Inside the small camp room, Kaelan Ignis sat on a rough wooden chair, his gloved fingers tapping rhythmically against the armrest. The scent of burning oil filled the dim space.
A hurried knock echoed against the camp room's wooden frame, followed by a
voice from outside.
"Sir Kaelan! The watchtower reports—the Ice Princess is approaching the camp!"
Kaelan stood at once, the chair screeching behind him as he moved with urgent strides. He stepped out, the cold forest air brushing his face, and headed straight for the gate leading into the woods.
His eyes narrowed as he saw Selene approaching the camp. She walked beside
Rina—and him. That bumpkin. The three of them talked casually, Selene smiling warmly at that boy, and Rina doing the same.
Kaelan's fists clenched tightly at his sides. His voice came out low and
strained, nearly a growl.
"That bumpkin…"
Selene stepped forward, her blue eyes soft with relief. "Hi Kaelan. You guys are here—thank God. I'm so relieved."
Kaelan forced a polite smile, though his gaze shifted briefly between Rina and Selene.
"I'm really glad you both are fine," he said, his voice clipped but calm.
"Come with me. I'll show you around," Kaelan offered, stepping aside.
"That would be great. Thank you, Kaelan. Lead the way," Selene said with a gracious nod.
She glanced back over her shoulder. "Come on, Rina."
Rina hesitated, lips parting as if to speak, then silently followed Selene.
Kaelan turned to the soldier beside him. "Show him around the camp," he said, smiling with a wink.
As they left, the soldier Kaelan had assigned turned to Alex."Hey, what's your name?—No, wait. Don't tell me. I'll just call you Bumpkin.You don't have to know my name. Just call me Sir. Come on. I'll take you to Earth Squad. They'll make your camp."
Alex followed quietly behind him with emotionless face.
He led Alex toward a group of young men lounging near the watchtower. As
they approached, one of them raised his head lazily.
"Josh, who did you bring this time?"
Josh grinned. "This is Bumpkin. He came with the Ice Princess and wants his camp built by you guys."
The group exchanged glances and snickers. One of them sneered.
"Isn't he a commoner?"
"Yeah, I heard that from the instructor," another confirmed.
One youth stood up, brushing dust off his expensive uniform. His nose was slightly upturned as he looked Alex up and down with disdain.
"We can't work for a commoner," he said. "We're nobles. We have our pride. Even if he came with the Ice Princess."
Josh turned to Alex, shrugging.
"You heard them."
He gave a mock-pitying look, voice oily with false sympathy.
"You just stay on the tower and do the night watch. I'll try to find someone to help tomorrow—maybe. Don't fall asleep," he added with a cruel smile.
Alex didn't respond. He only nodded and walked silently toward the watchtower.
Josh called out loudly, his voice carrying through the clearing.
"Nowadays, even fucking commoners
have attitude!"
Alex climbed up the tower. He sat on the edge, legs dangling, his spear
resting across his lap. He stared at the starlit sky above, the moonlight glinting off his weary eyes.
In a whisper laced with quiet despair, he said,
"I really don't like people."
Next Morning
Alex remained on watch the entire night, unmoving and silent. As the first
light of dawn crept over the treetops, Josh returned.
"Well, well. Hi there, Bumpkin," he said, smirking up at the tower.
"How was the night watch?"
A new voice cut in behind him.
"Who's the Bumpkin here, you idiot?"
Josh stiffened instantly and bowed. "Sir Veylor!"
Riven Veylor stepped forward, tall and composed, his cloak flowing behind
him. His smile was warm, eyes sharp as steel wrapped in silk.
"Why don't you call him by his name?" Riven asked, his tone casual but
tinged with authority.
"What's your name, buddy?"
Alex answered, "Alexander."
"Alexander—that's a powerful name," Riven said with a nod. "You ever hear of Alexander the Great?"
Alex shook his head. "No."
"He was a man who conquered most of the known world in ancient times," Riven
said, smiling. "A legend."
"I forgot to introduce myself. I'm Riven Veylor—you can just call me Sir Veylor."
Riven's tone grew more formal. "We had a meeting last night. It was decided
by vote that you may not set camp near any noble's space. Nobles refuse to help
you build it. But, if anyone volunteers,
there will be no objection."
"You'll be responsible for the nightly watch. It's been officially assigned."
"Josh will show you where you can set up. Don't worry—I'll come check on you
later. If you need anything, just let me know."
He patted Alex's shoulder with a smile before turning away.
Evening
When the sun dipped below the tree line, Alex worked on his camp at the encampment's
edge—monster pelts stretched between crooked wood, staked to the earth with
sharpened branches.
"Hello there, buddy," Riven greeted cheerfully.
Alex stood and bowed slightly. "Hello, Sir Veylor."
Riven wasn't alone. Beside him stood a girl with black hair, black eyes, and
above-average features—plain in comparison to Selene, but striking nonetheless.
"This is Anna Greymoor," Riven said.
Alex's breath caught. His heart skipped. But he clenched his fists and calmed his mind.
She is not my sister. My sister is not in this world.
Riven continued, his voice easy, eyes glinting. "She works in the kitchen. I
asked her to bring food for you."
Alex nodded. Quietly. Gratefully.
Riven smiled wider. "Alright then. Your night watch starts soon. I'll visit again tomorrow."
Elsewhere, at Selene's Camp
Selene sat on a wooden chair, eyes distant, when the door to her camp room
slammed open.
Rina stormed in, fists clenched, fury dancing in her eyes.
"Why did you do that, Selene?!"
"Calm down, Rina. What are you talking about?" Selene asked, raising her
hands in a placating gesture.
"Why did you ignore Alex? Why didn't you help him? You even pulled me away
with you!"
Selene sighed. "You don't understand. If I had insisted on helping, what do
you think Kaelan would've done to him?"
She looked away. "He would've made Alex's life hell. If we want to help him, we need to stay away. That way, they won't treat him worse."
Rina's voice rose again, raw and passionate. "He saved my life. He saved your life. Twice. And we abandoned him as soon as we reached safety."
"You have power, Selene. Nobles respect you. And now you're using excuses
like you're powerless?"
She turned sharply and stormed out, slamming the door behind her.
Selene sat in silence. Her fingers trembled slightly in her lap.
"You're right, Rina," she whispered. "I do have power… But I don't want to
associate with him in public. If I do—I'll become an outcast among nobles…"
Second Night Watch
Under the silver light of the moon, Alex stood atop the watchtower, spear in
hand, as Lunar Wolves emerged from the shadows.
Their eyes glowed with hunger. Their howls split the night.
Alex didn't wait.
He leapt down from the tower, descending like a falling star. He landed in
the midst of the pack—his frustrations, rage, and loneliness all channeled into
the cold steel of his spear.
He fought without hesitation. Long thrusts. Short strikes. Brutal kicks. The
air was filled with snarls, growls—and silence, as one by one, the wolves fell.
Blood soaked the forest floor, steaming against the cold.
By morning, a mountain of corpses surrounded him.
Alex sat atop the pile, blood dripping from head to toe, his spear resting
across his shoulder.
He looked up at the rising sun and steamy breath came out of his mouth like smoke…....