The next morning, Ryuto woke with a sense of triumph. Sneaking into the adventurer's guild had ignited a new fire inside him. Even though he was only seven, he already felt like he had taken his first step toward becoming the adventurer he had always dreamed of being. Sitting up in bed, he grinned to himself, the memories of the bustling guild and the hardened adventurers still fresh in his mind.
The problem now, of course, was how to turn sneaking in into actually becoming a full-fledged adventurer.
He had been practicing his magic for years now and only seemed to gain points in control. He needed real combat in order to level up all of his stats.
After breakfast, Ryuto met up with Roland in the courtyard. The two of them had been best friends for years, and if there was anyone Ryuto could count on to share his excitement, it was Roland. He was a bit taller than Ryuto, with his signature messy black hair and a carefree attitude that made him easy to get along with. Roland's father had allowed him to join small hunts with their guards, but he was equally frustrated by the noble lifestyle. Like Ryuto, he craved more excitement.
"I still can't believe we pulled that off," Roland said, leaning against a tree with his trademark grin. "Sneaking into the adventurer's guild, checking out the quest board… We're practically professionals already."
Ryuto chuckled, though his mind was already racing with plans. "Yeah, but now we need to figure out how to do it for real. I'm tired of being stuck here, listening to everyone telling me I'm too young to do anything. We're not kids anymore."
Roland smirked, crossing his arms. "Well, maybe we don't have to wait until we're old enough to join the guild. We can start now, unofficially."
Ryuto raised an eyebrow. "What do you mean?"
"I've been thinking," Roland said, pushing off the tree and pacing in front of Ryuto. "We don't need a guild license to go on small adventures. There's always something happening around here. Villagers with minor monster problems, rumors of haunted forests, nothing too dangerous, but enough for us to get some experience."
Ryuto's eyes lit up. It was risky, sure, but it was exactly the kind of opportunity he had been waiting for. "You think we could actually do that? Go out on small quests without anyone finding out?"
Roland grinned. "Why not? We've got skills. You've got your magic, and I've been practicing with a sword. Plus, we've been watching the real adventurers at the guild. We know how this works."
Ryuto couldn't suppress his excitement. The idea of going on real quests, even small ones, was exactly what he needed. He was tired of waiting around, tired of hearing about what he couldn't do. This was his chance to prove himself, to start living the life he wanted.
"Alright," Ryuto said, nodding. "Let's do it. We'll start small, take on whatever we can handle, and eventually, when we're ready, we'll join the guild officially."
Roland punched him lightly on the arm. "That's the spirit. We'll be legends before they even know what hit them."
As the day wore on, Ryuto and Roland met secretly in the woods behind the estate to plan their first "unofficial" adventure. They had overheard a group of villagers at the marketplace talking about strange noises coming from the forest on the outskirts of town. Some claimed it was a wild animal, others whispered about ghosts. Either way, it seemed like the perfect opportunity for a pair of young adventurers to test their skills.
Ryuto leaned against a tree, looking over the crude map they had drawn of the forest. "So, we head in here, check out the area, see if we can figure out what's making the noise, and come back before anyone notices we're gone."
"Exactly," Roland said, crouching beside him. "If it's just some wild animal, we can handle it. If it's something more, we'll figure it out. We'll take it slow, nothing too risky."
Ryuto nodded, his mind racing with excitement and a bit of nervousness. This was it, their first quest. It might not be a real guild quest, but it was close enough. His heart pounded in his chest as he imagined what they might find out there in the woods. Maybe it was nothing. Maybe it was just some overblown story from a nervous villager. Or maybe it was something more dangerous.
Either way, Ryuto was ready to find out.
That night, Ryuto stood in front of his bedroom window, staring out at the darkened forest beyond the estate. The moon hung high in the sky, casting an eerie glow over the landscape. Tomorrow, he and Roland would head into those woods, armed with nothing more than their wits, Ryuto's magic, and Roland's limited sword skills.
