Facing the sunrise and surrounded by hills and a forest, stood a village of about thirty houses, bisected by a road worn smooth by the passage of travelers of all kinds.
All the houses were similar: built with wooden foundations, stone walls, and a few glass windows, each featuring a wooden roof with a chimney.
Among all these houses, one in particular stood out; it seemed better maintained than the others. All the houses were laid out in the same way:
On the ground floor, a living room and a rustic kitchen; at the back, a broom closet where the children were locked for a few hours as punishment for the mischief they had gotten up to all day; and upstairs, the bedrooms of the children and their parents.
And among these rooms, there was one in particular, which contained a small wardrobe for storing clothes and a small desk with a mirror on it for studying or reading; the rays of the rising sun flooded the room, revealing a bed and pink hair that peeked out from under the covers.
COCORICO COCORICO COCORICO
Minerva: ".......... "
The rooster's crow echoed through the streets, gradually waking people until it reached our heroine, whose head began to stir.
When she decided to sit up and wake herself, the blanket covering her face fell away, revealing fair skin, a delicate face, and long black hair. She opened her blue eyes to prove she was indeed awake.
This young girl's name is Minerva Caesula, an ordinary girl like any other, an ordinary 19-year-old girl.
Minerva: "So it's today."
"Finally!"
Today was an important day for Minerva.
Because today was the day she would leave home to study at the country's knight academy.
And this same girl had a dream:
To become a valkyrie
Every night before falling asleep, her parents told her many stories about the knights who had protected the country throughout the centuries:
- Those who sacrificed themselves to protect the weak.
- Those who fought for noble causes.
- And those who became strong enough to slay dragons.
The morning was still tentative.
The light filtering through the wooden shutters cast long rays across the floor of Minerva's room, creating delicate shadows that seemed to dance on the walls.
She opened her eyes slowly, breathing in the fresh air that seeped through the half-open window.
Each breath brought with it the promise of a different day, heavy with unseen potential, yet filled with deep-seated certainties.
Today, she would leave her home, the one where she had grown up.
Today, she would begin her journey to becoming a Valkyrie.
She remained still for a moment, her eyes fixed on the dark-beamed ceiling, feeling the polished wood beneath her fingers.
The sounds of morning were awakening around her:
- The creaking of floorboards in the house
- The wind gently caressing the thatched roof.
And further away, the rustling of leaves in the trees along the path.
An almost sacred calm reigned, as if the world were waiting for her to make the first move.
Minerva straightened up, letting her legs touch the cold ground.
She took a few seconds to stretch her arms and feel her muscles, still numb with sleep.
Nothing seemed different, and yet everything was different.
The weight of her decision rested on her shoulders like an invisible cloak, light but ever-present.
She had to leave, and she had to do it alone.
She dressed carefully, putting on the simple tunic her mother had prepared the day before.
Each movement was deliberate, as if to absorb the familiarity of her daily life before letting go of it for an unknown future.
Her hair, still tangled, was tied back with slow precision, a gesture she had repeated every morning since childhood, but which today took on a new meaning:
The discipline of a woman preparing to become an adult.
Leaving her room, she found her mother in the kitchen, busy preparing a simple but carefully prepared breakfast.
The morning light fell upon her face, revealing both the gentleness and the worry that mingled there.
Her father stood at the door, arms folded, silent, observing his daughter with quiet gravity.
Both her parents knew of their daughter's dream:
To become a warrior power in order to protect the weak and prove that she was capable of being strong.
Minerva's mother: "Are you sure of yourself, Minerva?"
Asked her mother in a trembling voice, both gentle and cautious.
Minerva: "Yes, Mother."
Minerva nodded confidently.
Her voice remained calm, but her eyes betrayed the emotion bubbling inside her.
Minerva: "Yes."
"I must do it."
"I want to become a Valkyrie... and be recognized."
"To recognize who I am, and show that I am not weak."
Minerva's mother: "..."
