POV: Kael Lanpar
Saying goodbye was always painful—but even more so when it was your own family.
What I was doing… I was doing it for them, even if it was hard to admit.
In this world, I'm still too weak to protect them.
"Promise me you'll send letters so I know how you're doing," my mother said, still clinging to me in a hug that felt eternal. She wasn't just squeezing my body—she was squeezing my soul.
"Yes, Mom, I promise," I replied, smiling faintly through my breath. "I'll write to you every day… but, could you let go of me now?"
She finally relented, reluctantly, wiping her tears before releasing me. I turned and walked toward my grandfather, who was already waiting at the estate gate with Airis.
"Son, wait a moment," my father said, pulling a letter from his pocket. "This is for you. It was sent by someone you don't know, but… I'm sure you'll like them."
I took the letter, noticing the soft, persistent smile on his face. I wasn't sure what he was thinking, but something told me the person behind the letter was tied to one of his memories… or maybe to something deeper.
That's when I felt the energy.
A magical vibration ran through my fingers the moment I touched the paper.
"Hmm…"
This is strange… I've seen this kind of mana before. These particles were different from the usual elements. They weren't sub-elemental either.
Each one had its own color, its own frequency.
"But…" I whispered to myself, "these particles are white… and they move as if they're protecting the letter. Harmonious. Calm. Alive."
"Brat! We don't have all day!" my grandfather shouted from afar. "The road is long and night's coming fast. Hurry up!"
"Yeah, I'm coming…" I muttered with a sigh, offering my parents one last smile.
My little sister was sleeping soundly in Mom's arms, held tightly like a wolf guarding her cub.
"Bye, everyone! See you soon!" I shouted, sprinting toward my grandfather and Airis.
I promise—when I return, I'll be strong enough to protect you all.This time, I won't let my guard down.
This is my way of living: never settling for what I am, and always moving forward—no matter the cost.
If the gods condemned me to live… then I'll live on my terms, not theirs.
Humanity always has the final word.
"Took you long enough," Airis said with annoyance. "You're such a crybaby."
"Whatever you say, Airis," I replied, passing her and heading straight toward my grandfather.
"So, are you finally going to tell me where we're going?" I asked, slipping the letter into my pocket. "Do you have a training plan or…?"
"Fewer questions, Kael," he interrupted immediately. "This is an adventure—no fixed destination. And as for the training… I'm not saying a word."
"As always… leaving me with nothing but questions," I muttered, kicking a rock on the path. "Guess I'll be walking blindly again, not knowing what crazy idea this old man has in mind."
We walked for a long while, talking about random things—simple conversations to distract ourselves, to keep the journey from feeling endless.
"Airis seems mad at me," I whispered, even though I knew Grandpa could hear me.
"Why do you say that?" he answered without turning around. "If it's because of that scowl, don't worry. She actually likes you."
"And did she tell you that?" I asked, picking up my pace and raising a brow.
He simply nodded.Confirming my suspicions.
Looks like we're going to run, I thought, letting a small surge of my astral magic swirl around me. A tiny tornado formed at my feet.
"When I give the signal, I want you both to run with everything you've got," Grandpa ordered firmly. "We're about to cross into Elven Kingdom territory. We can't draw attention. Understood?"
"Understood!" Airis and I shouted in unison.
There was something I didn't get…We were supposed to be in allied territory, so why were we running? Why so much secrecy?
"Run!" Grandpa shouted the signal.
Without hesitation, we bolted.Our bodies blended with the trees, using the branches as platforms to propel ourselves forward. We were shadows among leaves, wind between roots.
If there was anything I loved more than sleeping, it was admiring the landscapes of each kingdom in this world.
Every corner seemed to have a purpose. Every shape, every color, every sound… all of it coexisted with meaning.It was as if nature itself whispered a forgotten truth about the cycle of life that once ruled my former world…
Before we destroyed it with our own hands—never thinking that in the end, there would be nothing left.No memories.No roots.Only ruins.
Even at our current speed, my reflexes allowed me to catch something unusual through the gaps in the shifting leaves:
A pack of wolves was running alongside us.
Their bodies were covered in glowing, ancient runes. They moved in harmony, accompanying our journey from the ground, while overhead, birds danced as if playing their part in an invisible orchestra.
