Kael quietly left the training hall, trying not to draw any attention.
The door closed behind him with a faint creak.
He took a few steps down the corridor before finally allowing himself to exhale.
"I… I really did it," he whispered.
His hand was still trembling slightly.
Not from exhaustion.
From excitement.
He had never felt so… alive before.
Not like a weak child.
Not like someone who was always trying to catch up to others.
But like someone who had taken his first step forward.
Kael clenched his fist.
"This is only the beginning."
He headed toward the courtyard.
The sun was already high in the sky. Children were running around, laughing and playing tag. Several novice nuns were hanging laundry, chatting quietly.
An ordinary day.
But for him — a special one.
"KAAAEL!"
A familiar shout made him flinch.
Lumi was rushing toward him at full speed.
"Where have you been?! We were looking for you everywhere!" She stopped right in front of him, hands on her hips.
Rein walked up beside her, yawning.
"Yeah. Even breakfast was boring without you," he said lazily.
Kael cleared his throat.
"Father Elion… called me."
Lumi's eyes widened.
"WHOA! Did you get in trouble?!"
"No."
"Then why?!"
"Because… I'm talented," Kael replied seriously.
Rein almost choked on air.
"WHAT?"
Lumi froze.
"Did you… just… brag?!"
Kael turned away.
"A little."
Lumi stared at him for a second, then burst out laughing.
"HAHAHA! That's it, the world has definitely gone crazy!"
Rein narrowed his eyes.
"Alright. Jokes aside. You really have changed."
Kael looked at him.
"In what way?"
"You're more confident," Rein said. "Before, it felt like you were always thinking about something scary."
Lumi suddenly nodded.
"Yeah! You were often sad… but pretended you were fine."
Kael fell silent.
For a moment.
He hadn't expected that.
"I… just thought too much," he said quietly.
Lumi smiled.
"Then think less! Come on, let's play!"
She grabbed his hand.
"Wait!"
Too late.
She was already dragging him toward the other kids.
They played for almost an hour.
Running.
Hiding.
Laughing.
Even Rein got into it and argued seriously a few times about "unfair hiding."
Kael realized that…
He liked it.
A lot.
He hadn't felt this in a long time.
The feeling of childhood.
Simplicity.
Warmth.
"Hey, Kael," Rein suddenly said when they were resting under a tree. "You want to become strong, right?"
Kael looked at him.
"Yes."
"Really strong?"
"Very."
Lumi leaned closer.
"Then don't forget us when you become a cool hero!"
Kael smiled.
"I won't."
Inside, he added:
"I'll become strong. To protect you. And to take revenge."
In the evening, he returned to the training hall.
Elion was waiting for him.
"You're on time," he said.
"I didn't want to be late," Kael replied.
"Good. Today, we'll learn to feel the boundaries."
"Boundaries?"
"Between 'I can' and 'I'll die.'"
Kael swallowed.
"I understand…"
The training lasted a long time.
He fell.
Made mistakes.
Lost focus.
But every time, he stood up again.
Elion didn't scold him.
He only guided him.
"Slowly."
"Breathe."
"Listen to your body."
By nightfall, Kael could barely stand.
But inside him was a strange warmth.
He was growing.
Late at night.
When everyone was asleep.
Kael lay in bed, staring at the ceiling.
"I won't stop," he whispered. "Never."
Outside the church, the wind gently swayed the trees.
And far beyond human lands…
Within one of the spatial cracks…
Something opened its eyes.
And began to look toward Dornwald.