Chapter 5: A Glimpse of the World

The day had arrived. Kaito stood in the grand courtyard of the Bloodcrest estate, looking out at the royal capital. For the first time in his life, he would leave the confines of the Bloodcrest walls, disguised as a commoner. The excitement bubbling inside him was tempered by the forewarnings from his parents.

"Promise me you'll be careful," Selena had urged, her hand brushing his cheek, eyes filled with concern. Reyzen, more stoic as ever, had simply nodded, handing Kaito a pouch of coins. "The world outside is dangerous. Keep your wits about you," he warned. Kaito had only nodded in response, feeling the weight of their words but knowing this journey would shape his understanding of the kingdom.

Kiara, eager as always, had insisted on coming along. She donned a simple, worn robe, fitting in with the common folk, and Kaito found her presence reassuring. The two of them, as different as night and day, were united in their desire to learn more about the world outside.

Before they left, Reyzen had pulled out a small leather pouch and handed it to Kaito. "Take this. A little spending money for the day," he said, his voice unusually soft. Kaito opened it, revealing 100 copper coins. It wasn't much, but it was a start.

Selena had frowned. "Reyzen, that's not enough for him. He'll barely make it through the day with that." She crossed her arms, giving her husband a disapproving look. "He's not a commoner, Reyzen. He won't know how to survive with so little."

Reyzen gave her a wry smile. "He'll manage. Besides, this is a learning experience. He needs to understand how things work out there."

"But—" Selena started, before her eyes softened as she looked at Kaito. She cupped his face in her hands, pulling him into a gentle kiss on his forehead. "Be careful, Kaito. Don't let anyone take advantage of you. If you're in trouble, run. Don't be overconfident in your abilities, okay?"

Kaito smiled, nodding, but a part of him longed to prove that he could handle it. He had to. For them.

Selena sighed, before reluctantly pulling out another handful of coins from her pouch and pressing them into Kaito's hands. "Here. Take this as well," she said with a playful but stern look. "But only use it when you really need it. And don't you dare spend it all on street food."

Kaito laughed, pocketing the extra coins. "I'll be careful, Mother. Thanks."

With a final embrace from both parents, Kaito and Kiara made their way to the capital.

As they walked through the gates of the estate, Kaito's heart raced. This would be his first real look at the capital, and the world outside the walls of the Bloodcrest manor. The capital was bustling, the streets teeming with people from all walks of life.

The first thing Kaito noticed was the sharp contrast in the buildings. The grand stone towers of the aristocrats stood in stark opposition to the small, modest homes of the commoners. The disparity was hard to ignore, but it wasn't something that Kaito had never thought about. He had always known that those who lived outside the nobility had to work hard to survive.

"Look, Kaito! Pancakes!" Kiara exclaimed, pointing at a vendor selling the golden-brown treats. Kaito smiled, amused by her childlike wonder. The simple joys of the common folk were something he'd never really thought about.

They bought a few pancakes, the warmth of the food comforting in the cool breeze. Kiara devoured hers with enthusiasm, and Kaito, after a hesitant bite, found himself enjoying the sweetness, though it was foreign to his refined palate.

As they walked, Kaito's thoughts turned to the money his parents had given him. Reyzen had explained the currency system of the kingdom briefly before they left. Kaito had been surprised at how little a commoner could survive on.

In this kingdom, most people earned about 1 silver coin or 800-900 copper coins a month. A silver coin was enough for a family to live on for an entire month, with the lowest being copper coins. A single silver coin was worth 1,000 copper coins. Kaito had initially thought 100 copper coins would be far too little for even a day, but his father had assured him it was more than enough for a commoner's needs.

There were also gold coins, which were mainly owned by aristocrats and wealthy merchants. A single gold coin was worth 100 silver coins. While gold coins weren't used for everyday transactions, they played a significant role in major deals. A total of 100 family could survive on 1 gold coin for a month, which Kaito found astonishing.

Then there was the most prestigious form of currency: the platinum coin. Only royal families owned these. A single platinum coin was worth 1,000 gold coins, and it could buy estates or even small nations. The Bloodcrest family had 10 platinum coins, a sum that could sustain entire regions for generations.

Kaito had been given 100 copper coins by his father, and when he'd protested, Selena had given him a few more. But Kaito didn't mind. He was here to experience life as the common people did, and 100 copper coins would suffice.

Their stroll through the streets eventually led them to the Adventurer's Guild. Kaito's fascination with adventurers had grown over the years—those brave enough to venture into dangerous lands, seeking treasure, glory, and often, the protection of the helpless. The guild's hall was alive with activity, adventurers swapping stories and preparing for their next quests.

