I found Cael standing near the remnants of the training grounds, watching as villagers repaired a broken fence. His expression, as always, was unreadable—calm, composed, like he hadn’t just wiped out a small army single-handedly.

  I approached, flexing my left hand beneath the cloth wrapped around it. The pain was duller now, but the unnatural sensation—the way it pulsed like something alive—hadn’t faded.

  "I need to ask you something," I said.

  Cael didn’t look at me. “You’re going to ask about your arm.”

  I stiffened. Of course, he had noticed. He probably knew from the moment he saw me.

  I took a breath. “What the hell is happening to me?”

  Finally, he turned. His sharp gaze locked onto me, searching. Measuring. Deciding how much to say.

  Then, he exhaled. “You’ll understand everything once we reach the capital.”

  I frowned. “So you do know something.”

  He didn’t deny it.

  I waited, hoping for an explanation. Something. But after a few seconds, I realized—he wasn’t going to tell me anything.

  Not yet.

  "...Fine," I muttered, looking away.

  Cael nodded approvingly, then added, "We leave at dawn."

  That was the end of the conversation.

  Morning came faster than I wanted it to.

  The air was crisp, the faint chill of dawn rolling over the village as I stood at the entrance, packed and ready.

  But I wasn’t alone.

  Nearly everyone was there.

  Villagers had gathered, standing in small clusters—some offering quiet smiles, others just watching. The kids were at the front, fidgeting, their faces somber.

  And then there was Elira.

  She stood directly in front of me, arms crossed, her usual composed demeanor shattered.

  Her red-rimmed eyes glistened with unshed tears, her jaw clenched like she was forcing herself not to cry.

  I opened my mouth—to say what, I didn’t know. But before I could, she stepped forward and pulled me into a tight embrace.

  I stiffened, caught off guard, before slowly relaxing into it.

  "You idiot," she muttered against my shoulder. “You’re really leaving, huh?”

  I swallowed past the lump in my throat. "Yeah."

  A shaky breath. Her arms tightened slightly. "...You better come back."

  I shut my eyes, willing myself to hold it together.

  "I will."

  I had to.

  After a few seconds, she pulled away, quickly wiping at her eyes before stepping back.

  Then—

  A small tug at my sleeve.

  I looked down to see one of the kids—Mira.

  She sniffled, holding out a tiny carved figurine. It was rough, uneven, but I could tell it was supposed to be a swordsman.

  "For you," she mumbled. "So you don’t forget."

  I took it carefully, my vision blurring slightly.

  Another kid, Rean, shoved a badly sewn cloth pouch into my hand. “It’s got sweets,” he muttered. “For the road.”

  And then, one by one, the other kids stepped forward, giving me small gifts. Simple things—beads, a lucky charm, even a tiny wooden carving of a tree.

  Each one was precious.

  Each one made it harder to leave.

  I exhaled, trying to smile. "You guys are making this way too difficult."

  Mira wiped at her tears. "Then don’t go!"

  I crouched slightly, ruffling her hair. "I have to. But I’ll come back. I promise."

  "Swear on it!"

  I grinned. "I swear on it."

  They didn’t look convinced, but they nodded.

  Finally, I stood, turning back to Elira.

  She didn’t speak, didn’t try to stop me.

  She just gave me a soft, bittersweet smile.

  "...Stay safe, Zane."

  I nodded. "You too."

  With one final glance at the village—at the people who had become my first real connection to this world—I turned.

  And I walked away.

  The village faded behind us, shrinking into the rolling hills as the carriage rumbled down the dirt road. I kept my eyes forward, focusing on the journey ahead, but the weight in my chest remained.

  I was leaving behind the first place that had truly felt like home in this world.

  But I had to move forward.

  "The capital," I muttered after a while. "What’s it like?"

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  Cael, who had been silent for most of the ride, glanced at me. “Vaeloria. The heart of the Kingdom of Eryndor.”

  I raised an eyebrow. "Vaeloria?"

