After finishing our rest, we prepared to leave.
"Cain, did you eat well?" my mother asked with a gentle smile.
"Yes," I replied happily.
A few minutes passed as the carriage continued on its journey.
"Sofia, how long do you think you'll be teaching our son?" my father asked.
Sofia placed a finger on her chin, thinking. "Hmm… Since he can't control his mana output yet, it may take a while."
"Hmmm," my father muttered before turning to me. "Cain, would you like a book?"
"A book? What kind of book, Father?" I asked, tilting my head in curiosity.
"A book about magic," he answered with a small grin.
"A book of magic?" My eyes sparkled with excitement. "Yes, Father!"
He chuckled at my reaction. "Then, if you manage to properly learn basic magic, I'll give it to you as a graduation gift."
"Are you serious, Father?" I asked, feeling a rush of excitement.
"Yes," he said with a warm smile.
A few hours passed, and I began to feel tired.
Noticing this, my mother gently patted her lap. "Cain, if you're sleepy, you can rest on me."
I hesitated for a moment, but the drowsiness was too strong to resist. "Yes, Mother."
I slowly closed my eyes, feeling the warmth of her lap as sleep took over.
"Look at him," my mother said softly, smiling as she gazed down at me. "He looks so peaceful when he's sleeping."
"Of course he does," my father replied playfully. "He takes after me."
Sofia chuckled at their exchange but then turned to my father with a curious expression. "Sir Draven, may I ask you something?"
My father glanced at her. "What is it?"
"Why did you hire a magic teacher for Cain despite him being only five years old? You know that magic can be quite dangerous."
My father exchanged a look with my mother before answering. "Because I want him to be prepared early. We won't always be by his side to protect him."
Sofia furrowed her brows. "But he's just a child."
"Exactly," my father said firmly. "That's why he needs to grow strong. No matter what circumstances he faces in the future, he must be able to stand on his own."
Sofia fell silent, processing my father's words. She understood his reasoning but still seemed conflicted.
For the next three hours, the carriage remained quiet. We were all tired from the journey. My father and Sofia took turns keeping watch—one resting while the other remained alert.
After four hours, evening had arrived.
my father and I were still asleep.
"Hey, wake up! It's evening," my mother called out.
I groggily opened my eyes, blinking as confusion settled in. "Where am I?"
Suddenly, my father shook me awake. "Cain, it's evening. Let's find a spot to eat."
I sat up, still half-asleep.
"Mister, can we stop here for the night?" my father asked the carriage driver.
Once we found a spot, we moved our belongings and began to settle down for dinner.
"Cain, help me with this," my mother said, handing me a task.
"Sure," I replied.
As we finished preparing, my father broke the silence. "Cain, what do you want to do when you grow up?"
They all looked at me, waiting for an answer.
I hesitated, unsure. "I don't know yet…"
"What do you want to be? A mage? A knight? An adventurer?" my mother suggested, her voice full of warmth.
"Whatever you choose, we'll support you," my father added, smiling proudly.
I looked at them, warmth filling my heart. "This is the first time I've felt like this…"
Then, I took a deep breath, trying to find the right words.
"I want to become a…"
THUD.
The carriage suddenly shook, the horses neighing in panic. My father's expression hardened as he grabbed the hilt of his sword. Sofia stood up, alert, scanning the surroundings.
My mother pulled me close. "Stay behind me, Cain."
A chill ran down my spine. The air felt different—heavy.
Silence.
Then—rustling.
Something was out there.