At the Adventurer's Guild, Kael carefully pinned a recruitment notice on the board. The parchment fluttered slightly under his hand before settling in place. Beside him, Draven was scanning the quest board with sharp eyes.
"Found something good?" Kael asked.
Draven smirked and pointed at a quest. "Mining support. Looks like they need help gathering ores from the Ironstone Mines."
"Mines, huh? Sounds dirty," Kael joked.
The two decided to prepare for the task properly. Their first stop was the Blazing Anvil, a blacksmith shop owned by a rugged craftsman named Grimvar Stonehand. The blacksmith was a burly dwarf with a braided beard and soot-streaked skin.
"Ah, young adventurers! What brings ye to my humble forge?" Grimvar greeted them in his deep voice.
Kael stepped forward. " We saw a mining quest. We'd like to help gather some ores for you."
Grimvar's bushy eyebrows rose. "Willing hands, eh? I like that. Here's yer permit." He scribbled on a parchment and handed it over. "Show this to the guards. And be careful. The mines aren't as quiet as they used to be."
With permits and tools in hand, Kael and Draven made their way to Ironstone Mines. Two guards stood by the entrance, axes gleaming in the torchlight.
"Permit?" one guard asked.
Kael handed it over. The guard inspected it briefly before nodding. "You're clear. Stay safe down there."
The mines were dimly lit, with the sound of dripping water and distant clinking of pickaxes echoing through the tunnels. Kael and Draven set up their pulley and began mining. Their hands grew blistered, and sweat dripped from their brows, but they kept at it.
"Who knew swinging a pickaxe could be so exhausting?" Kael groaned.
Draven chuckled. "You'll build muscles in no time."
After several hours of hard work, they collected enough iron ore to fill their baskets. They sat down to rest before hauling the ores back to Blazing Anvil.
Grimvar was pleased. "Fine work, lads! Here's your payment. Keep this up, and you'll make me a rich dwarf."
For a week, Kael and Draven repeated this routine. On the final day, their pickaxes struck something unusual—a faint metallic shine caught their eyes.
"Titanium!" Draven exclaimed.
They carefully extracted the precious ore and brought it back to Grimvar, who was astonished.
"Titanium, eh? You two really are lucky."
Kael "Mr. Grimvar can I ask you to make some weapons for us with that titanium ore."
Grimvar "Don't want to waste an opportunity to get your hands on a good blade do you? "
Draven "Yeah, that's right. This kind of opportunity don't come by so often."
Grimvar signed " Okay fine boys, so what exactly do you want me to make for you? "
Kael spoke first. "A sword, Master Grimvar."
Draven followed. "And a bow."
Grimvar stroked his beard. "These aren't simple requests. Titanium is delicate to work with, and I'm already swamped with orders. It'll cost ya, and it'll take me a week at least."
Kael and Draven exchanged glances. "We'll work hard to earn the money, so please" Kael said firmly.
To cover their expenses, the two took part-time jobs at The Silver Spoon Tavern. The owner, Mira, was a stern but kind woman who kept them busy with cleaning, washing dishes, and even cooking.
"Careful with that stew, Kael! Don't burn it!" Mira called from across the kitchen.
Draven snickered. "Looks like you're better with a sword than a ladle."
Three weeks of relentless work passed. Despite their exhaustion, they managed to pay Grimvar and finally received their weapons—a finely crafted titanium sword for Kael and an intricately designed bow for Draven. Both of them were so happy and satisfied with the weapon they earned. Grimvar wishes them both safe adventuring with it. Kael and Draven thanked him.
.........
Draven stretched his arms. "We've earned ourselves a break."
Kael "Yeah, I was also thinking about taking a break too. But staying in the room is pretty boring. Got any other suggestions?"
Draven "Hmm... Let me think.... How about fishing?"
Kael grinned. "Oh, Fishing sounds perfect."
..........
Next morning, the two of them set out to Moonlit Lake, a serene spot surrounded by trees. Draven set up his rod and handed one to Kael. He was trying to teach Kael how to do fishing.
"First, you need to bait the hook... like this," Draven explained.
.......
The afternoon passed peacefully as they caught fish, grilled them over an open fire, and shared stories.
"This... this is nice," Kael said softly, staring at the lake's shimmering surface.
Draven nodded. "Moments like these remind us why we fight so hard."
They packed up as the sun began to set and headed home.
On their way back, they ran into Tharian and his team.
"Kael! Draven! Just the lads I wanted to see," Tharian called.
"What's up, Tharian?" Kael asked.
"There's a job. Escorting merchants to Stormhaven Market. The trade routes are overrun with monsters and bandits. More hands mean better security. Interested?"
Kael and Draven agreed without hesitation.
"Meet us at the Stormhaven Square tomorrow morning. Don't be late!"
.......
The two adventurers returned home, bathed, and settled down with some tea. After the tea, Draven went to bed so early. While Kael was writing a diary about his adventuring life. After writing the diary he decided to check the materials he had to prepare for tomorrow's quest. He found that he had already ran out of portions.
That night, Kael decided to visit his mother's research center to buy some portions. When he arrived, Seren, Elara's assistant, was about to close up.
"Kael! You're just in time. What brings you here so late?"
"I need healing and strength potions. I have an early quest tomorrow."
Seren handed him the potions and smiled. "Always prepared, aren't you? Your mother would be proud."
Kael hesitated. "Is... is she here?"
Seren nodded. "She's asleep. She's been working tirelessly. Let's not wake her."
They peeked into Elara's room, where she was sleeping soundly.
Kael "Miss Seren, I am little curious. May I ask you what is the research you guys are doing? "
"She's been researching something important," Seren whispered. "A way to grant magic to those born without it."
Kael froze. "Wait... what?"
Seren continued, her voice soft. "She's been doing this for you, Kael. She wants you to have the magic you were born without. You're her inspiration, her reason to keep going despite countless failures."
Kael was little shocked to know the truth.
"Thank you, Seren," he said quietly
Seren "Stay safe with your adventures kid. Don't do anything stupid and make your mother worry."
Kael "I will stay safe, Don't worry about me." with that said he left.
As Kael walked home under the moonlit sky, his heart was heavy yet filled with pride and gratitude. His mother's dedication and love were more powerful than any magic.
That night, Kael sat by his window, staring at the stars. His mother's sacrifice weighed on him, but it also fueled his determination.
"One day... I'll make you proud, Mother," he whispered to himself.