Lara Point of View

  "I swear it's better if Faye or Zephyra were here. Just what are you doing, Thailon? We only need to transfer it to the center of the city—why are you making such a mess?" I called out, watching as Thailon lugged the items we needed for the festival.

  I'd decided to set up a small stall in the city center since the upcoming festival might draw fewer customers to our shop at the city's edge.

  Although we've had plenty of traffic recently, the influx of people during festivals often leaves us a bit short-staffed.

  "Why are you comparing me to them? I'm definitely better, my good look – my fashion my-" Thailon said with a smirk, though his actions betrayed his words as he nearly dropped a box filled with precious ingredients. My heart skipped a beat watching it wobble.

  "Oh really? Just get on with it and carry this to your cart. For goodness' sake, it cost a lot, you know," I chided, shaking my head as he clumsily handled the boxes.

  As he worked, I decided to change the topic, curiosity getting the best of me.

  "By the way, have you heard any news about the others? I've been wondering what they've been up to. I want to at least apologize to them and have a proper goodbye"

  Thailon glanced at me as he secured the boxes in the cart, his face thoughtful.

  "Not much. After you... well, after everything, we all went our separate ways. The only news I've had since then was about Caelum's passing. That's all," he said quietly, his voice a bit distant.

  The mention of Caelum struck a chord within me—a kind soul and a good priest, now truly gone.

  He and I are human after all compare to others.

  "So, the adventuring days really did come to an end after all," I murmured, more to myself than to him.

  Thailon didn't respond, simply nodding as he focused on finishing the task. Sensing the somber mood, I decided it was time to lighten things up a bit.

  "Alright, well, I've got your favorite snack on the shelf in the room. Go ahead and grab it. I'll take care of the rest of this, and we can head out after."

  A Few Moments Later

  The city was alive with vibrant energy as the festival buzzed around me. Massive screens showcased the faces of renowned adventurers, honoring their legendary deeds and celebrating their enduring legacies. This event was a tribute to the heroes of old, and it marked the founding of the academy right here in the heart of the city. Pride swelled in me as I watched. The laughter of children, the joy of couples, and the booming music filled the air, wrapping me in a warmth I hadn't felt in ages.

  Earlier, I'd had Fernin by my side, but somehow, I lost him in the crowd. Thailon too—they had both wandered off, leaving me alone amidst the bustling streets.

  "Where's even Juanica? Did they really just leave me here?" I muttered, a little annoyed and feeling slightly lost.

  Suddenly, a young voice cut through my thoughts. "News! News! The King of Dyad is visiting the city!" A child dashed past, yelling with the boundless energy of youth.

  I paused, the name resonating in my mind. King Dyad. Could it really be him?

  Memories of a boy with that same gentle kindness surfaced, and I found myself wondering how he'd grown over the years that dyad I wonder how is he? That boy really like chasing girls, I bet he have many wives now.

  Lost in thought, I didn't notice a small child approach me until he spoke, offering a folded newspaper. "Miss, would you like a newspaper? Only two copper."

  His wide, hopeful eyes reminded me of the children from the orphanage, those little ones who used to call me 'granny' with so much love and mischief. I reached into my pocket, pulled out a silver coin, and handed it to him with a smile. "Here, take this."

  Stolen novel; please report.

  "Oh, let me get your change!" he exclaimed, reaching for his coin pouch.

  "No, no need," I said, waving him off with a grin.

  He looked up, his eyes bright with surprise. "Are you sure, miss?"

  I chuckled and nodded. "Yes, keep it. Buy yourself a snack, little one."

  "Thank you, miss!" he beamed, darting away with a lightness in his step that brought a smile to my face.

  As I watched him disappear into the crowd, a wave of nostalgia washed over me. I glanced around, suddenly aware of how alone I was. That fool, Fernin, my own brother, had wandered off without a care. I sighed, making a mental note to scold him later.

  The name Hennessy tugged at my heartstrings. Could it be Caelum's family? The gentle priest had found his own path, started a family, while Thailon, always the lone wanderer, remained on his solitary journey. I should have felt happiness for Caelum and his legacy, yet I found myself feeling an unexpected pang of sadness. For everyone else, decades had passed. They had lived, loved, and built families. But for me, it all felt like it had happened just yesterday.

