Under the shroud of night, the flickering light of the campfire wavered gently.

  Caius lay with a thin blanket draped over him, while the little Catgirl, Kiki, and Hilda had snuggled into their sleeping bags, leaning against the trees, each cradling a cup of warm tea.

  "A cup of calming floral tea before bed... this is just too comfortable," Hilda sighed in contentment.

  When she was on her own, she never allowed herself such luxury—she had to stay vigilant, and "calm" was a luxury she couldn’t afford.

  But now, with companions beside her, this feeling of sitting around a fire, backs against trees, sipping tea… it had the magic of a storybook moment.

  "It feels like… a lot of stories start just like this," Hilda said softly.

  "Like the warrior of Loranger—his tale began with meeting the flame mage Kaftwolyn in the forest. They sat around a campfire like this, and later, they became legends."

  "And the Flame Queen Ashlyn's story too. It began in a forest, with her adventuring party gathered around a campfire. None of them could have imagined she'd go on to become a legend among fire mages."

  "The campfires beneath the night sky of Starfall Steppe ignited the arrows of the Starfall Archer Renault, letting his shafts pierce the sky like meteors."

  "At the peak of Gildon Peak, it was a campfire that melted the cold in Frost Reaver Bayne’s heart, allowing him to master ice and snow, while carrying a will as fierce as fire."

  "The flames on the walls of Windspire City sparked like wildfire, igniting the heart of Wind Insurgent Didriarch. His songs spread far and wide, a call to rebellion that toppled the tyranny of Galebane City."

  Caius watched her speak, her voice light, a smile on her face.

  Unlike the holy glow cast by sunlight, the firelight painted her features with something more grounded—an honest warmth from the heart.

  “Do you think… our story might begin from a campfire too?” she asked, turning her gaze to Caius with a gentle smile.

  Caius could feel the hope in her words—she truly was a girl with dreams, someone who believed in the beauty of the future.

  So he smiled as well and raised his cup.

  “Our story has already begun, little one.”

  “One day, mercenaries and adventurers will sit around a campfire just like this, and they’ll speak in awe—‘The Legendary Mercenary Caius and the Legendary Meow-Meow Kiki began their legend by a fire just like this. And their remarkable companion, the Swan Blade Maiden, stood with them through every trial until they reached the very peak.’”

  “And then, those mercenaries and adventurers will look at each other and ask, ‘Will our story begin from a campfire too?’”

  “And their companion will lift a cup of ale and laugh aloud—‘Yes, my friend!’”

  “‘Our story has already begun!’”

  “‘We will all become legends!’”

  “Hahaha!” Hilda laughed brightly, her eyes sparkling with joy.

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  “I think so too. But... ‘Legendary Meow-Meow’ and ‘Legendary Mercenary’? Those titles are way too casual! We should come up with better names.”

  “And for the record, I didn’t choose the name Swan Blade Maiden—that was given to me by the students at Hydis Magic Academy.”

  “So what title do you want for yourself?” Caius asked, amused.

  “Hmm… I haven’t decided yet, but it’ll definitely include Blade Master. Because my goal is to become the continent’s number one Blade Master!”

  “A lofty goal indeed. But a Blade Master without a signature sword? That won’t do. So let me ask you, Miss Hilda, what kind of design do you envision for your rapier’s guard?” Caius asked with a grin.

  “Hmm—” Hilda tapped her chin thoughtfully. “I want wings. Like a swan’s, or an angel’s. The wings should wrap around to form the guard.”

  “Great idea!” Caius gave her a thumbs up.

  “And I want the blade to have feather-like engravings—can the blood groove be carved to look like feather patterns?” Hilda looked at him, full of anticipation.

  “Of course it can!” Caius snapped his fingers confidently.

  “Then it’s settled! You can take creative liberty with the rest. I’m looking forward to seeing your masterpiece!” Hilda beamed.

