Nerva and Lucius walked through the quiet night streets of Fallhaven. Streetlights powered by glowing light crystals cast a soft, steady glow along the cobbled path.

  Lucius remained silent, the weight of walking alone with Nerva pressing on him.

  To him, Nerva was more than a mentor; he was the closest thing to a father he’d ever had.

  His real father had other priorities. With too many children to raise, he had sent each one off to different masters at the age of twelve.

  Lucius, the smallest and weakest of his siblings, had been sent far from the Northern Zenith Empire to the mid-sized kingdom of Fallhaven in the far south.

  Nerva had taken him in as an apprentice and trained him for four years.

  Lucius had recently broken through to the Knight realm and was eager to prove himself.

  Hopefully, this will be my chance, he thought.

  Suddenly, Nerva stopped in front of a cozy, weathered tavern.

  Lucius looked up, and his face darkened at the name of the place.

  Above the door hung a wooden sign depicting a naked woman lounging beside the name: Suzy’s Magical Nights.

  “S-s-sir, why did we stop here?” Lucius stammered, his face turning crimson.

  “Haha! You really are a sheltered kid,” Nerva laughed heartily. “Come on in. It’s not what you think.”

  As they stepped inside, a wave of floral perfume and incense washed over them.

  A young, stunning woman greeted them at the entrance with a bright smile.

  “Hello, Sir Nerva. Nice to see you again. Your regular table?” she asked sweetly.

  Lucius shot Nerva a suspicious glance. A regular table? Does he come here often? Pervy old man…

  “Not this time, Marjory. Take us to the second floor, I have a reservation,” Nerva said casually.

  “No problem, sir. Follow me,” she replied, leading them upstairs with a graceful turn.

  As they ascended, Lucius glanced around.

  The main floor was filled with men drinking and laughing, each accompanied by beautiful women of various races.

  At the bar stood a towering, muscular woman with cropped brown hair and arms like tree trunks.

  She caught sight of Lucius and winked, blowing him a kiss.

  Lucius stumbled, bumping into a nearby table.

  The woman laughed heartily.

  “Who’s the cutie pie, Nerva? Can I borrow him for the night?” she called out, her voice surprisingly soft and melodic.

  Nerva laughed deeply. “Calm down, Suzy. Maybe next time.”

  He grabbed the flustered Lucius by the shoulder and guided him up the stairs.

  Wait… that’s Suzy? As in Suzy’s Magical Nights? Lucius nearly fainted.

  And did he say ‘next time’? No. No way. There won’t be a next time! he swore to himself.

  Seeing his expression, both Marjory and Nerva burst into laughter as they entered a spacious room on the second floor.

  A large round table stood at the center, already set with food and bottles of drink.

  The room was empty, for now.

  “This is it. I’ll send the others up once they arrive,” Marjory said with a smile, giving Lucius a curious glance before leaving the room.

  Nerva took a seat at the large round table and pulled out the chair beside him, gesturing for Lucius to sit.

  “So, what do you think?” Nerva asked, a grin tugging at the corner of his mouth.

  Lucius sat down slowly, his face pale. “No. No, sir. Please, no. I’d rather go to the mines,” he blurted out, eyes wide with panic.

  Unable to hold it in any longer, Nerva laughed loudly, pounding the table with amusement.

  “You crazy boy, what did you think that this was a brothel?”

  Lucius shifted uncomfortably. “Well… isn’t it?”

  Nerva laughed heartily. “No, not at all. This is the main hub where adventurers come to buy and sell information. Everyone here is at least a Knight or a Magus. Every major city has a place like this.”

  He smirked. “Of course, you’re nearly an adult now, so we could visit a brothel later if you’re curious.”

  “No, no, no need!” Lucius blushed furiously. “But… what’s with the name? And that Suzy woman?”

  Nerva chuckled. “Suzy was once one of the best hand-to-hand fighters in the region. But after a bad injury on a mission, she retired and opened this tavern. The name? Well, she’s always had a wicked sense of humor.”

  He grinned. “She did seem to take a liking to you, though. She’s got a soft spot for the young and pretty ones.”

  Lucius flinched. “I’d really rather not…”

  “Don’t worry,” Nerva said, waving a hand. “She’s a good person. Believe it or not, she once beat Theodor in a sparring match back in the day, and tried to claim him as her own.”

  Lucius’s eyes widened. “What!? The king!?”

  Nerva laughed heartily. “Oh yes. Those were the days.”

  He leaned back in his chair, a nostalgic smile on his face. Life was good now, but he missed the edge, the thrill of adventure with Theodor and the old crew.

  The narrative has been illicitly obtained; should you discover it on Amazon, report the violation.

  The memory put him in a good mood, and he launched into a few more stories. Slowly, Lucius began to relax, the tension easing from his shoulders as he listened.

