Chapter 5 Return to the academy

Halfy wandered aimlessly through the bustling city streets, his mind racing with thoughts. The cobbled roads stretched endlessly ahead, lined with towering stone buildings that loomed over him, their ancient facades weathered by time. The air carried a mixture of scents—freshly baked bread from nearby stalls, the sharp tang of metal from the blacksmith's forge, and the ever-present musty odor of damp stone from the city walls. Merchants called out their wares, their voices blending into a chaotic symphony of haggling and chatter. Horses clattered by, their hooves striking the cobblestones in rhythmic beats, while the occasional distant clang of a bell tower marked the passing hours.

Where should I go? He wondered in his mind, staring at the ground beneath his worn boots. Where can I find the knights I need? He sighed, frustration bubbling up inside him. "This plan is a mess," he muttered under his breath. "Everyone needs to do their part. If even one person fails, the whole thing falls apart—no matter how hard the others try, I should make that clear with ANAZITIS when we will meet up ."

Then it struck him as an ideal ring in his mind. "The academy," he murmured with a small, knowing grin. "Full of smart folks... and a bunch of knights wasting their time. No butter place than that. Oh my smart brain, what could I do without me ."

After what felt like an eternity of walking, Halfy finally arrived in front of the academy gates. They stood tall and imposing, carved from dark iron and adorned with intricate sigils of knowledge and strength. The familiar sight brought a strange, nostalgic ache to his chest. His lips curled into a smirk as memories flooded back—late nights spent buried in books, grueling training sessions in the dusty courtyards, and the suffocating rules that made him despise the place.

"I still hate this damn place," he muttered, shaking his head. "The boring classes, the lectures... No wonder I left for adventure for living it up, not reading about who was living it up. Those folks need to learn to live it up, not just reading about living it up." He stared up at the grand spires reaching toward the sky, the banners fluttering in the breeze. The scent of parchment and ink drifted from the windows, mingling with the faint smell of sweat and metal from the training grounds beyond the walls.

Suddenly, a soft, melodic voice interrupted his thoughts. "What are you doing here, kid?"

Halfy turned, his sharp eyes meeting those of a tall woman with a kind smile. She radiated an air of quiet authority, her voice as gentle as the breeze. "Are you seeing your future self in that beautiful academy?" she said with confidence, face Glow with kindness "You should work hard and never give up on your dreams."

Before he could respond, she offered a polite nod. "Forgive me, my name is Theodora."

Before Halfy could get a word in, another voice called out behind her. "Theodora! Wait for us!"

Two figures hurried forward—both clad in armor, their boots clanking against the stone pavement. One of them, a dark-haired woman with piercing eyes, scowled. "Don't say it so loud! People will think we've run away from our duties."

Theodora turned and smiled warmly. "Hello, Eleni. Hello, Sophia."

The trio fell into casual conversation, their voices mixing with the distant sounds of training drills inside the academy courtyard. Halfy stood there, arms crossed, scowling at their backs. Kid? She thinks I'm a kid? Just because I'm short doesn't mean I'm a child.

Eleni finally noticed him, her dark eyes narrowing in amusement. "Oh! Didn't see you there, kid. You're so short! Do you even eat all your meals properly?"

Sophia, the blonde knight beside her, smirked. "Don't worry, all kids grow eventually. Don't lose hope!"

Halfy gritted his teeth. "Kid? You can clearly see I have a dagger do the kids walk with a dagger in this nation, and if you look closely at my ears, you'll realize I'm a halfling, not some short kid! And for your information, I eat more than both of you combined. You look exhausted—barely standing. Is the knight's life really that stressful?"

Both knights exchanged sheepish looks before responding in unison, "Sorry!"

Theodora intervened with a chuckle. "Let's grab something to eat. That cake shop over there looks nice."

The scent of freshly baked pastries filled the air as they stepped inside the small café. Warm lighting bathed the interior in a golden glow, and the soft hum of conversation blended with the clinking of porcelain cups and the gentle strumming of a bard's lute in the corner. The aroma of sugar and vanilla was almost overwhelming, laced with the comforting scent of roasted coffee beans. Worn but sturdy wooden tables held delicate lace tablecloths and half-melted candles.

They took a seat, and within moments, someone placed an array of colorful cakes before them—layers of sponge cake dripping with honey, fruit tarts topped with glistening berries, and chocolate pastries dusted with powdered sugar.

Sophia, halfy and Eleni, wasted no time digging in with childlike enthusiasm, stuffing their faces with sugary delights.

"Eat slowly," Theodora said with a sigh, shaking her head. "There's plenty for everyone."

Eleni licked the frosting off her fingers and shrugged. "Lately, so much has been happening... When it's finally time to eat, I just go all in. I know I'll need the energy later."

Halfy nodded, taking a bite. "An adventurer's life is the same. You eat well when you can, because who knows when the next meal will come?"

Theodora raised an eyebrow. "That's straight out of the academy's first sage's book. You were a student here, weren't you? Why did you leave?"

Halfy leaned back with a grin. "I prefer to explore things, not just read about them."

As they continued eating, a group of young girls entered the café, whispering excitedly. Spotting Halfy, they rushed over, holding out wooden daggers covered in sketches of his victories.

"We got these from the store! They sell them with your face on them," the girl squealed. "We want to win the colosseum championship this year!"

I need to go and collect some gold from those stores. I was letting them to move then I can collect double what was there making

Eleni stared in disbelief. "This guy's a champion? He's smaller than me!"

Sophia smirked. "Size doesn't matter," Sophia smirked. "Don't forget what igetis told us to look closer in the second look because the second look is a knight Looks and it's different you looking if someone was overpowered you or not or he was hiding his power don't judge on the first look because everyone hiding their power."

Eleni says that True

And Sophia said again, If I weren't a knight, I'd enter the colosseum and win the big prize—the Monkey Souls."

Halfy chuckled, and he said pretending that he didn't hear the last part of the talk. "That's the spirit! I heard a knight once tried sneaking in, but they got kicked out. Ever thought about disguising yourself?"

Sophia grinned mischievously. "Maybe..."

Theodora shook her head. "We'll be cheering for you, Halfy. Go and win that Monkey Soul!"

Halfy leaned forward, lowering his voice. "Everyone wants that soul. It's different from the others. I've heard this year's competition will be tougher than ever more than the last year, I thought ."

And halfy said what was the last year bonus? Theodora said the tiger souls

Halfy said the tiger souls are unique power. Even if you win it, if your ability and your ambitious wasn't strong enough, you will never gain that power. It will be like have a sword you can't use and you can't. replace that why

Theodora said that I never heard of that in any books

Halfy stated that it's obvious because experience, not expensive books, provides it.

As they spoke, and continued there talking and in another place in the forest, a group of knights heading to the black fireplace to see who the is person was doing the crime and setting the forest on the fire ruining the forest beauty and making the animals on it living in fear

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