"Five minutes until we reach our destination!" Grandpa shouted from up ahead. "Keep running and don't give up!"
Airis picked up her pace, matching his. Grandpa signaled for me to do the same. I obeyed the order—and just then, the wolf pack veered off, scattering into the trees as if their mission was complete.
"Hey, Grandpa," I asked while running, "why is the mana here more abundant than in our kingdom?"
"That's exactly why we're rushing," he replied, picking up speed. "The guardian who sleeps in the Elven Forest doesn't recognize ally or enemy… it only protects its creators."
Long ago, when the kingdom was first born, it was attacked by an elemental guardian.
Though, according to my sister, guardians should only appear in dungeons—not in an open forest…
Exactly five minutes later, the trees parted to reveal a clearing, and there it was: a small city bathed in sunlight so pure it looked like something from a dream.
Majestic. Alive.
"Kids, welcome to Elquairas," Grandpa announced as he descended from the trees. "Our main trade city with the other kingdoms."
I landed right beside him, using wind to soften my fall.
When I looked up, the sight took my breath away.
There's no other way to describe it—the very definition of diversity.
In the streets, humans, elves, and a short-statured race I instinctively recognized without question: dwarves.
"You've never seen other races before?" Airis asked, bumping me with her shoulder. "Already forgot I'm not human, idiot?"
I thought we were past the mutual hate phase… I muttered inwardly, rubbing my shoulder as I tried to regain my composure after seeing something that, until recently, only existed in fantasy books.
The more I discover about this world, the further I feel from understanding it.Sometimes I wonder if it even has an end…Or if it's an infinite cycle of mysteries.
I shook my head to clear my thoughts and joined Airis and Grandpa as we walked through the city.
They didn't share the same excitement I did. Of course not—they didn't come from a world like mine…One where human cruelty had destroyed everything.
As we moved through the crowd, something began to bother me.I couldn't understand anything people were saying.
"Frere Gray no sagne yo Tori…" was just one of the many incomprehensible phrases spilling from the citizens' mouths.
"Hey Grandpa," I asked, turning slightly toward him, "do you understand what they're saying?"
"Of course not, Kal. I don't speak Elvish," he replied, scratching his beard. "But judging by their expressions… I'd say they're arguing."
"And do they understand us?" I whispered, dodging a couple of pedestrians.
"Some might, some probably don't. We're speaking 'Racing'—the continental language. It's the common tongue among the races and kingdoms. The only way we can communicate with so many different languages out there."
He stopped in front of a fruit vendor—a human with worn-out clothes but a kind expression.
"Vi core nasga der frute granxe. Uta caro no gata," he said casually, and the man handed him a shiny fruit in exchange for a few coins.
"But… didn't you say you didn't speak any other languages?" I exclaimed, more confused than ever.
"He's speaking in the native human tongue," Airis interrupted, tossing me an orange with disdain. "Seriously, you know nothing…"
Of course I know nothing.I went from being locked in a castle… to traveling across a continent completely unknown to me.
After finishing the orange, we continued walking aimlessly until we reached a hotel that looked like it was on its last legs—nearly in ruins, older than the customs of this world.
"Kids, you're free to go explore," Grandpa said before heading into the building. "I have to meet an old friend before we move on. Stick together, and don't get lost."
"Ugh…" I let out a sigh I'd been holding in for a while. I thought we'd finally get some rest—but no.
Back to what matters… what am I supposed to do now?Wasn't it time to start training?
"Hey, where do you think you're going?" I called out to Airis, who was already walking away.
"I know," she cut me off without stopping. "The old man said not to split up, but I want to explore on my own. I've never left the estate. This is my chance. See you later."
"Wow… again, huh?" I muttered.
Well, guess I'd better explore on my own too. This city isn't that big—sooner or later, we'll run into each other again. No big deal.
I spent several hours wandering, listening, observing, learning.
One thing that had served me well since my past life was gathering information through conversations.It's a basic technique—but an effective one.
Many people reveal their secrets without even realizing it. Others say more than they should without meaning to.
I learned the hard way that it's better to keep your mouth shut.One wrong word could cost you your life… or someone else's.
Eventually, I found myself standing before a colossal statue at the city center. Its aura was imposing, as if it had truly been blessed by a deity.
