The sky was still barely light when the group departed from Zephyrus. The sound of wooden wheels scraping against the rocky ground, the sound of horses' hooves, and the whisper of the morning breeze accompanied their journey.
The simple carriage rocked gently along the downhill slope, but none of them slept.
Inside, the seven students sat in heavy silence. Vellia stared out the window without a word. Nero closed his eyes, his breathing steady, as if counting the time. Elric leaned back with one leg propped up on the seat, appearing relaxed, but his eyes were sharp. Kaelith held a magic scroll and read it slowly, her lips moving almost soundlessly. On the other side, Brakth sat as still as a statue, showing no emotion.
Damian sat next to Rygar.
Rygar stared straight ahead. He didn't speak, didn't react. His face was calm, but full of concentration.
There was no need to explain.
Everyone on the carriage knew this mission was more than a mere rescue. It was the beginning of something much greater.
The First Day of the Daytime Journey….
Under a slightly cloudy midday sky, the carriage stopped by the side of the road to rest while feeding the horses and checking the condition of the wheels. The gentle sound of the wind rustled the grass, but no one felt completely at ease.
Instructor Drein dismounted first, quickly surveying their surroundings, and then gave a brief order.
"We won't be stopping for more than twenty minutes. Stay alert."
Several students also dismounted to stretch their legs. Damian stood by the side of the road with Elric. The midday air was light, but the tension lingered.
Damian glanced at Elric and whispered, "How are you feeling?"
Elric shrugged, his gaze fixed straight ahead.
"I was more scared during the theory exam in class," he said quietly. "But I admit, this mission feels different. Like… no one might return from this mission."
Damian didn't reply. Because, silently, he knew he felt the same way.
Then, after they all rested for a while, they immediately resumed their journey.
Day Two, Night….
On the second night of their journey, they stopped at the edge of a small forest. A small campfire burned in the center of their circle of tents, where they rested. Its aroma mingled with the steam from the water in the heating pot. The atmosphere was silent, accompanied only by the sounds of nocturnal insects and the rustling of leaves.
Instructor Drein was on guard with Brakth and Nero. The three of them sat by the fire in silence, their eyes gazing out into the forest.
Suddenly, the sound of rapid footsteps could be heard in the distance, fast, but not wild. As if deliberately vague.
Vellia immediately moved from inside the tent. In a second, her body vanished into the shadows, leaving only a trace of silence where she had sat.
Rygar was already standing with one hand on the handle of his axe, his eyes narrowed, ready to act if needed.
But the sound died down. No one came out of the darkness.
Kaelith, sitting in her tent, closed the magic scroll in her hand. Then she emerged from her tent and spoke to them all.
"Scouts," she said. "They're watching us."
No one answered, but everyone knew this was no ordinary journey. And from that night on, no one slept peacefully.
The campfire began to shrink, leaving only embers glowing softly in the center of their circle. The other students had started to rest, curled up in thin blankets or meditating silently. Only Damian and Rygar remained on guard, sitting directly in front of the fire, under a large tree that provided some shade from the light.
Damian turned to the side and saw Rygar sitting cross-legged, staring expressionlessly at the dark sky.
"Rygar, can I ask you something?" Damian spoke softly.
Rygar didn't turn, but his eyes moved slightly. "Just ask."
"Why did you intervene directly to save Kyle?" Damian took a deep breath. "I mean, you come from a noble family respected by many people. There should be plenty of people you could ask or request to help save Kyle, right?"
This time, Rygar was silent for a moment longer. His eyes were still fixed on the sky, but something had changed in his expression.
"Because Kyle is the only family I still consider family," he replied in a low voice.
Damian looked at Rygar seriously. Rygar continued.
"My parents have changed a long time ago. They used to care about Kyle and me. However, as time passed, they became increasingly preoccupied with politics. Power. Family reputation. They always talked about Ardent honor, inheritance, and position. But they never asked how their children were doing."
He raised one hand and began to summon a small amount of his fire, as small as a match, to ignite the dying flame. He said,
"When Kyle was born, I was old enough to understand everything. He grew up alone, surrounded by servants and teachers. He even celebrated birthdays with just me. He was a good boy. He never complained, never asked why our parents rarely saw us."
Rygar finally turned to Damian. "So if someone takes him from me now, the only thing I have, I will chase them, even if I have to go through hell."
Damian fell silent.
The night wind blew softly, carrying the sound of leaves falling from the trees in the forest.
"I thought you were only strong in battle, but it turns out you're also strong at heart," Damian said with a small smile.
Rygar stared at him for a moment. Then, with a rare, faint smile on his face, he replied, "Don't be mistaken. I'm the strongest student in the school, so why would I be nice to anyone else? But since you asked about my brother, I answered that way. Because family is a different matter."
That night, amidst the tension and threat of an unfinished mission, for the first time, Damian felt closer to the figure who had previously seemed like an invincible rank 2.
Morning of the Third Day….
The carriage moved back along the cobblestone road. The morning air was still chilly, but the atmosphere inside was far colder than outside.
None of them spoke. Even Elric, usually the loudest, sat silently with his arms crossed and a blank stare at the floor. Vellia continued to stare out the window, Nero with his eyes closed, and Brakth, as usual, didn't move an inch.
Damian sat by the small window, his eyes staring at the sky covered in thin clouds. After a moment, he turned to Rygar, who was sitting across from him.
Damian's voice was low but clear.
"Are you sure Kyle is still alive?"
Rygar didn't take his eyes off the road ahead. His jaw was clenched, but his voice remained calm.
"He must be alive. If he's dead... I'll kill him again," Rygar replied.
Damian, with a confused expression, replied, "Okay?"
There was no outburst of emotion. But from the tone of his voice, everyone who heard him knew it wasn't just belief. It was the trust he had in his brother, a sign of the many things they had been through together.
Day Four Morning….
The train stopped at the end of the track marked on the map by Professor Limbert, the last point before entering Blackmist territory. The path ahead was too open and too close to enemy territory.
One by one, they disembarked. Instructor Drein stood at the front, his eyes trained directly on Blackmist territory.
From where they stood, the city was visible. Ugly buildings stood close together, black smoke billowed from several points, and faint screams could be heard emanating from the city. There were no fences. No guards. But the air surrounding the place felt like it was rejecting anyone who dared approach.
Instructor Drein spoke briefly and firmly.
"From here, we'll walk. You must all remain alert and aware of your surroundings. Remember to also pay attention to one another."
The team began to adjust their positions. Vellia disappeared into the shadows first. Brakth and Rygar checked their equipment. Kaelith adjusted the magic scroll at her waist. Damian stood behind, staring straight down the path leading to the city.
The first step was taken.
The rescue mission has begun. Blackmist Ravine... awaits them.