Morning arrived with the scent of fresh bread and the distant chatter of villagers preparing for the day. I had spent the night testing the remnants of my power, but it was clear—this mortal shell was weak. Rebuilding my strength would take time.
Lyria knocked on the door. "Kael, are you awake?"
I opened it to find her holding a basket of bread and fruit. "I thought you might be hungry," she said with a smile.
I took the basket, my gaze lingering on her. She was kind, unreasonably so. Mortals were rarely selfless without reason. "Why are you helping me?" I asked.
She tilted her head. "You needed help. Should I have left you in the ruins?"
I considered her words, then shook my head. "No. That would have been... inconvenient."
She laughed. "You're strange."
As we ate, she spoke about the village, how Eldoria was once part of a great kingdom but had fallen into obscurity. The age of magic had faded, replaced by steel and coin. Few believed in gods anymore.
A slow, bitter smile crept onto my lips. How quickly mortals forgot.
But they would remember soon enough.
A Test of Strength
Later that day, Lyria took me to the village square, where a small crowd had gathered around a wooden notice board. "What's happening?" I asked.
"A monster hunt," she explained. "A rogue beast has been attacking livestock near the forest. The village chief is offering a reward to anyone who can slay it."
I stepped forward, scanning the notice. The description was vague, but it was likely a mana beast—a remnant of the old world, creatures born from the fading magic.
A perfect opportunity to test my strength.
"I'll take the job," I declared.
Lyria's eyes widened. "Wait, what? You just woke up yesterday! You're not even a hunter!"
I smirked. "Does that matter?"
Before she could protest, the village chief approached. He was an older man, his face worn by years of hardship. "You wish to take on the beast, stranger?"
I nodded. "Where was it last seen?"
He studied me for a moment before sighing. "Near the eastern forest. Be careful. Others have tried and failed."
I turned to leave, but Lyria grabbed my wrist. "Kael, this isn't a game! That thing could kill you!"
I looked into her worried eyes and, for a moment, considered her words. But then I smirked. "Don't worry. I don't plan on dying."
With that, I walked toward the forest, ready to remind the world what true power looked like.