As the morning light broke over the horizon, the Mana Rail made its final approach to the High Kingdom of Riscone. The knights of the kingdom were already prepared and quickly escorted the captured bandits to Riscone's high-security prison. Meanwhile, the train passengers were directed to the kingdom's medic bay for treatment and recovery.
Tobe and Miri, grateful for their safe arrival, stood with the conductor, August Munth, who was already lamenting the extensive damages to the Mana Rail. Feeling a bit responsible for the chaos, Tobe began fishing through his pockets, mumbling something about trying to pitch in—until Princess Tulia stepped in.
With a small smile, she insisted they shouldn't pay a single coin for the repairs after saving so many lives. August hesitated, then sighed, grateful but mildly flustered by the intervention. "If that's the Princess's will, I must not defy it..." he said, trailing off.
Meanwhile, unnoticed by most, Decem Munth slipped quietly away from the Mana Rail, vanishing into the crowd with a determined glint in his eye.
Tobe and Miri finally stepped onto the kingdom's grounds, greeted by a sight more dazzling than they could have imagined. Riscone stretched out before them, alive with the hum of mana-fueled lights and high towers that pierced the sky. Every corner glowed with magical crystals, and bustling streets were lined with people of every race and background.
"Welcome to the High Kingdom of Riscone, the largest and most prosperous kingdom in all of Falroria!" Princess Tulia beamed, her pride shining brighter than the mana crystals floating around them.
"'Largest and most prosperous,' she says…" Tobe muttered under his breath to Miri. "And here you are, barely holding yourself together!" Miri stifled, knowing full well that Tobe was taking it all in with wide-eyed fascination despite his casual tone.
As they neared the palace, the royal guards flanked them, escorting them through the towering gates lined with intricate carvings of past battles. They walked down an imposing hall filled with nobles and soldiers, all standing in silence, their eyes on Tobe and Miri. Tobe tried to appear at ease but had a hard time keeping his mouth shut, shooting Miri little glances, his inner commentary threatening to burst out at any moment.
The King of Riscone, seated at the far end of the hall, rose, his presence both majestic and warm. Princess Tulia stood proudly by his side, her gaze full of admiration as she looked toward Tobe and Miri. The King's deep voice echoed through the hall as he spoke, expressing his gratitude.
"It's an honor to meet the adventurers who saved my daughter and protected the passengers of the Mana Rail," he began, his voice resonating with calm authority. "Your actions were noted by the entire kingdom, especially in defending against the Grey Veil Syndicate."
Turning first to Miri, the King nodded. "Miri Takanashi, your precision with both blade and shield was exceptional—few knights balance such strength with such control." Miri gave a small nod, humbled yet focused.
Then, with an almost amused glint, he turned to Tobe. "And you, Tobe Kusakabe, your innovative and unique use of spellcasting revealed a skillset rarely seen. The Water Lance, in particular, was a remarkable display of mana power."
Tobe grinned sheepishly, scratching the back of his head. "Huh... Water Lance, you know, I was honestly casting it on the moment, but it did do the trick, I guess."
The King chuckled, clearly amused. "Yes, indeed, it did. Now, I'd like to humbly knight you both for your honor. And no," he added with a wink, "I heard from my daughter that you might try to refuse, but I insist."
With a bit of a nervous laugh, Tobe knelt beside Miri, stealing a quick look to make sure he was doing it right before bowing his head. As the King placed the ceremonial sword on each of their shoulders, the room erupted in applause. Rising, the two felt a mix of awe and nerves, each of them suppressing disbelief at being honored so formally.
Once the ceremony concluded, the King gestured to a table nearby, where servants stood with rewards: heavy sacks of gold, two large eggs cradled on velvet cushions, and a royal parchment stamped with the kingdom's seal.
"For your bravery," he announced, "I grant you thirty gold coins each, two rare familiar eggs, and a royal contract permitting the establishment of your own guild."
Miri looked at the bags of gold. "That's… that's a lot of money for doing what we'd have done for free," Miri whispered to Tobe.
"Are you questioning the kingdom's generosity?" Tobe whispered back, barely containing his smug smile.
After the hall emptied, the King invited them to a banquet. "Tonight, you will join us in celebrating the rescue of my daughter and your heroism." While Tobe was steadily putting their rewards into his Space Space storage spell one by one.
