The first light of dawn filtered through the dense canopy of trees, bathing the forest in a soft, golden glow. Ryusui stretched, his body still aching from the previous day's events. Bell was already awake, securing his sword and packing a small satchel.
"Ready to head to Baldour City?" Bell asked, glancing at him.
Ryusui nodded.
"Yeah. Lead the way."
They began their journey, the sounds of rustling leaves and chirping birds filling the cool morning air. As they walked, Ryusui took in the sights of the forest—the towering trees with their gnarled roots, the occasional burst of colorful wildflowers peeking through the undergrowth. Sunlight filtered through the dense foliage, casting dappled patterns on the ground, creating an almost serene atmosphere.
Bell broke the silence.
"You're lucky I was nearby, you know. Most people wouldn't have made it through the night, let alone a fight with that wolf."
Ryusui smirked.
"Yeah, I'll remember to send you a thank-you card."
Bell chuckled, his armor clinking softly as he adjusted the strap of his satchel.
"Good luck finding paper out here."
As the hours passed, the forest gave way to open fields. Rolling hills stretched out before them, dotted with patches of wildflowers swaying gently in the breeze. In the distance, Ryusui spotted tall stone walls rising against the horizon, their tops bristling with watchtowers and banners bearing the sigil of Velnar—a golden lion on a crimson field. Beyond the walls, the spires of Baldour City reached toward the sky, their tops glinting in the sunlight.
Ryusui's gaze lingered on the city, a mix of awe and apprehension brewing in his chest.
"That's Baldour City?"
"That's it," Bell confirmed.
"Biggest trading hub in the Velnar Kingdom."
When they arrived at the city gates, Ryusui was struck by the sheer number of people bustling about. Merchants shouted their wares, carts laden with goods creaked along the cobblestone road, and travelers of all kinds hurried in and out of the gates. The air buzzed with energy, a stark contrast to the quiet of the forest.
Bell noticed his awe.
"First time in Baldour City?"
Ryusui nodded, taking in the lively scene.
"It's… a lot to take in."
As they approached the gate, a guard in a steel breastplate and a blue-and-gold tabard stepped forward, his hand resting on the hilt of his sword.
"Stop. State your business," the guard said firmly, his eyes narrowing at Ryusui.
Bell stepped forward with a disarming smile.
"Relax, Erwin, it's me."
The guard, Erwin, nodded in recognition but didn't relax his stance.
"Bell, good to see you. But you know the rules. With tensions rising between Velnar and the Spade Kingdom, security's tighter than ever. I can't just let a stranger in without clearance."
Bell gestured to Ryusui.
"He's with me. Harmless."
Erwin shook his head.
"Even so, it's my duty. Lord Harland's orders. You'll both need to come with me to the Knights' Investigation Department for verification."
Ryusui tensed, his muscles tightening instinctively, but Bell placed a reassuring hand on his shoulder.
"Don't worry. They won't harm us. It's just protocol."
They followed Erwin past the gates and toward the northern side of the city walls. Just beyond the walls, medieval-style military camps sprawled across the landscape. Rows of tents flapped in the breeze, and soldiers sparred in open training grounds. The clang of steel rang out as trainees practiced under the watchful eyes of their instructors.
Ryusui's eyes wandered to the trainee soldier dorms nearby. The stone buildings were plain but sturdy, their small, rectangular windows and wooden doors giving them a utilitarian appearance. Groups of young soldiers milled about, some cleaning weapons, others hauling supplies or engaging in animated conversations.
Inside the investigation department, Erwin led them down a long hallway lit by torches. The scent of burning wood and damp stone filled the air, lending the place an almost oppressive atmosphere. Finally, they reached an office where a knight in a black uniform waited, his silver insignia marking him as a higher-ranking officer.
"This is Captain Darius," Erwin said, stepping aside.
Captain Darius scrutinized Bell and Ryusui, his sharp gaze lingering on the latter.
"You're dismissed, Bell. Thank you for bringing him in," Darius said curtly.
Bell gave Ryusui an encouraging nod before leaving, his expression a mix of reassurance and unspoken caution.
Darius turned to Ryusui, his tone formal but edged with suspicion.
"Come with me."
Darius led Ryusui to a circular room deep within the building. The walls were made of polished stone, their surfaces embedded with ten fist-sized, glowing stones, each radiating a faint aura of a different color. The room was dimly lit, except for the soft glow of the stones, which cast an eerie light across the polished floor.
On the right side of the chamber, a glass window allowed observers to watch from an adjoining room. Behind the glass, several knights, including Darius, stood observing Ryusui.
"This is the Elemental Testing Chamber," Darius said, his voice echoing slightly.
"If you are a spy, any disguise magic will have worn off by now. However, we have protocols to ensure complete transparency."
