On the road through the forest, Taren's group began their journey to the capital. As they walked, everyone was lost in thought — especially Asuna.
"What?! You mean we're walking all the way to the city?!" – Asuna
"Walking's good for your legs, didn't you know?" said Taren with a mocking smile on his face.
Asuna immediately retorted, "And how come a noble like me has to walk around like this — especially next to him!", she finished, pointing at Yura.
Noticing the jab, Yura shot back, "You think I want to be here walking next to some stuck-up noble?"
"The only thing stuck-up is your grandma," Asuna growled, jabbing her finger toward Yura's face.
As they bickered, the rest of the group watched with tired expressions, used to this routine.
"Here they go again… noble versus commoner," Yuzuriha muttered, rubbing her forehead.
Dan added casually, "It was expected on a trip this long," not even slightly bothered.
After the brief clash, both Asuna and Yura burst into laughter.
"I might be just a lowly commoner, but at least I have magic," Yura said with a proud grin —
which was immediately wiped from his face by his sister's dry remark:
"Idiot."
In the next moment, Yura was stomped on by both Yuzuriha and Dan.
"You better not come begging for our help during missions, oh great mage," Dan said with blatant sarcasm on his face.
At the front of the group, Taren was lost in thought — still concerned about Lisa, who had gone ahead to the city to deal with some family matters.
'Why was that messenger from her family so reluctant to speak around me?', Taren wondered, hand on his chin.
Meanwhile, in Lumia…
In a long hallway inside the Wenen family mansion, Lisa walked briskly, eyes forward, her expression serious and cold.
"This behavior isn't normal," whispered one of the Wenen house servants.
"She's been acting like this since she came back. I haven't seen Lord Kendall either... Where could he be?" asked a maid.
"Oh, so Lord Kendall hasn't come to comfort his poor granddaughter, after she wasted two whole years training with that third-rate group? What a shame," sneered Damian.
Lisa headed toward a large room guarded on both sides. Upon entering, she saw her grandfather lying unresponsive in bed, dark markings covering his body.
"What happened to him?" Lisa asked, her expression shaken.
"The curse has intensified. His mana levels dropped even further. He's been placed into a coma to preserve what little mana he has left, to keep him barely conscious," the family doctor explained.
"But he was recovering just fine until now!" Lisa snapped, furious.
"Please calm down, miss. His condition is fragile, but there's still hope for recovery," the doctor replied gently.
Lisa stepped closer to the bed and took her grandfather's hand, saying:
"Don't worry, Grandpa. I will bring you back… and destroy whoever did this to you," she said coldly.
Back on the road, Yura and the others were walking toward the city, chatting about what might be waiting for them in the capital.
"So, Taren… wouldn't it be good to explain more about what knights actually do? And what exactly are we supposed to do there?" Yura asked while yawning.
"Trained your whole life and still don't know what you're doing?" Asuna remarked.
"Beats me," Yura replied, not the least bit concerned.
At that moment, Yuzuriha turned to Taren:
"Mind explaining that, Master? So my slow little brother can finally get it?"
Not that I understand much myself… All I remember is training nonstop, she thought.
"Alright. What you need to know for now is that there are eight stages to become either a knight or a mage. The bare minimum is being able to control and shape your magic," Taren explained clearly.
"There are four main ranks: Knight, Captain, General, and Grandmaster — but for now, only 'Knight' matters to you."
"Knights are made up of hundreds of average to good fighters. Captains are the first military leaders — there are nine of them. Among them, three are also part of the Five Generals of Lumia."
"Wow, must be amazing to be one of the Five, huh Taren?" Yura asked with a joking tone, nudging him.
"Sure is. But there's still a level above them."
"The Grandmaster is the supreme leader of all the forces — the King's elite and his top advisor. There haven't been many through the years, but those who earned the title were ruthless."
"Especially her," Taren added with a serious expression and a deep breath.
"Her who?" Dan asked.
"Aria Sage — the leader of the Generals and current Grandmaster of the kingdom, second only to the King."
Everyone froze in shock.
"Wait a second!" Yura yelled in disbelief.
"Are there more of your family members around here?!" he asked, hopping along the road.
Taren smiled.
"Of course. But most of them are elsewhere. That's not important right now."
Several days passed before the group stood before an immense wall.
"We've arrived," Taren declared with confidence in his eyes.
Before them, the imposing capital radiated grandeur and power with its massive gates, bustling with travelers from all over. As they approached, the guards stationed at the gates lit up at the sight of Taren.
"Taren!!" shouted one of the guards from afar.
"What is it?" Taren turned toward the soldiers.
"It's been a while! Didn't think I'd see you again so soon," said Rans, an old friend of the warrior.
"Hmph, I, on the other hand, was sure I'd run into you the moment I arrived," Taren replied, nodding with a slight smile.
"Someone ask for me?" he snorted and smiled softly.
"You kidding me?!" Rans laughed loudly.
"Everyone's been waiting for your glorious return to Lumia," he added sarcastically.
"They get excited over the smallest things," said Taren with calm confidence.