That evening, Tobe and Miri entered the grand banquet hall, greeted by rows of tables brimming with extravagant dishes. Every corner was alive with laughter, music, and the hum of magic-infused lights. The King leaned over as they took their seats, his smile warm. "Tonight, Riscone celebrates not just the rescue of our dear princess but the valor of two adventurers whose courage has won the hearts of many."
Throughout the meal, Tobe's storytelling took center stage, his hands waving enthusiastically as he recounted every detail of their journey, from Seturia village until now. The crowd erupted in laughter more than once, especially as he described certain close calls with Miri's no-nonsense gaze fixed on him. Tulia beamed as she listened, adding in her own perspective, the princess clearly proud to be a part of their wild adventure.
As the banquet came to a close, the King raised a glass in toast. "To Tobe and Miri—may their bravery and kindness be a guiding light to all in Falroria!"
In their rooms later that night, Tobe sprawled out on his bed, staring at the high, carved ceiling, still processing the events of the day. It felt surreal to be recognized as knights, rewarded by a king, and toasted by nobles. Meanwhile, Miri, looking out over the quiet gardens from her window, sensed that a larger purpose was calling them forward, one that extended beyond mere adventure.
The next morning, the King summoned them for a private meeting in the throne room. Only he, Princess Tulia, and a few guards were present.
"Tobe, Miri," the King said, gesturing to a map spread on a nearby table, "I must ask if you're willing to take on a new mission. Falroria faces an insidious threat: the Grey Veil Syndicate. They are a shadowy network whose reach extends farther than our current resources can manage."
The King's finger traced over the map, pointing to small towns and cities where trouble had begun brewing. "We suspect the Syndicate aims to destabilize our regions. If you accept, I will provide you with intelligence and resources—and access to our allies throughout the kingdom."
Tobe and Miri exchanged glances, both recognizing the magnitude of the task. Finally, Tobe, with a big smile raising a thumbs up, spoke up. "Well, we managed to knock 'em down until now, so count us in!"
Miri nodded in agreement. "You can trust us, Your Majesty. We'll see to it that the Syndicate's advances will be ceased whenever we'll encounter them on our journeys."
The King smiled, relief evident in his expression. "Thank you both. The Kingdom is grateful."
As Tobe and Miri left the palace, Princess Tulia stopped Tobe as she noticed that he only has one mana glove on, so to balance the mana output control of the mana glove, she uses a bit of mana magic and drew a crest on the palm of his right hand, this crest balances the use of his mana output for only just a bit, and Tobe thanked her for her kindness, as she saw them off with a warm smile, wishing them luck. Just as they were about to leave the palace grounds, two armored figures approached, blocking their path.
The taller of the two, Knight Commander
At her side,
Tobe grinned, already rolling his shoulders, stretching his arms. "Couldn't have asked for a better warmup," he chuckled, casting Miri a wink. She shook her head, but a small smile played on her lips.
They moved to the palace's sandy training courtyard that is built almost like a colosseum, soldiers and palace staff gathering around as an audience. Helrin announced the rules. "No lethal strikes. Go all out. Disarmament also means a loss."
When the signal was given, Miri launched herself forward, shield at the ready, matching Helrin strike for strike. Their weapons clashed, Miri's steady footwork and agility keeping pace with Helrin's fierce momentum. The sound of metal striking metal echoed through the battlefield, each clash reverberating like a drumbeat of war.
Meanwhile, Tobe sidestepped Julius's opening blast of
Julius countered with a swift hand gesture, casting the Wind Orbs to circle around him, deflecting and breaking the Mana Strings. Not missing a beat, Tobe jumped forward towards Julius and struck the ground, activating Explosion Impact. The ground exploded, kicking up sand as a shockwave forced Julius back. But Julius was quick, summoning sharp
In a flash, Tobe switched tactics, using Aqua Control to form a barrier of water in front of him, catching the blades with a fluid twist. "Nice try!" Tobe called, a smug grin spreading across his face. "Looks like my water's denser than your wind!"
At the same moment, Miri felt Helrin's relentless assault push her to her limits. With each swing of the Long Sword, Helrin's strikes came like a tempest, testing Miri's strength and resolve. "You're stronger than I expected!" Helrin admitted, her breath steady despite the exertion.
"Just getting started!" Miri replied, her shield raised to absorb another powerful strike. She shifted her weight and executed a quick Shield Bash, catching Helrin off-guard and forcing her to stumble back.
Tobe seized the moment to create a temporary battlement using Reconstruct, reshaping the sand around him into a makeshift wall. Peeking over the edge, he muttered with a grin, "Aqua Control, Minigun!" before firing a barrage of Aqua Control bursts at Julius, who raised a barrier just in time to block the water projectiles.
