The Growing Youth

"Come with us," Lumina said gently.

"P-Princess? You're… inviting me?" Relio stared, eyes wide, his voice trembling with disbelief.

"Let's go!" Rene shouted with a bright smile. "Let's go on this journey together!"

Felix turned to him. His gaze was calm, yet beneath it was a subtle edge of resolve.

"I didn't plan on inviting you—but I won't stop you either. This journey still belongs to us. But if you choose to walk it by your own will… then it becomes ours together," Felix said, his words cutting deep with an honesty that couldn't be denied.

"Exactly!" Hendo added eagerly. "We'll fight side by side—each of us chasing our own dream!"

Relio clutched the edge of his cloak, trying to hold back his emotions. "I… I have no home left to return to. But… I'm afraid I'll be a burden."

Felix met his eyes sharply. "At the very least, you have a goal now, don't you?"

Relio nodded. "I want to become the greatest swordsman. I want to fulfill my father's dream—not just to become a soldier, but to be the best. I may not know where to start… but I swear I'll get there."

Felix gave a small smile. Then, without a word, he removed the sword sheath from his back and held it out.

"Then you're worthy of holding this."

Relio froze. "T-That's… my father's sword?"

"I kept it safe," Felix said. "And from now on, call me Felix. If you still carry your father's will… then you deserve his blade."

"Yes," Lumina added, placing a hand on Relio's shoulder. "And stop speaking to us like we're royalty. This world belongs to all of us. I may be a princess, but raise your head, Relio. You're going to be great."

"…I understand." Relio wiped his tears and stood straighter than before.

"Now it's time to head to Ardenta!" Rene shouted with excitement.

"No," Felix cut in quickly. "We're going to Astranova first. Lumina, find us the fastest route there."

"Huh?!" Everyone turned to him in confusion.

"Is something in Astranova?" Hendo asked.

Felix looked ahead. "We're going to find Magnus Belzore."

No one questioned further. But they all understood the reason—Felix was going to reclaim his magic from Bernaum Village.

Relio stood in front of the ramshackle house that had been his only home for the past seven years. He had no reason to stay anymore. Dressed in new clothes, he looked up at the sky for a moment… then walked away without glancing back.

Meanwhile, Felix stood at the center of Bernaum Village, surrounded by wary townsfolk. Fear gripped their faces. Some clutched weapons with trembling hands.

Felix's aura shifted—cold, commanding. His eyes glowed with a sharp intensity that could make wild beasts retreat.

"Felix…?" Lumina whispered anxiously. She knew all too well—he could lose control at any moment.

He was once again wielding the same dominating presence he had used across the continent of Blasic—an instinctive force that made animals, plants, even monsters, submit.

Now, he understood—no matter how much human affection he had received, his primal instincts must never vanish. The language his grandmother taught him in Pafilia could never erase the wild nature that forged him. He was born of the wilderness—and that instinct was his shield.

The village stood frozen in fear.

"In three weeks… I will transform Bernaum," Felix declared, his voice echoing—firm, unshakable.

No one replied. Heads bowed. Confusion, doubt, and fear gripped them. But a seed of belief—however small—had begun to sprout.

With that, the group left the village, setting out for Astranova.

The journey to the Astranova Empire took over three weeks. It lay fairly close to the Celestian Empire. The two white empires shared strong diplomatic and trade ties, with well-maintained connecting roads.

During the long trek, Relio approached Felix.

"Thank you… for training me these past three weeks," he said quietly.

Felix nodded. He had taught him the Blade of Legend, a technique from the rare book Become a Legend Sword, written by a legendary swordsman and transcribed by someone signed only as Fio.

"That was only the beginning," Felix replied. "It takes at least six months to truly master. I only understand it in theory—from what I remember in the book."

"You're insane, you know that?" Rene chimed in. "You read a book once and just… get it. Me? Reading a single page feels like five hours of sword drills!"

"Haha, true. You really are built differently, Felix," Lumina added. "And that author… they must've been Celestian. My mother once told me that ancient manuscripts are rare in other empires, but in Celestia, they're relatively common."

"And Celestian books are fascinating," Felix said seriously.

"Grandma Matale once told me that all ancient scripts—from both the Old World and the New—are stored in the underground library of Mataland," Lumina said. "It's called the Vault of Silent Quills. My mom said it's the most complete library in the world. And it's the only one of its kind!"

"Someone finished reading the entire library in just six months, right? That's insane…" Rene said, staring at Felix with awe.

"I didn't finish everything," Felix replied casually. "But… all the ancient texts, yes."

"So the entire knowledge of this world… is living in one man's mind," Lumina laughed.

