After a long walk I arrived at the place.

  The house was in even worse condition than before. A collapsed roof, cracked walls, rotten beams protruding at unnatural angles. It looked abandoned for years—just like smugglers would have used.

  I stopped and looked around carefully.

  There were traces.

  Trampled ground, fresher shoe prints, small scratches on the stones leading to one place. My hunch might have been right.

  The hatch leading underground was closed.

  I didn't try to open it manually.

  I focused the mana and used the magic of water, creating a high pressure inside the mechanism. The metal trembled, the hinges let go with a deaf crack, and the hatch was torn from the inside.

  The opening was in front of me.

  I went down.

  The corridor was long and narrow, illuminated by single torches. The air was heavy and humid. I heard footsteps — someone was on guard.

  I noticed the guard.

  I wasn't going to risk the alarm.

  I formed a thin, almost invisible water projectile and fired. He hit it perfectly. The guard slumped to the ground without making a sound.

  I went on.

  I moved quietly, methodically. One by one, I eliminated the guards before they could notice me. Every move was well thought out. No unnecessary spells. No traces.

  I finally reached my cells.

  One of them was closed.

  Inside sat a girl with purple hair. She looked exhausted, but she was alive. When she saw me, she stiffened—fear written on his face.

  I didn't say a word.

  I opened the grille and nodded, signaling to her that she was free.

  That was enough.

  I grabbed her arm tightly and pulled her along with me.

  "Run," I said quietly.

  I didn't wait for an answer.

  We headed towards the exit. The corridors of the dungeon were filled with chaos — screams, the sounds of footsteps, weapons hitting a stone. Every guard who tried to block our path was killed before they could react. I didn't stop for a moment. One precise spell, one move — and keep running.

  Finally, we fell outside.

  The sky was already starting to darken. The sun was low, and I knew we wouldn't get to town before night. Instead of taking risks, I moved as far away from the old house as possible. Only after a long while, when we were far enough, did I stop.

  We sat down under a tree.

  So far, I haven't spoken a word to her.

  The silence lasted for a long moment, until finally the girl gathered her courage.

  "Is it... Father sent you for me? She asked quietly.

  I looked at her through the mask.

  "I'm just doing whiteboard tasks in the Adventurers' Guild," I replied emotionlessly.

  She fell silent.

  For a long time, she said nothing.

  Suddenly, not far from us, voices were heard.

  Patrol.

  I immediately put my hand on her lips and with my other hand I indicated that she should not move or make any sound. Her body stiffened.

  I walked around the patrol from behind.

  The first one didn't even have time to scream — I cut off his head with one movement. The other turned in panic, but the spell tore him apart from the inside. The third tried to escape. I pierced him through and through at the place of the heart.

  Everything lasted a few seconds.

  When I returned to the girl, I nodded.

  "You can speak."

  She looked at me with wide eyes.

  "You... Are you an assassin?

  If I didn't have a mask, she would see my smile.

  "No," I replied calmly. "I'm a magician."

  I didn't add anything else.

  The rest of the night passed without any problems.

  At dawn we returned to the city. I donated the girl to the Adventurers' Guild and received the prize—one gold coin.

  I didn't care about anything else anymore.

  I had only one thought.

  Finally, I was able to buy a magic cane.

  When I saw it, I immediately liked it. Especially the form of the ring, into which it could change. She was exactly as I imagined.

  Ideal

  For a few days I really enjoyed my new cane.

  The difference was clear. Spells formed faster, were more stable, and their power... significantly higher. The one-and-a-half-time buff wasn't just a dry number—I could feel it in the mana flow, in every spell I cast.

  And then I saw it.

  Patrol.

  The guards walked around the city, stopping passers-by and showing them a painting. At first, I didn't pay much attention to it, but something touched me. I got a little closer, keeping my distance.

  I looked more closely.

  And I went numb.

  I was in the painting.

  Mask. Silhouette. Even the details of the outfit.

  Thoughts began to rush.

  Why are they looking for me?

  What did I do?

  Or maybe... Isn't it about smugglers?

  I didn't want to take any chances.

  I turned and went back to my room. I packed everything I had — without thinking, without sentiment. I knew I had to leave the city. Immediately.

  I headed towards the gate.

  And then I saw control.

  A big one. Organized. The guards checked everyone. There was a long queue in front of the gate.

  I had no choice.

  I took a chance.