"Is that all you've got?" Julius taunted, but his confident facade cracked slightly as he noticed Tobe's playful demeanor. The mage was relentless, weaving in and out of the ground as he prepared his next move.
Miri, encouraged by Tobe's antics, shouted, "Focus, Senpai! We can't let them get the upper hand!" She shifted her focus back to Helrin, launching into a series of agile slashes, strikes, and bashes, each movement fluid and precise. Helrin countered with a quick spin, her Long Sword slicing through the air as she attempted to outmaneuver Miri.
As Tobe continued to bombard Julius with Aqua Control, Minigun, he charged up for a more powerful attack with his free hand. "Firas Bolto!" he shouted, channeling energy into his palm as the orange firebolt began to swell, crackling with power.
"Now, Senpai!" Miri called, timing her next move perfectly. With a swift Shield Rush, she charged at Helrin, distracting her just as Tobe unleashed the fully charged Firas Bolto. The firebolt erupted, transforming into a brilliant orange blaze as it shot towards Julius.
"Mana Barrier!" Julius cried out, raising his wand and forming a shimmering circle of energy just in time to absorb the impact. The explosion sent ripples through the air, creating a cloud of steam that obscured Tobe's view.
"Not bad," Tobe grinned, his eyes gleaming with excitement as he dashed to the side, using his High Jump ability to propel himself above the cloud. He looked down, spotting Julius struggling to maintain the barrier amidst the steam.
"Let's turn it up a notch!" Tobe shouted, summoning Fall Lightning. He raised his hand skyward then bringing his arm back down, and bolts of lightning rained down, targeting Julius's location. The sorcerer was quick to react, summoning wind orbs to disperse the lightning, but not without a few singed edges on the barrier.
On the other side, Miri and Helrin exchanged blows, their combat turning into a graceful dance of strikes and parries. Miri utilized her Agility Up and Defense Up skills, dodging Helrin's relentless attacks while delivering precise counterstrikes. Each clash of their weapons sent sparks flying, but Miri's focus remained unwavering.
"You fight well," Helrin admitted, breathing heavily. "But can you handle this?" She executed a
Miri braced herself, activating her own Shield Block to absorb the impact. The force pushed her back, but she quickly regained her footing. "I'm not backing down!" she declared, her spirit burning brighter than ever.
Miri then decided to cast her Halo Flash ability. With a brilliant flash of light erupting from her halo, she momentarily blinded Helrin. As Miri charged forward, her shield raised high, slamming it into Helrin's midsection, knocking the wind out of her.
Tobe, seeing Miri gain the upper hand, turned back to Julius, who was preparing another spell. "Time for some real fun!" Tobe shouted, charging up for another Firas Bolto on his hand. He felt the energy crackling at his fingertips, glowing brighter as he focused.
"Enough games!" Julius bellowed, drawing multiple mana circles in the air, channeling his magic. "
A massive wave of water surged toward Tobe, forming a dragon made entirely of swirling aqua. Tobe unleashes another Firas Bolto. The firebolt shot out, colliding with the Aqua Dragon. The explosion created a shower of steam and light, momentarily obscuring the entire battlefield.
"Now's the chance!" Miri shouted, sensing the opening. With renewed determination, she surged forward, taking advantage of the confusion to launch a flurry of attacks against Helrin.
"Falling behind?" Miri taunted, delivering a swift kick to Helrin's side, followed by a powerful Shield Bash. Helrin staggered back, struggling to regain her footing.
As the steam began to clear, Tobe spotted Julius, who was busy recovering from the blast. Seizing the moment, Tobe summoned his Mana String again, solidifying a portion of Julius's mana into a tangible string that he could control.
"Got you!" Tobe exclaimed, yanking the Mana String back to pull Julius off balance. "Time for a little fun!"
With a quick flick of his wrist, he directed an Aqua Control ranged blast toward Julius, catching him completely off guard. The water struck him squarely, knocking him back into the sand.
The tide of battle had shifted. Miri pressed the advantage against Helrin, combining her skills with Tobe's magic. "Don't let them recover!" Miri shouted, launching into a powerful Shield Rush to keep Helrin on the defensive.
As Tobe unleashed one final attack, he jumped up to the air and started charging up for a maximum Firas Bolto, the firebolt grew larger, its color shifting to a radiant blue, as he prepared to unleash the full force of his magic upon Julius.