Part of him wondered if he was being reckless, if he should listen to his father's warnings about staying close to the estate and not taking unnecessary risks. But the other part of him, the part that yearned for adventure, couldn't back down. This was his chance to finally prove to himself that he was more than just a sheltered noble.
He clenched his fists, determination flooding through him. I'm going to do this. I'm going to prove I'm not just a kid who needs protecting. I'm going to be an adventurer.
The thought filled him with a sense of pride and excitement. For so long, he had felt like he was living in the shadow of his family, his father, the duke, and his older brother, Edwin, both off fighting a war while he was stuck here. But that was about to change.
Tomorrow, everything would be different.
The next morning, Ryuto barely contained his excitement. He and Roland had agreed to meet at the edge of the forest after breakfast. The whole plan was simple, go in, investigate the strange noises, and get out before anyone realized they were gone. Nothing too dangerous. Nothing that would get them in trouble.
Of course, Ryuto wasn't entirely sure what to expect. The villagers' stories were vague and inconsistent, everything from rumors of wild beasts to hauntings. But he wasn't about to let a few spooky tales deter him. This was the moment he'd been waiting for.
As he finished breakfast, Ryuto did his best to act normal, though he could feel his mother's eyes on him. Seraphina had always been incredibly perceptive, and even though Ryuto hadn't said a word about his plan, he had the feeling she could sense something was off.
"Ryuto," Seraphina said, her voice calm but probing, "you seem eager this morning. Is there something on your mind?"
Ryuto froze for a moment, then quickly plastered on an innocent smile. "Oh, no. Just, uh, excited to get some practice in with Master Kaelin today. We're working on more controlled spells."
Seraphina smiled warmly, though there was a hint of skepticism in her eyes. "I see. Well, remember to focus. Master Kaelin has high expectations for you, and it's important that you learn to control your magic fully."
Ryuto nodded quickly, trying to brush off her concern. "Of course, Mother. I'll make sure to focus."
She reached across the table and gently patted his hand. "Good. Just don't push yourself too hard, alright? You're still young, and there's plenty of time for you to grow into your abilities."
Ryuto suppressed a sigh. He knew she meant well, but hearing that he was "still young" only made him feel more determined to prove otherwise. He wasn't going to spend his life waiting for permission to do things. He was ready now.
As soon as breakfast was over, Ryuto grabbed his small travel pack, stuffed with the bare essentials, and slipped out the back entrance of the estate. The servants were busy with their morning routines, and Celeste was thankfully occupied elsewhere. He quickly made his way to the edge of the estate grounds, where Roland was already waiting for him.
"Ready for this?" Roland asked, grinning as he adjusted the short sword strapped to his waist.
Ryuto grinned back, his excitement bubbling to the surface. "You bet. Let's go find out what's making those noises."
The two of them headed into the forest, their footsteps light on the dirt path. The woods surrounding the Velclair estate were thick with towering trees, their branches casting dappled shadows across the forest floor. Birds chirped overhead, and the distant rustle of leaves in the breeze filled the air. It was peaceful, at least for now.
As they ventured deeper, Ryuto couldn't help but let his mind wander. This was it, his first taste of adventure. He and Roland might not be full-fledged adventurers yet, but this was a start. In a few short years, they'd be joining the guild, taking on quests, and facing monsters together.
"I still can't believe we're actually doing this," Roland said as he kicked a fallen branch out of the way. "You think it's just some animal scaring the villagers?"
"Probably," Ryuto said, though he couldn't deny that part of him hoped it was something more exciting. "But whatever it is, we'll handle it. If it's just an animal, we scare it off. If it's something else, we'll figure it out."
Roland laughed. "You sound like a real adventurer already."
Ryuto smirked, feeling the adrenaline rush through him. "That's the idea."