I touched the engraving at its base.
The story it told… was one that many ancient warriors knew.But I was only just beginning to understand it.
Inscription on the statue:"Here, between molten metal and the diamond crown, lies the symbol of the one who once brought peace to the world: Macie Orouh—leader, war, and hope.If there are still people who believe… then it's worth continuing to fight."—Macie Orouh
People often quote wise words seeking comfort.But I'd never seen anyone speak from the heart… with a genuine desire to help others.
"So… here you are," came a familiar voice—Airis. "I was looking for you. Didn't find anything amazing around here. Everything's just like the Astral estate."
"Did you know about her?" I asked, not taking my eyes off the statue. "Who was she?"
"So this is where the statue was… I thought it was a myth, but it's real," she said, stepping beside me. "She's the reason there are no more clan wars. One of the founders of the Human Kingdom."
"I envy her…" I whispered. "Not out of hate, but because it seems like… she got to have a happy ending without regretting her choices. And… never mind. I'm not who I used to be."
"We should go back to the old man. He's probably done by now," I said, starting to walk. She followed in silence.
After several minutes, we returned to the rundown hotel.
From a distance, I saw my grandfather speaking with a hooded figure wearing a golden wolf mask. The figure held something important in their hands.
"Hide!" I whispered to Airis, shoving her gently against a wall. "Don't say anything. Just listen."
"What's wrong with you? Do you seriously think—"
Before she could finish, I covered her mouth and used wind magic to amplify the sounds around us.
I needed to hear clearly what was being said.
"Thank you very much for the map. On behalf of the Astrals, there's no further information to give," my grandfather said, accepting the map sealed with the Lanpar emblem. "Make sure Xavier knows what's going on. Understood?"
"Understood, Lord Luis. We're at your service… and the kingdom's," replied the hooded one, before vanishing into the shadows of dusk.
"What's going on…?" I whispered.That was a soldier from Alkaster.Weird for him to come from so far away only to end up here.
They're only supposed to act in major situations—not play express delivery messenger.
Crack.
"Ow—damn it! Why did you bite me?!" I shouted, clutching my hand in pain. "What the hell did I do to you?!"
"Do you really think he didn't notice we were spying on him? What kind of mage do you think he is?" Airis snapped, releasing a sliver of her magical aura. "He's a Broker, Kael. Try using your brain for once."
Way too aggressive for her age.She nearly ripped off my hand.I never imagined one of my travel companions would turn out to be... half insane.
After crawling out of our hiding spot, we followed Grandpa, who took us to a much better hotel—clean, well-kept, and thankfully, a place where we could finally rest after such a long, exhausting day.
The entire way there, Grandpa didn't say a single word.
That unsettled me.Maybe he knew we'd been spying on him. Or maybe… the news that hooded figure brought wasn't good.But his expression wasn't one of relief or peace.It was pure concern.
"Ugh… finally, a bed," Airis sighed as she collapsed onto the mattress.
"Aggressive…" I muttered, before lying down on my own bed, closing my eyes—even though my mind was still spinning.
I couldn't stop thinking about the possibility that something had happened back in the capital.Another attack, maybe.
"I just hope it's not bad news," I murmured through a yawn. "Tomorrow… I'll check that letter. The one my father said was from someone important… but who?"
That was my final thought before I gave in to sleep.To rest my mind—or so I thought.
Champion Castleboard… Kael… Matías.
At first, I thought I was dreaming. A nightmare, maybe.
But that voice…I knew it.
A voice that had probably crossed entire universes just to haunt me once more… after being silent for so long.
I jolted awake, breathing heavily.
I felt like I was standing in a place I didn't understand.Alive… but also dead.A familiar emptiness wrapped around me.
I got out of bed. The cold floor froze my feet and sent a chill through my entire body.
Something was wrong.
I could hear Airis sobbing faintly in the distance—but that didn't matter right now.
The music…
What was playing outside… was one of the last symphonies I ever heard with her.Before her body ended up in my arms… covered in blood.And I… burdened with yet another guilt.
I started walking toward the door.
The moon followed me, and with every step I took… its light grew stronger—blinding.
I grabbed the handle. My hands were shaking.
I knew what I was about to see… I wouldn't like.
I opened the door wide.
And there she was.
Dextrina.