As the bracelet was fastened onto Keira's wrist, the surrounding air vibrated instantly.
A pale light seeped from the surface of the bracelet, forming a thin halo in the air. From within the light, the projection of a woman slowly emerged. Her face was calm yet commanding. Her gaze was sharp, as if she had been staring thousands of years into the future.
Her voice echoed, deep and clear.
"My descendant, our clan has endured difficult times for hundreds of years."
Keira stood tall. Her hands were clenched, her posture stiff but full of resolve.
"Our blood was once trampled, our clan's name nearly erased from history. Because of that, I left behind the legacy of my power—so that you may restore the glory of this clan."
The projection looked straight ahead.
"However, remember, my clan's legacy does not stand alone. It is buried alongside the legacy of an old friend." The light vibrated violently, and the woman's figure faded slowly until she vanished completely.
The forest returned to silence.
Keira stood still for a moment. She took a deep breath as changes began to take root within her body. Her muscles hardened, becoming denser than before. Her bones vibrated faintly, withstanding a pressure that was slowly merging with her physique.
She looked down at her hands, flexing her fingers.
"Muscle and bone compression… a passive effect," she muttered briefly. There was no panic on her face—only a calm acceptance.
Zevaron stepped closer.
"Come with me," he said. "We will search for that legacy together. Coincidentally, your clan's legacy and the one I obtained are located not too far apart."
Keira nodded without hesitation. "Fine. I also want to become stronger."
She rolled her shoulders once, as if ensuring her body had adapted. Zevaron then scanned the forest, which was still shrouded in thick mist.
"But before that, we must get out of this mysterious forest. Why were you training in such a dangerous place?"
Keira answered firmly. "To speed up my brother's growth," she said. "He possesses golden bones. If he wants to become the head of the family, he must grow strong as quickly as possible."
Zevaron nodded slowly. "I understand. Then, how do we get out of here?" he asked.
Keira pulled an old compass from her pocket. Its surface was covered in scratches, but its needle glowed with a stable light.
"With this," she said simply. "This compass always points the way to my home."
The mist began to thin. The morning sunlight pierced through the canopy, illuminating the damp forest floor. Keira looked at the sky, then turned back to Zevaron.
"It's morning," she said. "We're going home now."
She walked ahead, then stopped and turned again. "Zevaron, come with me. You have to help me ask my father for permission."
Her tone was not a request—it was a decision.
Keira immediately went to her brother. She picked the boy up and hurried toward the house. Zevaron followed behind her, keeping a steady distance.
A few hours later, they arrived at Keira's home. In front of the house stood a grown man with his hands behind his back. His gaze was calm but carried great authority.
"How was your brother's training?" he asked.
"He is progressing quite well, Father," Keira answered as she set her brother down.
The man nodded with satisfaction. His gaze then shifted to Zevaron.
"It seems there is a prospective son-in-law who needs to be tested," Ivar said, glancing toward Zevaron.
"He's just a friend," Keira interrupted before Ivar could think any further.
"How could I possibly be the husband of Uncle Ivar's daughter?" Zevaron replied.
Keira snapped her head toward him. "Uncle?"
Ivar frowned. "You call me uncle?"
"W-wait a moment, Uncle," Zevaron said quickly. "It's only natural for me to call you uncle. You are indeed my mother's younger brother."
Ivar fell silent for a moment, then let out a long sigh as if an old burden was slowly being lifted.
"So it's true," he said softly. "You are Aron."
He looked at Zevaron longer. "It has been a long time since we last met. The last time... was only a few weeks before that incident." His voice lowered. "I thought you all had died. But a few days ago, I met Lylia," Ivar continued. "When she said you were still alive... I was truly relieved."
Keira, who had been standing beside them, suddenly went stiff. Her arms, which were crossed over her chest, slowly relaxed. "...Wait," she finally said.
Keira let out a short breath. "Who would have thought he was my cousin." Her reaction wasn't overly dramatic; since she had already been surprised many times by Zevaron's power at the academy, finding out one more unexpected thing felt ordinary to her.
"That means Brother Zevaron is my older cousin!" Lukas's face turned into one of shock.
"Of course," Zevaron replied.
Zevaron took a deep breath before finally speaking.
"Alright, let's get to the point. We found a bracelet that reacted to Keira. When the bracelet activated, a magical projection of a woman appeared. She said Keira has the right to receive her legacy of power," Zevaron said seriously.
Ivar went silent. His gaze sharpened, as if weighing something much deeper than just a legacy. A few seconds of silence passed before he finally spoke.
"Fine. But you will go together with me."
"Go with you?"
The voice was calm but clear—and it came from above.
Keira instinctively looked up, followed by Zevaron and Ivar. Above them, on a lush tree branch, sat a woman with long brown hair and deep black eyes. No one had noticed her presence until now.
"Darling," the woman continued with a thin smile, "they are old enough. They can certainly take care of themselves. Besides, if they don't face danger during the journey, wouldn't the adventure feel hollow?"
Ivar sighed softly. "Velka... I'm just worried they'll be in danger."
Velka jumped down from the branch with a light movement, landing noiselessly in front of them. Her gaze fixed on the bracelet on Keira's hand.
"I feel something from that bracelet," she said slowly. "It indeed belongs to my ancestor. And since Keira found it, she is the one who has the right to receive that legacy." She turned to Keira. "If you go without full protection, the experience you gain will be far more valuable."
Ivar paused for a moment, then nodded. "Very well."
"Oh right," Velka added, "where is the location of the legacy?"
"In the mysterious forest we just passed through," Keira answered.
Velka raised an eyebrow. "Then why didn't you take it immediately?"
Keira clenched her fist for a moment before answering, "The journey felt dangerous. That's why I came here—to ask for permission, and to request a protective tool so we can be safe if we encounter danger."
Velka smiled thinly. She pulled a simple necklace from beneath her clothes and handed it to Keira.
"Take this."
"Thank you, Mother," Keira said, receiving the necklace with both hands.
"You're welcome." Velka then turned toward Zevaron. "And for my nephew, I will give you a protective tool as well."
"No need," Zevaron answered calmly. "I already have one."
"I see..." Velka nodded. "In that case, are the two of you going alone?"
"No," said Zevaron. "I intend to bring three others with us."
"Who are they?" Velka asked.
"Luna, Raivorne, and Lance," Zevaron answered firmly.