Evening's gentle hush settled over the rooms. The day's warmth had faded, replaced by a chill that clung to the air.
Ren and Vaspera sat across from each other, eating a simple dinner — rough bread and a cup of cold water each. It wasn't much, but Ren was used to it, tearing small pieces of bread while sneaking glances at Vaspera.
She ate quietly, her posture straight, expression unreadable as always. The atmosphere was still… too still. Ren's mind kept replaying the king's visit, his plea, the soldiers collapsing, and the final moment when Vaspera vanished to her room without looking back.
Now they sat together in silence, and the weight of unspoken words pressed against Ren's throat like a stone.
When Vaspera finished the last bite of her bread, she rose smoothly from her chair.
"That's enough for today," she said, already turning toward the hallway. "I'm going to rest."
Ren's heart dropped.
This is it… If I don't say something now, the king and his people…
He stood abruptly, his chair scraping across the floor.
"W-wait!" Ren blurted.
She paused mid-step, back still turned to him.
"…What is it?" she asked, voice flat.
He squeezed his hands tightly, trying to stop the tremble. "I… I want to talk to you about something."
"Then speak." She didn't look back.
Ren swallowed hard. His voice felt small, fragile against the quiet.
"I… I want you to accept the king's request."
The room grew colder. Even the lantern flame seemed to shrink.
Vaspera didn't turn around. "No."
Ren blinked. "But—"
"That's all," she cut sharply. "I'm leaving."
She began walking again.
Panic seized Ren's chest. He stepped forward before he could think — grabbing her hand from behind.
W-wait… Madam Vaspera!"
The world froze.
Vaspera stopped.
Very slowly… she looked over her shoulder.
Her eyes darkened like a storm gathering heat.
"…How dare y—"
But before she could finish, Ren spoke — voice trembling, eyes fixed on the floor.
"Please…"
His grip tightened, though his hands shook badly.
"This is… this is a request from me."
Vaspera's anger halted, replaced with something unreadable. Ren's head was still lowered, bangs covering his eyes.
"When I—when I was a kid," he began, voice unsteady, "I always wanted to be a hero."
The words came out raw, fragile, but sincere.
"I wanted to be strong… and help people in need. Because that's what heroes do… They help people even if it's dangerous."
His shoulders trembled.
"Heroes aren't just powerful. They're kind."
Slowly, Ren lifted his head.
His eyes — usually timid, uncertain — now burned with determination.
"That's the kind of hero I want to be."
Vaspera's breath caught. Her eyes widened just a fraction.
"So… please," Ren whispered. "Just this once… listen to me."
An unspoken weight hund between them, thick and heavy.
The moonlight spilled across the floor, illuminating the two of them frozen in that moment — Ren trembling with hope, Vaspera with something far more complicated swirling in her eyes.
Finally… Vaspera exhaled, a long, tired sigh escaping her.
"…We'll report this to the king tomorrow morning," she said quietly.
Ren blinked.
"And then we leave for the dungeon immediately."
His expression bloomed into a radiant smile — so bright it softened the entire room.
"Th-thank you… Thank you so much, Madam Vaspera!"
He bowed deeply, still holding her hand without realizing it.
Vaspera's cheeks tinged faintly pink.
She cleared her throat.
"Ehem. Ehem. You're still holding my hand."
Ren froze.
He looked down.
Their hands were still clasped — his grip firm, her fingers warm.
"Ah—!" Ren yelped, recoiling instantly. "I-I'm sorry! I didn't mean— I wasn't— I just—!"
"Just… don't grab me again," she muttered, face turned away.
Ren nodded rapidly, face burning.
"I-I won't! I promise!"
Without another word, Vaspera walked down the hallway and entered her room.
As soon as the door closed behind her, she leaned against it — and let out a long, exhausted groan.
"…Stupid boy."
Her voice was barely a whisper.
She pushed herself off the door and crossed the dim room, her steps soft against the floor. She collapsed onto the bed, burying her face into the blankets.
"Why did I bring him here…" she mumbled into the fabric. "This is… going to be a problem."
That look in his eyes…
She squeezed the pillow between her arms, face turning even redder.
Why did he look at me like that…?
After several minutes, she forced herself to sit up. The night breeze drifted in from the open window.
Vaspera walked toward the window and rested her fingertips on the cold stone sill.
The silver glow reflected softly in her eyes.
Her expression, hidden from everyone — even Ren — softened into something fragile and quietly troubled.
"Hero, huh…"
The wind brushed her hair gently as she stared at the glowing moon.
"…You really are trouble, Ren."
Her voice faded into the night as she stood there, watching the moon in silent thought.
