The dawn painted the sky in shades of orange as Leonhardt finished checking his equipment. His sword was well sharpened, his attire was comfortable and sturdy, and he carried enough provisions for several days. He felt a mix of excitement and nervousness; this would be his first real mission outside his home.
Standing before the grand gates of the family estate, his father, Garet, watched him with crossed arms, his expression stern but carrying a hint of pride.
—Remember, this is an escort mission. Your priority is to ensure the caravan's safety. Don't look for unnecessary fights, —he warned firmly.
Leonhardt nodded with determination.
—I understand, Father.
Garet placed a hand on his shoulder and looked him straight in the eyes.
—Do not underestimate bandits or the beasts of the road. Stay alert and trust your instincts.
Beside him, Evelyn and Seraphina were also ready. Both had decided to accompany him to support him in his first mission. Saya, however, would stay behind at the house, as she still didn't feel safe exposing her identity outside.
When they reached the meeting point, they found a group of merchants surrounded by a small contingent of hired guards. The leader of the group, a burly man with a thick gray beard, introduced himself as Randal.
—Ah, Master Garet's reinforcements. Excellent. I don't want any trouble along the way, so your presence is more than welcome.
Leonhardt observed the caravan. Four wagons loaded with goods, surrounded by a dozen workers and merchants. There weren't many combatants, making their protection even more crucial.
The Journey and the Threat in the Shadows
The first few hours passed without incident. The dirt road cut through a dense forest, with the sounds of birds and the creaking of wheels filling the air. Evelyn moved ahead to scout the front, while Seraphina patrolled the flanks with her bow ready. Leonhardt stayed near the wagons, using his Vision of Statistics to detect any threats.
When the sun reached its peak, a strange sensation crawled down Leonhardt's back. He activated his ability and saw multiple silhouettes hidden among the trees.
—Ambush!— he shouted, drawing his sword.
In an instant, a rain of arrows descended upon the caravan. The guards raised their shields, while Evelyn deflected projectiles with her sword and Seraphina fired precisely at the attackers.
From the trees, a group of bandits emerged with weapons in hand. They weren't mere thieves but experienced mercenaries. One of them, a tall man with a scar across his face, stepped forward with a confident grin.
—Well, well. What a surprise. We have some pups playing at being warriors.
Leonhardt adjusted his stance and raised his sword firmly.
—If you don't want to get hurt, leave now.
The bandit burst into laughter.
—You've got guts, but that won't save you.
In the blink of an eye, the man attacked with surprising speed. Leonhardt barely blocked in time, but the force of the impact pushed him back. Evelyn intervened with a precise counterattack, forcing the enemy to retreat. Meanwhile, Seraphina took down two attackers with well-aimed shots.
But the bandits weren't backing down. One lunged at Leonhardt, forcing him to dodge. Using his Vision of Statistics, he noticed a flaw in the attacker's stance and countered with a precise strike to the side. The bandit grunted in pain and collapsed.
Awakening a New Power
In the midst of battle, Leonhardt felt something different. His Eye of Destiny activated in an unfamiliar way. For a brief moment, he saw glowing lines running across his enemy's body as if marking their weak points.
"Is this a new ability?" he thought in amazement.
He decided to test it. Adjusting his attack, he aimed his sword at one of those lines. His blade pierced through the bandit's defenses with surgical precision, bringing him down instantly.
The remaining enemies, seeing their leader fall, began to retreat. The battle was over.
Reflections and New Decisions
The merchants expressed their deep gratitude to Leonhardt and his group for protecting the caravan. However, deep inside, the young blacksmith knew that something had changed.
—That ability of yours… —Evelyn commented as she approached—. It's impressive.
Leonhardt nodded, still processing what had happened.
—I need to understand how it works better. It could be a great advantage in combat.
The journey continued, but in his mind, Leonhardt was already charting new paths to strengthen himself. This mission hadn't just been a test but another step in his growth as a warrior and protector.