Stillness clung to the forest, as if the trees themselves were holding their breath. wind slipped through the dense tree's, rustling leaves with a low hiss that made the hair on everyone's neck stand up.
And in the middle of that tense silence…
Ren stood alone.
The bandits blocked the road ahead, grinning, their rusty blades glinting with hostility. Far Behind Ren stood Vaspera, arms crossed — eyes locked on him with unwavering focus.
He could feel her gaze pressing on his back, heavier than any armor.
One of the bandits, a broad man with missing teeth, laughed loudly.
"Well, well… look at this! They're actually sendin' a kid!"
The others snickered. He stepped forward, raising a long sword whose jagged edge looked like it had seen more battles than trees.
"I'll take care of 'im!"
But before he could take another step—
A voice drifted from behind the bandit group.
"Don't kill the kid."
The laughter stopped immediately.
A man stepped out from the shadows of the trees. Long black hair tied loosely behind his shoulders. A short, unkempt beard. Wrinkled eyes half-closed as if bored by the world.
He didn't even look at Ren.
"Kid's young. Could fetch a good price," the man said lazily. "Bring him alive."
The bandits nodded quickly.
"Yes, sir!"
Ren adjusted his stance, hands trembling slightly. His legs felt like bamboo sticks ready to snap.
Calm down, Ren. Calm down… She's watching.
I can't embarrass myself — not in front of her.
He closed his eyes, inhaling deeply.
Remembered Vaspera's lessons. Her cold voice. Her impossible speed. The bruises that had taught him more than any words.
When he opened his eyes again…
The fear was still there —
but something steadier sat beneath it
The bandit charged, sword cleaving the air toward Ren's chest—
Ren leaned aside effortlessly. The blade struck nothing but air.
Another frustrated swing — Ren dipped under it smoothly.
He's slow…
His movements… way too slow. Nothing like Madam Vaspera.
The bandit roared and brought his sword down in a desperate overhead strike.
Ren stepped in, grabbed his wrist mid-swing—
The sword slipped out and clattered to the dirt.
The bandit froze, eyes widening. W-why is his grip… so strong!?
Before he could escape, Ren's right hand glowed with a faint green light.
Panic spread across the man's face.
"H-hey, wait—!"
Air blasted from the bandit's lungs. Blood spilled from his mouth. His entire body folded, and the moment Ren released him, he collapsed face-first into the dirt.
Silence.
Whispers rippled through the remaining bandits.
"Did… did that kid just—?"
"What the hell was that?"
"He took him down in one hit…?"
Another bandit stepped forward with anger.
"Pathetic. Move aside. I'll handle him."
He didn't last any longer.
Ren dodged the first swing, caught the man's arm, and flung him backward with a sharp kick to the ribs.
He hit a tree and slid down unconscious.
The remaining bandits backed up in disbelief.
"Okay, to hell with this! Everyone at once!"
The sixteen bandits charged together in a chaotic swarm.
Ren exhaled slowly.
His body shimmered with faint green light.
The first bandit lunged, blade flashing toward Ren's ribs—
Ren disappeared from his sight.
In the next breath, he slid under the swing, palm glowing green pressing lightly against the man's knee—
Crack.
The bandit buckled with a strangled gasp and collapsed before he even understood what happened.
Another attacker came from Ren's left, shouting.
Ren didn't even look at him.
He turned with a smooth pivot, caught the man by the collar, and used his momentum to hurl him. The bandit flew straight into two of his comrades, the three collapsing in a tangled heap with a dull thud.
Three more bandits rushed him head-on, blades raised wildly.
Ren shifted his weight and pivoted sharply to the side, feeling the wind of three blades grazing past where he'd stood a moment ago. The attackers lurched forward, thrown off balance as their swords crossed and clashed.
Ren turned back toward them, stance firm.
Before they could separate—
He was already moving.
His knee drove into the first man's sternum, lifting him off the ground and sending him skidding across the dirt.
Ren spun with the same motion, his backhand striking the second attacker across the wrist. The man's sword flew from his hand, spinning uselessly through the air.
The third barely had time to raise his guard.
Ren dropped low, sweeping his leg across the ground. The bandit's feet vanished from beneath him, and he crashed to the dirt with a breathless grunt.
In the span of a few seconds…
Six men were down.
Ren hadn't even broken rhythm.
The knights watched in stunned silence. One whispered, "how is that kid so fast?"
Another muttered, "He's moving like water."
A third swallowed hard.
I know that witch trained him… but still this is insane.
Behind them, Vaspera watched with her usual cold stare.
But for a brief moment — a very brief moment.
She smirked.
Just once.
Ren didn't see it, But the knights did.
Within minutes, all sixteen bandits were sprawled on the ground, unconscious or moaning in pain. Weapons lay scattered like broken toys.
Ren breathed heavily, sweat dripping down his cheek, but his eyes were steady and determined.
He'd done it.
But—
One man remained.
The long-haired bandit boss walked forward slowly, each step controlled and silent.
"Pathetic," he muttered, glancing at his fallen men as if they were trash. "All of you… just kill yourselves."
Ren's eyes narrowed.
This guy…He's different. Dangerous. Stronger.
And— He's a mage.
The knights stiffened, gripping their weapons tightly.
Vaspera's gaze sharpened slightly, but she remained silent, simply watching.
Ren tightened his stance, green light flickering around his fists once more.
The real threat was finally stepping forward.
And Ren's first true battle…was far from over.
---