The Hidden Valley...
The golden invitation rested quietly upon the wooden table.
Its light had long since faded.
Yet...
Its presence alone seemed to have changed the atmosphere of the cottage.
Kieran found himself glancing at it every now and then.
Each time he did...
A mixture of excitement and unease filled his heart.
---
The following morning...
Crystal called Kieran outside before sunrise.
No wooden swords.
No books.
No herbs.
Only a large travel pack rested beside her.
Kieran looked at it curiously.
"Mama?"
"You once asked me what lay beyond the valley."
He nodded.
"You'll soon see it for yourself."
She pushed the pack toward him.
"From today onward..."
"...your lessons will change."
---
Kael walked over carrying another pack over one shoulder.
Unlike Crystal's, his looked as though it had survived a war.
"You're going to hate me."
Kieran sighed dramatically.
"I already do."
Kael burst into laughter.
"Good!"
"That means you're ready."
---
Crystal unfolded a large map.
It was unlike any Kieran had seen before.
The Hidden Valley occupied only a tiny blank area near one edge.
The Gardenia Empire alone stretched farther than he could imagine.
Beyond it...
Other Empires.
Great forests.
Mountain ranges.
Deserts.
Seas.
Guild cities.
Ancient ruins.
Each carefully marked.
Kieran stared in amazement.
"...It's so big."
Crystal smiled.
"This..."
"...is only the Melika Realm."
His eyes widened further.
"Only?"
She nodded.
"The world is much larger."
"But first..."
"...you must learn your own home."
---
For the next several weeks...
Their lessons changed completely.
Crystal became less of a cultivator...
And more of a teacher.
She taught him how to read maps.
How to recognize trade routes.
How to identify safe villages.
How to distinguish Guild outposts from military forts.
How to bargain fairly.
How to recognize dishonest merchants.
How to behave before nobles...
Without fearing them.
"Respect everyone."
She reminded him.
"But never lower your dignity."
---
Kael's lessons...
Were far less elegant.
"Kieran!"
A loud roar echoed through the valley.
Run!
Before Kieran could even turn around...
A massive boulder rolled down the hillside.
His eyes widened.
"UNCLE KAEL!!"
"You'll thank me later!"
Kieran sprinted through the forest.
Leaping over roots.
Sliding beneath fallen trees.
Dodging the enormous rock.
Only after it finally came to a stop did he collapse onto the grass.
Panting heavily.
Kael appeared beside him.
"Lesson?"
Kieran glared at him.
"...Never trust you."
Kael laughed so hard he almost fell over.
"Correct!"
Crystal, watching from a distance, simply shook her head.
---
As winter slowly gave way to spring...
The Hidden Valley became increasingly lively.
Beasts emerged from hibernation.
Flowers blossomed.
The river swelled with fresh mountain water.
One morning...
While gathering herbs alone...
Kieran noticed movement among the bushes.
A small silver rabbit emerged cautiously.
One of its hind legs was injured.
Instead of fleeing...
It simply looked at him.
Kieran slowly crouched.
"It's alright."
"I'm not going to hurt you."
The rabbit remained still.
Carefully...
He cleaned the wound.
Applied medicinal herbs.
Wrapped it gently.
When he finished...
The rabbit looked at him for several moments.
Then...
It rubbed its tiny head against his hand before hopping away.
Kieran smiled.
"Take care."
Hidden high within the trees...
The nine-tailed white fox watched everything.
Its golden eyes shimmered thoughtfully.
---
That evening...
The fox appeared before the three ancient guardians.
The white stag looked toward it.
"You've made your decision?"
The fox nodded once.
The giant tortoise slowly opened one eye.
"Be certain."
"Following him may change your fate forever."
The fox's nine tails swayed gracefully.
"I know."
The silver eagle looked toward the distant cottage.
"Then wait."
"The time has not yet come."
The fox quietly disappeared into the forest once more.
---
Meanwhile...
Far beyond the Hidden Valley...
The roads leading toward the Grand Academy grew busier each passing day.
Young cultivators from every corner of the Melika Realm began their journeys.
Some traveled with royal escorts.
Others with merchant caravans.
Some walked alone.
Many would never reach the Academy.
For the road itself was a test.
Bandits...
Wild Magical Beasts...
Treacherous terrain...
And human greed...
Claimed countless hopefuls every examination cycle.
The Academy never interfered.
For those unable to reach its gates...
Could never hope to survive the world beyond them.
---
Inside the Grand Academy...
The Headmaster overlooked the bustling campus from a high pavilion.
An elder approached.
"Headmaster."
"The examination grounds have been prepared."
He nodded.
"And the Trial Forest?"
"Ready."
"The Hall of Reflection?"
"Ready."
"The Ancient Formation?"
The elder hesitated briefly.
"...It awakened on its own three nights ago."
For the first time...
The Headmaster's calm expression shifted ever so slightly.
"So..."
"It remembers."
The elder frowned.
"Remembers what?"
The old man smiled.
"You'll understand soon enough."
His gaze drifted toward the horizon.
Where somewhere...
A young boy who had yet to cultivate in the eyes of the world...
Prepared to leave the only home he had ever known.
The first chapter of his life...
Was nearing its end.
The second...
Was about to begin.
End of Chapter 47