A thin mist hung low as Makoto and Lyona entered the edge of the northern forest.
Wet grass brushed against their shoes, the sound of dry leaves and broken branches filling the air.
Makoto swallowed hard. This was his first time entering the forest alone—though not truly alone, because Lyona was beside him.
"Quiet," Lyona said suddenly.
Makoto stopped automatically.
Lyona pressed her index finger to her lips, then crouched slightly.
From the bushes, a faint cracking of twigs could be heard.
Makoto felt a slight heat in his chest—his flux was reacting.
"Calm… don't panic…" he whispered to himself.
Lyona moved her sword slowly, slicing through the thin mist in front of them.
"The child's trail should still be fresh," she whispered.
Makoto nodded, trying to steady his breath. He knew every second could be dangerous if his flux became unstable.
---
The First Trail
They walked a few hundred meters before finding something.
On the damp ground, there were small footprints—small and quick.
Makoto leaned closer to look.
"There it is," Lyona said.
"The child isn't too far. But we have to be careful. Goblins often roam near the small river inside the forest."
Makoto looked at Lyona.
"If we run into goblins… can I…?"
Lyona looked at him sharply.
"No. You can't attack safely yet. Your flux is still too wild. Don't end up endangering yourself or the child."
Makoto nodded, pressing his palm that still felt warm.
The small flux trembled faintly again.
"You can do it, don't panic," he whispered to himself.
---
Unexpected Attack
Suddenly, from the bushes beside them, a louder rustling sounded.
A creature jumped out—not human, but a small goblin with glowing red eyes, fanged and snarling.
Makoto froze, his breath caught. His flux instantly heated in his arm.
Lyona readied her sword.
"Don't move toward me!" she warned.
The goblin growled and leapt toward the child they were searching for—Makoto spotted a young boy stumbling in fear.
Without thinking, Makoto extended his hand, trying to channel his flux.
A pale blue light appeared, trembling wildly, but enough to make the goblin step back a few paces.
Makoto was shocked.
"Eh… it worked?" he muttered, but he quickly realized the flux was becoming unstable.
Lyona dashed in, cutting off the goblin's path with a precise sword strike.
Makoto ducked down, heart pounding.
"Flux… don't explode…" he whispered.
The pale blue light slowly faded, and the goblin fled, unwilling to approach again.
The young boy cried softly, crouching on the ground.
"Thank you… big brother," he said.
Makoto swallowed, his heart racing.
"Ah… I… just helped out a bit…"
Lyona patted Makoto's shoulder.
"You did more than enough. But remember… control is more important than strength."
Makoto looked at the flux still warm in his hand.
He realized this was the first time he actually used his ability to save someone—and succeeded. Even just a little, but it was real.
---
Returning to the Village
As they walked back, Makoto kept the boy in the middle, while Lyona walked beside them.
The boy kept staring at Makoto with sparkling eyes.
"Thank you, big brother! I… I was so scared alone!"
Makoto gave a small smile.
"It's okay… we're here now."
Lyona glanced at Makoto from the side, her expression flat but something was different—slight admiration? Or at least acknowledgment that Makoto could be relied on a little more than yesterday.
Makoto took a deep breath.
His flux was still trembling faintly in his hand, but this time he felt more confident.
"If I can do this, I can… do more."
The northern forest had become his first trial—and he survived.
But he knew this world would not give him leniency again so easily.
Lyona looked toward the distant village.
"Mist-stray… this world is harsh. But if you keep training, you can survive."
Makoto looked at his hand.
"And maybe… help more people."
The evening mist slowly descended as they entered the village, marking the end of a long day.
But in Makoto's heart, there was a spark of new determination—he was no longer just a weak mist-stray.
And this was only the beginning.