The morning sun broke through the curtains of our apartment, painting the room in gold. I stretched, still not used to waking up in a bustling city instead of the quiet sounds of Theoua village.
Beside me, Kael was sprawled across his bed, half his blanket on the floor, mumbling nonsense in his sleep.
I sighed. "And this guy wants to be an adventurer?"
With a snap of my fingers, I conjured a tiny spark of light and flicked it at his face.
"WAH—!" Kael shot upright, clutching his forehead. "What was that for?!"
"Training starts now," I said, grinning. "Lesson one: control your vessel without crashing into rooftops."
He groaned. "You're worse than any teacher back at the guild…"
But even as he complained, I saw the determination in his eyes.
Today, in the city of Hassin, my journey as an adventurer—and as a teacher—was truly beginning.
We stepped out of the apartment, the streets of Hassin already alive with merchants shouting prices and adventurers clanking in armor.
Kael yawned. "So… where do we even train? We can't just start blasting spells in the middle of the city, right? We'll blow up someone's roof again."
He had a point.
I crossed my arms, thinking. "Hmm… yeah. A training ground would be best. But I don't know this city well yet."
Kael tilted his head. "I heard there's an Adventurer's Guild nearby. Most big cities have one. They usually have training fields, dummies, even sparring arenas."
"That sounds perfect." I nodded. "Then our first stop is the guild."
Kael's eyes lit up. "So we'll be proper adventurers, huh? Signing up at the guild, taking quests…"
I smirked. "Don't get too excited. First, you're going to learn to control that vessel. If you crash again, I'm making you pay for the roof next time."
"Ugh, you're so strict…" Kael muttered, but I caught the grin forming on his face.
The two of us made our way down the busy street, heading toward the guild—the place where countless adventurers began their journeys, and where ours was about to take its next step.
Days blurred into weeks, weeks into months.
Training with Kael became part of my daily rhythm. What started as shaky vessel control and broken rooftops slowly turned into real progress.
Now, the two of us were racing high above the city sky, our vessels glowing like streaks of light against the blue.
"Too slow, Kael!" I shouted, leaning forward as my light wings expanded, propelling me faster.
"Tch,don't underestimate me, Teacher!" Kael yelled back, his vessel flaring as he swung toward me.
He fired a weak Light Ray in my direction—sloppy, but fast. I tilted my wings and dodged with ease, letting the beam cut through empty air.
"Better. But you still leave too many openings!" I raised my palm, mana surging. A small Light Blast sparked to life, aimed right at him.
Kael's eyes widened. "W-Whoa!" He twisted his vessel at the last second, the blast grazing past his shoulder.
The force sent him spiraling, but he managed to recover before crashing. His grin was wild.
"Ha! Almost got me, but not this time!"
I smirked, the thrill of the duel pushing my mana harder. "Good. Then let's see how long you can last!"
Our battle in the skies raged on, light clashing against light, two mages carving trails of radiance across the heavens.
For the first time since leaving Theoua, I realized something....
I wasn't just training Kael anymore. I was growing alongside him.
But even with all our training, I knew it still wasn't enough. Dodging light blasts in the sky was one thing. Facing real enemies was another.
So, a few days later, Kael and I accepted a side quest from the guild.
Quest: Eliminate the goblins trespassing in the Forest of Hassin.
"Goblins, huh?" Kael muttered as we walked along the forest path. His hand rested nervously on his staff. "Not exactly a Moon Dragon, but… it's a start."
"That's the point," I said firmly. "You're not ready for dragons. Neither am I. But goblins? That, we can handle."
The forest air was thick with damp earth and the distant calls of birds. Soon, we heard something else—the guttural chattering of goblins.
I raised a hand, signaling Kael to stop. Ahead, in a clearing, a group of five goblins snarled over a dead boar, their jagged knives glinting in the sunlight that broke through the trees.
Kael gulped. "T-There's more than I expected."
"Then this is your test," I whispered. "Remember your training. Vessel control. Light Rays. Keep your mana steady."
He nodded, though sweat already beaded on his forehead.
I drew in a breath, summoning my own light blade with a soft hum of energy. "We move on my signal."
