For dinner, Theo decided to make a lavish feast to treat himself and Liam, while also sending thanks for Al's dedicated guarding and the two Striders' enthusiastic help.

  Oakhaven Stew

  He decided to try preparing from his culinary memory but had cleverly adapted Beef Bourguignon using Breeder knowledge.

  The preparation was meticulously executed. Theo began by cutting small pieces of Oakhaven region's characteristic oak-smoked bacon and frying in a heavy cast iron pot to create a rich fat base. Then he seared high-quality game meat—the type he felt had perfect flavor to replace beef—until they turned dark brown.

  Next, he added slightly sweet fruit wine to the pot to deglaze and create a rich sauce layer. Especially, to replace rare spices like thyme leaves, bay leaves, parsley, and pepper, Theo used Zaravand Fire Leaf Powder along with Bitter Grass Pepper Powder—a wild plant with a pungent but slightly bitter taste he'd made before. Though it had some flaws, it was cheap and had similar pungent aroma to pepper. This mixture made the dish much more attractive and complex.

  He supplemented with Thel grass mushrooms and selected wild vegetables. The stew was covered tightly, kept on low simmering heat.

  Liam, assigned the important task, had poured his effort into making mashed potatoes—smooth, fluffy, to serve alongside.

  The dinner feast was served. Five members sat gathered around the warm campfire. The rich aroma of the stew spread, driving away the damp cold of the forest night.

  The two Striders, Shadow and Swift, obediently sat tucked on the ground, enjoying a full meal of protein and nutritious grains in two large bowls placed before them. Theo sat to Shadow's left, while Liam leaned against Swift's side, sitting opposite. Al, the little Pidgey, perched on Theo's shoulder but curiously burrowed down near the food plate.

  They ate while laughing and joking, recounting stories of a day of hard preparation—from Theo's long, winding ingredient list to Swift's stubbornness when fitting the saddle.

  "Hey, Al, you have to eat the fresh vegetables, don't pick them out for me."

  Firelight danced on their faces, dispelling all fatigue and pressure, creating a peaceful, warm moment, strengthening friendship and companionship, preparing for the great challenges waiting for them on the horizon.

  And of course, Mana absorption had become a task that always needed completing each evening.

  Worried about tomorrow, Theo's Mana training session ended earlier than Liam's—just 30 minutes. He quietly left the tent, avoiding disturbing his concentrating friend, then sat silently by the gradually dying campfire.

  The fire only flickered dimly, casting his shadow long, creating a lonely, still silhouette on the ground. Theo quietly gazed at the star-filled night sky. Yes, sometimes Theo—the bearer of an otherworldly soul—truly felt distance from this world. He carried within him experiences, language, even memories of a completely different civilization. All created a clear difference, a private longing no one could share, not even Liam or his family.

  In some moment, Theo was truly lonely. But strangely, he never felt troubled. He regarded that loneliness as a familiar spice. Memory might err, but instinct didn't. His soul enjoyed this lightly bitter spice, because it stimulated distant memories, evoking sad nights with wine glasses, sitting watching the night street with gentle tracks of Howl's Moving Castle, Merry-Go-Round of Life,... softly in his ears.

  Moment by moment, time like a gentle symphony immersed Theo in the stream of memory.

  Suddenly, a warm hand placed on his shoulder. Liam stood behind, spoke up with unexpectedly calm voice:

  "Listen Theo, my spear always points straight ahead. My instinct has never been wrong. Don't overthink anymore—it tells me: 'Move forward, glory awaits us ahead.' That's right, Theo, we're taking the right steps, don't worry."

  Theo burst out laughing, the loneliness seemingly dissolving before this sincerity. He didn't expect his aged soul could bond so intimately with a 14-year-old kid. Theo shook his head, stood up, dusting off his clothes.

  "Let's go," he said quietly.

  Liam asked bewildered: "Go where?"

  Taken from Royal Road, this narrative should be reported if found on Amazon.

  "To sleep."

  Fangday (Thursday)

  Al's distant cry rang out like a clarion call, tearing through the silent veil of night. Brilliant light poured through billowing clouds, shining down like a promise for this momentous day—a day beginning a new journey.

  Theo started his early morning routine with cold precision, as if programmed. He completed 30 minutes of Mana absorption, 10 minutes of personal hygiene, and 20 minutes preparing breakfast for the entire team.

  The meal was prepared quickly, simply but with meticulously calculated nutrition, ensuring abundant energy supply for a day full of challenges.

  Liam was always one beat slower than Theo's discipline. But Theo didn't need to worry, didn't need to call out; the moment food's aroma wafted out, Liam appeared, not a second late, as if instinct had set the perfect meal timer. He quickly settled before breakfast, ready to fuel up to face today's challenges.

  Breakfast complete, not wasting another second, the two boys donned their armor. Liam hoisted the Zaravand spear onto his shoulder, while Theo checked his equipment one last time then strapped the Sylvanius bow to his back.