Ryusui frowned, shifting uncomfortably under the intense scrutiny.
"What do you mean?"
Darius gestured to the stones embedded in the walls.
"These are elemental stones, each aligned with one of the cardinal elements. They react to a person's innate energy. If you're hiding something—or someone—you shouldn't be, the stones will reveal it."
One of the knights whispered to Darius.
"If he's a hybrid, the stones might show an unusual reaction."
Darius nodded, his expression unreadable.
"Stand in the center," he instructed Ryusui.
Ryusui hesitated but complied, stepping onto a circular platform in the middle of the room.
"Now, remain still," Darius said.
The stones began to glow faintly, their colors pulsing as the energies activated. A low hum filled the room as the energies built. Ryusui stood frozen, tension tightening every muscle in his body.
But then… nothing.
The stones dimmed back to their dormant state, their auras fading completely. The low hum subsided, leaving an eerie silence in the room.
One of the knights behind the glass frowned, leaning closer to the observation window.
"None of the stones reacted," the knight muttered, disbelief evident in his tone.
Another knight furrowed his brow.
"That's impossible. Even a normal human resonates with at least one element."
Darius's eyes narrowed slightly as he turned to his subordinates.
"Hybrids are supposed to resonate with at least two elements, aren't they?"
"Yes, Captain," one knight replied.
"This… doesn't make sense."
Ryusui glanced at the glass window, his nerves fraying under their scrutiny.
"Am I… done?" he asked cautiously.
Darius held his gaze for a moment longer, then nodded.
"You may go. You're harmless as far as this test is concerned. But understand this—your lack of resonance is highly irregular. We'll be watching you."
Ryusui exhaled, tension draining from his shoulders as he stepped off the platform. The lack of reaction from the stones might have let him off the hook, but it left the knights with more questions than answers.
As he moved to leave, Darius stopped him.
"Wait. Since you don't have any identification, you'll need this."
He handed Ryusui a simple leather card holder containing a freshly issued identification card.
"Don't lose it," Darius instructed.
"It's your proof that you've been through verification."
Ryusui nodded, taking the card and tucking it away. Darius gestured toward the door, and Ryusui stepped out, relieved to find Bell waiting for him.
Bell leaned against the wall, his arms crossed.
"Done?" he asked, straightening when he saw Ryusui.
"Yeah. It was… weird," Ryusui admitted.
Bell raised an eyebrow.
"Weird how?"
Ryusui hesitated.
"They said I didn't resonate with any element. Isn't that unusual?"
Bell's eyes widened slightly.
"Not just unusual. That's unheard of. Everyone resonates with at least one element—even the weakest of us."
Ryusui frowned, uncertainty gnawing at him.
"What does it mean, then?"
Bell shrugged.
"Beats me. But you'd better figure it out. People don't like what they don't understand."
They walked out of the investigation department, heading toward the bustling streets of Baldour City.
"So, what's your plan now?" Bell asked, glancing at Ryusui.
Ryusui paused, caught off guard.
"I… don't know," he admitted.
Bell smirked.
"Well, if you're lost, there's always the guild's training camp. They're holding a four-month session starting next week."
Ryusui tilted his head.
"A training camp? Can I join?"
"Sure," Bell said.
"The testing is free, and they don't turn away anyone who passes. It's tough, though. Not for the faint of heart."
Ryusui considered this for a moment, then nodded.
"Alright. I'll do it."
Bell grinned.
"Good choice. You'll need a place to stay in the meantime. You can crash at my place for tonight."
"Thanks," Ryusui said, grateful for the offer.
The walk to Bell's home was uneventful, but Ryusui couldn't help noticing how different the city was compared to the modern world he remembered. The cobblestone streets bustled with activity, and the buildings, though made of stone and wood, exuded a sturdy charm.
Bell's house was a modest, two-story structure tucked away in a quieter part of the city. Inside, it was simple but cozy. The main room had a large wooden table surrounded by mismatched chairs, a stone hearth with a bubbling pot, and shelves lined with books and various trinkets.
"You live alone here?" Ryusui asked, looking around.
"Yeah," Bell replied, setting down his sword by the door.
"It's not much, but it's home."
He led Ryusui to a small guest room with a single bed and a worn but clean blanket.
"This'll be your room for tonight," Bell said.
"Thanks," Ryusui replied, sitting on the edge of the bed.
Bell disappeared into another room, leaving Ryusui alone with his thoughts. The day had been overwhelming, and questions swirled in his mind. He lay back on the bed, staring at the wooden ceiling.
'I don't know what's going on, but I'll figure it out,' he thought.
The house was quiet, save for the occasional creak of the wooden floorboards. Just as Ryusui began to drift off, a strange sound broke the silence.
[Ding!]
[Progress… 100%.]
Ryusui shot up, his heart racing.
'What the hell was that?'