"I'm so lucky to have a teacher like Felix," Hendo said sincerely.

"I'm not your teacher, Hendo," Felix replied. "I only explain. Understanding, applying, becoming great—that's your responsibility. It's up to each of you to take what I repeat from those books and walk the right path."

"A teacher… who refuses to be called teacher," Relio muttered, smiling.

Relio, though still at the beginner level of the Blade of Legend, had shown tremendous progress. Every move he made now reflected the determination of a true swordsman.

Hendo wasn't far behind. With his bow, he had mastered techniques from the legendary scroll Flying Like a Star. His movements had become fluid, precise, and deadly.

Rene, the water mage, slowly but surely began to show his fangs. He had learned new techniques that bent water to his will—growing stronger, more refined.

And Lumina, the Light of Angel, had become their true guardian. The pure light she summoned was no longer just a show of wonder—it had become a protective force… and a destructive one.

Yet among them, only Felix remained quiet, unassuming. He mostly acted as a guide. Though often seen training alone with his staff, none of them truly knew the full extent of Felix's power.

He was strong—undeniably so—but it was as if he was deliberately holding himself back.

At the Border of Celestian and Astranova, They Were Tested.

The midday sky blazed bright and merciless overhead. Without warning, a band of raiders emerged—bursting from the hills and ancient trees, blocking the path of Felix's wagon.

Leading them was Jogel Gerbos of Zarthas, a rogue commander with a crooked smirk.

"I'll ask nicely," Jogel said with mock civility. "Hand over the wagon and all your goods. Right now."

Felix was still asleep inside, unaware of the chaos unfolding outside.

From behind the wagon curtain, Hendo was already poised with bow in hand, while Rene looked visibly panicked.

"Who's going to deal with this?" Lumina asked, her eyes scanning the threat ahead.

"Rene?" Relio prompted.

"There's no water here… I can't do anything," Rene replied nervously.

"I can help—but only from inside," Hendo said, tense.

"So… will it really be the woman who defends you all?" Lumina quipped, her tone proud but edged with intent.

"I'll go," Relio cut in, stepping down onto the dusty road. His eyes sharpened with resolve. "It's time I tested this power."

"Hey there, kid," Jogel called with a grin. "You've got guts, I'll give you that. But didn't I already ask politely?"

"Looks like he wants to play the hero, Commander," one of the raiders mocked—then charged at Relio atop his horse, spear in hand.

At first glance, the weapon seemed ordinary—until its flexible iron cord glinted in the sun.

"Watch out! That's a Zarthas spear—there's a hidden grappling hook!" Rene shouted from the wagon.

But Relio was ready. He caught the iron cord mid-air with his blade, stopping the attack cold.

A fierce clash erupted. The rider struck again and again—slashing, thrusting—but Relio didn't back down. His footwork was light, his swordwork fluid. Then—slash!—a clean strike gashed the rider's leg, sending him crashing to the ground.

"Commander! He beat your second!" one of the raiders cried in panic.

Chaos followed as the rest of the gang rushed Relio at once.

But Relio… moved like he was dancing through a storm of blades.

His body spun, his sword swept in arcs of lethal grace. And with one powerful shout—

"BACK OFF!!"

He unleashed a horizontal slash that cut the air like a blade of wind, shredding anything that came close. Blood splattered. Weapons scattered. Raiders fell like leaves in a hurricane.

But victory came at a cost. Relio staggered, breath ragged, drenched in sweat.

Sensing his moment, Jogel charged forward on horseback. His sword suddenly extended—aimed straight for Relio's chest.

CLANG!

A blinding flash exploded between them.

Lumina stood firm in front of Relio, shield of light raised high.

Jogel's attack ricocheted off her barrier. His blade shattered. His horse buckled beneath him.

ZRAAAKK!

A searing beam of light struck Jogel square in the chest.

"Hah! Lucky I'm wearing Zarthas tortoise armor!" he laughed, climbing back to his feet.

"Oh, really?" Lumina smiled coldly.

ZRAK!

She fired another shot—this time straight into his open mouth.

Jogel spasmed. The next second, he dropped—dead.

Felix finally stirred, rubbing his eyes, surveying the ruins of the battle around him.

"Dear gods… do the women in this group have any mercy left in their hearts?" he muttered, half in awe, half amused.

"Felix," Lumina said flatly, still supporting Relio, "Forgiving men like that only leads to more innocent deaths."

Felix gave a slow shake of his head. "So this is what it feels like… to travel with people even deadlier than I am."

"It's faster than waiting for the men to step up," Lumina sniffed.

"Eh," Rene chimed in with a chuckle. "We just didn't get a chance to shine, that's all."