  A bittersweet smile touched my lips. "I'm glad," I murmured, trying to embrace the warmth in my chest. "I'm happy for them. They deserve the lives they dreamed of." But the truth remained, lingering heavily: I felt like a ghost, standing apart, watching the world move forward without me.

  "They move on so I also need to" I said.

  Third-Person POV: The World of Landeon

  The world of Landeon was filled with danger, where monsters roamed freely, threatening the peace of every kingdom. In response, adventurers rose to protect their lands, setting off on countless journeys to hunt these creatures. The most revered of these adventurers were those who succeeded in defeating the Demon Lord—heroes whose bravery ensured the safety of the world.

  Two hundred years ago, a party of legendary adventurers embarked on a quest to slay the Demon Lord. Their leader was Lara, a hero with golden hair that shimmered under the sun. It was a mysterious figure with no known background, yet the hero gathered an extraordinary group of companions. A priest, an elf, a dragon, a fairy, a dyad, and a dwarf—all united under Lara leadership. For two decades, they battled monsters across the world, never resting in their pursuit of peace. Finally, they defeated the Demon Lord, but the victory came at a great cost. Lara the hero fell victim to an unknown curse and perished after the final battle.

  Even in the hero absence, the heroes continued her dream. They built the Laraeon Academy in Grenancine City within the area vast of collected forect, a place where future adventurers could train. Lara's legacy also extended to the Benocalce City Orphanage, one of the largest orphanages, ensuring children from all walks of life had a future. In the Kingdom of Benirchachy, the heroes established the largest trading post, securing peace and prosperity for all. These were the monuments left behind by those who followed the great hero Lara's vision.

  Yet, true peace had not been achieved, and adventurers still ventured out, inspired by the teachings and guidance of the legendary hero. Many young warriors sought out the wisdom of Laraeon's legacy, hoping to follow in her footsteps and bring about a world free of chaos.

  A lot of them actually.

  A Few Moments Later

  "Are you an adventurer?" A woman with buff arms and bright yellow hair asked me. She was big, muscular, and radiated an intimidating yet friendly vibe.

  "Yes," I replied curtly, hoping that would be enough.

  She raised an eyebrow at me and grinned. "Then why are you looking so gloomy about joining this competition? Did you already lose your guts?" She patted me on the back so hard that I nearly tipped forward. I was sitting in an area full of adventurers, all decked out in fancy armor and glistening with expensive items. Meanwhile, I had... nothing. Not even a fancy belt.

  "You don't even have a single item on you? Did you actually intend to join?" she asked, clearly entertained by my lack of gear. I rested my face in my hands, trying to piece together how exactly I'd ended up here.

  No. No, I did not intend to be here! I was dragged here, and somehow, I found myself in the middle of this chaos. Should I call someone for help? This was like that time I accidentally ended up chasing a Lesser Dragon—a big shock, to say the least.

  "So, what class did you choose?" she continued, utterly oblivious to my internal crisis.

  "I haven't chosen yet," I admitted, wincing as her eyes widened in surprise.

  "Well, the system suggests you choose Mage,"

  "Finally, now you're making sense. Can you contact Thailon? You know, that child?" I asked the system.

  Of course, it just flickered in response. Useless. Typical.

  Just then, a woman in a sleek suit appeared out of nowhere, holding an envelope. She was smiling at me—way too cheerfully for someone responsible for dragging me here. She thrust the letter toward me with a look of pure satisfaction. "Please choose your skill," she said, as if she were offering me a piece of candy.

  "Are you kidding me?" I muttered. How was I supposed to choose a skill? I barely knew what I was doing here! I had no gear, no plan, and apparently, no escape route either.

  "Come on!" the yellow-haired woman boomed, nudging me forward. "You got this!"

  Right. Sure. Because who doesn't love being thrown into a high-stakes competition with absolutely no preparation? I glanced around the crowd, wondering if there was some emergency exit I could discreetly sneak through. And then I saw it—a line of adventurers, each one scarier than the last. Fantastic.