Kael raised his trembling hands, mana swirling as he prepared his spell.
The goblins hadn't noticed us yet. But in moments, the real fight would begin.
The moment we stepped past the treeline of the Forest of Hassin, a pale mist coiled around our ankles. It wasn't thick enough to blind us, but it clung to the ground like it belonged there.
Kael frowned. "Weird. Hassin's forest isn't supposed to be misty, right?"
"Not normally." I narrowed my eyes, scanning the shadows between the trees. The air was cold against my skin—colder than it should have been for this region.
Maybe it was nothing. Or maybe…
"Who knows," I murmured. "It could just be wind drifting south from Senieve."
Senieve—the northern kingdom, known for its biting winds and endless snows. If this mist truly came from that far away, it meant the weather was shifting strangely.
Kael hugged his arms, shivering. "Creepy. Do you think the goblins are using this mist to hide?"
"Maybe." My grip tightened around my light blade. "Stay sharp. Whatever this is, we didn't come here for sightseeing. Our job is to clear the goblins."
But in the back of my mind, a thought lingered.
This mist… didn't feel natural.
The mist shifted suddenly—then a sharp gust tore through the trees, scattering it like smoke.
And there they were.
Dozens of goblins, yellow eyes gleaming, jagged blades in hand. They hadn't been waiting in one spot—they'd been circling us the entire time.
Kael's face paled. "T-There's so many—!"
"Stay calm!" I barked, raising my hand. Mana surged from my chest into my palm, gathering into radiant light.
"Light Blast!"
A golden spear of light shot from my hand, exploding against the nearest goblin and sending it crashing into a tree.
"Light Ray, Multiply!"
Beams of sunlight burst outward in every direction, dazzling the goblins' eyes with searing brightness. They hissed and screeched, stumbling as the beams struck their crude armor.
In that instant of confusion, I summoned my blade.
"Come forth, Light Blade!"
The glowing sword hummed to life, radiant and sharp. I dashed forward, slashing clean through the first goblin's chest. Its body dropped with a guttural scream.
Another lunged at me from the side. I spun, blade flashing.
"Judged by light! Light Blade!"
The strike cleaved straight through its weapon,and its neck.
All around me, goblins flailed, blinded by rays of light as I cut through them one by one.
Behind me, Kael's voice trembled as he raised his staff. "I-I'll cover you, Teacher!"
Good. He was scared,but he wasn't running.
Behind me, Kael raised his staff, his mana steady this time.
"Agility Boost!"
A pulse of silver light wrapped around my legs, and instantly my movements grew sharper, faster. My next strike with the light blade sliced through two goblins in a single sweep.
Not bad.
Kael wasn't done yet. He pressed his palm to his forehead, chanting again.
"Enhanced Vision!"
My eyes sharpened, the haze of the forest clearing as though the world itself had become brighter. I could see their shadows moving in the mist, the twitch of their muscles before they lunged.
Perfect.
One goblin leapt at me with a dagger raised high. But before it could even swing, I was already there,my blade cutting through its torso in a single flash.
Kael pumped a fist from behind. "Yes! It worked!"
I grinned, cutting down another. "Good support, Kael. Keep it up!"
The goblins shrieked, their formation breaking as my blade carved through them one after another, every move guided by Kael's support spells.
For the first time, we weren't just teacher and student.
We were a team.
—Kael's POV—
My heart pounded so hard I thought it might burst out of my chest. But even as fear clawed at me, my hands moved the way Master taught me.
"Light Ray!"
A beam of light shot from my staff, striking a goblin square in the chest. It screeched and stumbled back, just in time for Master's blade to cut it down.
I couldn't believe it. I'd actually hit something.
"Another one, Kael!" Master's voice rang out, steady as ever.
I focused, pouring mana into my hands. "Light Ray—Multiply!"
Three beams burst forward this time, scattering into the mist and grazing two goblins. They weren't clean hits, but it was enough to throw them off balance. Master surged in, his Light Blade finishing the rest.
The last goblin collapsed with a guttural scream, its body twitching once before going still.