  He nodded. "It’s unlike anything you’ve seen before. It’s not just a city—it’s a world of its own. The center of trade, power, and politics. The strongest factions operate from there, and the Royal Family rules over everything."

  "Sounds… overwhelming."

  "It is," Cael said bluntly. "It’s nothing like the village. The people there? They live by a different set of rules. Status matters. Strength matters. And if you don’t know how to move, you’ll get trampled underfoot."

  I frowned. "And you’re taking me there because…?"

  Cael gave me a sidelong glance. "Because you have potential. But you’re also reckless. If you want to survive in Vaeloria, you need to learn when to fight and when to stay quiet."

  I clenched my jaw, but before I could say anything, he continued.

  "Which brings me to my next point—" He tossed me a cloth. "Keep your arm covered at all times."

  I caught it, looking down at my bandaged left arm. Even through the wrappings, I could see the faint glow of the cracks pulsing beneath.

  Cael’s voice turned sharp. "I don’t know what’s happening to you, but I do know this—if the wrong people see that arm, you’re dead. Or worse."

  I tightened my grip on the cloth.

  "Stay low," he said. "Don’t draw attention. Don’t get involved in things that don’t concern you."

  I exhaled slowly, wrapping the cloth around my arm.

  "Fine," I muttered. "I get it."

  Cael nodded once. "Good."

  The carriage rolled steadily along the winding roads, pulled by two black-plated draft horses. The driver, a weathered old man, didn’t ask any questions, which was fine by me.

  For the first time since arriving in Myrithar, I had the chance to really see the world.

  The first day, we passed through golden wheat fields stretching endlessly under the sky. Farmers worked in the distance, their voices carrying in the wind. The air was clean, open, untouched.

  By the second day, the fields had given way to dense forests. The towering trees formed a natural canopy overhead, the sunlight filtering through in golden beams. At night, glowing blue fireflies drifted lazily through the branches, their soft hum blending with the distant sounds of the wilderness.

  I tried using Mana Sense, but my control was still too weak to pick up much beyond vague disturbances.

  On the third day, the trees thinned, replaced by rolling hills and flowing rivers. Small outposts and trading villages dotted the landscape, the first real signs of civilization beyond our village.

  Then, just before noon—

  I saw it.

  From the top of a hill, the capital of Eryndor stretched before us.

  Vaeloria was massive.

  Towering white stone walls surrounded the city, twice the height of any building I had seen before. They weren’t just for defense—they were a statement.

  Beyond the walls, I could see layered districts, each with its own identity. Some areas were lined with lavish golden rooftops, while others had smokestacks and towering iron structures.

  And at the very center—

  A colossal citadel stood, its spires piercing the sky.

  It wasn’t just a city.

  It was a kingdom within a kingdom.

  Cael barely reacted.

  "Welcome to Vaeloria," he said.

  I swallowed hard.

  For the first time, I truly understood what I was walking into.

  As we approached the towering gates of Vaeloria, the sheer scale of the capital became even more overwhelming. The city’s walls weren’t just high—they were thick, made of smooth white stone that gleamed under the afternoon sun. Engraved patterns of runes and symbols lined the edges, faint traces of magic-infused defenses woven into their very foundation.

  Even the gate itself was a masterpiece. It wasn’t just a simple drawbridge—it was a set of massive reinforced doors, large enough to fit five carriages at once. Heavy metal gears and chains lined the sides, enchanted to make the process of opening them smooth despite their weight.

  And guarding the entrance—

  Knights.

  Not just any knights—Vaelorian Knights.

  They were clad in polished silver armor, each piece inscribed with golden etchings, their helmets sleek and expressionless. Unlike the village guards, these men radiated discipline. Their movements were sharp, precise, like they could snap into battle at any given second.

  I pulled my cloak a little tighter around myself, conscious of my arm.

  "This place is built like a fortress," I muttered under my breath.

  Cael smirked slightly. "That’s because it is."