"Together!" Miri yelled, launching herself forward to flank Helrin, ensuring their combined assault would overwhelm both opponents.
With determination fueling their every move, Tobe and Miri stood side by side, ready to bring the fight to an explosive conclusion.
With a surge of adrenaline, Miri felt the power of her Agility Up coursing through her veins again. She dashed toward the staggered Helrin, her heart pounding with purpose. "This ends now!" she shouted, activating Strength Up as she prepared for one final strike. As Tobe launched the maximum charged Firas Bolto towards Julius. "Ice packs won't heal this burn!" The blue sparking firebolt charges forward and comes in contact with the barrier ending up with a massive explosion of blue sparks and smoke almost like fireworks.
In one swift motion, Miri slammed her shield down hard against Helrin's midsection. The impact reverberated through the air, sending the knight flying back, crashing against the coliseum walls with a resounding thud. Helrin slumped to the ground, gasping for breath, the fight visibly leaving her.
"I... I admit my loss," Helrin panted, raising a hand in surrender. Miri stood tall, the weight of her victory settling in as she nodded respectfully toward her fallen opponent.
Meanwhile, Tobe was focused entirely on Julius. As the smoke from his earlier explosion began to dissipate, he noticed Julius struggling to maintain his flickering Mana Barrier. Tobe grinned, seizing the opportunity.
"Lets see if this'll work!" he declared, landing deftly in front of Julius. Without hesitation, he slammed his palm down onto the ground, "Explosion Impact!" causing the earth to erupt in an explosive shockwave of sand and dust. The explosion created a thick smokescreen, blinding Julius and obscuring his vision.
"
Suddenly, Julius felt a tugging sensation at the edge of his mana, solidifying above him. He looked up just in time to see Tobe soaring through the air, powered by his High Jump ability, arms outstretched. Tobe had successfully solidified Julius's mana into Mana Strings, holding onto them tightly as he flashed a smug grin towards Julius.
Julius has visible panic flashing across his face as he recognized Tobe's intent. Desperate to defend himself, he cast four more layers of Mana Barriers above him, reinforcing them with every ounce of mana he could muster. "Not like this!" he cried out, attempting to fortify his defenses.
But Tobe was relentless. With one powerful pull, he yanked himself downwards at incredible speed. "Explosion Impact!" he yelled, focusing all his energy into the soles of his feet as he rocketed toward the ground. The barriers ultimately shattered and exploded beneath him like glass, sending shards of mana flying everywhere.
Tobe smashed through the last layer of defenses and landed directly on Julius, who could only widen his eyes in fear as he felt the impact coming. Tobe's feet connected squarely with Julius's midsection, resulting in a massive explosion that echoed through the colosseum.
The dust and sand settled slowly, revealing Tobe sitting on the ground cross legged, panting heavily, sweat streaming down his face as he caught his breath. The aftermath of the battle had taken a toll on him, but he couldn't shake the exhilaration of victory.
Lying on the ground, Julius struggled a bit to breathe, his armor cracked and shattered, revealing a gaping hole in his chestplate. His abdomen was bruised and battered from the explosion, and he could barely muster the strength to speak. "Well... ugh... I guess... you were... y- yeah... you win, you win... gr- great job..." His voice faded, and with that, he comedically passed out, his body finally succumbing to the exhaustion of battle.
The audience erupted into cheers and applause, the excitement palpable as they celebrated the intense clash between the fighters. Some Riscone guards rushed forward, carefully lifting the unconscious Julius and aiding the weakened Helrin, guiding them toward the kingdom's Medic Bay.
Miri and Tobe exchanged victorious glances, their spirits high amidst the jubilant atmosphere. They had triumphed against formidable opponents, their teamwork shining through the heat of battle.
"Not too shabby for a day's work, huh?" Tobe said, a wide grin breaking across his face despite his exhaustion.
Miri chuckled, her heart still racing. "We did it." she replied, her pride evident in her voice.
Then they both gave eachother a fistbump filled with mutual respect and tight friendships.
The King and Princess, watching from above, smiled with pride as the king addressed to himself "Let today's battle be a reminder that true strength lies not just in power, but in heart and courage. Tobe and Miri, the Kingdom stands behind you and with you."
The cheers echoed through the palace grounds, a celebration of their victory and a promise of the adventures yet to come.
After the mock battle, Tobe and Miri made their way to the kingdom's Medic Bay with Helrin and Julius, their laughter echoing down the halls. The friendly rivalry left everyone invigorated, and the two pairs of warriors basked in the afterglow of their high-energy skirmishes. It felt more like a celebration of their strengths than a competition, each one proud of their growth and skill.
