Chapter 9: I Want To Become A Realm Protector!
Liraen, Grak'Mar, and Volgran's story hung heavy in the air, their dark past leaving the group in silence.
Nibsken and Nylum stared into the campfire, the crackle of burning wood the only sound that echoed. Reyvik leaned against a wooden branch, eyes still closed, but even he seemed unsettled.
Nylum's gaze lingered on Liraen's heavy expression. It was clear the tale had been as painful to share as it was to hear.
His voice broke the silence, trembling with emotion.
"Thaaat's… tragic, Ren." Nylum speaks as his watery figure ripples.
"Yeah, elf," Nibsken added gruffly. "Can't believe you went through allat…"
Liraen's eyes softened as he looked at them. "It's okay, guys. It's been twenty years."
Grak'Mar looks at Liraen with silence but steady.
But one person… a human… didn't seem to accept Liraen's decision.
Kael's expression showed clear dissatisfaction. There was something he couldn't understand about Liraen.
"Ren…" Kael's voice cut through the silence.
"Yeah?" Liraen answered, his mind still clouded by memories of the tragic past.
"Why don't you try again… to become a Realm Protector?"
Liraen stayed silent.
Grak'Mar didn't answer either.
Kael pressed on, his voice firm.
"I don't understand, Ren. I know you went through that harsh incident, but it's already been twenty years—and you survived! Maybe you can try agai—"
"There is no such thing as trying again, Kael." Liraen's voice cut him off, sharp but weary.
"There is no such word for me anymore." His eyes were heavy as he leaned back against Grak'Mar's wooden chair, the weight of his past still pressing down on him.
"This is why I don't want to talk about it anymore. I'm weak… Even with Might, I couldn't do anything. Even with sword skills, I couldn't protect them! Grak'Mar and Volgran almost di—"
Grak'Mar's massive hand landed firmly on Liraen's shoulder.
"Don't think too much about it, elf."
Volgran's deep, rumbling voice followed.
"Volgran alive. Ogre alive. Elf alive."
Liraen looked at their faces, Grak'Mar's steady gaze, Volgran's unwavering presence and managed a small smile.
"…Thanks."
Grak'Mar rose to his feet from his massive wooden chair and walked toward Kael. He lowered himself to one knee so his massive frame could meet the human's eyes. His gaze was heavy, filled with years of burden.
"Human… we have given up our dreams. We no longer seek to become Realm Protectors."
Nibsken and Nylum fell silent, their eyes on Grak'Mar. They had never seen him speak so slowly, with such weight in his voice.
"Thaaat's true, Kael," Nylum speak, his voice wavering like rippling water. "Eveeen if I went through something like thaaat, I would quiiit…"
Nibsken shoved a hand into Nylum's liquid body, swirling it around on purpose.
"Yeah, human, water's right," Nibsken added with a grin, waving his hand left and right inside Nylum.
"Stop it, goblin!" Nylum sputtered.
"Hahaha!" Nibsken burst out laughing.
Grak'Mar rose after kneeling, turning his head back toward Liraen.
"I think he already understands, elf."
"…Yeah." Liraen nodded.
Kael stayed silent, his thoughts burning. He wanted to become a Realm Protector. He always had.
"If your hopes have already vanished…" He clenched his fists. "…then it's my turn."
"Huh?" All of Kael's friends turned to him in surprise everyone except Reyvik, who was still dozing on the wooden log beside him.
"You guys still don't get it?" Kael's voice rose, filled with conviction. "I've been telling you this all along."
Confusion flickered across their faces.
"I want to become a Realm Protector!" Kael stood abruptly, eyes glowing with determination.
The group fell into silence.
Then,
"Awooooooo!"
Reyvik's sudden howl shattered the silence. He burst out laughing.
"Hahaha! That's the spirit, Kael!" he said, clapping loudly in support.
Nibsken laughing just as hard.
"Hahahahaha!"
Of course, they already knew Kael mentioned his dream almost every day.
Liraen, however, looked at him with uncertainty. He'd heard Kael say it countless times before, but… was he truly serious this time?
Grak'Mar, Nylum, and Volgran exchanged glances, equally confused. They had always thought Kael's ambition to become a Realm Protector was nothing more than a silly boast. But now… they weren't so sure.