Silence returned to the forest. Only the faint hiss of fading mana lingered in the air.
I gasped, leaning on my staff. My whole body was trembling, sweat running down my back. But I was smiling too.
"I… I did it. I really did it…"
Master glanced at me, his expression calm but proud. "Not bad, Kael. You're improving."
That single praise was enough to make my chest swell.
We returned to Hassin as the sun set, our clothes dirty, our mana nearly drained. By the time we reached our apartment, the city lights had already flickered on, warm against the night sky.
I collapsed onto my bed the moment we stepped inside. "I'm never moving again…"
Master just chuckled, setting his blade aside. "Rest while you can. Tomorrow, training continues."
I groaned into my pillow, but I couldn't stop smiling.
For the first time, I felt like a real adventurer.
—Surya's POV—
The next morning came as usual: training at dawn, a quest by noon. Kael and I fought through a small band of forest wolves, nothing too dangerous, just enough to keep our blades sharp.
By the time we returned to Hassin, it marked our fifth week of nonstop training. Five weeks of sweat, bruises, victories, and failures. Five weeks of seeing Kael grow stronger every day.
That night, we sat in our small apartment, a cheap feast spread across the table—bread, stew, and just enough ale to feel like a celebration.
"To five weeks!" Kael grinned, raising his mug.
I raised mine too, smiling. "To five weeks."
As the mugs clinked, a thought stirred in my mind. It was reckless. Dangerous. But it wouldn't go away.
"What if…" I set my mug down, staring at the candle flame between us. "What if we take on the Moon Dragon quest?"
Kael froze, blinking at me. "You mean… the one on the poster? The quest worth six thousand gold?"
"Exactly."
He laughed nervously. "Master, you can't be serious. That's suicide! The Moon Dragon is said to destroy kingdoms…"
"I know," I replied firmly. "But think about it. We've trained for weeks. We've fought, bled, survived. And every time we push forward, we grow stronger. If we keep doing small quests, we'll never know our true limits."
Kael looked down at his mug, conflicted. His hands trembled slightly, but his eyes flicked up with a spark I recognized—determination.
"You're insane…" he muttered. Then, with a small grin, "But if you're going, I'm going too."
The room fell silent except for the crackle of the candle. That single agreement sealed our path.
The Moon Dragon. Our real trial.
And so, our celebration became a vow.
The night passed quickly after our vow. The very next day, Kael and I trained harder than ever—sparring until our blades sparked with light, firing rays until our mana nearly ran dry. Every strike, every incantation carried the weight of tomorrow.
Tomorrow, we would leave Hassin.
Our destination: the city of Fillo, in the heart of Cryellita. Word had spread that the Moon Dragon had been terrorizing its skies for days, its shadow blotting out the sun, its roars echoing across mountains. If the kingdom fell, the South would crumble next.
As the sun dipped below the horizon, painting Hassin's rooftops gold, I stood with Kael at the balcony of our apartment. The city below was alive with merchants and laughter, unaware,or perhaps pretending not to know,that doom loomed in the distance.
"This is it," Kael said quietly, gripping the railing. "Tomorrow we head south. Into the jaws of death."
I smirked, resting a hand on his shoulder. "Into the jaws of a dragon, you mean."
He chuckled nervously, but I could see the fire in his eyes.
We both knew, there would be no turning back.
The road to Cryellita awaited.
The dawn sky was clear as crystal when we took off. My Light Wing Vessel shimmered beneath me, wings of radiant gold unfurling as if the morning sun itself had lent me its strength.
Beside me, Kael rode his own creation—a Wind Vessel, smaller and rougher than mine, but swift. The currents bent to his will, carrying him forward with a speed I hadn't seen from him before.
The city of Hassin shrank behind us, its stone towers and bustling markets becoming no more than a memory in the horizon. Ahead stretched the endless road of sky and land, rolling hills and winding rivers glinting under the sun.
"Race you to the border of Cryellita!" Kael shouted over the wind, his grin wide and reckless.
I smirked, leaning forward as my vessel blazed brighter. "Don't cry when you lose!"