Miri wasted no time diving into a discussion with Helrin about swordplay, eager to soak up the knight's expertise. Helrin, always generous with her knowledge, demonstrated advanced techniques with her Long Sword, movements crisp and precise. Miri was riveted, absorbing every detail of Helrin's explanations on stance, grip, and follow-through, nodding along and occasionally mimicking the techniques herself. Helrin smiled, impressed by Miri's dedication. Their conversation drifted into a more serious realm when Helrin shared recent intel on the Grey Veil Syndicate, hinting at suspicious activity near the kingdom's border towns.
"Nothing's confirmed, but we've been hearing whispers of the Syndicate rallying forces," Helrin murmured, eyes sharp. "Keep your guard up, Miri and Tobe. They're tricky, especially when they operate in small groups."
Miri nodded, her gaze steely with determination. "We'll be ready for them. Thanks for the heads-up, Helrin."
Meanwhile, Tobe and Julius were engrossed in their own animated conversation. They swapped tales of monster encounters, each story more harrowing than the last. Tobe recounted his battle with the Great Wind Wyvern, describing how its immense gusts had nearly blown him off his feet until he'd brought it down with a perfectly-timed Fall Lightning. Julius responded with equal fervor, telling Tobe about a nightmarish encounter with a Rock Golem in a narrow mountain pass.
"And don't even get me started on the Lycan," Tobe chuckled, recalling the Great Lycan's massive claws. "I had to dodge left and right, barely a second to breathe! That thing was relentless."
Julius laughed, shaking his head. "You've got guts, Tobe. Monsters like those aren't for the faint of heart."
The two exchanged a look of mutual respect, both aware that facing such challenges required not only strength but also a willingness to risk everything. After sharing a few more stories and a promise to spar again someday, they parted ways with Julius and Helrin, eager to explore the kingdom together.
With the afternoon sun high overhead, Tobe and Miri ventured into the kingdom's bustling heart, the lively market district. Vendors called out, displaying wares that ranged from fine jewelry and enchanted trinkets to colorful potions and spices from distant lands. Musicians lined the streets, playing lutes and drums that filled the air with cheerful, rhythmic tunes. Tobe and Miri wandered through the stalls, occasionally pausing to admire intricate sculptures, glowing crystals, or rare herbs.
Just then, the smell of sweet treats wafted toward them, leading them to a cheerful vendor with skewers of candied dango. They exchanged knowing glances.
"Dango? Here too?" Tobe and Miri lightly chuckled, as they approached.
"Seems like some things transcend worlds," Miri agreed, sharing his amusement.
They each bought a skewer, savoring the sweet, chewy treats as they continued down the sunlit street. Tobe pointed out a street performer juggling small, floating spheres of light, and Miri nudged him playfully, suggesting he learn a few tricks to "keep things interesting."
The crowd thickened as Tobe and Miri wandered toward the kingdom's famed blacksmith shop, a grand structure with stone walls and an anvil-and-hammer insignia above the door, symbolizing generations of skilled craftsmanship. Just as they were about to step inside, familiar voices drifted out, and they exchanged curious glances.
"Lala? Chisa?" Tobe whispered, surprised.
They peered inside to find their other fellow university friends: Lala Tanahara, Chisa Ikabe, Umi Kakeba, and Toma Kuhugani. Known as the "Vast Star," their party was a unique mix of personalities that somehow worked perfectly.
As if sensing them, each member of Vast Star gradually looked over one by one, recognition lighting up their faces. For a heartbeat, both groups stood in surprise, gazes locked in silent acknowledgment of the strange twist that had brought them all together in this new world. The atmosphere shifted into the warmth of a long-overdue reunion.
This unexpected encounter marked the beginning of a new chapter for both parties—a reunion that would soon lead to shared stories, adventures, and perhaps even some legendary quests to come.
End of Chapter Stats of our Young Adventurers:
Tobe Lvl 54 - (Race Abilities: High Jump, Cat-like Instinct) (Spells: Mana String, Explosion Impact, Fall Lighting, Space Space, Aqua Control, Reconstruct, Firas Bolto)
Miri Lvl 50 - (Race Abilities: Halo Flash, False Judgement) (Skills: Strength Up, Defense Up, Agility Up, Slash, Pierce, Shield Block, Shield Bash, Shield Rush, Bastion Wall Shield, Bastion Weapon Integration)