"This is where they gather," Kaito mused. "The people who protect the kingdom's weak."

Kiara seemed pensive, eyes wide as she observed the adventurers. "They risk their lives for coin," she said quietly.

"They risk it for something more," Kaito replied, his voice firm with conviction. "They fight for the kingdom's safety. For justice."

Their next stop brought them to an unsettling scene—a procession of carriages, including one emblazoned with the Bloodcrest family insignia. Kaito's heart sank as he overheard whispers from the crowd.

"Did you hear? The Bloodcrests have adopted an elf. Some nobles are already plotting against them."

The gossip made Kaito uneasy. He knew how quickly rumors could stir unrest, and with Kiara's lineage being what it was, he feared that their peaceful existence could soon be threatened. The mention of House Vortan, in particular, made him nervous. He knew they had a strong interest in causing trouble for his family.

The whispers faded as the carriage passed, but the unease lingered. Kaito's resolve hardened. He wasn't just here to observe; he was here to understand the people he was meant to protect.

The sound of approaching hooves broke his reverie. The royal Bloodcrest carriage appeared, drawn by four strong horses. People in the streets began to gather, murmuring in excitement.

"The Duke, Reyzen Bloodcrest!" someone called out.

Kaito stood silently, observing the reactions around him. As his father's carriage passed, people spoke in hushed tones, their gazes tracking the Duke. Some muttered about the Bloodcrest family's strength, others about their exceptional laws that had benefited commoners more than nobles.

"The second strongest man in the kingdom," one elderly man whispered, his voice filled with awe. "If a war broke out, the Bloodcrest family would be victorious. No doubt about it."

"The War Goddess, Selena Bloodcrest," another man added reverently, eyes wide as he gazed at the passing carriage. "She could single-handedly wipe out an entire battalion."

Some spoke of the elite knights, Bloodcrest's most formidable soldiers. "I hear one knight can defeat 10 or 15 men in battle. Imagine that kind of power."

And then, there were the whispers about Kaito. The rumors about him being a monster—a child so powerful that he could already stand toe-to-toe with the elite knights. He was only 7, yet whispers claimed he could match them in combat.

The atmosphere shifted slightly as Kaito's eyes narrowed. He overheard one final comment, something that chilled him to the bone.

"A child elf in the Bloodcrest family? It's dangerous. There are rumors… some of the nobles are already conspiring against them."

The crowd buzzed with conflicting opinions, but the overall sentiment was clear: people still loved the Bloodcrest family, but the uncertainty about Kiara's origins cast a shadow on the family's future.

After the carriage passed, the murmurs faded into silence. Kaito and Kiara continued their walk, but Kaito's mind raced with what he had heard.

Suddenly, the peaceful day was shattered by the sounds of children crying. Kaito's eyes locked onto a small group of young aristocrats, the heir to House Vortan among them, bullying two common children.

Kaito's fists clenched at his sides. Every instinct screamed at him to act—but a voice echoed in his head: "Don't be overconfident." He hesitated. Just for a breath. But then the heir's laughter rang out again, and Kaito stepped forward.

"Stop!" Kaito's voice rang out, cutting through the noise of the crowd. The heir turned, a cruel smile twisting his face.

"This is none of your business, commoner," the young noble sneered.

Kaito's eyes narrowed. "It is now."

With one swift kick, he sent the heir sprawling to the ground, his face contorting in shock and rage. The group of bullies hesitated, unsure of what to do next. The two children, battered but grateful, scrambled to their feet. Kaito stood tall, his gaze cold and unwavering.

"Get lost," Kaito growled.

The Vortan heir scrambled to his feet, face red with humiliation. "You'll regret this."

"I already do—wasting my time on trash."

The group retreated, dragging their bruised pride behind them.

Kaito knelt by the two children. "You're safe now."

Kiara approached, her voice soft. "You didn't have to do that."

"I did," Kaito replied. "I won't stand by while the strong abuse the weak."

She looked at him—truly looked—and smiled. "You're already making a difference."

W-Whoa… You were so cool, big brother! H-How did you do that?! Thank you for saving us! But… won't you get in trouble for hitting a noble? "Don't worry. Heroes like me don't play by their rules." As they continued through the streets, the city buzzed behind them—but it was the silent resolve in Kaito's heart that carried him forward. 

He had glimpsed the world.

And he would never look at it the same way again.

He came to witness the world—

But what he saw lit a fire within.

If power means nothing without purpose...

Then he would become its purpose.