On his fifth birthday, Arthur's parents decide to take him to watch one of his mother's fights. The day begins not with a gentle nudge, but with the insistent bouncing of his sister's knees on his bed.
"Good morning, brother! Happy fifth birthday! The sun's about to rise, we need to get going. It's your birthday and we have a lot to do, including your first trip to the city's dueling arena," a smiling and excited Elisa says, trying to get her brother out of bed.
"Okay, okay. I'm coming," Arthur replies, still half-asleep.
"Alright. I'll go ahead and make breakfast. Don't take too long or you'll be eating cold food!" Elisa leaps off the bed and leaves the room.
"Okaaaay," Arthur answers to the empty doorway, his voice thick with sleep.
When he comes downstairs, Arthur finds his sister already eating. His parents are outside the house, discussing Christina's fights for the day and one other matter.
"We leave on that mission tomorrow," his father says, looking around apprehensively to see if the children were listening.
"Relax, Elisa can take care of herself and Arthur just fine."
"I know. But I can't help but worry. They're so little."
"Dan! Elisa can already hunt on her own, and you know it. There's not much she can't handle at ten years old! The girl is, simply put, more capable than most adults I know! You're being an old mother hen."
"Alright, alright," Daniel chuckles, conceding. "I'm a worrier. It's my job."
Just then, they spot Arthur at the door, and their serious expressions melt away. They rush over to scoop him up in a hug, wishing him a happy birthday.
Moments later, they're in the city market, buying supplies to leave for the children while they're on their mission. The place is a symphony of sound and smell. Vendors shout their prices over stalls overflowing with colorful fruits and fresh fish, while the cheerful chatter of families fills the air. The aroma of baking bread mingles with the sugary sweet scent of the candy stall and the sharp tang of aged cheeses, a vibrant atmosphere that enchants Arthur's senses.
Elisa pulls her little brother along by the hand, her own eyes shining as she stares at the racks of weapons sold by the kingdom's blacksmiths, quietly judging each blade against the masterwork their father produces.
Days with an arena event always draw a crowd, with travelers coming from all over. The Vale Town arena is famous far beyond the kingdom's borders, mostly because of Christina—the gladiator everyone wants a chance to defeat.
At a certain point, Daniel gathers his children's attention.
"Normally, your mom handles missions with her own crew," Daniel explained calmly. "They're a tough bunch. But this time, they asked for me. They need a tanker."
"Your father used to be an adventurer too, you know," Chris adds, a playful glint in her eye as she watches her children's faces.
"Wait, what? Dad was an adventurer?" Elisa asks, indignant. "How come nobody ever told me?"
"He was," Chris explains with a smile. "Your father's always had a passion for the forge—it's in a dwarf's blood. But he had his time on the road, too."
"I only started because it made my smithing better," Daniel clarifies, with that good-natured smile of his. "A smith needs to know his materials, and the best way to get them was to go out there myself. Made some extra coin on the side, too, and got to field-test my own creations. 'It's not enough to know how to create a sword; you need to know how to wield it, too.' That's what my father always said."
"He got so good they used to call him 'The Iron Wall'," Chris says proudly, running a hand over his broad chest.
"Stop that! You know I get embarrassed by those nicknames," Daniel protests, turning red.
"But it's true," she insists. "He was one of the best tankers in the region. And that's putting it modestly."
"Wow!" Arthur says, genuinely impressed. "I never knew you were an adventurer, Dad, let alone a famous one. I just thought you were a blacksmith, since you're always in the workshop."
"Hahaha! True, I am always in the forge. I might be a little rusty," Daniel replies with a booming laugh, "but I bet I could still take on a dragon or two."
"Really?!" Elisa asks, her eyes wide with astonishment. "You can actually fight dragons?"
"Your mother and I have taken down a few earth drakes in our time," Daniel clarifies, his expression growing more thoughtful. "But I wouldn't want to try my luck against a true elder dragon."
Their path through the bustling city square is a series of cheerful interruptions. Christina waves to a group of well-equipped adventurers who stop to wish Arthur a happy birthday, commenting on her growing reputation in the arena.
Later, as they pass a contingent of Royal Knights, Arthur spots a woman with long black hair who seems oddly familiar. The moment is fleeting, lost in the happy chaos of the day, and he dismisses it.
Their next encounter is with "Aunt Emma," a beautiful elf with short, golden hair and one of Christina's oldest teammates.
"Hey, family!" she calls out. "Looks like today's the day little Arty gets to see his mom in action! Get ready, kid, 'cause your mom's the best I've ever seen," says the elf, who possessed a natural, captivating aura she seemed entirely unaware of.
I'm so excited to see Mom fight! Arthur thinks, putting on his best excited-kid face, though the sentiment was entirely genuine.
"So, Chris," Emma asks, "has Arty shown any particular talents yet?"
"Not yet. He's a very bright boy, but his only real interest is watching his father in the workshop. He spends hours in there with Dan."
"Oh, how wonderful! Another blacksmith in the family, then?" Emma asks, her eyes lighting up at the idea.
