Chapter 4 — Different Paths
The training field felt smaller after yesterday.
Not physically.
Perception.
People moved the same.
Weapons clashed the same.
Instructions echoed the same.
But—
Something shifted.
They looked at me now.
Not all of them.
Not openly.
But enough.
"…So that happened," I thought.
"Yo, Yamamoto!"
Haruto's voice cut through the noise.
I turned slightly.
He jogged over, energy still high despite training just ending.
"How the hell did you do that yesterday?"
Straight to it.
Of course.
"Do what."
"Don't do that," he said. "You know what I mean."
"…I adapted."
"That's not an answer."
"It is."
He stared at me.
Then laughed.
"…You're annoying."
"Consistent."
"Yeah, yeah."
Mizuki walked over next, brushing curls back from her face.
"…I was wondering too," she said. "Forge Weaver isn't supposed to be combat, right?"
"It's not."
"Then how—"
"I didn't fight like you."
That got a pause.
Haruto frowned.
"…What does that mean?"
I glanced toward the field.
Combat classes still going.
Clean movements.
Direct approaches.
"…You focus on output," I said.
They both blinked.
"I focus on control."
Silence.
"…That sounds complicated," Haruto muttered.
"It's not."
"…It sounds complicated."
Mizuki tilted her head slightly.
"…So you can just make weapons?"
"If I understand them."
Another pause.
"…That's kinda broken," Haruto said.
"…Not really."
"Most people stop early."
That part stayed internal.
"Alright, break time!" someone called out nearby.
Energy shifted again.
Less tension.
More noise.
"…We're heading to the guild," Haruto said. "You coming?"
I thought about it.
Then nodded once.
"…Sure."
Fiore — Evening
The city felt different outside the training grounds.
Less controlled.
More alive.
People moved with purpose.
Merchants closing up.
Adventurers passing through.
Voices overlapping in a rhythm that didn't exist inside the castle.
"…It's structured," I thought.
Just not obvious.
"Yo, this place actually feels real," Haruto said, looking around.
"It is real," Mizuki replied.
"You know what I mean."
I didn't comment.
Didn't need to.
The group spread out naturally as we walked.
Not intentionally.
Just—
Energy matching energy.
I slowed slightly.
Not enough to stand out.
Just enough.
Footsteps adjusted beside me.
Of course.
"…You always do that," Armani said.
"Do what."
"Fall back."
"…I'm still walking."
"That's not what I meant."
I glanced at her.
She wasn't looking at me.
Just ahead.
"…You think too much," she added.
"Someone has to."
"That doesn't mean you have to do it alone."
I didn't answer.
"…You looked different yesterday," she said.
"…How."
"You weren't reacting."
"I was."
She shook her head.
"No. You were adjusting."
"She sees it," I thought.
Faster than the others.
"…I just didn't want to fall behind," I said.
"That's not it."
She stopped.
Just for a second.
"…Hiyori."
I stopped too.
"…Be careful."
"…Of what."
"You."
That got a pause.
"…That's vague."
"You know what I mean."
I did.
Didn't say it.
"…People are starting to notice," she added.
"…That's fine."
"No. It's not."
Her voice was firmer now.
"You're changing faster than everyone else."
Silence.
"And people don't like that."
There it was.
"…I'll manage," I said.
"You always say that."
"Because it's true."
"That doesn't mean it's enough."
Another pause.
"…I'm not staying here," I said.
She blinked.
"…What?"
"I didn't get dragged into this world to play hero."
I looked ahead.
Past the streets.
Past the city.
"I'm going back."
"…Back?"
"My mom's probably losing her mind right now."
A beat.
"…And my sister."
I exhaled.
"She's not actually my sister."
"…But she is."
"…Yeah."
Armani's expression softened.
"…You really think you can go back?"
"…I don't know."
Honest.
"…But I'm not staying."
She studied me.
Then—
"…That's exactly why I'm worried."
"…You think I can't do it?"
"No."
She shook her head.
"I think you will."
That made me pause.
"…Then what's the problem?"
She met my eyes.
Didn't look away.
"…What you might have to become to do it."
Silence.
No answer.
Not yet.
"…We should catch up," she said.
"…Yeah."
We walked again.
Closer now.
Adventurer's Guild
The doors opened with a low creak.
Noise hit immediately.
Voices.
Laughter.
Steel against wood.
"…Lively," Haruto said.
Behind the counter—
Familiar.
"Back already?" Kathy said, leaning slightly forward.
"…Had time," I replied.
Her eyes moved past me.
Scanning the group.
Then back.
"…Figures."
Haruto stepped up.
"Hey, uh—how does this whole guild thing work?"
Kathy smiled slightly.
"Depends. You planning on surviving your first expedition first?"
"…Fair point."
Mizuki glanced at me.
Then back at Kathy.
"…Can I ask something?"
"Sure."
She hesitated.
Then—
"…Forge Weaver."
There it was.
"Isn't that… non-combat?"
Kathy's eyes shifted to me again.
"…Usually," she said.
Haruto frowned.
"Then how was he—"
"He wasn't fighting like you," Armani said quietly.
Kathy nodded slightly.
"…Exactly."
Silence.
"…Forge Weavers build," Kathy continued. "Most of them stay behind the frontlines."
Her gaze stayed on me.
"…Most."
I didn't respond.
"…They rely on knowledge," she added. "Understanding materials. Structure. Application."
A pause.
"…And control."
That word landed.
"…So it can be combat?" Haruto asked.
Kathy tilted her head slightly.
"…If you know what you're doing."
Her eyes didn't leave me.
"…Most people don't."
"…Most people stop early," I thought.
The conversation shifted after that.
Lighter.
But not really.
Some of them looked impressed.
Some unsure.
None of them ignored me anymore.
"…Different," I thought.
Return — Night
The streets were quieter now.
Lanterns casting long shadows.
Just me and Armani again.
"…Tomorrow's the first expedition," she said.
"Yeah."
"You ready?"
"I'll manage."
She stopped.
"…Just come back."
"…Yeah."
Then—
She stepped forward.
Soft.
Warm.
A light kiss against my cheek.
She froze.
"…Oh—"
She stepped back fast.
"OMG 😳 I didn't—I mean—I—Hiyori—I just—"
I blinked once.
"…That just happened."
She turned red.
Completely.
"…Armani."
"I wasn't thinking—I just—"
"It's okay."
She stopped.
"It's fine. Relax."
"…You're not mad?"
"No."
"…Not even surprised?"
"…A little."
That didn't help.
"…I can't believe I just did that."
"You can."
"…That's not helping."
"It wasn't supposed to."
A small silence returned.
Lighter now.
"…We should get ready," I said.
"…Right."
"First expedition tomorrow."
"Yeah."
We walked again.
Closer.
The inn came into view.
"…Goodnight," she said quietly.
"Yeah."
"…Goodnight."
She went inside quickly.
Didn't look back.
I stood there a second longer.
"…Tomorrow."
I stepped forward—
—and missed the shadow across the street.
Still.
Watching.
Silent.
"…They're starting to notice."
I exhaled slowly.
"…Good."