Chapter 2 — Return to the Hero's Land
The road stretched endlessly beneath a soft blue sky, sunlight shimmering over the grasslands. The royal carriage rocked gently as it rolled past groves of willow trees, the scent of wildflowers drifting through the open windows.
It's been two years since I vanished from this world…
To everyone else, Niamor had gone on without me.
To me, it felt like I'd only just left.
Inside the carriage, my classmates murmured nervously.
"Why are we leaving the capital?" one of them asked, clutching his pack. "Shouldn't we train with the royal knights?"
I crossed my arms and leaned back against the seat, the faintest smile tugging at my lips.
"I've got a better place in mind."
Their confused stares followed me, but I didn't elaborate. Words couldn't do it justice.
The carriage crested a hill—and the city of Kailand came into view.
Massive walls of pale stone gleamed in the sun. Flags of blue and silver rippled atop towers that reached toward the clouds. Beyond the gates, I glimpsed rooftops, streets alive with color and sound, and the faint shimmer of wards protecting the city I once called home.
"Whoa…" one of the students breathed. "That's… a whole city."
Aria pressed her forehead to the window, staring wide-eyed.
"You seriously own that?"
I smirked. "It's just home."
At the city gates, guards in polished armor straightened as our carriage approached. The moment they recognized me, they bowed deeply.
"Welcome home, Lord Kai!"
My heart caught in my throat. The words struck something deep within me—something that still hadn't healed.
And then I saw them.
Two women stood beyond the gate, waiting.
Glacira—tall and regal, silver hair flowing down her back, her sharp blue eyes softening as they met mine.
Yumi—shorter, her fox ears twitching playfully, a gentle smile curving her lips.
"Welcome home, my husband," Glacira said, her voice smooth and dignified.
"You've been gone too long," Yumi added, tail swishing behind her.
I froze. For a moment, I couldn't breathe.
They're real. They're really here.
Behind me, whispers broke out among the students.
"D-Did she just say husband?!"
"Wait—BOTH of them?!"
Aria folded her arms and glared at me.
"You've got wives too?! Unreal."
I scratched my cheek, cheeks warming. "It's… complicated."
"Uh-huh," she muttered.
We entered Kailand, and memories rushed back like a flood.
Merchants called from their stalls. Children waved wooden swords in mock battles. Adventurers saluted as we passed.
"Welcome back, Lord Kai!"
"The hero's returned!"
Glacira walked at my side, chin high. "Kailand has flourished, even without you."
Yumi smiled warmly. "But it's much livelier now that you're back."
Their words wrapped around me like sunlight after a long winter. For the first time since returning to Earth, I felt… grounded.
The students whispered among themselves, marveling at what they saw.
Elves bartered with beastfolk. Dwarves haggled beside humans. Demihumans in guild colors laughed together at tavern doors.
"Everyone's… getting along?" one student said in disbelief.
Aria's expression softened. "This is what he built."
We stopped before a massive circular gate carved from stone, its surface engraved with ancient runes. Soft blue light pulsed between the lines, like a heartbeat.
"This," I said, placing a hand on the stone, "is the entrance to my dungeon. You'll train here."
Gasps rippled through the group.
"A dungeon?! On our first day?!"
I turned to face them, voice calm but firm. "You'll fight monsters. No special weapons. No help from me. I want to see your raw instincts."
The door rumbled open, spilling blinding light across the courtyard.
"Move."
Inside, the air was cool and heavy with mana. Crystals glowed from the walls, casting shifting patterns of color across the stone.
Aria's brow furrowed.
This air feels heavy… almost alive.
The ground trembled. Then came the snarls.
Dozens of goblins crawled from the shadows, crude blades glinting in the light.
"W-We're really doing this?!" someone yelped.
I stepped back, folding my arms. "Fight. I'll watch."
Chaos erupted.
Dark flames surged as Ryo leapt forward, his magic exploding across the field.
"Too easy," he said, grinning through the smoke.
Renji barked orders, parrying a strike to cover two other students. Toru raised his shield, deflecting arrows as Emi's arrows pierced two goblins clean through.
I watched silently. Their movements were unrefined but full of potential.
Then my eyes found Aria.
She stood surrounded by three goblins, sweat dripping down her cheek.
Come on, focus…
She ducked under a swing, twisted, and landed a sharp kick that sent one creature flying.
Her body shimmered faintly, a glow beneath her skin.
What is this feeling?
It's like something inside me woke up.
Her eyes flickered gold.
I felt the shift in the air and frowned.
That's… ki. She's awakening it naturally, without guidance.
A slow smile crossed my lips.
Interesting. She might be more than I expected.
All around, students fought and adapted—some out of desperation, others out of instinct.
Wind magic tore through monsters. Shields clanged. Blades met claws. And, one by one, the goblins fell, dissolving into light.
When the last one vanished, the dungeon grew quiet again.
I stepped forward. "Not bad for your first time."
Exhausted faces turned toward me.
"That'll do for today. Get some rest. Tomorrow, meet me at the guild hall."
"Guild hall?" one asked.
I smiled faintly. "You'll see."
As I turned to leave, Aria wiped sweat from her forehead and watched me go.
He's… different here. Like he belongs.
That night, Kailand glowed under a thousand lanterns. Music drifted from taverns, laughter from the streets. My students—my new heroes—rested in the city I once ruled.
Tomorrow, they'll learn what kind of world they've entered.
Morning light spilled through the guild hall's stained-glass windows, painting the marble floor in shades of crimson and gold.
A confident voice rang out from the front.
"So you're the new recruits?"
A tall woman stepped into view—jet-black hair cascading over her shoulders, faint horns curling above her ears. Her smile was calm but commanding.
Yuri, the Guild Master of Kailand.
"Let's see what you're made of," she said.
End of Chapter 2: "Return to the Hero's Land"