Today was the day.
After months of bruised mornings, aching limbs, and countless hours spent in silent resolve, I was finally leaving home—not just as a boy with a dream, but as an adventurer ready to take his first real step into the world.
I stood in front of the mirror, adjusting the black cloak my father had given me. The material was soft to the touch, laced with faint enchantments meant to dampen my presence to weaker detection spells. It wasn't flashy, but it carried weight—his support, his pride, maybe even a hint of fear. At my hip rested the aura sword I had chosen, its edge gleaming under the soft morning light. It hummed faintly, as if eager to carve its own legend.
With a slow, steadying breath, I turned away from the mirror and stepped into the hallway. Every footstep echoed like a countdown. Downstairs, I found everyone already waiting. The main hall, normally alive with chatter, was heavy with silence. They weren't just seeing me off—they were letting me go. Calvin was the first to speak. His voice cracked slightly despite his attempt to sound casual. "Hey… you're really leaving now?"
I forced a grin and gave him a nod. "Yeah, bro. But I'll be back. Time to time." He frowned, eyes narrowing. "Promise?" I raised my right hand. "Promise." That seemed to settle something in him, though only a little. I scanned the room. "Where's Casia?"
"She's still asleep," Calvin said with a tired shrug. I nodded. Liam leaned lazily against the wall, arms crossed and that cocky grin still painted across his face. "So, where are you registering?" I glanced toward Master, who had been standing quietly near the door, as composed and unreadable as ever. "That's his call."
Master's deep voice cut clean through the room. "You'll register at Syler Guild. In Xpler City. Right next to the Syler Forest." The air shifted immediately. Liam straightened, frowning in disbelief. "You're kidding. That guild's neck-deep in Syler Forest quests. That place is crawling with high-tier beasts." Master's mouth twitched, his eyes gleaming with dry amusement. "Relax. It's just registration."
Aurora's voice stirred in my mind, dry as dust. 'That's a total lie. He's definitely planning something.' I sighed back at her. 'He always is.' Father, who had been quiet until now, stepped forward, eyes narrowed. "What you both do after the registration?" Master shrugged as if it were a trivial matter. "He'll do standard quests. The usual beginner stuff."
A sigh escaped Father's lips, long and reluctant. "I suppose that's… acceptable." But we all knew better. 'Yeah, sure. Normal quests,' I thought to myself. 'More like a week from now I'll be neck-deep in some cursed forest fighting off death itself.' Before I could fall too deep into my own sarcasm, I felt warmth wrap around me.
My mother pulled me into a tight hug. Her breath hitched softly in my ear, her hands trembling against my back. "Be safe, Rayon. Write to us. And come home, okay? Often." I held her tightly for a moment, pressing my forehead gently to her shoulder. "Yeah, yeah. Don't cry, Mom. You're making this harder."
I stepped away, only to feel a tug at my cloak. I looked down. Elvina clung to the edge of my cloak with both hands, her lower lip trembling even as her gaze stayed defiant. "Are you going with Aur?" she asked, her voice barely above a whisper. I crouched down, placing a hand gently on her head. "Yeah. Aur and I will go together. And we will visit back regularly, okay?"
She stared at me for a moment longer, then slowly raised her pinky. "Promise?" I smiled and hooked mine with hers. "Promise." She didn't say anything more. Just nodded and let go. Aur hopped up onto my shoulder, purring as she rubbed her head gently against Elvina's cheek before settling into place. A soft goodbye. Master clapped his hands once. "Alright, brat. Let's move." I turned, taking in the faces I had grown up with one last time.
Father stood stoic, but I could see it—the slight tremble in his jaw, the way his hands were clenched too tightly. He was proud. Terrified, but proud. Mother wiped the corner of her eye, managing a tearful smile. Liam gave a lazy salute. Calvin nodded with a quiet strength. And Elvina… she just stood there, trying to hold this moment still with her eyes. "I'll see you all soon," I said, then turned away.
The capital was already awake, its streets alive with motion. Vendors called out prices. Knights in polished armor marched by. The scent of morning bread drifted from nearby bakeries. It was the world I'd lived in for months… but today, it felt different.
We walked in silence for a while, passing through a narrow alleyway—one I knew well. It's funny how quickly six months have flown by, it feels like just yesterday. "Time flies, huh, Aur?" I murmured.
Aur's voice was soft in my mind. 'Yeah. It really does.'
Master suddenly raised a hand, fingers tracing a circular glyph in the air. The fabric of space shimmered and twisted, forming a swirling blue portal that pulsed with quiet energy. "Where are we going?" I asked. "Epler City," he replied. "There's a similar alley like this. We'll appear unnoticed." Without hesitation, I stepped forward. In an instant, the capital faded—and Epler City emerged.
The alley was quiet, the city's pulse muffled by distance. Mist clung to the stones underfoot. Master stretched his neck and turned to me. "Alright. Before we hit the guild, we need to change your face." I blinked. "What's wrong with my face?"
"You're too recognizable. People see Robert Krater's son walking around, and questions start. You need a new identity." He placed two fingers to my forehead and muttered something in a language that slipped through my ears like wind through leaves.
"यद्यपि प्राणः मृत्योः प्रतिध्वन्याः माध्यमेन शाश्वतं गच्छति,
तथापि पात्रस्य मिथ्या-प्रकाशेन पुनर्जन्मः भवेत्।
केशानि, गुप्तभूमेः छायां प्रति गच्छन्तु।
नेत्रे, प्राचीनस्य एम्बरस्य अग्निं स्वीकरोतु।
अधः सत्यं न केनापि द्रष्टव्यम्।"
("Though the soul journeys eternally through the echoes of death,
Let the vessel be reborn in the light of illusion.
Let the hair take on the shade of hidden earth.
Let the eyes embrace the fire of ancient amber.
Let none gaze upon the truth beneath.")
A cool sensation surged through my body—sharp, clean, strange. Then he handed me a small mirror.
The reflection looking back wasn't entirely me. My hair was now chestnut brown, my once-blue eyes a golden amber. Still me—but... not. I ran a hand through the unfamiliar hair. "Huh. I actually look good."
"It's a Phantom spell. Used by assassins, spies. Until I lift it, you're hidden." He smiled. "From now on, your name is Ray Leon." I raised a brow. "Ray Leon?"
"Close enough to your real name that you won't trip. Far enough that no one will connect you to Rayon Krater." I tried the name in my head. 'Ray Leon.'
Yeah. That would work. I let the hood fall over my face, shadowing the new features. "Alright. Let's go." Master grinned. "Now that sounds like an adventurer." Together, we stepped out of the alley, into the streets of Epler City.