"Kaviel?" 

Kaviel's eyes snapped open. His young heart raced, thudding against his ribcage like a trapped bird. Cold sweat clung to his skin, and he gasped for breath.

"Mira!" he gasped as he saw her small frame beside him on his bed. 

Without thinking, he pulled her into a tight embrace. His hands trembled as he held her, his fingers gripping her slender shoulders as if he feared she might vanish. 

Mira froze briefly, taken aback by Kaviel's sudden embrace. 

"What happened? Did you have a nightmare?" she asked softly.

Kaviel pulled back slightly, just enough to look into her oceanic blue eyes. 

The room's soft glow illuminated her small porcelain face, highlighting her innocent appearance and the concern in her eyes.

"I thought... I thought you were dead," he confessed, his voice barely above a whisper. "I saw you screaming in pain while you were burning."

He looked at Mira, almost in tears. 'But I couldn't do anything to save you!' he thought as he bit his lip in frustration at the recollection of his dream.

Mira shook her head, a reassuring smile playing on her lips. "Don't be silly. I'm not even an Elite Knight yet. I can't die," she said, her tone light and teasing. 

She reached out and playfully ruffled Kaviel's jet-black hair, her fingers lingering momentarily before she abruptly stood up. 

"Come on," she urged. "Let's go, hurry up, or we'll be late for Tata's training." 

She extended her hand toward him, her eyes sparkling with excitement. 

Kaviel looked up at her, reached out, and clasped her hand, feeling the warmth and strength in her grip as she pulled him to his feet.

Both of them walked out of the room. 

As Kaviel followed Mira, he couldn't help but reflect on how they had come to know each other.

Mira had been his childhood friend since they were five years old. By the time they were six, both had lost their parents to the wars their country had experienced.

During the war, their kingdom, Elaris, was no longer recognized as a kingdom. But the Elarian people keep fighting for their country

Fortunately, Tata adopted them. They fled to the farthest place along with other kids. And many people also escaped during that time.

Stepping outside, Kaviel sighed as he saw their small province, filled with ruined stone houses. 

The area was scarred with large and small craters, and remnants of bomb explosions.

As they continued to walk, the wind tousled Mira's white shoulder-length hair. She took a deep breath. 

"When do you think we're going to be elite knights? I'm so excited!" her words echoed. 

Turning around, she leaned on Kaviel, her head only reaching his shoulder due to her shorter stature. 

"You're excited too, aren't you?" she asked, a bright smile revealing her pearly white teeth. She nudged him with her shoulder, waiting for his response.

Kaviel nodded and forced a smile. Mira's smile widened as she dashed ahead, eager for their training, leaving Kaviel lost in his thoughts.

Mira often acted strong now, but Kaviel vividly remembered the day Mira witnessed her parents' deaths with her own eyes. He recalled the terror in her gaze, the way her body trembled. 

If he hadn't grabbed her at that crucial moment, she would have willingly followed her parents to death.

The days that followed were a nightmare. Mira couldn't eat or sleep for weeks, consumed by her grief. She almost died. But fortunately, Tata did not give up on her and helped her until she recovered. 

During those dark times, Kaviel made a solemn vow. He would always keep her safe, no matter the cost. 

While Mira dreamed of becoming a knight to save people, Kaviel did the same. But his only ambition was to keep her safe

"Aw!" 

With a grunt of pain, he tumbled to the ground as the other roughhousing teens carelessly bumped into him while they walked. 

The youths who collided with him halted their steps, their gazes turning towards him. 

One of them spoke up, with a hint of mockery in their tone. "Hahaha! You're so weak, Kaviel. How dare you dream of being a knight?" they jeered.

Fueled by anger, Kaviel rose to his feet and landed a punch on the bully, the impact of which made the bully's nose bleed. 

The bully stumbled back with a cry of pain. But before Kaviel could defend himself, the others joined in, overwhelming him with their numbers. 

Despite his best efforts, Kaviel found himself pinned to the ground, unable to fight back.

Amidst the chaos, a voice sliced through the air, filled with anger and authority. 

Kaviel recognized it instantly—it was Mira. 

Mira kicked one of them as she intervened, her hands shoving them away from Kaviel. 

"Stop it! What's your problem?" Mira's voice rang out, leaving no room for argument.

With mocking laughter, the bullies retreated, dragging their injured friend away. Their voices dripped with sarcasm as they taunted Mira and Kaviel. 

"Yieehh! Here comes Kaviel's guardian! Let's go, hahaha!" they jeered.

"Why did you help me? I can handle it myself!" Kaviel's words came out with a tinge of anger and embarrassment.

"Why are you mad at me? I'm just trying to help," Mira scoffed as she crossed her arms over her chest. "Besides, I won't stand around when you're getting hurt. I will always protect you," she said sincerely and smiled. 

Without waiting for a response, Mira turned on her heel and dashed towards Tata's announcement. 

"Hurry up, Kaviel!" she called back over her shoulder. 

Kaviel hesitated for a moment before finally following her. 

He hates himself. Mira often had to defend him whenever other youths bullied him. 

Yes, Mira was the strongest among all the children training under Tata.

As they approached the center, the sight of many children gathered there greeted them. 

The air buzzed with anticipation, and they found themselves amidst the crowd, surrounded by the energy of their peers.

An elderly man in his seventies was reading a letter he held. As he read it, he smiled and became excited about its writing.

"This is the time," he said, looking at the many youths in front of him.

"Everyone, listen!" Tata's commanding voice rose above the rest, drawing everyone's attention.

"This is what we have been waiting for! After years of war with our enemy, the Yalnobb empire, we have finally won the war and regained our country!" Tata announced. 

The youths shouted in victory and clapped their hands in glee.

"Now we will return to our land, receive your Aptitude, and you will finally be trained as Elite Knights!" he announced.

They said God left behind a sacred object where people's abilities, known as Aptitudes could be released. 

Such an object can only be found in the Elaris Kingdom, one of the farthest continents.

The center erupted with cheers and jubilant shouts, the sound echoing off the surrounding buildings. 

Excited children leaped into the air; their faces lit up with joy as their dream of going to Elaris was about to become reality.

Yes, everyone was prepared for this, so they trained under Tata for the right time when the kingdom needed them, and they would serve as backups.

Kaviel, however, glanced at Mira. A wave of unease washed over him as he recalled his dream. 

'Once I get my Aptitude, I'll be the strongest knight, and I will protect you,' he muttered quietly to himself.