The next few days were a blur of training, both physical and magical. Haruto was taken to the grand training hall where mages, knights, and warriors honed their skills. He could feel the eyes of everyone on him—those who whispered about the return of the Exiled Hero and those who doubted whether he was truly the one.
He wasn't sure if he was ready. But as the silver-haired man had said, there was no time to waste.
The first trial came sooner than expected. A messenger arrived with news that a small group of rebel forces had been spotted near the borders of the kingdom. They were gathering strength, preparing for an attack.
"We must go," the silver-haired man said. "It's time to see if you are truly the hero this world needs."
Haruto nodded, feeling a strange sense of purpose wash over him. It wasn't just about fighting—this was about discovering who he really was and what had been taken from him. And no matter how lost or confused he felt, he knew he had to face it head-on.