The wagon wheels rumbled softly over the cobbled road as dawn broke over the distant horizon, bleeding hues of amber and gold across the mist-draped sky. Ethan sat in the back of the merchant's wagon, cloak wrapped tightly around his frame, sword sheathed at his side. The three-day trek through the wilds had carved the exhaustion deep into his bones, but he didn't show it. His eyes remained sharp, scanning the road ahead, always watching.
Beside him, the merchant, a wiry man named Fennric, occasionally glanced back, curiosity flickering in his gaze.
"Still no name, eh lad? You saved my life, yet you remain silent. Strange world we live in."
Ethan said nothing. He had given the man his thanks and accepted food, water, and shelter in the form of the wagon. But his mind remained on one thing only: the path forward.
THE KINGDOM OF VAELOND.
Kael pointed forward with a crooked finger.
"There she is, boy. The walls of Vaelond. That Academy you seek lies within. Don't say I didn't warn you though, those inside don't take kindly to anyone without a bloodline."
Ethan finally stirred. As the wagon crested a small hill, he saw it.
Massive spires kissed the clouds, fortified ramparts bristled with ballistae, and shimmering banners bearing the royal crest of Vaelond flapped in the morning wind. But it was the structure nestled beyond the city walls that caught his attention: a towering citadel of silversteel and blackstone, with stairways that curved like blades and towers that pierced the heavens. The Knight Academy.
His heart beat faster. The towering gates of Elros Kingdom loomed ahead, sunlight glinting off their silvered metal.
[QUEST COMPLETED: THE PATH BEGINS]
[REWARD CLAIMED: +150 EXP, +Map Fragment (North) Acquired, +Travel Menu Unlocked]
[CURRENT EXP: 300/400]
[NEW PERK AVAILABLE: Select 1 Minor Perk]
>Pain Tolerance: -15% Damage from Physical Trauma
>Predator's Instinct: +5% Critical Strike Chance against Beasts
>Abyssal Hunger: Restore 2 WRATH per Kill
All three perks where interesting but Ethan had to choose one which would be more useful.
The first perk was nice, being able to have a reduction of 15% of the damage received from an attack was absolutely great. The second perk too was cool. But the third perk was of no use, since he already recieves wrath from kill and damage dealt to his enemies.
Ethan tought, hovering between the first and second perk "The first perk is cool, but if I choose that, it will reduce my pain from damages my enemies inflict to me. Cool but the problem is, thesame pain has been the one keeping me standing still."
"What should I choose, a 5% chance do deal a critical strike or -15% damage from physical trauma..." Ethan tought hard, a difficult choice there
"I have a problem of low HP, even if I have a 5% chance to deal a critical strike, if I recieve strong lash from a beast, I might succumb. While - 15% damage means I will suffer less and my HP will be drawn not too fast"
After analysing his situation, Ethan finally took his decision. "I guess the second perk is the best...I hope so"
[SELECTED: PAIN TOLERANCE]
A familiar warmth pulsed through his veins. Wrath. The power that now walked with him. That whispered when he was weak, and screamed when he was strong. The primal energy acknowledged the perk choose.
As the wagon approached the Kingdom gates, guards clad in silver plate stopped them.
"State your business."
"It's me, Karl Althros. Merchand. Bringing supplies, and a boy hoping to test for the Knight Academy."
The guard scoffed, eyes drifting to Ethan. "He doesn't look noble. No sigil, no crest, no armor. What house are you from, boy?"
Ethan stared at him. "I have no house. Only a name. Ethan."
"Then you're not welcome here. Academy accepts only scions of noble blood. Begone."
Ethan clenched his jaw. But before he could speak, Kael waved a scroll.
"He carries this. A Letter of Rite, stamped by the Duke of Crestveil. Signed with the merchant seal. He saved my life from Tartarus beasts, and I vouched for him."
The guard examined it, then grunted. "You may enter. Academy takes no responsibility for his failure."
The gates creaked open.
Vaelond was magnificent. Towering markets bustled with life, knights marched in formation, carriages flew overhead with enchanted wheels, and children played with floating crystal toys. Yet Ethan paid no mind. His eyes locked on the citadel.
The Academy gates loomed ahead. Blackstone doors engraved with a blazing sword and a crimson eye. An instructor stood at the entrance, tall, lean, armor glinting with ornate runes.
The wagon creaked as it rolled along the cobblestone road, the trees giving way to buildings of sandstone and brick, banners flapping in the breeze. Ethan sat quietly in the back, his hands resting loosely on his knees, sword wrapped in cloth beside him. The Merchant, whose name was revealed to be Kael Althros, tugged on the Horses and gestured proudly.
"Welcome to the Kingdom of Velladorn, lad," Kaek said, his voice warm, his mustache twitching with a kind smile.
"Not the grandest of the Great Kingdoms, but it'll shelter you."
Ethan's eyes scanned the skyline of Vaelond. Stone towers, terracotta roofs, and golden domes shimmered in the sun. People bustled through wide streets, children laughing, merchants shouting, guards marching. It was a world apart from the burnt village he had just left behind.
After passing through the gate, Ethan silently stood up.
"I'll get down here," he muttered.
Kael blinked. "You sure? You've got no place to go. Come with me. Rest."
Ethan shook his head, eyes downcast. "I've imposed enough. I have to go now"
But Kael chuckled, hopped down from the seat, and placed a firm hand on Ethan's shoulder.
"Son, you saved my life. That's not an imposition. That's family. And besides, my wife will skin me alive if I let a hero like you wander hungry."
Still hesitant, Ethan glanced back at the wagon. The image of Licia's lifeless body flickered in his mind.
Kael softened his tone. "She wouldn't want you to wander alone, would she?"
That pierced deeper than it should have.
Ethan gave a slow nod. "Fine. Just for a night."
Daren smiled wide. "Good lad. You'll meet my troublemaker of a daughter too. Try not to let her boss you around."
The Althros household stood near the center of the city, a large, elegant stone home with an iron gate and a small orchard behind it. Ethan's boots hesitated as he stepped onto the clean, polished floor of the foyer. Daren's wife, Lady Miraya Althros, stepped forward in a modest but noble gown. Her gentle face radiated kindness.
"What took so much time honey" she said with a soft voice.
"Held up.. Three Tartarus Beasts... I was saved by this young lad here"
"So you saved my husband... Thank you" Lady Miraya said with a slight bow
"It was nothing," Ethan muttered, uncomfortable under the attention. He wasn't used to this.
"Hush," Miraya replied. "You've done more than enough. Come, there's food and a hot bath waiting."
Before he could protest, a blur of blue sprinted down the stairs. A girl, around fifteen, her hair braided and bouncing as she ran, stopped abruptly before him.
"So you're the one Father spoke of!" she grinned. "I'm Velina. I'd say you look scary, but you also look like you've been through seven wars."
"Velina," her mother scolded gently.
"No, it's fine," Ethan said with a faint smile. "You're not wrong... I've been through hell"
"You're a real knight?"
"No, just a traveler"
And so said...Ethan followed Lady Miraya upstairs