A New Dawn

As the morning sun cast its golden rays upon the campsite, the boy stirred from his slumber, blinking sleepily as he took in his surroundings. His gaze drifted over the familiar faces of the knights, but something was different. Instead of the usual hustle and bustle of morning preparations, everyone seemed to be sitting around, lost in their own thoughts.

Captain Elias caught the boy's eye and offered him a reassuring nod before returning his attention to the wooden sticks he was scraping with his knife. Grayson, noticing the boy's awakening, approached him with a warm smile.

"It's good to see you awake," she said softly, her voice filled with kindness. "Are you hungry? Would you like something to eat?"

The boy hesitated for a moment, his gaze shifting between Grayson's expectant face and the food being prepared nearby. Sensing his reluctance to speak, Grayson continued gently.

"I understand it may take some time for you to adjust and speak again," she reassured him. "But for now, you can nod to tell us yes or no, okay?"

The boy's eyes met Grayson's, and he slowly nodded in understanding. It was a small gesture, but it spoke volumes.

"Do you feel like eating?" Grayson asked, watching for the boy's response.

Again, the boy nodded, a faint smile tugging at the corners of his lips. With a gentle pat on his shoulder, Grayson stood and motioned for him to follow.

"Come, let's go wash up and then we'll have breakfast," she said, leading the way to a nearby stream.

As they walked, Grayson explained the situation to the boy in detail, recounting how the knights had decided to slow down their journey to train him. She spoke of his unique gift of mana and their determination to help him harness it for his own protection.

"You're not alone in this, you know," Grayson said, her voice filled with reassurance. "We're here to help you every step of the way."

The boy listened intently, absorbing every word as they reached the stream and began to wash up. With each splash of water against his face, he felt a renewed sense of purpose stirring within him.

Once they had freshened up, Grayson led the boy back to the campsite, where the knights were gathering for breakfast. As they approached, the boy felt a surge of energy and enthusiasm coursing through him. He was ready to face whatever challenges lay ahead, knowing that he had the support of his newfound companions by his side.