We wander through the Emerald Forest, over a week into our journey since my last battle. Grindan insists on more scouting before we leave, so here we are, following a narrow path heading west. Grindan, Frey, and I lead the way on horseback—Grindan in the center, Frey to my left, and me on the right—while the rest of the squad trudges along behind us. Being a high-ranking knight has its perks, like riding instead of walking, but right now, my thoughts are consumed by more personal matters.
Frey hasn't spoken to me since… that night. The night I woke up next to her, naked.
I try to start conversations, but at camp, she always manages to stay out of my way. Now, with the quiet forest around us and Grindan's focus elsewhere, I figure this is my chance. I signal Grindan, who wordlessly urges his horse forward, giving me room to pull back and ride next to Frey.
"Hey," I say, my voice low but hopeful.
She doesn't glance at me, her gaze fixed ahead, her posture tense as she guides her horse.
"Are we good? You've been acting weird ever since that night."
"This isn't the time, Kairos," she says curtly, her tone cold.
"And when will it be the time? You've been avoiding me for days."
She finally turns to face me, her eyes sharp and filled with unspoken emotions. "How about when we leave the forest?"
I sigh, understanding the message loud and clear. For now, I let the matter drop and return to my position at the front.
"Master, are you all right? Your mood affects Eden, and there's a storm brewing," Nalia's silvery voice whispers in my mind, soothing yet filled with concern.
"I'm fine, Nalia," I reply, though I know she doesn't believe me. "Sorry about the storm. How's Eden?"
"Eden thrives, my lord," she replies, her tone brightening slightly. "However, Ego believes you need to increase your mana capacity."
"My mana capacity? Why?"
"Though Eden is safe under your protection, Ego thinks with more mana, you could create subordinates to summon in battle," she explains.
So, this is about strengthening my position as ruler. I'm not sure how I feel about it, but Ego rarely voices unnecessary concerns.
"All right. How do I increase my mana capacity?"
"I believe consuming the mana of weakened beasts would suffice," Ego chimes in, his deep voice brimming with childlike excitement.
"Consume their mana?" I muse. "Interesting. Fine, I'll start working on it. Keep an eye on Eden for me in the meantime."
"Understood, Master," they reply in unison, and the link between us fades.
Left alone with my thoughts, I sigh again. Balancing my duties as a knight and my responsibilities to Eden is draining. Nalia and Ego, for all their wisdom, can be as demanding as children craving their parent's approval.
Suddenly, a piercing shriek shatters the forest's silence. The horses beneath us rear in panic as a massive shadow looms overhead. My heart sinks as I realize what it is.
"Dragon!" Frey shouts, drawing her sword in one swift motion.
"Take cover, men!" Grindan commands, his voice steady even in the chaos.
Before we can act, the dragon unleashes a torrent of flames. The air becomes unbearably hot, and my instincts scream at me to move.
"Protect thy children, O Goddess of Light!"
A voice rings out, and an enormous shield of light appears, blocking the dragon's flames.
"Divine Spear!" another voice booms. A colossal spear of pure light shoots through the air, striking the dragon and sending it crashing to the ground with a deafening thud.
As the dust settles, two figures emerge, standing atop the fallen beast. My eyes widen in recognition. One of them is my former teacher.
"Evander," I say, shocked to see my old mentor deep within the Emerald Forest.
"Hello, Kairos," he says with that uneasy smile of his. "It's been a while."
"Who are you?" Grindan asks, his voice still and filled with authority.
"We apologize for our manners," the woman next to Evander says. She is slender, in her late forties, wearing glasses and a white robe with gold embroidery. "I am Millek, and this is Evander. We were sent here to guide you to our base."
Grindan's face shifts to shock, followed by a brief silence.
"Evander? As in the Vice Commander of the Blue Dawn?" Frey exclaims, breaking the tension.
"Wait, Vice Commander?" I ask, staring at him in awe.
"The one and only, kids," he replies, his huge smile sending chills down my spine. How could he be Vice Commander, and I didn't know? My father never once mentioned it.
"We should get going. It'll be dark soon, and this area gets crowded with monsters at night," Millek says.
She and Evander lead the way, and we follow behind. I still can't believe Evander is a Vice Commander. Does that mean he held back more than I thought when he trained me? My thoughts wander as we ride, and I begin to phase out.
"Hey, man, you all right?" Grindan asks, noticing my absent expression.
I nod, and he acknowledges it. After a few hours on the road, we finally reach the Blue Dawn's base.
"Kairos!" A familiar voice pulls my attention as I dismount. I turn to see Drefan approaching, waving his arms. He looks different—his hair grown out, his body sharpened by countless battles.
"It's been a long time, brother," he says, pulling me into a hug.
"Indeed, Drefan. You look well."
He lets out a loud laugh that startles the horses. "I know, right?" he jokes. A smile curls on my lips as I realize that despite his appearance, Drefan hasn't changed a bit.
"By the way, brother, the commander wants to see you."
My father wants to see me? What for? I wonder as I stroll to his tent.
"Hello, Father," I greet him. He is surrounded by scrolls, his face buried in a map. At the sound of my voice, he looks up hastily, nearly jumping out of his seat to hug me.
"Hello, son. How have you been?" he asks, his voice filled with concern and a hint of guilt.
"I'm all right, Father. Don't worry. How's Mother?"
"She's well. She misses you, of course," he replies, a grin breaking across his face.
He looks happy, but I can tell he's masking his true feelings. He's always blamed himself for my assignment to the DuskHounds—a unit often seen as a death sentence. But I don't hold it against him. It was either that or mana imprisonment, and I prefer my freedom.
"I miss her too."
My eyes catch battle plans spread across his table. "What's that for?" I ask, my curiosity piqued.
He glances at the plans, then back at me, his expression grim. "That's why I called for you," he says, moving to the map. "An all-out war is about to start, and I've been asked to select those I deem fit to lead the frontlines."
I stare at him, understanding the gravity of the situation. He struggles to ask the question, knowing full well the risks involved.
"As a High Commander, I want you to lead the frontlines," he says. "But as your father, I don't want you to."
He looks me in the eye, his gaze steady. "Which side of me will you follow?"
The question catches me off guard. This is my chance to etch my name in legend, to make a mark. I've never had that in my old life. But I understand my father's worry—not just for me but for my mother if anything were to happen.
I weigh my options carefully. I was sent to this world with no purpose, free to carve my path. Up until now, I haven't done a great job of it. This is my chance to change that.
"I don't wish to worry you or Mother, but I'm a knight of this kingdom, and I can't walk away from this call," I say, my voice firm. "I want to carve my path and etch my name in history—just like you."
My father stares at me, his expression shifting to awe. A smile breaks across his face, and he nods.
"Very well, then, Knight," he says. "Stay alive and make the world remember you."
Thrilled by his approval, I salute him and leave the tent. This war will be my chance to prove I'm more than an uncontrollable liability. It's time to make my mark.