The morning sun cast a golden glow over the vast estate of the Duke's territory. The air was crisp, and birds chirped as if celebrating peace after a storm.

  The trio stood at the gates—Kazuki silent as ever, Garron and Elara bowing their heads respectfully. Drake and Arin stood beside their father, eyes filled with gratitude and subtle sorrow.

  The Duke, regal yet warm, stepped forward.

  > "Once again," he said, voice deep and earnest, "you’ve given me more than I can repay. You saved my wife from death… and twice you’ve protected my children. I thank you not as a noble, but as a father and a husband."

  Garron smiled. “We were just doing what adventurers are supposed to.”

  Elara added softly, “Your family deserves to be safe.”

  The Duke nodded.

  His eyes fell on Kazuki last—still unreadable, still quiet. The boy only gave a light nod in response. The Duke held his gaze for a moment longer than the others. Then stepped back.

  > “May your travels be safe, and your paths bright.”

  The trio turned.

  Without fanfare, they walked away from the grand estate and toward the border of the Duke’s land—heading for the Newerlands, an unknown region rumored to be filled with strange dungeons and uncharted ruins.

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  ---

  Scene Shift – Later that Day

  The grand halls of the Duke’s manor now felt quieter. The warm celebration of the previous night had faded. Drake stood outside his father's study, hesitating before knocking.

  > “Come in,” the Duke’s voice called from inside.

  Drake entered, his usual confidence replaced with quiet resolve.

  > “Father… may I speak honestly?”

  The Duke looked up from his paperwork, brow raised. “Of course.”

  Drake stepped forward. “It’s about Kazuki.”

  The room seemed to grow still.

  > “He’s… too strong. Too skilled. Too intelligent. Even I’ve trained under the best swordsmen and mages, but what I saw from him wasn’t just training. It was something else—like he’s already lived another life.”

  The Duke leaned back in his chair, thoughtful.

  Drake continued, “He has spells and abilities I’ve never read in any scroll or seen in any academy. And his aura… it’s not something someone should have at our age. He’s hiding something.”

  > “You believe he’s dangerous?” the Duke asked calmly.

  Drake hesitated. “...No. I believe he’s protecting us. But I also believe we don’t know who he truly is. And that scares me.”

  Silence fell between them.

  Then the Duke exhaled. “I have had similar thoughts, son. The things that boy accomplished… not even the Grand Priests could do. His eyes—they don't shine like a child's. They observe, measure, predict. He doesn't live in the moment. He lives in strategy.”

  > “So what should we do?” Drake asked.

  The Duke was quiet for a moment.

  > “We watch. From afar. And if the day ever comes where he stands against the wrong side of this kingdom… we pray to the heavens he still remembers who his allies are.”

  ---

  Scene Shift – The Trio on the Road

  Kazuki, Garron, and Elara walked silently through a forest trail. Birds chirped, the wind rustled through the trees—but none of them spoke.

  Eventually, Garron broke the silence.

  > “Newerlands, huh? Wonder what kind of quests we’ll find there.”

  Elara forced a smile. “Hopefully not another fire-breathing ogre.”

  Kazuki didn’t respond.

  He simply looked ahead, eyes sharp, lost in thoughts far deeper than either of them could reach.

  “They’re watching me now,” he thought. “Good. I’d do the same if I were them. But if they truly wish to know who I am... they'll have to be ready for the answer.”

  His hand gripped the hilt of his dagger slightly tighter.

  The road ahead stretched far—with secrets buried in ancient ruins, kingdoms full of lies, and perhaps... the final truth about himself.