After about an hour of trekking through the forest, the atmosphere started to shift. The birdsong that had filled the air earlier had faded, replaced by an eerie stillness. The trees around them seemed thicker now, their branches knotted together like the gnarled fingers of an old crone. A low, persistent wind rustled through the leaves, though it didn't feel like the kind of breeze you'd welcome on a warm day, it was cold, almost unnatural.
Ryuto paused, narrowing his eyes as he scanned the area. "You feel that?"
Roland nodded, his hand instinctively moving to the hilt of his sword. "Yeah. It's too quiet."
The strange stillness sent a shiver down Ryuto's spine. He knew this was supposed to be a simple scouting mission, but something about the atmosphere felt… off. Like they weren't alone anymore.
Suddenly, there was a sharp crack in the distance, like a branch snapping under the weight of something heavy. Both boys froze, their eyes darting toward the sound.
"What was that?" Roland whispered.
Ryuto's heart began to race, and he felt the familiar surge of mana bubbling beneath his skin. He took a deep breath, trying to keep his emotions in check. If there was something out there, they needed to be smart about this. Running headfirst into danger wasn't the best idea, especially when he hadn't fully mastered his magic yet.
"Stay close," Ryuto whispered back, raising his hand slightly in preparation to cast a spell. His fingertips crackled faintly with electric mana, the faint energy dancing between his fingers.
The two boys moved slowly toward the source of the sound, their footsteps cautious and deliberate. The deeper they ventured, the more oppressive the atmosphere became. The trees loomed overhead like silent sentinels, and the wind that had been whispering through the leaves now felt like it was pressing against them, urging them to turn back.
But Ryuto pressed forward. He wasn't going to let a little eerie atmosphere scare him off. This was their first adventure, he wasn't going to back down now.
As they neared a small clearing, Ryuto suddenly caught sight of movement between the trees. His eyes locked onto a dark, shadowy figure, too quick to get a clear look at. It darted behind a tree, then vanished into the shadows again.
"There!" Ryuto hissed, pointing in the direction of the movement.
Roland's grip on his sword tightened. "You sure? I didn't see anything."
"I'm sure," Ryuto whispered. "Something's out there."
They crept closer to the clearing, and as they approached, Ryuto felt his pulse quicken. Whatever was out there, it wasn't just an animal. The shadow had moved too quickly, too deliberately. His heart raced with a mixture of fear and excitement.
This was it, their first real encounter with the unknown.
As they stepped into the clearing, the wind died down completely, and the eerie silence became deafening. Ryuto and Roland stood shoulder to shoulder, scanning the trees for any sign of the mysterious figure.
And then, without warning, a low, guttural growl echoed through the clearing.
Both boys turned just in time to see a pair of glowing eyes emerge from the darkness, followed by a hulking creature covered in dark fur, its body twisted and malformed. The beast's mouth was full of jagged teeth, and it snarled at them with a primal fury that sent a wave of terror through Ryuto's chest.
"Is that, ?" Roland started, his voice trembling.
"A corrupted wolf," Ryuto finished, his voice barely a whisper.
The wolf's growl deepened as it crouched low, preparing to pounce.
Ryuto's mind raced. He had faced magical mishaps and practiced spells, but this was real combat. There was no time for hesitation. His mana surged to life, and his hands glowed with blue energy as he prepared to defend them.
"Get ready!" Ryuto shouted as the beast lunged.
The corrupted wolf lunged forward, its glowing eyes locked on Ryuto and Roland as it let out a terrifying snarl. Time seemed to slow as the beast's massive form hurled toward them, its dark fur bristling with aggression.
"Move!" Ryuto shouted, his instincts kicking in as he pushed Roland to the side.
The beast's claws slashed through the air, barely missing Ryuto as he dodged out of the way. His heart pounded in his chest as he scrambled to his feet, adrenaline surging through him.
"Roland, get back!" Ryuto yelled, already feeling the familiar buzz of mana crackling at his fingertips.
