Chapter 6
The village felt warm and full of life in the morning light.
The air carried the smell of fresh bread and burning wood.
As Atoi walked along the path, some villagers glanced at him curiously — but they kept moving, continuing their work.
This was a hidden village of Oxmusk.
According to the records in Atoi's mind… no outsider was ever meant to enter this place.
Yet here he was.
He walked slowly down the narrow path.
For the first time in many days, his heart felt calm.
Peaceful.
Almost… joyful.
The sound of birds filled the air.
Then—
He stopped.
Not far ahead…
Caiman was tied to a tree.
The ropes were thick.
Atoi walked quickly toward Caiman.
The brown horse was tied tightly to a tree; the rope wrapped several times around the trunk.
Caiman stomped his hoof lightly when he saw Atoi.
Atoi stepped closer and gently placed his hand on the horse's neck.
"It's alright…" he said softly.
The horse calmed immediately.
With steady hands, Atoi untied the rope from the tree.
The knot loosened, and the rope fell to the ground.
Caiman shook his mane and let out a low breath.
Atoi stroked his head.
"Sorry for keeping you waiting. Atoi took the rope gently in his hand.
Caiman walked beside him.
The two moved slowly along the village path.
The morning sun shone warmly over them.
Villagers stepped aside politely as they passed.
Some smiled.
Some whispered quietly.
Caiman's hooves made a soft rhythm against the ground.
For a moment, it felt peaceful.
Man, and horse… walking together through a hidden village.
After walking through the village for a while…
Atoi turned back toward the house.
Caiman followed quietly beside him.
The morning sun was higher now.
The village noise slowly faded behind them.
When they reached the house, Atoi gently tied Caiman near the fence — but this time, loosely.
He patted the horse's neck.
"Rest."
Kayaku and Dodo were waiting.
Kayaku sat near the fire, arms crossed, his expression calm but watchful.
Dodo stood by the window, pretending not to look outside.
The door slid open.
Atoi stepped in.
Atoi saw them smiling.
He didn't say anything.
His eyes shifted to the table.
It was covered with food.
Warm bread.
Grilled meat.
Fresh fruit.
Steaming soup.
For a second… he just stared.
Then—
Without hesitation, he walked straight to the table.
He sat down.
And started eating.
One dish after another.
One plate after another.
Dodo blinked.
Kayaku raised one eyebrow.
Atoi didn't stop.
He didn't speak.
He just kept eating calmly… seriously… like it was part of training.
Dodo leaned toward Kayaku and whispered,
"…You weren't kidding. He really was exhausted."
Atoi didn't waste a second.
He grabbed a piece of bread and began eating quickly.
Outside, Caiman let out a soft sound.
Dodo blinked.
"Don't tell me…"
Atoi stood, took a plate, and walked outside.
Moments later— Caiman's chewing could be heard.
Back and forth. Inside and outside.
Man, and horse. Eating together.
Bread disappeared. Fruit vanished. The soup pot was emptied. Even the grilled meat was gone.
Soon…
There was nothing left. When Atoi finally stepped back inside, he wiped his mouth calmly. Outside, Caiman gave a satisfied snort.
Dodo and Kayaku looked at the empty table… Then at each other.
And slowly… they smiled.
"…They really are alike," Dodo whispered.
Kayaku nodded.
"A warrior and his horse."
For the first time that morning…
The house felt warm.
Far from the hidden village…
In the land of Lora, Thiago trained alone.
Day after day, he pushed his body to its limits — striking, moving, breathing, repeating.
He was searching for something.
His power.
Or the lack of it.
Every night, when the world grew quiet, he sat beneath a dim lantern and opened an old book.
Page after page, he read about magic.
Ancient symbols.
Energy flow.
Awakening rituals. He practiced the movements. He repeated the chants. He tried to feel the mana within him. But no matter how many night passed…
Nothing happened. No spark. No light. No response. The pages turned. The candles burned low.
But still—
It wasn't working.
Thiago clenched his fist.
"Why…?" Seven days later, there would be a great program in the Kingdom of Lora.
A selection.
A chance to be recognized. Thiago knew it. Everyone knew it. But before that day came… He had one goal. To find his power. That night, he sat alone in his small room. The candlelight flickered against the walls. The old book lay open in front of him. He stared at the symbols.
Seven days.
Only seven days left.
"If I can't awaken it before then…" His fingers tightened on the page. He closed his eyes. He tried again. Breathing slowly. Feeling inside himself. Searching for something. Anything. But there was nothing. No warmth.
No energy.
No reaction.
Only silence.
His jaw tightened.
"I have to find it… before that day."
Outside, the night wind moved quietly.
Inside, his frustration grew.
Atoi's stomach stretched noticeably after the heavy meal.
He leaned back slightly and wiped his stomach with his hand.
A slow breath escaped him.
Kayaku watched quietly.
Then he stood up.
In his hand was a rolled piece of paper.
He walked toward Atoi calmly.
The firelight reflected in his eyes.
Without a word, he stopped beside him.
Then—
He held out the rolled paper.
"This is the map of Mist Rain,"
Atoi took the map from Kayaku's hand. The parchment felt old… and heavy.
He slowly unrolled it. As it opened, he noticed something unexpected. There were two maps inside.
One was marked clearly:
Map of Mist Rain.
The other was different.
It showed a long path… mountains, rivers, dark forests.
At the top it was written: The Route to Reach Mist Rain.
Atoi's eyes narrowed slightly. "This… shows the way," he murmured.
Kayaku nodded.
"Mist Rain is not easy to find."
"The first map shows the land."
"The second shows how to survive the journey."
The room grew silent. This was no simple trip. Atoi laughed softly when he heard Kayaku's words. The tension in the room did not touch him.
He rolled the map halfway closed and looked up.
"Whatever it is…" Atoi said confidently, a small grin on his face,
"I will find it." His eyes were calm.
Not reckless.
Not careless.
Just certain.
Kayaku studied him for a moment. Dodo crossed his arms and smiled slightly.
"That confidence…" Dodo muttered.
"Let's hope it's enough."
Outside, Caiman gave a strong snort — almost as if agreeing.
The journey to Mist Rain had already begun.
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