This is a good time to ask him seriously. "Kael, Do you really want to become a Realm Protector?" Liraen's voice was sharp, his tone heavy.
"Yeah. Why, Ren?" Kael answered without hesitation.
Grak'Mar grunted, his words biting.
"What's going on in ya head, human? Has yer brain finally broken from all those inventions, or are ya just deaf?" Grak'Mar suddenly changes his accent.
"No, ogre. I'm serious. I want to become a Rea—"
Before Kael could finish, Liraen shot up and grabbed his wrist.
"Kael, did you even listen to my story?!"
"Yeah, I heard it clearly, Ren." Kael responded
"Then why doesn't that smart brain of yours think about the danger?! Think, Kael! Don't the Mishanter scare you enough?"
Reyvik stood, pressing a hand against Liraen's chest and pushing him back slightly.
"Awoooo… calm down, Ren. No need to be harsh. He's just saying what he always says."
"No, Reyv." Liraen's eyes burned with emotion. "I'm not letting him become a Realm Protector."
He stepped closer to Kael, gripping both of the human's shoulders firmly. His voice lowered, heavy with urgency.
"Kael… I know you're smart. This campfire, this entire Forgehold—you've left your mark here with your inventions. But listen to me. Becoming a Realm Protector… is dangerous."
Kael paused. Not because he didn't understand Liraen's words, but because he couldn't figure out why for the first time Liraen didn't understand him.
He gripped Liraen's shoulders in return and smiled, eyes burning with resolve, untouched by fear.
"Ren, which part didn't you get? I want to become a Realm Protector. The one who defends the zones. The one who slaughters the Mishanter."
Liraen let out a long sigh and released Kael's shoulders. Without another word, he sank onto a wooden log beside Nylum.
Nylum reached out, resting a watery hand against Liraen's back to comfort him.
"I don't understand, Kael," Liraen finally spoke, his voice breaking. "Which part of my story did you not hear? Why… why does someone like you always choose the most dangerous path instead of just living a normal life?" His hand covered his face, trembling with frustration.
"Elf."
Grak'Mar speaks and goes to where Liraen sit, each step heavy as he approaches him. Then he placed a steady hand on Liraen's shoulder.
"Let's hear the human out first."
"…Okay."
Grak'Mar turned his stern gaze to Kael, his expression serious.
"Alright, human. Explain to us—why do you want to become a Realm Protector?"
Everyone fell silent.
Then Kael spoke with the most confident voice he ever did.
"I want to become a Protector… because I'm the only human left."
(Though deep down, that wasn't his real reason.)
Once again, silence gripped the group.
Then suddenly—
"HAHAHAHAHA!" Laughter erupted all around, even from Liraen and Reyvik.
"What kind of idea is that, Kael?" Liraen managed to speak through tears of laughter.
"Human, ya always tell the best jokes!" Grak'Mar bellowed, still laughing.
"That's so corny…" Nibsken mocked, shaking his head.
"Huh? What's so funny?" Kael frowned. "I want to be the first human Realm Protector. Is that wrong?"
Sigh… Liraen's smile faded. "Nothing wrong with it, human… but I've never seen a human Realm Protector before."
"Yeah, that's true," Nylum added softly.
"Of course!" Kael shot back, his eyes gleaming. "That's exactly why I'll be the first. The first human Realm Protector!"
Everyone still trying to stop laughing
Then,
Grak'Mar's gaze lingered on Kael.
"And you'll also be the last, human."
The group fell silent, all eyes turning toward the ogre as he continued.
"Yeah… we've talked about that before," Reyvik suddenly chimed in. His tone was calm, but his words carried weight. His wolf ears twitching.
"Maybe Kael is the last human but I know how intelligent humans are. If there were any others left in this world, they would have contacted him no matter how far apart. But up to now, no one has answered you, right, Kael?"
"…Yeah."
Kael had tried countless times to reach out with his communication inventions, searching for signs of intelligent life, maybe even another human. But to this day, no one has ever replied. That silence alone was proof enough. No other being in this realm had reached his level of technology.
Then Liraen spoke up.
"But even if there were other humans out there… there's still one thing you lack, Kael."
Liraen's voice cut through the silence, gentle yet unflinching.
"I know you understand this," Liraen said softly. "I don't want to be harsh… but this is the reality."
