"The Path of a Spirit Knight"
The campfire cracked softly. Alex sat on a thick log, rubbing his newly dyed hair, still not used to how different he looked. The night breeze swirled around him, carrying a soft whisper of spiritual energy from the forest.
Jessica dusted her armored coat and sat across from him. The masked man—Regis Walter—was sharpening a spirit dagger while humming like he had no stress in life.
Alex finally asked,
"Miss Jessica… how do I become a Spirit Knight? And… what even is a Spirit Knight exactly?"
Jessica lifted her head slowly, the flames reflecting in her eyes.
Jessica: "Before you learn how, you must understand why Spirit Knights exist. Everything starts with one man—Kathanar."
Alex blinked. "Kathanar?"
Regis laughed, tossing his dagger in the air.
Regis: "Boy, that's like asking, 'Who is the sun?'"
Jessica glared at him.
Jessica: "Regis, stop ruining the atmosphere."
He zipped his mouth… well, pretended to.
Jessica turned back to Alex, her voice calm and steady.
---
The Legend of Kathanar
Jessica: "Centuries ago, the world was drowning in fear. Demons, ghosts, corrupted spirits—they roamed openly. People lived every day expecting death. There was no order… no protection."
She paused.
Jessica: "Then one man rose above all fear—Kathanar. A priest with spiritual energy stronger than any human before him."
Alex leaned forward unconsciously.
"Was he really that powerful?"
Jessica nodded.
"He was the first human ever able to command the soul directly."
Regis added quietly,
"He could touch a corrupted soul with his bare hands and purify it. That's not power— that's divinity."
Jessica continued:
Jessica:
"Kathanar used his spiritual energy to guide lost souls back to the afterlife, preventing them from being eaten or corrupted by devils. Because of him… people finally stopped fearing the dark. He created the Church, the Spirit Knight Order, and the foundations of our entire society."
Alex's eyes widened.
"So the Church exists because of him."
Jessica: "Yes. And because he was unmatched, the first three noble houses were formed from his disciples. Only nobles inherited strong spiritual energy… and so the tradition continued. Even now, nobles are born with spirit capacity far above normal people."
Alex lowered his gaze.
"…Then how did I use spirit energy that night? I'm not a noble."
Regis flicked his dagger downward, making Alex flinch.
Regis: "Someone in your bloodline wasn't as innocent as they looked, boy."
Jessica shot him a cold glare.
Jessica: "What he means is: some commoners have mixed noble blood somewhere in their ancestry. They might not know it, but spirit energy can awaken under… traumatic circumstances."
Alex's fists tightened. "Like the orphanage…?"
Jessica's tone softened.
"Yes. That night forced your dormant spirit energy to explode."
---
The Duty of Spirit Knights
Jessica drew a circle in the dirt with a stick.
Jessica:
"Spirit Knights protect society. We guide wandering souls before devils corrupt them. We prevent spiritual disasters. We make sure no spirit becomes a monster."
She pointed to the circle.
Jessica: "Think of a soul as a traveler. If it doesn't reach the afterlife, it wanders. If it wanders too long, devils devour it. When they do… something horrifying is born."
Alex swallowed.
"…Like the creature that destroyed the orphanage?"
Jessica exchanged a serious look with Regis.
Regis answered this time:
"That wasn't just a creature. That was a Devil—high-rank. And it didn't appear by accident."
Alex's throat tightened, remembering the screams.
---
Alex's New Path
Jessica stood up suddenly.
Jessica: "Alex. Now listen carefully. If you want to become a Spirit Knight… you must learn three things."
Alex stood too, nervous but determined.
Jessica:
"First — how to control spiritual energy.
Second — how to purify wandering souls.
Third — how to resist corruption."
Regis stretched his arms lazily.
Regis: "Fourth — how to not get killed in the first five minutes. Very important."
Jessica punched him on the arm.
Regis: "OW—! Woman, I'm your vice-captain!"
Jessica: "And you deserve it."
Alex couldn't help laughing a little.
She turned back to the boy with a gentle but firm expression.
Jessica:
"Alex… you're part of the Walter bloodline now. And soon, as the adopted heir of the Ironheart family, the world will expect greatness from you."
Alex's eyes trembled.
"Jessica… can I really become a Spirit Knight?"
Jessica placed her hand on his shoulder.
Jessica:
"You already took your first step the night you survived the orphanage. The rest… we will teach you."
Regis raised two fingers.
Regis:
"Training starts tomorrow morning. Five A.M. sharp. If you wake up late… I'll throw you into a river."
Alex gulped.
"…Can I change my mind?"
Regis: "No."
Jessica smirked.
"Welcome to your new life, Alex."
The fire crackled again—
as if blessing the boy's new destiny.
---