And just like that, the two of us streaked across the skies, leaving behind everything we had known, heading south, toward the kingdom where the Moon Dragon awaited.
The race stretched on for hours, our vessels darting through clouds and over rivers. By the time the golden sun dipped low, the horizon revealed our destination: Fillo, the southern city of Cryellita.
From above, the city was massive—its stone walls towering high, battlements lined with watchmen. Torches flickered along the gates, and a nervous tension seemed to hang over the streets within. Even from the sky, I could feel it: the fear of the Moon Dragon.
Kael and I descended, our vessels dissolving into motes of light and wind as our boots hit the dirt before the great gates. Immediately, two guards stepped forward, their spears crossed to block the way.
"State your business," one barked, eyes sharp beneath his helm.
"Are you both adventurers?" the other asked, voice wary.
I met Kael's eyes. He gave a small nod, and together we stood tall.
"Yes," I said firmly. "We've come to take the quest."
At that, the guards exchanged glances. One frowned. The other's grip on his spear tightened. It was clear—they had seen adventurers before us, and not all had returned.
The guards didn't move aside immediately. Instead, one of them reached into a pouch and pulled out a small case. From it, he handed us each a thin, rectangular metal piece that gleamed faintly in the torchlight.
"Hold it in your palm," he ordered. "Don't resist the pull."
I frowned but did as told. The moment the cold metal touched my skin, a faint light traced across its surface. The mark of my fingerprint etched itself onto the card, glowing briefly before fading into the steel.
Kael stared at his own card in awe. "It… recorded me?"
The guard nodded. "Adventurer Identification. Proof of who you are and what rank you'll be assessed at. No one enters Fillo without one, not anymore. Not after the dragon attacks."
His voice grew grim at that last part, and I felt the weight in his words. This city was on edge, its people clinging to whatever precautions they could.
He took back the case, gestured for the gates to open, and the heavy iron doors slowly creaked inward.
"Welcome to Fillo, adventurers. May the gods watch over you. You'll need it."
Kael and I exchanged glances, our fists tightening around the metal IDs. The air beyond the gates was thick with tension, and yet,for us, this was only the beginning.
As the gates closed behind us, the city of Fillo revealed itself,and it was nothing like Hassin.
The streets were filled with silence. People moved quickly, eyes lowered, their faces pale and tired. No merchants called out from stalls, no children laughed in the alleys. Instead, there were only cold stares, filled with suspicion and fear. It wasn't just us they were wary of, it was everyone.
Half the buildings bore scars of fire and claw. Roofs sagged with holes, walls cracked and splintered. Yet… no carpenters worked to repair them. No masons patched the stone. It was as if the people had given up, waiting for the next night when destruction would fall again.
I clenched my fists. So that's it… the dragon must come back every night.
Beside me, Kael muttered under his breath, "It's like the city's already dead."
I didn't answer. But in my chest, the light stirred with resolve. Dead or not, this city still stood, and we hadn't come all this way to watch it crumble.
We couldn't bring ourselves to stay in an inn that night. The air in Fillo was too heavy, the stares too sharp. Instead, Kael and I wandered until we reached what looked like the central plaza—but there was no fountain, no shops.
Only ruins.
And at the heart of it stood a castle, broken and silent. Its towers leaned with age and fire, windows shattered, banners torn. For a moment, I wondered if it had been abandoned long before the dragon ever came.
"Should we… go in?" Kael asked hesitantly.
I nodded. "It'll at least keep us dry tonight."
The heavy doors groaned open, the air inside colder than the streets outside. Dust swirled in the moonlight that cut through broken windows. The silence pressed on us as we explored the hallways, until we pushed open a door that led into what must have once been the kitchen.
That's when we saw her.
A woman, maybe in her thirties, standing near the old stove. Her long black hair was tied loosely, her simple robes dusted with flour. She didn't look startled by us at all—almost as though she had been waiting.
Kael froze. "Wh-what…? Someone lives here?"
The woman turned slowly, her eyes sharp yet weary.
"Travelers," she said softly. "No… adventurers. I can smell the mana on you."
Her voice carried a strange weight, like she had seen too much.