Her mother lowered her eyes for a moment, her fingers clutching the dishcloth she held, as if holding back a sorrow she didn't want to express.
Minerva's mother: "You know it won't be easy."
"The road is long, and no one ever easily forgets differences..."
"It's lucky Roy is with you."
Minerva: "I know."
Minerva said, her voice firm despite the nervousness that ran through her.
Minerva: "But I have to try."
"Even if it's difficult, even if I have to face the stares of others."
"I want to stand tall... I want to be seen differently."
Her father took a step forward and placed a hand on her shoulder. His pressure was firm, but warm.
Minerva's father: "Then go ahead."
"Show them what you're made of."
"But always remember who you are."
"Even in the midst of trials, remain true to yourself."
Minerva: "......"
Minerva felt a mixture of comfort and pressure.
Their words gave her strength, but also reminded her of the weight of what she was undertaking.
Minerva: "I love you both."
She breathed deeply, taking in the familiar scent of fresh bread and wood warmed by the rising sun.
Every detail of the house seemed to whisper to her that she could never return to exactly the same person.
She knelt to embrace her parents in silence.
Minerva: "......"
Minerva's Mother: "......."
Minerva's Father: "......"
The contact with them, gentle and genuine, was both a blessing and a reminder of what she was leaving behind.
For the next four years, she will spend a lot of time at the academy, even though she will return during the summer holidays.
Minerva's mother: "Promise me one thing, Minerva."
She said, her voice almost breaking.
Minerva's mother: "Promise me you'll stay strong, but not lose your heart."
Minerva: "Sniff."
"I promise,"
She whispered, feeling a shiver run down her spine.
She stood up, adjusted her bag over her shoulder, and took one last step toward the door.
A few minutes later, after eating:
Minerva went up to her room to get some things for her journey.
The trip to the academy would take two days, and she didn't need to bring her own clothes because a uniform would be provided to those entering the school.
A Outside, the sun had risen a little higher, painting the village with a soft, golden light, as if to bless her departure.
Minerva: "..."
She took a deep breath, her eyes shining with determination and a touch of nervousness.
Minerva: "I will return different."
She thought.
Minerva: "I will return strong."
And with these silent words, she crossed the threshold of the house, leaving behind the familiar comfort of home and stepping into the unknown.
The path stretched before Minerva like a ribbon of brown earth, bordered by forests and gentle hills.
Two days' walk separated them from the Academy, and she knew that each step brought her closer to her dream, but also closer to the unknown.
The morning was fresh and the wind light, carrying with it the scent of pine and dew.
As she walked, lost in thought, a familiar voice called out behind her.
???: "Minerva!"
"Wait!"
Minerva: "..."
"I recognize that voice anywhere."
She turned and saw Roy Iligo, her childhood friend, running up the path.
His dark hair was still tousled from sleep, but his smile had the same warmth as back in the village.
Minerva: "Roy..."
"What are you doing here?"
She asked, surprised but happy.
Roy: "I'm going to the Academy too."
He replied, catching his breath.
Roy: "I guess we have the same goal, after all."
Minerva: "I thought you'd left early."
Roy: "Never."
"When we were little, we promised each other we'd go to the Academy together."
A few minutes later:
They walked side by side, the initial silence gradually filling with words.
Childhood memories mingled with the excitement of the journey, and for a moment, the weight of the unknown seemed lighter.
Roy: "So, what's your goal at the Academy?"
Roy asked, smiling curiously.
Minerva hesitated for a moment, then answered with determination:
Minerva: "I want to become a Valkyrie."
"To be recognized… to show that I'm not weak."
Roy nodded, his serious expression betraying that he understood the significance of those words.
Roy: "I want to become a two-handed swordsman."
He said.
Roy: "Strong and precise."
"To make sure no one can attack me unless I'm ready."
They continued walking, each losing some of their initial stiffness, sharing their dreams like precious secrets.
Chapter 1: A girl with a dream
The End