"If that's his path, I'll make sure he knows how to use every weapon he forges," Christina says with a proud smile, ruffling her son's hair.
"I can already see it: a handsome young man, covered in soot from the forge. The girls won't stand a chance," Emma says with a wink.
"Emma!" Elisa retorts, her cheeks flushing. "He's five! Don't say things like that."
"And you're turning into a lovely young woman, Eli. No need to be so possessive," Emma teases.
"I'm not being possessive!" Elisa sputters, her face turning beet-red.
"You're always so intense!" Emma says, laughing again. "Alright, I'll let you get on with your day. I have my own preparations for tomorrow. I'll see you all later. And happy birthday, Arty! I'll have your mother bring you your gift."
Arthur waves goodbye to the elf as the family continues their walk. Finally, as the afternoon sun begins to dip, they arrive at the arena. Backstage is a chaotic swirl of nervous energy, populated by all manner of fighters: Lizardmen, Minotaurs, Beastmen, and, of course, humans.
Arthur is impressed by the raw physicality of the fighters, especially the towering minotaurs and hulking beastmen. But his attention is stolen by a small group of humans tucked away in a corner. Their gear is a cut above the rest—immaculate white capes with gold trim draped over polished gold and blue armor. Some wear sleek, light plate, others are encased in heavier, more intimidating versions. As his family draws closer, one of the knights turns, and Arthur's breath catches in his throat. The face is impossibly familiar. He can't stop the name from escaping his lips, a shocked whisper.
"Amanda?!"
The young woman's head whips around, her eyes scanning the crowd for the source of the voice. Thankfully, his family is too busy debating the best spot in the stands to have noticed. Arthur quickly tries to look nonchalant, but his heart is hammering. The knight heard him. She responded to the name.
Could it be a coincidence? Or is this really one of my students? The thought races through his mind. God did say I would meet them again. He has to know more. He has to be sure.
"Mom, who are those people over there?" Arthur asks, forcing the innocent, curious tone of a five-year-old.
"Hm? Oh, them? Royal Knights," Chris answers dismissively. "They're probably here to test some rookies or show off some veterans."
"But do you know them?" he presses.
"Don't think so. They all look the same in that fancy armor," she replies with a shrug.
"Can I go talk to them?"
"Bad idea, kiddo," she says, steering him away. "Royals don't mix well with commoners. Why the sudden interest, anyway? Thinking of trading the forge for a sword and shield when you're older?"
Before he can respond to his mother's teasing, a calm voice speaks from right beside him.
"Thinking of becoming a knight, little one?"
Arthur jumps, startled. He hadn't even heard her approach. He instinctively shrinks back a little behind his mother's leg, a reaction that makes Christina chuckle warmly.
"I... I don't know," he manages to say. "I just think the armor is cool."
"It is pretty cool, isn't it?" the knight says with a warm, genuine smile. She gestures to the polished emblem on her gauntlet. "Well, if you ever decide you want to wear it, just know it takes a lot of hard work. But it's worth it."
"Yes, ma'am," Arthur replies, his voice small. The resemblance was uncanny. She was a little older, perhaps, but the face, the voice... it was her.
The realization hits him like a physical blow: five years. He's been in this world for five years. His mind begins to spiral, a frantic storm of questions.
Five years. Which means Amanda should be... eighteen now. But if she's here, who else is? Did the whole team... No, that's impossible. And my family back home? But wait, if she's here, that means she died, right? But her age is wrong, she's barely aged at all... Hold on. Is it even her? Am I just seeing things? Damn it, Arthur, get a grip!
A gentle question cuts through his spiraling thoughts.
"What's your name, little man?"
"Ar-Arthur," he stammers, pulled back to reality with a jolt. "My name is Arthur Anvil, ma'am!"
"Arthur," she repeats softly, a flicker of some distant memory in her eyes. "That's a fine name. I knew an Arthur, once." She gives a small shake of her head, as if to clear it. "My apologies. My name is Amanda Knight. Perhaps I can introduce you to the other knights later, if you'd like?"
Just then, the conversation is interrupted by a soldier approaching them. "It is time, Miss Knight."
"Yes, let's go," she replies, then turns back to Arthur. "Until we meet again, Arthur. I hope to see you at the knight's graduation ceremony one day."
With a final, encouraging wink, she turns and follows the soldier.
After the knight departs, Christina gives Arthur a nudge. "Alright, time for us to go, or I'll be late for my fight." With a nod, Daniel scoops Arthur up and, with Elisa in tow, heads for the stands.
"You're about to see just how strong your mother is, son," Daniel says, his voice booming with pride. "She's the best fighter this arena has ever seen, bar none."
"It's true, Arty!" Elisa adds, her usual seriousness replaced by pure, childlike admiration. "I never get tired of watching her. She's incredible! Someday, I'll be just like her. I'll beat everyone in there with one hand tied behind my back."
"Now, now, it's not quite that easy, little warrior," Daniel says, letting out a hearty, rumbling laugh.