  “You won’t be disappointed,” Caius nodded, finishing the last sip of tea in his cup. Then he lay back in the tent, resting his head on his arm.

  By now, the little Catgirl had finished her tea as well and curled up beside Caius, nestled entirely in her sleeping bag—only her small face and a pair of fluffy cat ears poked out. She looked impossibly adorable.

  Seeing this, Hilda scooted over and lay down inside the tent as well.

  Just like a little family of three: Caius on the left, Kiki in the middle, and Hilda on the right.

  The crackle of burning wood echoed softly from the campfire nearby—somewhat noisy, yet somehow deeply peaceful, and it made Hilda feel drowsy.

  “Get some good rest. We’ve got a lot to do tomorrow. Look—Kiki’s already fast asleep,” Caius said.

  “Already?” Hilda turned toward Kiki, and sure enough, her eyes were closed and her breathing slow—fast asleep.

  It couldn’t have taken more than five seconds from lying down to dozing off. Hilda felt a little envious of Catfolk sleep habits.

  She nodded, curled into her sleeping bag, then turned to face Caius.

  In the darkness, his blue eyes shimmered like sapphires, reflecting the glow of the fire.

  “Good night, Caius.”

  “Good night, Little Swan.”

  “Hmm? When did you start calling me that?”

  “Since the moment I met you. You really do remind me of a little swan.”

  “Where exactly do I look like one?”

  “I just think you do.”

  “Then I’m giving you a nickname too, and it’s going to be silly!”

  “Oh? Let’s hear it.”

  “I’m going to call you… Big Hammer!”

  “That’s too plain. Pick another.”

  “Then… Big Foxwolf! You’re sly like a fox, but fierce like a wolf!”

  “Is that even a thing? Foxwolf? Sounds weird—try again.”

  "Hey! I’m the one giving you a nickname here—you don’t get to be picky!"

  “Hehehe, come on, pick a different one~”

  “Alright then, let me think…”

  “I’ll call you… Big… Big…”

  Her voice trailed off, softer and softer. Caius blinked and turned to glance at her, only to find that she’d already closed her eyes.

  Fast asleep?

  Looking at her delicate features, Caius couldn’t help but shake his head with a smile.

  “Silly girl.”

  But no sooner had the words left his lips than Hilda’s eyes suddenly snapped open, gleaming with mischief.

  “Caught you! Calling me silly again!”

  “So you weren’t actually asleep?” Caius chuckled in disbelief.

  “Hmph! I knew you were gonna tease me again.” Hilda pouted triumphantly, then tilted her chin up and declared,

  “I’ve made my decision!”

  “From now on, I’m calling you—Big Dummy!”

  “You called me silly, so I’m calling you dumb too!”

  “How childish,” Caius muttered.

  “I don’t care—Big Dummy it is!”

  “As long as you’re happy.” Caius laughed lightly and closed his eyes. “Time to sleep for real. Otherwise I’m not waking you up tomorrow.”

  “Hmph, like I’d need you to, Big Dummy.”

  “Hey hey, getting addicted, aren’t you?”

  “Hehehe~” Hilda giggled, clearly satisfied.

  She had never called anyone a dummy before—it gave her a strange sense of pride.

  But Caius nearly burst out laughing.

  This girl probably had no idea that the nickname sounded a lot like flirtation.

  Such an innocent Little Swan.

  As Caius shut his eyes and went quiet, Hilda snuggled deeper into her warm sleeping bag, her wide eyes fluttering and filled with a smile.

  “Good night, Big Dummy.”

  “Good night, Silly Swan.”

  “You’re just a bit dumber than me.”

  “Keep talking and we’ll be up ‘til dawn.”

  “Then I’ll let you off the hook tonight. Usually I’ll call you Big Guy, but if you dare call me silly, you’re getting the Big Dummy treatment.”

  “Hehehe…”

  As her playful words echoed in his ears,

  Caius knew for certain—

  Tonight, he’d be having sweet dreams.