Then, as if the words carried the weight of the whole group, Liraen, Grak'Mar, Nylum, and even Nibsken spoke together:
"You are Mightless."
Kael fell silent for a moment.
He knew it. His only flaw no, his greatest flaw.
No matter how ingenious his inventions, no matter how advanced his technology, he could never wield Might. No elemental affinity, no spark of power.
Being Mightless in this world… It was like being a fish that couldn't swim, a bird that couldn't fly, a lion without fangs in its own territory.
"…Yeah. I know, guys. I've known all along."
He forced a small smile, though his voice trembled.
"Being Mightless in this world… is the greatest disadvantage."
Reyvik suddenly stood and clapped a heavy hand on Kael's shoulder. Reyvik wolf ears relaxed.
"Nah, don't be like that, Kael. You're smart. Smarter than any of us. You don't need Might."
"Yeah… you're right." Kael nodded, though his voice was low. Deep down, he had already accepted the reality that he would never wield Might.
But then his thoughts caught on something. His eyes widened, and a spark of fire burned in them.
"Wait no. You're totally right, Reyv!" Kael said, his voice firm now. "I can still become a Realm Protector… even if I don't have Might."
"Ren!" he called sharply.
Liraen blinked. "What?"
"Do people actually need to have Might to enter the academy during the ceremony?"
Liraen hesitated. "Well… I don't know for sure. The ceremony assumes everyone has Might. Maybe… maybe they've never seen someone Mightless before."
Kael grinned ear to ear. "Perfect! Then if I'm the first case, that means I still have a chance!"
"Volgran with Human!" Volgran with his giant figure finally burst out, pounding his chest. He clearly liked Kael's reckless idea
"Why do you think you have a chance, human?" Grak'Mar asked, his brow furrowing in confusion.
"Agreed," Nibsken and Liraen echoed.
Kael laughed, shaking his head. "Hahahaha you guys still don't get it. Let this Mightless human explain."
Nylum frowned. "What's there to explain? It's partly chance. You go, or you don't. That's it."
"Exactly!" Kael pointed at him. "But you're only half right. It's not just 'you go or you don't' it's called fifty-fifty! Or even less!" His grin widened. "But it doesn't matter. Even if the odds are ninety-nine to one, even if I only have the smallest chance I still want to try. I still believe I can reach the academy. No I will reach the academy!"
He clenched his fist, blue eyes shining. "Because if I don't try, then the chance is always zero."
Grak'Mar crossed his arms, his voice heavy. "Believing alone isn't enough, human."
"Yeah, I know, Ogre," Kael replied, his tone steady but burning with conviction. "Everyone's always told me that. But listen if I don't believe in myself, who else will? Even if I'm not chosen this time, I'll find another way. If it takes me a thousand tries, then I'll try a thousand times. You're right, believing isn't enough… but it's more than enough to remind me that I need to train harder, build more inventions, and push further until I make it."
He took a step forward, his fists clenched, his voice rising against the night.
All of his friends fell silent.
Kael had spoken countless times about becoming a Realm Protector, but this time… it felt different.
Especially to Liraen.
He gasped, almost against his will, as his eyes met Kael's. Those eyes…
Yes, he had seen them before—long ago, in the reflection of polished armor. Back then, they had been his own, blazing with belief when Aeronis first told him he had the potential to become a Realm Protector. Eyes filled with determination, unshakable and bright.
But Kael's eyes burned even more fiercely.
Maybe it was because he was the last human. Maybe it was because he was Mightless, burdened with struggles no one else could understand. Yet his blue eyes blazed like the sun unyielding, brilliant while carrying the steady calm of flowing water.
For the first time, Liraen could not laugh, nor scold, nor argue. He could only stare, shaken by the quiet fire in Kael's gaze.
Yeah… this is what I'm lacking.
Kael always tries again. Even when his inventions fail, no, even when they fail countless times he comes back the next day, eager to fix his mistakes. That same stubborn human, always tinkering, always pushing forward.
Humans… they are truly unique.
Not like us. We chase perfection. Every race in this realm competes to be the best—the strongest, the fastest, the most flawless. We hide our weaknesses and parade only our greatness, as if mistakes themselves are a shame. But that idea… it's wrong.
Mistakes are meant to be made. They are what make us grow, what make us stronger. And yet, I, after just one mistake, could not rise again.
