"Wait,"

  Kael called out, stepping back into the warm, smoky shop. "I just realized I still need light armor."The old smith looked up and raised an eyebrow. "Armor, huh?" He scanned Kael from head to toe once more, his sharp blue eyes taking in the young man's frame. "Alright, kid. Light armor it is. Leather for the upper body should suffice, along with some cuisses for your thighs, shin guards for your legs, and a decent pair of boots. How's that sound?"Kael nodded, appreciating the smith's expertise. "That works. Oh, and I already have a full arm guard for my left arm."The smith stroked his beard thoughtfully. "A full arm guard, eh? Then you'll need a vambrace for your right arm to bance things out. Hold on a sec."The old man turned and disappeared into the back of his forge, rummaging through piles of equipment and crates. The cttering of metal and muttered curses filled the air as Kael waited, curious about what the smith would bring out.After several minutes, the smith returned, lugging an old chest. He set it down on the table with a grunt and popped it open, revealing an assortment of worn but sturdy leather pieces. One by one, he pulled out a leather chest armor, a pair of cuisses with matching shin guards, and a pair of heavy leather boots.He paused, scratched his beard again, and then went back to another section of the shop. Kael heard more rummaging before the smith emerged, holding a single vambrace designed for the right arm."Here," the smith said, setting the pieces down with a tired sigh. "This is a set I came across a long time ago. It's old and a little crooked, but it's adjustable. Should do the job well enough for light protection. The only problem is the boots—they're a bit big for your size."Kael inspected the armor pieces closely. The leather chest armor was reinforced with steel studs, providing extra durability while still being lightweight. The cuisses and shin guards were well-made, though their age showed in the faded leather and a few scuff marks. The boots, as the smith mentioned, were slightly oversized but still sturdy. The vambrace was the most polished of the set, with a simple yet elegant design of overpping leather ptes."It's a good set," Kael admitted, though he couldn't ignore the worry nagging at him. He only had five gold coins left. With a wry smile, he gnced at the old smith. "What's the price?"To Kael's surprise, the smith waved him off with a chuckle. "Price? Bah! This stuff's too old and battered to sell properly. It'd be shameless of me to charge you for it. Consider it a gift."Kael's jaw dropped. "Seriously? You're just giving me this?"The smith smirked, crossing his arms. "Yeah, yeah. Don't make a big deal out of it."Kael couldn't help but grin, his chest swelling with gratitude. He bowed slightly, his red hair falling into his face. "Thank you, old man. Really. I'll make good use of these.""Don't thank me yet," the smith replied, gesturing toward the boots. "You'll need to come back tomorrow afternoon so I can adjust everything properly, especially those boots. I'll have 'em ready by then."Kael nodded eagerly. "I'll be here. Thanks again!"As he stepped out of the forge, he felt a lightness in his chest. The old smith's generosity and the prospect of having both weapons and armor ready filled him with a newfound sense of readiness. The sun was high in the sky as Kael walked back into the crowded market, his birthday turning out better than he'd expected.

  Feeling light-hearted and energized by the events at the forge, Kael strolled through the bustling market district. The sun hung low in the sky, casting a golden hue over the lively scene. Vendors called out their wares, their voices mingling with the ctter of carts and the chatter of townsfolk. The rich aroma of roasted meats, freshly baked bread, and spiced treats wafted through the air, making Kael's stomach rumble despite having eaten breakfast not long ago.Kael moved from stall to stall, his red eyes sparkling as he admired the colorful dispys. He saw jars of vibrant preserves, racks of skewered meats sizzling over open fmes, and baskets piled high with fragrant herbs. His mood was buoyant, a rare departure from his usual ziness. Today, everything felt lighter.At a stall selling gzed pastries, Kael paused to inspect the selection. The pastries gleamed under the warm sunlight, their golden crusts dotted with sugar. He thought of Aiden and Lyra, imagining their delighted faces when they saw the sweets."These'll do nicely," he murmured to himself, pointing at a batch of honey-gzed buns.The vendor, a plump woman with a cheerful demeanor, smiled at him. "Good choice, young man. Freshly baked this morning. How many do you want?""Six," Kael said without hesitation.The vendor wrapped the pastries in a cloth and handed them over. Kael paid her, feeling the reassuring weight of his remaining coins in his pouch.As he walked on, Kael's thoughts turned to his parents. He needed something hearty for them, something they could all enjoy together. He stopped at a meat stall, where a butcher was expertly carving slices of cured ham. The savory scent made his mouth water."Half a cut of that