The morning bell of Stonebrook rang three times.
Dong...
Dong...
Dong...
The town slowly came to life.
Smoke rose from chimneys.
Shopkeepers opened their doors.
Hunters gathered at the town gate.
The Guild caravan, however, was in no hurry to depart.
Darius had announced the previous evening that they would leave at noon.
"The roads ahead are safer traveled in daylight," he had explained.
---
With several hours to spare, many of the Academy applicants explored the town.
Some visited weapon shops.
Others browsed alchemy stalls.
A few simply enjoyed the lively atmosphere.
Kieran wandered without any particular destination.
To him...
Every street held something worth learning.
---
He eventually stopped before a modest blacksmith's workshop.
Unlike the larger forges in Ardent Crossing, this one was quiet.
An elderly blacksmith hammered a glowing sword while a young apprentice worked the bellows.
Clang!
Clang!
Clang!
Each strike landed with the same rhythm.
The same force.
The same angle.
Kieran stood silently outside, watching.
Minutes passed.
The old blacksmith never looked up.
Yet he suddenly spoke.
"If you're going to watch..."
"...come closer."
Kieran bowed politely before stepping inside.
"I didn't wish to disturb your work."
The old man chuckled.
"A curious mind is never a disturbance."
---
He finished shaping the blade before placing it into water.
Steam hissed into the air.
"You've never forged before."
"No."
"But you've noticed something."
Kieran nodded.
"You don't strike the metal as hard as you can."
The apprentice looked surprised.
"Of course not."
The old blacksmith smiled.
"Let him continue."
Kieran thought for a moment.
"You strike only as hard as the metal needs."
"Sometimes harder would ruin it."
Silence filled the workshop.
The apprentice blinked.
The old blacksmith laughed heartily.
"Excellent!"
"Exactly!"
He pointed at the cooling blade.
"Strength without control destroys."
"The same applies to people."
---
Kieran remained thoughtful.
Another lesson.
Not about forging.
About life.
---
Before leaving, the old blacksmith handed him a small whetstone.
"This isn't a gift."
He smiled.
"It's an investment."
Kieran looked confused.
The old man continued.
"I've forged weapons for over sixty years."
"I've learned to recognize people worth remembering."
"Keep your blade sharp."
Kieran accepted it with both hands.
"Thank you."
---
As he stepped back onto the street...
He noticed Ronan standing nearby.
"You were listening."
Kieran observed.
Ronan nodded.
"My master is a spear smith."
"He says almost the same thing."
The two exchanged a quiet smile before continuing together.
It was the longest they had walked side by side.
Neither seemed uncomfortable with the silence.
---
Not far away...
Mira waved frantically.
"There you are!"
She hurried over carrying several paper bags.
"I bought too much."
She held one toward Kieran.
"Here."
Inside were warm honey pastries.
Kieran hesitated.
"I should pay—"
"No."
She interrupted with a grin.
"My grandmother always says food tastes better when shared."
After a brief pause...
He accepted.
"Thank you."
Ronan quietly accepted one as well.
"...It's good."
Mira laughed triumphantly.
"I knew it!"
---
Nearby...
Selene emerged from a bookstore carrying another stack of old texts.
Mira stared.
"...How many books do you own?"
Selene answered honestly.
"I stopped counting."
Ronan muttered,
"I believe her."
---
As the four walked back toward the Guild caravan...
A sudden commotion erupted near the town square.
Several people hurried toward a notice board.
A messenger had just pinned up a fresh report.
Darius stepped forward to read it.
His expression immediately became serious.
"A migrating beast herd..."
One of the Wanderers frowned.
"So that's why the Earthshaker left its territory."
Another slowly nodded.
"It wasn't fleeing one beast..."
"It was avoiding an entire migration."
The report continued.
All travelers are advised to remain on established roads.
Do not enter the western forests under any circumstances.
Kieran's eyes lingered on those final words.
The western forests...
Something was changing there.
Something large enough to force even powerful Magical Beasts from their homes.
---
As the caravan finally departed Stonebrook...
None of the Academy applicants realized...
That the reports they dismissed as distant events were only the first ripples of a far greater change spreading across the Melika Realm.
A change that would one day reach every empire.
Every academy.
Every organization.
And perhaps...
Even the hidden realms beyond the Chaos Channel.
But for now...
Kieran simply adjusted the strap of his travel pack and continued walking beside his newfound companions.
One road.
Four young travelers.
Each carrying dreams they had yet to understand.
End of Chapter 62