Roland staggered back, drawing his sword, but it was clear he was as startled by the wolf's appearance as Ryuto was. "What is that thing?!" he gasped, his voice trembling with both fear and excitement.
"It's corrupted, warped by dark magic," Ryuto said quickly, recalling what he had read in his Flamefox App about such creatures. "They're not supposed to be this close to town."
The wolf growled again, baring its jagged teeth as it crouched low, preparing to strike once more. Its eyes glowed with a strange, unnatural light, and the air around them seemed to grow colder.
Ryuto's hands pulsed with energy as he focused on a spell. This wasn't like practicing with Master Kaelin, this was the real thing. His control was still shaky, but there was no time to think about that now. He had to act.
With a deep breath, Ryuto extended his hand toward the wolf, feeling the surge of electric mana building in his palm. "Stay back!" he warned.
The wolf charged again, its growl deepening into a feral roar.
Ryuto clenched his fist, and with a flick of his wrist, he unleashed a bolt of lightning. The energy crackled through the air, striking the wolf square in the chest. The beast yelped in pain as it was knocked back, its fur singed by the electric surge.
But the attack wasn't enough to take it down.
The wolf snarled, shaking off the hit as it circled the clearing, its eyes glowing even brighter now. Ryuto could see the dark magic that pulsed through the creature's veins, it was corrupted in a way that made it far stronger than any normal animal.
Roland, regaining his composure, stepped forward, sword raised. "I'll distract it, hit it again when you've got another shot!"
"Be careful!" Ryuto called as Roland rushed toward the wolf, his sword flashing in the dim light of the forest.
The beast turned its attention to Roland, growling as it lunged once more. Roland swung his sword, barely grazing the wolf's side, but it was enough to draw the creature's attention away from Ryuto.
"Now, Ryuto!" Roland shouted, dodging the wolf's snapping jaws.
Ryuto's pulse raced as he summoned another bolt of lightning, focusing all his mana into the spell. His hands glowed brightly, the air around him crackling with energy as he aimed at the wolf once more.
The wolf snarled, its glowing eyes locking onto Ryuto.
"Take this!" Ryuto yelled, releasing the lightning bolt with all the power he could muster.
The bolt struck the wolf again, this time hitting it squarely in the side. The creature yelped, its body convulsing as the electric energy surged through it. With a final pained snarl, the corrupted wolf collapsed to the ground, twitching as the magic left its body.
Ryuto and Roland stood frozen for a moment, both breathing heavily as they stared at the now-motionless creature.
"Is it… is it dead?" Roland asked, his voice shaky.
Ryuto nodded slowly, feeling the aftereffects of the spell in his hands. "Yeah… it's over."
The two boys stood in stunned silence, the adrenaline slowly fading as they processed what had just happened. Their first real fight, and they had won. Ryuto felt a strange mix of pride and exhaustion wash over him.
"That… was insane," Roland said, finally lowering his sword. "I thought that thing was going to tear us apart."
Ryuto wiped the sweat from his forehead, his heart still racing. "Yeah. It was stronger than I expected. That dark magic, it made it way more dangerous."
Roland sheathed his sword, shaking his head in disbelief. "So that's what adventurers face all the time, huh? Man… we've got a long way to go."
Ryuto smiled despite the exhaustion. "Yeah, but we handled it. We're getting stronger."
Suddenly, before Ryuto could say another word, a soft chime echoed in his mind, followed by the unmistakable voice of the system.
[Level Up!]
Congratulations, Ryuto Velclair. You have leveled up.
Ryuto froze, his eyes widening in shock. He hadn't expected this. He'd known the system tracked his abilities, but this was the first time he'd heard it speak to him so directly. The voice was soft, feminine, and soothing, but there was a power behind it that made his heart skip a beat.
Roland didn't seem to hear it, he was busy examining the dead wolf's body, but Ryuto's focus was entirely on the system now.
