**Chapter 61 – The Journey to the Academy (Part 3: Day 4 – Calm Camp)**
The fourth day dawned cloudless, the sky finally clear after the rain of the first days. The forest was still dense, but the air felt lighter, carrying the fresh scent of pines, dry earth, and the faint aroma of wildflowers that Sylvara had made bloom around the camp during the night. Sunlight filtered through the tall canopies, painting the ground in gold and green, and birds sang loudly, as if celebrating the calm after the chaos of the previous days.
There were no attacks. No bandits, no magical beasts—just the gentle sway of the carriage, the rhythmic sound of the magical horses' hooves, and the children's laughter. Tomas, the merchant, took advantage of the tranquility to tell stories about the academy, his voice hoarse but full of enthusiasm:
"A place where the poor become heroes, but watch out for arrogant nobles. Director Valeria Stormblade keeps order with firmness and justice—no discrimination there. You'll see: elves, orcs, humans, beastkins… everyone trains as equals. But if you fail the tests, you become a negative legend—'the one who couldn't handle it.'"
Lysithea smiled, hugging the younger children around the fire that Kuroe had lit with gentle runes (purple flames that gave off no smoke). "Remember: family first, even there. The circus isn't just power—it's heart."
The day passed in peace. They stopped at noon to have lunch near a crystal-clear stream—Marina created a small pool of warm steam for everyone to bathe in, while Sylvara made flowers float on the water like decoration. Rina hunted rabbits with her fire tails (without burning the forest, thanks to Kuroe's runes), and Astrid broke firewood with her bare hands for the night fire. Joker and Harley put on a small shadow-and-illusion show to entertain: clowns dancing in the campfire, making the children laugh until their stomachs hurt.
At night, they camped in a wide clearing. Lysithea told stories of Lunalie under the stars, her voice soft as music: "The moon goddess always protects those who love each other. Even when separated, the bond remains." Endless hugs around the campfire—**nine bodies** pressed together (Lysithea + the eight children), the smell of burning wood and fresh earth in the air. Some whispered plans for the academy: "We'll conquer the tests together," "The circus will have a new audience." Others simply stayed silent, feeling the warmth of the embrace, knowing tomorrow they would reach their destination.
Tomas sat a little apart, near the horses, watching with a discreet smile—he knew that moment belonged only to the family, and he respected their space.
But when the group hug ended and everyone began to stand up, Joker looked at Tomas and shouted:
"Hey, Tomas! Come here, merchant! You're taking us to the academy—you deserve a piece of the circus too!"
Harley laughed: "It's quick, just an extended-family hug!"
Lysithea smiled, waving him over: "Come, Tomas. You've been nice the whole way. You're not family, but you're a friend."
Tomas hesitated for a second, face red with embarrassment, but eventually approached. The children made space, and the group gave him a quick, warm hug—nine children + Lysithea enveloping the merchant for a few seconds. He laughed nervously, eyes misty: "I never imagined I'd get a hug from good monsters."
The moment was brief but sincere—a gesture of gratitude for him being an ally on the journey. Afterward, everyone returned to the cocoon, laughing softly, while Tomas moved away again, still smiling.
They slept peacefully, lulled by the sound of the stream and the certainty that the worst had passed. The starry sky seemed to approve—as if the stars were a silent audience for the next act of the circus.
(to be continued…)