  We slowed as we reached the gates, where a checkpoint had been set up. A few other travelers were ahead of us, presenting papers and exchanging brief words with the knights before being allowed in.

  I watched carefully, noting how each person was inspected. Their clothes, their weapons, their faces. The knights weren’t just letting anyone walk in blindly.

  I tensed slightly. "Do we need papers?"

  Cael shook his head. "No. I have connections."

  I didn’t like the vagueness of that answer, but I didn’t question it.

  When it was our turn, a knight stepped forward, his gold-trimmed cloak swaying slightly with the movement. His voice was firm, commanding.

  "State your business in Vaeloria."

  Cael didn’t hesitate. "Returning from an assigned mission. The boy is with me."

  The knight studied him for a moment. "Your name?"

  "Cael Veydris."

  I blinked. That was the first time I had heard his full name.

  Apparently, the knight recognized it, because he gave a short nod before gesturing to the other guards. "He’s clear. Open the gates."

  I glanced at Cael as we stepped forward. "You just say your name and they let you in?"

  His smirk returned, just barely. "Like I said, I have connections."

  I had no idea what that meant, but the gates rumbled open, revealing the capital in its full glory.

  The moment we entered, the world changed.

  Everything in the village had been simple, quiet, grounded.

  But here?

  Here, everything was alive.

  The streets were bustling with people, packed tightly as merchants, knights, and civilians moved about their day. Shouts of vendors filled the air, selling everything from enchanted weapons to rare fabrics. The scent of freshly baked bread and sizzling meat drifted through the open marketplace.

  The buildings weren’t just functional—they were art.

  The lower districts had stone and wood structures, reminiscent of the village, but with intricate carvings and hanging lanterns. The upper areas had tall, elegant towers, some lined with floating runes that pulsed faintly with magic.

  And above all—the citadel loomed in the distance.

  Its spires gleamed under the sunlight, a reminder of who truly ruled this city.

  I turned to Cael, still taking everything in. "So where exactly are we going?"

  He gestured for me to follow. "I’ll show you around first. You need to understand this place before anything else."

  I nodded and fell into step beside him.

  As we walked, Cael pointed out key areas of the city.

  "The capital is divided into four main districts, each serving a different purpose."

  He gestured toward the bustling streets filled with vendors and traders.

  "This is the Merchant District. The economic hub. If you need to buy, sell, or trade anything—this is where you go. But be careful. Merchants here are shrewd, and the wealthy hold all the power. If you don’t know how to negotiate, you’ll get fleeced."

  I nodded, taking mental notes.

  Next, we moved toward an area where the air felt heavier. The scent of burning metal and oil filled my nose, and I saw massive workshops and forges.

  "This is the Industrial District, home to blacksmiths, alchemists, and engineers. The best weapons and armor come from here. But it’s also where the city’s underground dealings take place. Be careful who you talk to."

  Underground dealings? I didn’t press further—for now.

  We then walked toward an area where the streets became cleaner, the buildings taller, the people... different. Their robes were finer, their expressions more composed. I could feel the mana in the air.

  "This is the Scholar’s District, where researchers, mages, and healers study under the Crown’s watch. If you want to learn about mana, factions, or the Universal Records—this is where you’d start. But they don’t take well to outsiders."

  I kept my expression neutral, but my mind was already racing.

  If I wanted answers about my corrupted mana, this would be the place to look.

  Finally, we reached the gates of the Inner District. Beyond them was the Royal Citadel and the estates of nobles. Unlike the rest of the city, this area was heavily guarded.

  "This is the Noble District. The heart of Vaeloria. It’s where the aristocracy, high-ranking knights, and the Royal Family live. It’s also where power struggles happen. If you want to keep your head, don’t get involved."

  I swallowed hard.

  This city was nothing like the village.

  It wasn’t just about surviving—it was about navigating a world of power, secrets, and danger.

  I exhaled slowly, glancing at Cael. "Alright. What now?"

  He gave me a knowing look.

  "Now?" he said. "Now, we find you a place to stay."