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  At the right moment, I stunned one of the guards and sneaked through the confusion. I started running, not looking back. I ran as much as I could.

  When I was about halfway to the forest, I heard a scream.

  "Stop!" If you don't stop, you'll be shot down with a ballista!

  I looked up. On the walls — machines ready to shoot.

  I stopped.

  I knelt down and raised my hands.

  The guards caught up with me quickly. It didn't bother me too much. I can kill them all and run away anyway ," I thought coldly.

  But something was wrong.

  They didn't take me to the dungeons.

  They led me to the castle.

  The largest building in the whole city.

  We walked through a huge door and found ourselves in a monumental hall. I was told to kneel. The stone floor was cold, and the echo of footsteps echoed off the walls.

  Then a voice spoke.

  A man sitting on a large, richly decorated, gilded chair stood up.

  "I'm sorry," he said. "For the behavior of the guards.

  He paused for a moment.

  "I promised them a bonus for bringing you here... But I didn't expect them to go so far and start a chase throughout the city.

  He looked at me carefully.

  "Thank you," he added. "For saving my daughter."

  I froze.

  He explained everything to me in a calm tone. He assigned this task to a specific person, but he — out of sheer laziness — handed it over to the Guild. He assured me that the matter had already been properly resolved... solved.

  "We tried to take it back many times," he said. "But there were too many high-ranking smugglers in the underground.

  Then he smiled slightly.

  "The main prize for getting my daughter back was ten gold coins.

  My eyes lit up.

  Although it was not visible through the mask.

  "Of course, I didn't bring you here just to present the award in person," he said after a moment's silence. "I might as well just give you the money through the Guild.

  He took a step towards me.

  "I have an offer for you."

  He raised his hand as if he weighed each word he spoke.

  — A four-year expedition to the Demon Continent. In return... you will get one thing. Whatever you wish. If possible.

  My heart beat harder.

  Four years. Demon Continent. It wasn't an offer — it was to throw me right in the middle of legends.

  I was silent for a moment, analyzing everything in my mind. The risk was enormous. But such a chance... it could never happen again.

  "The best school," I said finally. "The best school of magic on this continent."

  I wasn't even sure if such a thing existed.

  The nobleman smiled slightly.

  "Ardendale," he replied without hesitation. "You're just asking about her, aren't you?"

  I narrowed my eyes under the hood.

  "If you agree to this expedition," he continued, "I will pay for all your teaching at Ardendale." No exceptions. No limits.

  He was silent for a moment.

  "But it's not just about the expedition itself.

  It got harder in the room. As if the air had thickened.

  "You must get something else for me."

  He raised his hand and pointed to the map hanging behind the throne.

  "The Dragon's Tear."

  He said these words with emphasis.

  "Black molten stone." Material that survived the dragon's fire. One of the rarest substances in the world.

  He looked me straight in the eyes.

  "The expedition will take you to the Death Mountain Range. That's why I want the group to be made up of people like you. Those that can survive... a lot.

  There was silence.

  "Will you agree?" He asked.

  I didn't answer right away.

  Demon Continent. Ardendale. Dragons. Death Mountains.

  And four years that could have made me much more powerful... or kill.

  I smiled slightly under the mask.

  It was exactly the proposal I was waiting for.

  "I agree," I said after a while. "On your terms.

  The nobleman looked at me carefully, as if he was only now trying to really understand me.

  "Then we have to figure one thing out," he said calmly. "How shall I introduce you?" What is your name?

  There was silence.

  For a moment I didn't know what to answer. The past, the name, it all seemed... distant. Unnecessary.

  "I don't have a name," I said at last.

  He was not surprised. He did not deny it. He just nodded, as if such an answer made sense.

  "I understand," he replied after a while. "Then I'll give it to you." For the needs of the expedition. And what will follow it.

  He rose from his throne and looked down upon me, but without superiority—rather thoughtfully.

  — Vesperia.

  He repeated this name slowly.

  "Twilight." The border between day and night. Neither light nor darkness... but something in between. It suits someone who works in the shadows and yet changes the course of events.

  I didn't deny it.

  "From now on," he continued, "you will be known as Vesperia.

  He turned and walked over to the map hanging behind the throne.

  "The expedition will be numerous. Twenty people. They were divided into four groups of five. Each group will act independently, but with a common goal.

  He looked at me again.

  "You will lead one of them.

  I accepted it without hesitation.

  "You have a week," he added. "A week to choose your team members.

  He paused for a moment.

