{Embrek Church, Kingdom of Solvarin}

  After the intense battle between Aleck and Olric, Amber hurriedly dragged them toward the church for the afternoon prayer.

  By the time prayer ended, the tension from their fight had faded into quiet exhaustion.

  Father Lucen approached them with his usual gentle smile.

  "Why don't you stay for lunch?" he offered.

  Olric hesitated only briefly before nodding. Amber accepted immediately.

  The meal was simple — coarse bread and a modest potato stew.

  "I apologize for the lack of delicacies," Lucen said warmly. "We do not have much to offer."

  Olric remained quiet, unsure how to respond.

  Amber, however, spoke honestly after taking a bite.

  "The bread is a little bland… but the stew is good."

  Reyla straightened instantly, pride swelling in her expression.

  "That's because I made it," she declared, lifting her chin slightly.

  Amber giggled.

  Even Olric allowed a small smile.

  After finishing their meal, both Olric and Amber stood and bowed politely.

  "Thank you for the food," Olric said, this time without hesitation.

  Lucen nodded. "You are always welcome here."

  They left soon after, their footsteps fading down the road.

  Aleck stayed behind, silently gathering the utensils to clean.

  Lucen remained seated at the table, watching him with soft eyes.

  "You've made some good friends," he said gently.

  Aleck paused.

  Friends.

  The word felt unfamiliar.

  He gave a small nod, unsure what else to say.

  Lucen continued, his tone thoughtful.

  "It is a good thing to have people by your side. But even when you feel alone… remember that the Goddess is always watching over you."

  Aleck turned slightly.

  Lucen's smile remained calm and steady.

  "I believe you will become a knight worthy of the people around you."

  Aleck stood frozen for a moment, searching for the right words.

  In the end, he simply said—

  "I will try."

  Lucen's smile widened.

  "That is enough," he replied softly. "The gods may shape the world, but the burden of trials belongs to humans. Never stop trying, Aleck."

  Aleck nodded quietly and carried the dishes away.

  Behind him, Father Lucen leaned back in his chair, eyes closing as a faint smile lingered on his face.

  {Oliver's Mansion, Embrek}

  In the backyard garden, Olric practiced alone.

  His fists moved in steady rhythm —

  Punch.

  Step.

  Kick.

  Turn.

  There was more control now.

  Less aggression.

  More focus.

  From the second-floor balcony, Oliver watched silently.

  Beside him, Ethan lifted Amber into the air as she laughed, her earlier seriousness completely gone.

  "So," Oliver said quietly, eyes still on his son, "you're saying they fought again… and both ended up smiling?"

  Amber nodded enthusiastically.

  "Yes, Uncle. It was strange," she said. "They were exhausted, but they looked… happy."

  Ethan lowered her gently to the ground and glanced at Oliver.

  "And what do you think about that?" he asked.

  Oliver remained silent for a moment.

  His gaze stayed fixed on Olric.

  "He still has a long way to go," Oliver said at last. "But… at least he's trying."

  "Trying, huh…" Ethan repeated, a faint smile forming.

  For a brief moment, something distant flickered in his eyes —

  a memory.

  {Embrek Church, Morning}

  "Good morning, Father Lucen."

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  Amber and Olric stood at the entrance of the church, bowing politely.

  Father Lucen looked up from the holy book resting in his hands and smiled.

  "You're here for Aleck?" he asked gently. "He's in the backyard, training as usual."

  The two children nodded respectfully and made their way outside.

  In the backyard, Reyla sat beneath the shade, calmly sipping tea.

  Nearby, Aleck was in the middle of sit-ups, sweat clinging to his skin.

  "Good morning, Sister Reyla," Amber and Olric greeted together.

  Reyla glanced at them, amused.

  "Morning."

  Aleck stopped mid-rep and sat up.

  Amber stepped forward first.

  "Do you want to go into the forest?" she asked eagerly. "There's a white lotus that grows deep inside. I really want to see it."

  Aleck froze slightly.

  He knew about the white lotus.

  And he knew about the forest.

  The animals there were not gentle.

  His eyes shifted toward Olric.

  Olric immediately raised his hands defensively.

  "Don't look at me," he said. "She dragged me into this."

  That confirmed it.

  They hadn't asked their parents.

  Aleck knew it was foolish.

  But…

  Deep inside, he didn't want to be left behind.

  He wanted to be part of something.

  "To go that deep…" he murmured.

  He hesitated.

  Then said quietly—

  "We can go. But we won't tell them."

  Amber's eyes brightened.

  "We'll say we're going to the market," Aleck added.

  Olric hesitated only briefly before nodding.

  The three of them approached Reyla.

  "We're going to the market," Amber said sweetly.

  Reyla waved them off absentmindedly.

  "Be back before noon."

  The children left together, taking a quieter road with fewer pedestrians.

  Their laughter faded into the distance.

  Reyla finished her tea and stepped inside to inform Father Lucen.

  "They've gone to the market," she said casually.

  Lucen nodded slowly.

  But he wasn't looking at her.

  He was staring out the window.

  Beyond the glass—

  On a distant rooftop—

  A monkey sat motionless.

  Watching.

  Lucen's eyes narrowed slightly.

  {Embrek Forest – Entrance, Noon}

  The trees at the forest's edge were massive.

  Their branches stretched high above, weaving together into a thick canopy that swallowed most of the sunlight. Only thin strands of light slipped through the leaves, scattering across the ground like fractured gold.

  All three of them looked up for a moment.

  It was beautiful.

  And unsettling.

  Olric raised a hand, stopping them before they stepped any further.

  His voice dropped, steady but firm.

  "From here on, the forest changes."

  Amber blinked.

  "What do you mean?"

  "There are wild animals deeper inside," Olric said. "Hostile ones. And… if we're unlucky—"

  He hesitated slightly.

  "Monsters."

  Amber's eyes widened. "There are monsters?"

  Olric straightened.

  "I can't say for certain," he replied. "But the soldiers at my mansion warned me about this forest."

  Aleck remained quiet.

  He suspected the "monsters" were likely exaggerated stories meant to scare noble children.

  But the wild animals were real.

  And that was enough.

  Olric continued, pointing northward.

  "I've studied the maps. If we don't go too deep, we'll be fine. There's a Waterfall to the north. You can usually hear the water before you see it. Near that pond, white lotuses grow."

  He looked at both of them seriously.

  "Stay together. No wandering off."

  Aleck glanced at him.

  "You know a lot about this place."

  Olric avoided his eyes.

  "…The soldiers told me."

  Aleck suppressed a small smile.

  So he wanted adventure too.

  "Then let's go to the waterfall first!" Amber said brightly. "I want to see it."

  The innocence in her voice clashed with the stillness of the trees.

  Olric adjusted the small compass he carried.

  "This way."

  And the three of them stepped past the threshold.

  Behind them, the forest swallowed the sound of the road.