Current Level: 2
Stat Points Available for Allocation: 5
A small holographic screen appeared in front of Ryuto's eyes, visible only to him. His stats were laid out before him in clean, precise rows, along with a glowing prompt to allocate his new stat points.
Ryuto's heart raced with excitement. This was it, his first real level up. He scanned the options quickly, knowing exactly where he needed to focus.
His magic control was still a problem. Despite the raw power he had, he lacked the finesse to fully control it, and that had nearly cost them the fight. And then there was his physical strength, he'd noticed how easily he got tired during the battle. He needed to be stronger, not just magically, but physically too.
Allocate Points
1. Magic Control
2. Strength
Without hesitation, Ryuto placed 3 points into Magic Control and 2 points into Strength. As soon as he made the selections, he felt a sudden, almost tangible surge of power. His muscles tightened slightly, his body feeling lighter, more responsive. At the same time, the mana inside him felt more stable, less chaotic. It was as though the system had smoothed out the edges of his magic, giving him better control over his abilities.
Stats Updated
Magic Control: +3
Strength: +2
Ryuto clenched his fists experimentally, feeling the difference already. His control over his mana felt sharper, and his body felt stronger, more grounded. It wasn't a massive change, but it was noticeable enough to give him confidence.
He grinned to himself. This is what I needed.
"Hey, you alright?" Roland's voice snapped Ryuto back to reality. He turned to see his friend looking at him with mild concern.
"Yeah," Ryuto said, still smiling. "Better than ever."
Roland raised an eyebrow but didn't push further. "Good, because we should probably get out of here before anyone else shows up."
Ryuto nodded, feeling more confident than ever. "Right. Let's head back."
As they walked through the forest, Ryuto couldn't help but feel a new sense of purpose. The fight with the corrupted wolf had been a wake-up call, he had a long way to go, but he was getting stronger. The system had acknowledged it, and now he had even more power to draw from.
This is just the beginning, he thought, excitement surging through him once more. One day, I'll be one of the greatest adventurers this world has ever seen.
With that thought, he and Roland slipped back toward the estate, the thrill of adventure still buzzing in their veins.
They left the corrupted wolf's body behind, knowing that it would eventually be discovered by the local patrols. For now, their focus was on getting home without drawing attention to themselves.
The walk back through the forest was quieter, the adrenaline of the fight slowly wearing off. Ryuto felt the weight of the battle in his limbs, his mana reserves drained from the two lightning spells. He hadn't expected to use so much power so soon.
"I still can't believe we fought that thing," Roland said, shaking his head. "We're not even official adventurers yet, and we've already taken down a monster."
Ryuto smiled. "That's just the start. We'll be doing this for real soon enough."
By the time they reached the edge of the estate, the sun was beginning to dip low in the sky. They had been gone longer than expected, but thankfully no one seemed to notice their absence. The guards at the estate gates gave them only a passing glance as the boys slipped back onto the grounds.
As they approached the mansion, Roland gave Ryuto a playful nudge. "So, when's the next adventure?"
Ryuto chuckled, though his mind was already racing with possibilities. "Soon. We'll keep an ear out for more rumors."
Roland grinned. "Can't wait."
That night, as Ryuto lay in bed, staring up at the ceiling, he replayed the events of the day over and over in his mind. The rush of the battle, the surge of magic, the thrill of victory, it all made him more certain than ever that he was meant to be an adventurer.
But there was still something nagging at him.
The corrupted wolf had been dangerous, more dangerous than any normal creature should have been. The dark magic that had warped it felt unnatural, and Ryuto couldn't shake the feeling that it was just the beginning of something larger. Something more dangerous.
He sighed, closing his eyes. Whatever it was, he would deal with it, soon. For now, he had proven that he was ready to take on real challenges. His journey was just beginning, and nothing was going to stop him from reaching his goals.
With that thought, Ryuto drifted off to sleep, dreaming of the adventures yet to come.