Stepping Into the Wide Unknown

The morning sun peeked gently through the windows of the third floor.

One by one, the boys opened their eyes.

Rick was already upside down on his bed, blanket tangled around his feet. Iuro yawned and sat up, his hair sticking up like leafy spikes. Izumi rubbed his eyes and reached for his travel book. Ishi was dressed already, leaning quietly against the doorframe like he'd been up for an hour.

And Yuuv?

Still asleep, wand loosely held in his fingers.

Ding~

The tiny bell rang softly as he rolled over.

Lui stood by the window, staring out at the road beyond the tower's gates. His red eyes were calm but thoughtful.

"We leave today," he said.

No one answered right away.

Then Rick flopped off the bed with a loud thud. "Let's make toast first."

"I'm serious," Lui frowned.

"I know. But I'm not leaving without breakfast," Rick mumbled into the floor.

By the time the sun was higher, the six boys were downstairs, dressed in their light gear. Their packs were strapped to their backs. Their wands, swords, and rods were tied securely. Their boots made soft taps against the wooden floors.

The first floor of the Tower of Momento was bustling.

Mages talking over trade scrolls. A group of adventurers shouting at a guild broker. Someone was arguing with a vendor over the price of enchanted potatoes.

"...We'll miss this noise," Izumi said quietly.

Yuuv blinked up at the high ceiling. "It's really happening, huh?"

"I still feel like we'll run upstairs and find Master Elard waiting with more chores," Iuro said.

"No more mop duty," Rick whispered dramatically. "We're free."

Ishi nodded once. "We earned this."

Just then, the crowd parted slightly as a familiar figure walked toward them.

Master Elard.

His robe shimmered in soft golden folds, and his long silver hair fell behind his shoulders like light itself. He smiled gently.

"All packed?" he asked.

"Yes, Master," Lui said, straightening his back.

Elard looked at each of them carefully. "You've grown taller."

Rick raised his hand. "Only sideways," he said proudly.

That made Elard laugh softly. "And still honest."

He turned and gestured toward the main gate. "Come. Let me walk you out."

The group followed him past the busy booths and mage circles, out to the large open yard beyond the tower. The sun bathed the world in gold.

At the gate stood a wooden post with dozens of ribbons tied to it — farewell ribbons. A tradition for those leaving on long journeys.

Elard reached into his sleeve and handed them a ribbon, deep blue and soft.

"One ribbon. Six names."

They all stared at it.

"Go ahead," Elard said. "Sign it. Together."

Lui took the lead, writing his name in clear letters.

Then Ishi. Izumi. Iuro. Rick.

And lastly, Yuuv. His letters were shaky but full of care.

They tied it around the post.

Wind tugged it lightly, as if testing its strength.

"Before you go," Elard said, "have you chosen your guild name?"

They all looked at each other.

Then Izumi stepped forward. "We talked about it last night. And this morning. And… well, in the hallway too."

"We pick…" Iuro grinned.

"Celestars," Lui finished.

Elard's eyes sparkled.

"That's a name full of hope," he said.

Yuuv nodded. "It sounds… like us."

"Then so be it," Elard said.

He raised his hand. A warm magic spread from his palm, marking the ribbon with the guild name:

Celestars—July 7th, 407 AT

"Now go," Elard said softly. "Make this name shine across the world."

They didn't speak much after that. Words felt heavy.

Instead, they each stepped forward and hugged him one by one.

Yuuv held on the longest.

Yuuv whispered, "Thank you… for everything, gramps."

When they stepped outside the tower walls, the world looked huge. Hills rolled into forests. Roads forked into mysteries. The sky stretched forever.

"Which way?" Iuro asked.

Izumi pointed toward the east. "The guild registry checkpoint is two towns that way. First, we'll need to walk through Timbervale."

Rick twirled his rod. "Let's hope there are muffins."

"There won't be muffins," Lui said, but he smiled anyway.

They began walking.

One step.

Two.

Then more.

Their journey had started.

Just outside the Tower of Momento, six boys — new adventurers, brothers, dreamers — walked into a world filled with stories waiting to unfold.

And somewhere, a tiny bell rang one last time behind them.

Ding~