The next morning...
The sun hung above Veloria's royal palace, casting long golden beams across the marble courtyard. Ren stood beside Vaspera, their figures framed by the towering palace gates. In front of them, a line of carriage's waited—each reinforced with steel plating and adorned with the kingdom's crest. Rows of knights and soldiers stood at attention behind the two, armor gleaming, spears held upright.
The king stood in front of them, His voice boomed with gratitude.
"Once again, Lady Vaspera, I am deeply grateful for your aid. Speak but a word, and I shall grant you anything within my pow—"
Vaspera cuts him off.
"Don't bother thanking me. I'm not doing this because you requested it." Her eyes shifted to Ren, who straightened nervously. "I simply want him to experience his first real battle."
Ren gulped at the emphasis.
The king laughed, stroking his beard.
"Oh? I see. Well… in that case, I daresay I hope it never comes to that, Lady Vaspera."
Vaspera did not reply. She simply turned and stepped into the carriage. Ren hurried after her.
The king offered one final nod and With a loud whistle, the convoy began to move, wheels rumbling across the stone path as they departed from the capital and toward the forest beyond.
---
Inside the carriage, an uncomfortable silence filled the space. The steady clatter of wheels on dirt only made it more oppressive.
Ren fidgeted with his sleeves. Vaspera stared out the window, chin resting on her knuckle, her expression bored.
He's going to say something… I can feel it, she thought with a sigh forming at the edge of her patience.
"Madam Vaspera?" Ren broke the silence.
"Hm?" she replied without looking at him.
"Thank you… really."
Vaspera's eyebrow twitched. She exhaled sharply through her nose.
"Stop with that already."
"O–okay, I will. I'm sorry."
Silence again.
This boy apologizes more than he breathes, her eye twitching once more.
Minutes passed. Trees blurred outside the window as they entered the denser region of the forest. Ren's eyes drifted from her to his boots, then back to her. He opened his mouth.
Vaspera internally groaned.
Here it comes.
"Madam Vaspera?"
"…What now?" she said, a hint of annoyance slipping out.
Ren hesitated, then asked with genuine curiosity, "How… how did you become this strong?"
That question stalled her breath for a moment. Strength was not something she spoke about freely. But she kept her voice level.
"I trained."
Ren leaned forward, eyes shining.
"How did you train? Please tell me!"
Vaspera fought the urge to roll her eyes.
"…One hundred push-ups."
Ren's eyes sparkled.
"One hundred sit-ups," she continued.
The stars in his eyes brightened.
"One hundred squats."
Ren practically glowed with admiration.
"And running every single day without a break—"
"You're amazing, That's incr—"
"I did none of that," she interrupted flatly.
Ren blinked. "Heh…?"
Vaspera finally looked at him, crimson eyes sharp yet strangely calm.
"I simply entered dungeons," she said. "Fought. Bled. Fought again. And kept walking back in until I was strong enough to survive anything."
Her voice was soft but carried a weight Ren could feel in his bones.
Vaspera leaned back in her seat.
"If you want to grow stronger, then do the same. move forward."
Ren straightened with determination.
"Got it!"
Vaspera lowered her gaze to the window again, though something in her chest warmed ever so slightly.
He's annoyingly earnest… but earnest nonetheless.
Before she could sink further into thought, the ground suddenly trembled.
BOOM—
The entire carriage shook violently. Ren grabbed the seat to keep from falling.
"What… was that!?" Ren gasped.
The carriage halted abruptly. Knights outside shouted commands.
They stepped out onto the forest road. Shadows flickered between the trees. Moments later, a group of ragged men emerged from the brush—bandits armed with rusted weapons yet wearing confident grins.
One of the knights rushed toward Vaspera.
"Lady Vaspera! I'm terribly sorry—we will handle this much ourselves."
But she raised her hand, stopping him in place.
"No," she said calmly. "This is Ren's time."
Ren froze.
"M–my time?"
Vaspera's cape swayed behind her as she turned slightly, her eyes locking onto his.
"You wanted your first real battle, didn't you? Consider this your chance."
Her voice held no mockery, only expectation.
Ren swallowed hard, but nodded.
"Right… I-I can do this."
He stepped forward, heart pounding in his chest as the bandits laughed.
"Look at that! They're sending a kid!"
"This'll be easy!"
Ren's pulse hammered, but his feet didn't retreat. He thought of Vaspera's words— Move forward.
Behind him, Vaspera watched in silent evaluation.
Don't disappoint me, Ren.
The wind picked up, leaves spiraling across the road as Ren raised his hands, mana gathering faintly around them.
His first real battle was about to begin.
---