Then Rans turned to the others and spotted Yura and Yuzuriha.
"Well, well, if it isn't my determined friends."
"Rans!!" Yura and Yuzuriha ran to hug him, smiles wide.
"It's been a while, huh?" Yura asked excitedly.
"You've both grown so much," Rans said, clearly impressed.
"I'm sure you're ready for anything now."
"It's been quite the journey," Yuzuriha said, glancing around the city, curiosity gleaming in her eyes.
"Before, we only passed through the capital quickly during training."
Rans laughed and nodded.
"Now that you're here, enjoy the city. Lumia has a lot to offer."
As they walked through the bustling streets of the capital, Yura and the others were amazed by the grandeur of the buildings and the variety of people. There were shops selling magical artifacts, food stalls with exotic delicacies, and street performers showing off their talents.
"Look over there," Dan pointed to an imposing tower.
"That's incredible. I never had time to explore the city like this before."
"It's definitely different from what we're used to," said Yuzuriha, mesmerized by the architecture around them.
In the center of the city, someone caught Yura's eye — a blond young man with a noble air was speaking to a group of soldiers. His posture and expression showed authority but also kindness.
"Who's that?" Yura asked Rans.
"That's Prince Aster Lumia," Rans replied.
"The youngest son of the king. Known for his skill in magic and his leadership."
"He looks really serious," Yuzuriha observed, watching the prince closely.
"He's a great warrior and a respected leader," Rans explained.
"And next to him is Aria Sage, the Grandmaster of the Luminus army."
"Wait — leader?" Yura asked, shocked.
"He's our age, right? So why—?"
"Some warriors surpass the barrier of age, Yura. Aster is one of them," Taren answered.
"You say that like you know him," Dan remarked.
"I trained him for a while when he was younger, though I didn't think it necessary. As I expected, I was dismissed by him shortly after."
"And what about her?" Yuzuriha turned her gaze to Aria Sage.
Taren simply smiled and remained silent.
The group continued walking toward the central plaza. Dan went off to see his family, Asuna did the same, and Yura and Yuzuriha headed straight for the palace.
Aria Sage was a tall woman with an imposing presence. Her eyes shone with determination, and there was an aura of wisdom about her.
"She's incredibly powerful and respected throughout the kingdom," Rans added as they walked.
As they talked, Yura and his friends noticed other young warriors arriving for the upcoming knighthood ceremony. The atmosphere was thick with excitement — and a bit of nervousness.
Later, everyone gathered in a grand hall decorated for the occasion. The walls were adorned with the kingdom's banners, and a massive table was set with delicacies from all across the region.
Yura and Yuzuriha found each other in the crowd. Their eyes met Aster Lumia's across the room. A palpable tension filled the air as they locked gazes.
"This is gonna be interesting," Yura murmured to his sister.
"No doubt," Yuzuriha replied, mentally preparing herself for what was to come.
The ceremony was about to begin — and everyone knew this was only the beginning of a new and challenging journey.
As the young warriors moved to their places, Yuzuriha spotted Asuna in the distance, seemingly speaking to her family. But the truth was far from that.
"I have nothing to say to you, Conrad!!" Asuna declared.
"It's always expected for a rat to flee when threatened," Conrad replied harshly.
"You still haven't figured out you're not welcome among us? Why keep insisting?" he demanded.
"You'll never be a true warrior — accept your limitations."
"All this just to stop me from fighting?" Asuna retorted.
"I will never give up on my goal. Never."
"My mother wouldn't forgive me if I did."
"Don't speak her name. You don't even deserve to remember her," Conrad said coldly.
Conrad raised his hand toward Asuna's face — but Yura stepped in just in time to stop him.
"What do you think you're doing to her?" Yura asked with a serious expression.
All eyes turned to the center of the hall.
"Stay out of this, you filthy commoner," Conrad snapped.
"What did you call me?" Yura growled, clearly angry.
"I already told you… if you lay a finger on her, I'll destroy you!" Yura shouted.
"Destroy me? Don't be ridiculous, you filthy little pleb. You couldn't hurt me even if you tried," Conrad spat.
"That's enough."
A powerful yet calm aura filled the hall — it was Taren.
"If you're finished, shall we continue?" Taren said as he slowly approached the group, serious expression on his face.
"After all, it's time for the adults now — not the children," he said with a flamboyant chuckle.
Later, at the knighthood event:
Everyone was in place — except Yura, who stood outside on a balcony, gazing up at the starry sky.
"Not going in, filthy commoner?" Asuna asked, her voice light and calm.
"This place isn't for me," Yura replied seriously.
"You know that better than anyone… don't you, stuck-up noble?" he added with a smirk.
"It's not for any of us. That's why I want to leave as soon as possible — go on missions in other countries, explore the world." Yura nodded, eyes still on the sky.
"Then let's go together. Let's make our own destiny far from here," he said with enthusiasm.
Asuna smiled and stepped closer, leaning on the balcony next to him.
"Together, huh?" she turned her face toward Yura, eyes gleaming.
And so, the next day...
Yura and his friends received the news they had long been waiting for —
their first mission.