But Kael is different. A human is like a wingless bird, still daring to fly, crafting mechanical wings with his own hands, refusing to stay on the ground and trying to keep up with us.
Liraen sighed. No matter what he did, he knew he could never change Kael's heart. Once Kael set his mind on something, nothing could turn him away.
They all fell silent, shaken not by Kael's words, but by his unshakable determination.
Grak'Mar smiled faintly. Deep down, he knew he had just witnessed the spark of something great: the possible birth of the most unique figure this world would ever know. A human… the only one of his kind… who failed endlessly, yet rose again every time. The human who embraced mistakes instead of fearing them.
"Alright. I understand, Kael."
Liraen stood up at last. For the first time, he realized Kael wasn't joking. He also realized that just because he had given up on becoming a Realm Protector… it didn't mean others had to.
"You truly want to become a Realm Protector?" Liraen asked, his voice steady.
"Yes!" Kael answered, eyes blazing with determination.
Liraen narrowed his gaze. If Kael's resolve was real, it needed to be tested. With a flick of his hand, he gathered wind essence, condensing it into a swirling orb of air so dense, so sharp, that even Grak'Mar himself would be sent flying if it hit.
SWOOSH!
The wind ball fire directly to Kael.
SWIFFT!
Kael moved instantly. His hand darted to his side, pulling out a Might Splitter but not the simple blade Nibsken had once used. This one was longer, refined, with an extended handle and polished edges. With a swift motion, Kael slashed through the air, and the swirling wind orb split cleanly into two harmless streams that dissipated into the night.
The others froze.
"Yooo Elf, calm down!" Nibsken yelped, startled by Liraen's sudden attack.
"Let them be, Nibsken" Reyvik cut in, his voice steady, eyes still half-lidded but sharp, his ears flatten back. "Ren always has his reasons."
Liraen gave a small nod, not taking his eyes off Kael. Volgran, Grak'Mar, and even Nylum stayed silent, watching the exchange unfold with heavy curiosity.
Kael frowned, lowering the Might Splitter slightly.
"What is this, Ren? Why are you attacking me all of a sudden?"
"What? You want to become a Realm Protector, right? Then you must be able to fight, Kael."
Kael blinked, "But…I haven't even had proper training yet…like you."
"Don't worry about that. I can train you," Liraen replied calmly.
Kael smiles excitedly "WOAH! That's great! When do we start training? " Kael began excitedly.
Liraen's expression hardened. "Not that easy, Kael. First, you need to prove to me how badly you want this. I may not be as strong as Aeronis, but I've fought a Mishanter before. I don't go easy."
"Alright… what do I need to do?" Kael asked.
Liraen smirked and formed a sword out of swirling wind currents. "Fight me, Kael. Show me what a human is capable of."
Kael was a bit shocked but didn't reply. He simply nodded. I've never fought anyone before, let alone a friend with great Might control… I only have this Might Splitter with me.
"Let's find a more suitable place," Liraen suggested while looking left and right.
"Ah… that is more spacious for this," Kael agreed, following him as Liraen pointed to an open area beside the old Miseshaft.
All of their friends followed, Volgran turning his massive body to watch them go.
Once there, Liraen and Kael took their positions, facing each other. Liraen's expression turned serious.
"The rules are simple," he said. "Hit me once, Kael, and you win. But if I hit you ten times, you lose and never mention the words 'Realm Protector' again."
Kael's face hardened with determination. Becoming a Realm Protector wasn't just a dream anymore it was a goal he had to fight for, and this was his first step.
"I understand."
Ren… Grak'Mar noticed Liraen's hand trembling slightly. He knew Liraen was always conscious of Kael's inventions, which grew more complex every day, and he also understood the danger Liraen faced by agreeing to duel Kael. Grak'Mar could tell Liraen had already been shocked by the Might Splitter earlier but was pretending to be tough.
He turned his gaze to Kael. His face was a bit pale and confused, but he gripped the Might Splitter firmly. That grip… it was the hold of a confident winner.
Then Liraen spoke, "Grak'Mar will watch us. Count the hits."
Grak'Mar nodded.
"Ready! 3… 2… 1… Go!"
End of chapter 9
Kael needs to prove his determination by fighting his own friend!
Next chapter will be a great fight Wind vs Mind