The blade whispered through the air.
Kael's feet were planted firm in the dirt beside the old oak tree behind the orphanage, his stance steady, his breathing calm. The simple steel sword moved in a clean arc, stopping exactly where it should. No wasted motion. No shaking hands.
He exhaled slowly.
Again.
The swing was smooth and controlled, his wrists guiding the blade like an old habit. Sweat ran down his temples, dark hair sticking slightly to his forehead before he pushed it back with the back of his hand.
Twelve years.
Twelve years of waking before sunrise.
Twelve years of sore arms, scraped knuckles, and stubborn training even when his body begged him to stop.
Twelve years of proving—mostly to himself—that he wasn't useless.
Kael straightened and rolled his shoulders, muscles shifting under his worn training shirt. He was tall now, broad-shouldered and lean, with the kind of build that came from discipline, not luck. His gray eyes were calm and focused, but there was warmth in them too, the same kindness he'd had as a child.
He lifted the sword again.
Another swing.
Then—
Hands suddenly covered his eyes.
"Guess who~"
Kael froze for half a heartbeat, then laughed.
"Anna."
"Correct!"
She pulled her hands away and bumped into his back on purpose, laughing as she did.
Kael turned around, pretending to glare. "You're going to get stabbed one day if you keep doing that."
"Lies," Anna said. "You'd never hurt me."
She had changed a lot.
The energetic little girl with messy hair had grown into a stunning young woman. Her chestnut hair was long and tied into a high ponytail, swaying when she moved. Her eyes were bright and confident, and her smile still carried that same fearless cheer.
She wore a light leather training jacket over a fitted tunic, dark pants, and boots scuffed from travel. A sword rested across her back, its hilt worn smooth from years of use.
She looked like a real swordswoman now.
"You're still training alone," she said, hands on her hips.
Kael shrugged. "Someone has to."
A softer voice came from the side.
"You don't have to pretend you're not proud of him."
Kael turned.
Sophia stood beneath the shade of the oak, holding her staff with both hands.
She was just as beautiful in her own quiet way.
Her long silver-brown hair fell in gentle waves down her back, catching the light. Her blue eyes were calm and thoughtful, and her mage robe was simple but well-kept, stitched with small protective runes she'd learned to draw herself.
Where Anna shone like a flame, Sophia was like still water.
"Hey," Kael said.
Sophia smiled. "Hey."
Anna smirked. "See? Even the great mage agrees you're amazing."
Kael rubbed the back of his neck. "You're both exaggerating."
"We're not," Sophia said gently. "You're stronger than most knights we met on the road."
Anna nodded. "And you didn't even go to an academy."
Kael looked away, embarrassed. "I just kept swinging a sword."
"That's why it matters," Anna replied. "You didn't stop."
They fell into a comfortable silence, the old orphanage behind them just as familiar as ever. The same cracked walls. The same crooked fence. The same smell of bread drifting from the kitchen.
"It feels strange being back," Sophia said quietly.
Kael nodded. "Yeah. Feels smaller than I remember."
Anna laughed. "Everything feels smaller when you grow up."
Kael looked at the oak tree.
He remembered sitting under it as a child, wooden sword in hand, while others laughed.
He remembered Mike's voice.
The glass ball that never shone.
The quiet shame that burned in his chest.
And the two girls who never left him.
"I wouldn't be here without you," he said.
Anna waved it off. "You would. You're too stubborn to fail."
Sophia stepped closer. "But we're glad we were with you anyway."
A familiar voice called from the orphanage.
"Kael, Anna, Sophia! Lunch is ready!"
Sister Maren stood in the doorway, a little older now, silver strands in her hair, but the same warm smile.
Kael felt his chest tighten slightly.
"Coming!" Anna shouted.
They walked back together, shoulder to shoulder.
Inside, the dining hall was filled with younger children laughing and eating. Some stared at them in awe.
"Are they adventurers?"
"That's Kael, right?"
"He's really strong."
Kael felt awkward but smiled at them.
Sister Maren served them soup and bread, then sat with them.
"You three look healthy," she said. "I'm proud of you."
Anna grinned. "We survived your cooking."
Sister Maren smacked her arm lightly. "Rude."
Sophia laughed softly.
After lunch, Kael helped wash dishes, like he always did. When he finished, he went back outside.
Anna followed him.
"You're really leaving again tomorrow?" she asked.
Kael nodded. "There's a lot I still need to find."
Sophia joined them. "Your origin."
Kael looked at the sky. "Yeah."
He still didn't know where he came from.
Still didn't know why the aptitude ball stayed dark.
But he felt something inside him now.
Something waiting.
"I'll walk this path," Kael said quietly. "No matter what."
Anna smiled and placed her hand over his.
Sophia placed hers on top.
"Then we'll walk it with you," Anna said.
Together.
And for the first time, Kael believed he could reach the top.