adlet's fingers tightened into fists, his frustration now mingling with something darker: doubt. His training had always taught him to adapt, to learn from every encounter. But this... this was different. The bird wasn't just attacking — it was breaking him.
"Adlet, fall back!" Polo's voice broke through the chaos.
Adlet's gaze snapped to Polo, who was already retreating into the shadows of the forest. Adlet hesitated, then followed. His feet hit the ground hard, muscles burning, but every instinct told him they had no chance of landing a blow like this.
They sprinted deeper into the forest, the tall trees offering some cover. The branches above rattled from the force of the bird's flight, but at least the dense canopy shielded them from the barrage. Adlet's heart thundered in his chest, not from the chase, but from the feeling of helplessness. The bird had been playing with them. He could sense it — every evasive move, every feather thrown, was just another layer of mockery.
He pushed himself harder, trying to shake the frustration, but it clung to him like a weight.
They paused in the forest, gasping for breath. Adlet's heart was still racing from the relentless pursuit, but something deeper was beginning to churn inside him — a gnawing sense of helplessness. The bird had been a reminder: no matter how much power he had, there would always be something faster, something stronger.
He shook his head, trying to shake the thoughts, but the silence around them only seemed to magnify it. The trees swayed, but there was no breeze — just a stillness that was wrong. And then, the earth trembled beneath their feet.
It was subtle at first, just a soft rumble, but the sound that followed shattered the quiet with a bone-deep rumble. Something massive was moving toward them.
Polo's eyes widened. "It's not just the bird. We've got company. A Crusher Crab. Rank 3 as well."
Adlet gritted his teeth. "This island just keeps getting better..." His voice was thick with exhaustion, but the fear beneath it was real.