  Without exchanging another word, they simultaneously mounted Swift and Shadow. Al circled overhead like a guide. Each powerful long stride of the two Striders brought Theo and Liam to Oakhaven market and the inn where Vesper's team stayed in the blink of an eye.

  At the inn entrance, Vesper and Ryel were waiting for them. Vesper still bore that scar across his face, but this time he seemed more restrained, less of the usual sharp edge.

  Vesper grinned roughly, voice carrying teasing intent:

  "I knew you two would come. Right, Ryel? Look at their eyes—don't dream they'll stay here as hunters or farmers."

  Ryel said nothing, arms still crossed, silently observing Theo and Liam expertly dismount their Striders.

  Theo faced Vesper. He looked straight into his eyes for a moment, without any hesitation, then said concisely:

  "We're joining."

  Liam stood half a step behind Theo. He smiled faintly, but his eyes radiated a rarely seen seriousness. The spear in his hand seemed charged with additional force, and it also seemed to respond to Liam: the copper gleam reflecting sunlight as if showing reassurance or eagerness for battle.

  Vesper laughed loudly. He clapped both their shoulders:

  "Excellent, excellent! Ah, the kid hasn't introduced the remaining member yet, Theo."

  Vesper's eyes looked up at Al circling in the sky, full of curiosity.

  Theo placed two fingers to his lips—a long whistle in a specific rhythm rang out. Al understood. It gently flew down, perching on Theo's shoulder, its eyes wary and unfriendly, looking straight at Vesper. It was a bird with very good memory; three confrontations with Vesper were still fresh in its recollection. To it, he remained an enemy.

  Theo introduced:

  "This is Alpha. You can also call it Al."

  Vesper looked at Al, nodding in evaluation of something momentarily. He turned to Ryel, ordering concisely:

  "Assemble the members, Ryel."

  The half-elf nodded, turning toward the tavern.

  Vesper turned back to Theo and Liam, gesturing:

  "Follow me."

  He led Theo and Liam to the town's edge. While walking, he spoke:

  "Let me reintroduce myself to you two. I, Vesper Wolf-Mark, am the leader of the Night Hawks—a 3-star mercenary team. I specialize in Sword and Shield. My primary magic is Gear Enhance, which can increase the hardness of armor, shields, and swords, while reducing shock when attacked, and of course also enhancing the sword's sharpness."

  Theo and Liam glanced at each other. A small nod passed between them. Theo knew it was time to present basic information, but of course no one would reveal all their trump cards.

  Theo stood straight, facing Vesper directly, speaking clearly:

  "Theodore. Everyone usually calls me Theo. I'm proficient in archery, traps, and magical medicines."

  He paused briefly, hand stroking Al's head perched on his shoulder. Al chirped softly in confirmation.

  "This is Al. A flying magical beast, proficient in reconnaissance and wind-based magic."

  Liam continued immediately after. He decisively raised the Zaravand spear, resting the shaft lightly on the ground, voice brimming with confidence:

  "I'm Liam. I specialize in close combat with spears."

  Vesper listened silently. The corner of his mouth lifted slightly, showing satisfaction. This information was enough for him to preliminarily assess their combat roles.

  After pondering a moment, Vesper said, eyes lighting with slight mockery, head tilting slightly:

  "I can tell you two that my team currently needs someone proficient with flying magical beasts. There's a mission right now requiring this condition to complete. That's one reason I want you two to join. You kids aren't surprised, are you?"

  Theo wasn't surprised, but he didn't care about the sarcasm. His lips pressed together, eyes carrying coldness, almost calculation. The risk of betrayal was something he had to face.

  Theo stepped back half a pace, maintaining a distance exactly equal to one sword strike. He looked straight into Vesper's eyes, not avoiding, not blinking. His voice was calm to the point of coldness:

  "What if you plan to kick us out after the mission, or more simply—kill us to steal Al?"

  The atmosphere suddenly froze. Liam stood behind, breathing immediately heavier. His hand gripped the spear shaft until his skin turned pale white.

  Vesper blinked once. Then he burst out laughing. The laugh was hoarse, deep, prolonged, echoing across the empty space:

  "...Hah."

  He stopped abruptly. The laugh was severed by an invisible slash. Vesper tilted his head, took one very slow step toward Theo. Not threatening. Not showing off. But something in that movement made the air feel drained of oxygen.

  He stood before Theo only an arm's length away. His breath carried the scent of cold metal.

  "Excellent question!"

  He assessed through Theo's eyes. Vesper saw in Theo's gaze: not childish challenge, but real calculation—the kind of calculation from someone who'd lived long enough to understand the price of trust.

  The scar on Vesper's face twitched slightly. He smiled, but that smile carried no goodwill.

  "Fine."

  He raised his hand, placing it on Theo's shoulder—a motion light as a pat, but enough to make Liam lift his spear tip half an inch. His voice sank down, like stone rolling across ground:

  "If you've agreed to join my team, I'll teach you the first lesson. Listen clearly!"