The following morning, the guildhall was louder than usual. A crowd gathered in the central hall, forming a wide circle. Suho pushed his way forward, curious, until he saw Kael smirking inside the ring, his sword twirling casually.
"Guild sparring matches," a nearby adventurer explained. "Good way to test skills — or humiliate rivals."
Kael's eyes locked on Suho. "Perfect timing. How about it, orphan boy? Show everyone that you're more than a herb picker."
The crowd roared approval. Suho hesitated, then nodded. If he refused, the mocking would never end.
He stepped into the circle. His heart raced, but his grip on the practice sword was firm.
"Don't worry," Kael said with a grin. "I'll go easy."
The guildmaster overseeing the match raised his hand. "Begin!"
Kael lunged first, his movements sharp and aggressive. Suho dodged, barely parrying the blow. Kael pressed forward, his strikes relentless.
"Too slow!" Kael jeered, pushing Suho back.
But Suho's eyes were calm. He was analyzing. Observing. Waiting.
When Kael overextended, Suho pivoted sharply and struck his shoulder. The crowd gasped. Kael staggered, then roared in anger.
"Lucky hit!"
He came at Suho harder, driving him back. Suho stumbled, his body screaming in exhaustion. Then — it happened.
A faint golden glow flickered around his hand, pulsing through the wooden sword. He didn't understand it, but instinct guided him.
His next strike landed clean across Kael's chest, knocking him flat.
The crowd erupted. Some cheered, some whispered in shock.
"What was that light?"
"Did you see it? Impossible…"
Suho stood frozen, his hand trembling as the glow faded.
The guildmaster narrowed his eyes. "Interesting. Very interesting."
Later, in the tavern, adventurers buzzed with talk of the match. Some approached Suho with offers to join their parties, impressed by his strange talent.
But Suho shook his head each time. "I… I need to walk my own path."
Alone at his table, Suho whispered the words to himself, as if testing them.
"Twilights of Mist… a name for something yet to be."
He didn't know why those words came to him. Only that they felt right.
Outside, the night deepened, but the faint spark of light within Suho refused to fade.