As Mizel made his way towards his destination, he heard a clashing sound coming from the nearby forest. Curiosity piqued, he followed the noise until he reached the forest's edge. There, he saw a young boy, no older than eleven, engaged in a fierce battle with a goblin.
The boy wielded a small sword, while the goblin brandished a dagger. Without hesitation, Mizel rushed forward to help the boy. The goblin, noticing Mizel's presence, became cautious and faced the two of them.
Drawing the short sword gifted to him by his grandpa, Mizel launched a vertical slash towards the goblin. However, the agile creature leaped away, narrowly avoiding the attack. At the same time, the young boy charged at the goblin with a piercing attack. The goblin managed to block the blow, but it was pushed back slightly.
Seizing the opportunity, Mizel swiftly executed a horizontal attack. Unfortunately, the goblin anticipated his inexperienced move and closed the distance, countering with its dagger. The young boy, however, chased after the goblin with another piercing attack.
"AACK!" The goblin let out a cry of pain as the boy's sword pierced its back. It stumbled backward, blood flowing from its wound. Mizel and the boy continued their relentless assault, launching a barrage of attacks against the goblin. The creature, now heavily injured, could only defend itself, blocking their strikes.
Finally, after a few minutes of intense battle, the goblin lay on the ground, fatally wounded. Mizel and the boy caught their breath, exhaustion evident on their faces. They stared at each other, a mix of relief and gratitude in their eyes.
"Hey, my name's Neil. Thanks for saving me," the boy said, his voice filled with gratitude.
"It's okay. I'm glad I was able to find you," Mizel replied, a smile forming on his face. They shook hands, sealing their newfound friendship.
Neil explained that he hailed from the west territory, the same place Mizel called home. He was also eleven years old and was on his way to the Bolrak academy. Realizing they shared the same destination, they decided to venture together.
With the academy just six miles away, they could already see the grand building in the distance. However, as night fell, they decided to camp near the woods. Mizel shared his half of the rabbit food he had with Neil, and soon, exhaustion took over, lulling them into a deep sleep.
The sun rose, casting its warm rays upon the campsite. Mizel and Neil woke up, feeling refreshed and ready to continue their journey. They packed their belongings and set off towards the Bolrak academy.
As they walked side by side, the conversation flowed easily between them. They shared stories of their past, their dreams, and their aspirations. Mizel learned that Neil had always dreamed of becoming a skilled swordsman, just like his father, who had been a renowned warrior in their village.
Their shared passion for adventure and their desire to learn and grow made their bond stronger with each passing step. They laughed, they shared secrets, and they encouraged each other to push forward, even when the path seemed treacherous.