Morning in Dornwald was noisy and lively.
The sun had already risen high above the rooftops, lighting the narrow streets where merchants, craftsmen, adventurers, and ordinary townsfolk bustled about.
Today, Father Elion allowed the children to take a short break from training.
And Miriel decided to make use of it.
"You've been running, breathing, and collapsing from exhaustion for a whole week," she said with a gentle smile. "Today is a walk. No training."
"Really?!" Lumi reacted first.
"Really," Miriel nodded.
Rein exhaled in relief.
"Finally…"
Kael only smiled quietly.
For him, the city was more than just a place to live.
It was a new world.
And he wanted to know it better.
The trading district of Dornwald greeted them with noise.
Shouts of merchants.
The smell of fresh bread.
The clang of metal.
Laughter.
Conversations.
Everything merged into a living stream of life.
"Woooow…" Lumi stretched the word.
And immediately dashed off.
"I'll check there! And there! And over there!"
She began running from stall to stall.
"Look! Jewelry!"
"And sweets!"
"Oh, what beautiful fabrics!"
Miriel sighed softly.
"Don't run too far…"
But Lumi was no longer listening.
Rein snorted.
"She's like a hurricane."
Kael nodded.
"Small, but destructive."
First, they entered a weapon shop.
Inside, it smelled of leather, metal, and oil.
Swords hung on the walls.
Spears.
Halberds.
Axes.
Armor stood in the corner.
Rein froze at once.
His gaze fell on a huge sword.
Long.
Wide.
With a massive guard.
He stepped closer.
His eyes lit up.
"This…" he whispered. "This is how I'll fight."
"You won't even be able to lift it," Lumi remarked.
"I will!" Rein protested. "When I grow up!"
He clenched his fists.
"I'll become strong enough."
The shopkeeper chuckled.
"A good goal, boy."
Kael was slightly surprised by Rein's choice, but from his look, he understood that it wasn't spontaneous.
It wasn't just a childish desire.
It was a promise to himself.
After inspecting the weapon shop, the group moved on to explore the trading street.
Next, they entered a bookstore.
A quiet place.
The smell of paper.
Dusty shelves.
Old tomes.
Kael immediately went to the shelves.
He carefully examined the titles.
"History of the Empire"
"Basics of Magic"
"Herbalism"
"Legends of Heroes"
He took one.
"History of the Empire" told about its founding. It was established by the Mage King Eliar Erendal, whom Arden had spoken about. Nothing new.
He flipped through it.
Then the second.
"Basics of Magic" contained the same things Father Elion had taught.
The third.
"Herbalism" described various herbs and their properties, mostly healing ones. Nothing more.
"Legends of Heroes" told of Mage King Eliar Erendal, the Holy Son Solven Valkarion, founder of the Valkarion Empire, as well as a beastman who united the southern region. It also told of the dwarf king who led a rebellion and freed his people from slavery, and legends of other races.
Kael frowned.
"Nothing…"
"Not interesting?" Miriel asked.
"Everything is… superficial," he answered honestly. "As if they're hiding the most important things."
She thought for a moment.
"Maybe… such knowledge is too early for children."
Kael nodded.
But inside, he felt slight disappointment.
He wanted more.
Then they headed to one of the most interesting places.
The Adventurers' Guild.
A large building.
A quest board.
Tables.
Loud voices.
Laughter.
Wounded, tired people.
Strong warriors.
Mages.
Teams.
Rein stared with wide eyes.
"This is…"
"Real fighters…" he whispered.
Lumi stared at the rewards.
"Look how much they earn…"
Kael watched silently.
He felt the atmosphere.
Danger.
Freedom.
Risk.
Rein suddenly straightened.
"I'll become an adventurer."
Everyone looked at him.
"Seriously?" Lumi asked.
"Yes," he answered firmly. "I want to be strong. Help people. Fight. Not hide."
Miriel smiled gently.
"That's a worthy dream."
Kael looked at his friend.
"Then I'll be by your side."
Rein grinned.
"Of course you will."
By evening, they were tired.
Lumi carried a bag of small items.
Rein was still thinking about the sword.
Kael was silent, analyzing the day.
"That was awesome," Lumi said. "Will we go again?"
"Definitely," Miriel replied.
That same evening…
Somewhere far away…
In the mountains.
Among the rocks.
Near a wide crack in the air that looked like a portal.
Space trembled.
And suddenly…
A man stepped out.
Dusty.
Exhausted.
But alive.
Arden.
He looked around.
Took one step.
Then another.
"That was a little dangerous," he whispered.
Arden thought.
"I need to report to the Emperor and the Archbishop."
He slowly looked toward Dornwald.
"After all… this is only the beginning…"
And behind him, the crack…
Slowly closed.