ham," Kael said, pointing to the thick, marbled slice on the butcher's counter.The butcher, a burly man with a salt-and-pepper beard, nodded and quickly prepared the order. Kael handed over the coins, tucking the wrapped meat into his bag with the pastries.With his family in mind, Kael continued to browse, picking up a few small items—some dried fruits for Evelina, a bottle of mead for Darius, and a handful of roasted nuts for Aiden and Lyra to snack on ter. Each purchase added to the sense of satisfaction blooming in his chest.As the sun dipped lower, casting long shadows across the marketpce, Kael decided it was time to head home. His bag was heavy with food, and he couldn't wait to see his family's reaction to the treats he'd brought."Today turned out pretty good," he said to himself with a small smile as he turned toward the road leading home. The warm glow of the day seemed to mirror the rare warmth in his heart, a feeling he didn't often let himself indulge.At the Dungeon Diver Academy, the grand stadium was alive with energy. Graduates, faculty, and families filled the stands, their faces glowing with pride and excitement. The arena itself, adorned with different Guild banners and enchanted lights, seemed to hum in anticipation.The school administrator, a sharp-featured man in a ceremonial robe, stood at the podium, his voice resonating through the air. "...and so, as you embark on your journey, remember that the dungeons demand strength, strategy, and courage. Now, it is my honor to introduce this year's top graduate, our academy's pride—Luna Abigail Snowstorm!"A thunderous appuse erupted, reverberating across the stadium.From the graduates' section, a young woman rose. Luna Abigail Snowstorm, the academy's most celebrated student, carried an aura that instantly drew every eye to her. Her silver-white hair shimmered in the sunlight, cascading like a waterfall down her back, while her piercing blue eyes glinted with calm determination.As she began her walk to the podium, a hushed awe settled over the crowd."Look at her—so graceful, like she's gliding across ice," murmured a young woman in the audience."She has the poise of royalty," said another."Not just poise. That's power. Look at the way her magia lingers with every step," added a senior faculty member, nodding with approval as small icicles formed and melted where Abigail walked.Even among her peers, who were all accomplished divers, Abigail's presence stood apart. Her academy uniform, perfectly tailored, complemented her stature. The twin swords at her belt gleamed under the enchanted lights, their intricate frost-patterned hilts marking her mastery over ice magia.When she reached the podium, she paused, scanning the crowd with a steady gaze that commanded attention. Her hand rested lightly on the magical microphone, a crystalline artifact glowing softly with her touch."Fellow graduates, esteemed faculty, and honored guests," she began, her voice clear and steady, "today marks the end of a chapter—but also the beginning of a greater journey. We leave behind the safety of the Academy to face the unknown. The dungeons are vast, dangerous, and unpredictable, but they are also where we will forge our legacies."She paused, letting her words settle. The crowd hung on her every sylble."Courage is not the absence of fear—it is the will to move forward despite it. Strength is not found in isotion—it is built through bonds and shared purpose. Let us remember this as we step into the unknown. We are not just individuals—we are a generation united by ambition and resilience."Her voice grew firmer, filled with conviction. "Let this be the batch that will conquer the unconquered! Let us be the ones who go deeper, climb higher, and achieve what others only dream of. We are the future of dungeon diving, and our journey begins now!"The appuse that followed was deafening, but Abigail wasn't done.As the cpping subsided, she closed her eyes for a moment, and then unleashed her magia. An icy burst of energy rippled outward from her, enveloping the stage in a frost-den aura. The floor sparkled with frost, and snowfkes seemed to dance in the air around her. Her magia radiated elegance and power, leaving no doubt why she had earned her top spot.Inspired by her dispy, her fellow graduates followed suit. Fire magia roared into the air, winds swirled, and the earth trembled as each student unleashed their elemental powers in a dazzling dispy of strength and unity. The stadium was bathed in a kaleidoscope of magical energies, each unique yet harmonious, creating a moment so awe-inspiring it would remain etched in the memories of everyone present."Her speech… it wasn't just words," one faculty member whispered to another, their voice filled with admiration."She's not just top of her css," replied the other, watching Abigail return to her seat with the same grace she had walked to the stage. "She's a leader. One day, she'll change the world."As Abigail sat down, the appuse still thunderous, her lips curled into a faint, determined smile. She gnced briefly at the twin swords on her belt, her mind already on the dungeons waiting to be conquered.