  "You don't have to worry about paying. Any seeker who sets out with you will receive a decent salary. Enough to convince even those who usually refuse.

  I nodded.

  I didn't have a name.

  But now I had new ones.

  Vesperia.

  And with it — a path from which there was no turning back.

  The next day, the Adventurers' Guild was roaring.

  The news of the expedition spread instantly. There were long queues in front of the building, and inside there was a bustle that I hadn't seen here for years. The seekers stood in groups, whispered among themselves, evaluated the competition.

  And I was sitting in a chair.

  My legs were placed on the table, crossed carelessly, the mask covered my face, and my gaze was directed at each subsequent candidate. It was me who decided.

  I knew exactly who I needed.

  Two swordsmen.

  One shield guard.

  And one person capable of healing wounds during combat.

  The task formally started with a B rank, but I wasn't going to take just anyone.

  On the first day, the swordsmiths came.

  There were about fifty-seven of them. That is how many people applied on that day alone. After the first few conversations, I knew that I would reject half of them immediately.

  And that's what I did.

  Those who thought only with their muscles, and not with their heads, flew out immediately. No tests. No discussion. I didn't need brute force without control. I needed people who could survive.

  I tested the others one by one. Sparring, reactions, making decisions under pressure. Many were good. A few very good ones.

  Until finally they found themselves.

  A couple — a boy and a girl. They both looked about fifteen years old. They volunteered together. I found out that they had been kicked out of the A-rank team.

  Their story did not particularly interest me.

  I was interested in something else.

  Each of them was at the level of an experienced swordsmith. Their movements were clean, without unnecessary gestures, and their cooperation was almost instinctive. They fought well separately, even better together.

  I took them without hesitation.

  In addition... They were young. And I really didn't want to spend a few years in the same team with guys in their thirties.

  Now I understand how women felt before my reincarnation ," I thought ironically.

  On the second day, it was time for the shield guard.

  Again, I tested the candidates one by one. Strength, reflexes, endurance, defensive instinct. Many were good at holding the shield, but few understood when to use it.

  Eventually, I found a boyfriend.

  He was fourteen years old.

  He was calm. Focused. And very, very good.

  I learned that his father was an S-rank shieldman and had trained him since childhood. That explained a lot.

  During the test, it blocked every attack I had.

  Everyone.

  He did not retreat in panic. He did not lose his balance. He stood like a wall.

  "That's enough," I said after a while.

  He was in the team.

  On the third day, it was time to choose a healer.

  This time the situation was different than before. There were few men—almost none, in fact. Mostly women applied. Each of them had some experience, each claimed that she could handle the Demon Continent.

  I tested them patiently.

  In the end, my choice fell on a sixteen-year-old healer.

  It had enormous magical potential — clearly felt at the first contact. Her spells were pure, stable, and stronger than experience would suggest. At the same time, she was... completely clumsy. She could fall over on the spot, catch on her own bag or hit her head when getting up.

  Nevertheless, I chose her.

  She was funny. Natural. Her presence relieved tension, and this was as important as strength or skill in a long, dangerous expedition. I knew that he would raise the morale of the team in more than one aspect.

  The team was complete.

  I was given a week to prepare.

  And for good reason.

  Equipment had to be purchased. We didn't have to worry about water — as a water magician, I could provide a constant supply of water. The rest, however, was necessary. Sleeping bags, large backpacks, bandages, spare water, various types of shoes — we were supposed to cross practically the entire continent and reach the mountains located at its edge.

  Death Mountain Range.

  We also bought professional equipment for each team member. From swords and shields, to specialized equipment and a spellbook of sacred magic for the healer. I didn't skimp. I preferred to be prepared.

  On the seventh day, in the morning, we set off for the nobleman's castle.

  It was there, in front of the main gate, that I saw the other three teams for the first time.

  I looked at them carefully.

  The first was... muscle mass. Raw power, not much else. The second looked a little better, but they lacked planning and common sense — they acted chaotically, without a clear structure. The third team seemed to be the most prudent and organized.

  And yet...

  Something didn't suit me about it.

  I couldn't name it. It was just a hunch—a quiet, unsettling feeling somewhere in the back of my head.

  I looked at my team.

  They were ready.

  And I, Vesperia , was to lead them to a place from which few returned.

  This is how our expedition began.

  every Sunday at 6:00 PM! I hope this schedule makes it easier for you to follow the story and enjoy the adventures week by week.

  Velrik