  ***

  As they waited, Lucius grew curious.

  “Sir, if I may ask, why are we meeting here with the rest of the crew? Isn’t this a mission from the kingdom?”

  “With war looming on the horizon, we can’t risk anyone knowing I’ve left the capital,” Nerva replied. “Rond could seize the opportunity to strike. So yes, it’s a mission… but a secret one.”

  Just then, the doors opened. Marjory stepped in, leading two figures cloaked in long, caped robes. Their faces were hidden beneath deep cowls.

  She offered a knowing smile and quietly exited. She was no stranger to secret meetings.

  The two figures approached Nerva and bowed slightly before removing their cloaks.

  Lucius swallowed hard.

  One was Dracorious, a towering, two-meter-tall lizard-like man with pristine white scales and red, flame-like tattoos etched across his upper body. Two longswords rested on his back, their blades the same crimson hue as his markings.

  The other was a human woman. Her dark hair cascaded over her shoulders, framing eyes as blue as the ocean. She looked to be in her twenties, young by knightly standards, considering Knights could live for centuries and Master Knights for millennia.

  She wore a deep green leather bodysuit that revealed a well-trained physique. Daggers were strapped to both thighs, and a short sword rested at her waist.

  Both smiled warmly at Nerva.

  “Evening, Master,” the woman said with a grin.

  “I’m not your master anymore, Zara,” Nerva replied, chuckling. “You might even be stronger than me now.”

  He meant it. He loved all his students, and the stronger they became, the less he feared losing them, something he’d experienced far too often in recent years.

  Dracorious stepped forward, and Nerva rose to embrace him.

  “Long time no see, brother,” Nerva said.

  “Thank you for coming so quickly. You even had to teleport here.”

  Dracorious nodded. “Long time indeed. Naturally, I came. It’s not every day you get summoned by the Shield of the Kingdom.” He chuckled.

  Nerva laughed and turned to Lucius.

  “This young, pretty boy is one of my current students. He recently broke through to Knight level. He’s got talent, but we still need to forge him into a proper warrior.”

  Lucius bowed. “Nice to meet you. I’m Lucius Vero.”

  “Nice to meet you, Lucius,” Zara said with a chuckle. “You don’t often hear Nerva compliment his students.”

  She smiled warmly. “I’m Zara Bellator. I was an orphan, but Master took me in and gave me his name. I’m a Master Knight now.”

  It was customary among warriors in the same party to share their combat level, essential for planning and survival.

  Dracorious stepped forward, his gaze scanning Lucius.

  “Hmm, not bad. Knight at sixteen? He might be ready for the tournament,” he mused.

  “I don’t think so. He’s still too weak,” Nerva interjected firmly.

  “Forgive me, brother. Just thinking out loud.” Dracorious turned to Lucius. “I’m Xarion. Your master and I go way back.”

  Lucius bowed respectfully. The sheer presence of the man radiated power.

  Nerva added with a grin, “He’s one of the strongest and most gifted men I’ve ever known. A Six-Circle Grand Magus and a peak Master Knight. I’d hate to be on the wrong end of his blade.”

  “You overestimate me,” Xarion replied humbly. “We’re descendants of dragons. Magic comes easier to us than to most races.”

  “Don’t downplay your talent and effort. You know I hate that,” Nerva snapped.

  He valued hard work above all, and he knew how relentlessly Xarion had trained in both martial and magical arts.

  “Well, you two sit and eat. We’re still waiting on one more,” Nerva said, gesturing to the table.

  Then, with a curious glance, he asked, “By the way, why did you two arrive together?”

  Zara looked down, whistling a tune, her usual tactic when trying to dodge a question. She couldn’t lie to him.

  Xarion sighed. “I suppose it’s time you knew. We met in Paleria a year ago during a mission. When I heard her last name, we started talking… and ended up traveling together. One thing led to another, and… we’re together now.”

  “WHAT?” Nerva’s aura flared violently. His pupils turned silver, veins bulging around his eyes. He looked like a wrathful god.

  The table trembled as he rose.

  Zara moved like a shadow, instantly placing herself between them.

  “Father! I love him!” she cried.

  She only called him ‘father’ when she wanted to soften him up.

  Nerva’s aura faded. His eyes returned to black.

  “Xarion, I do not approve. She’s still young. You’re nearly five hundred. She’s only twenty-five. Your kind is nearly immortal. We… we barely live a few thousand years, even in the best of cases.”

  Xarion bowed deeply. “I should’ve asked first. But I feared you’d react like this. You know me, I’ve never chosen a partner before. I truly believe we’re meant to be.”

  Nerva stared at him for a long moment, then sighed.

  “Fine. If you mean it, I’ll be watching you both during this mission. If I see you mistreat her…” He smiled coldly. “You won’t like what comes next.”

  He turned to Zara. “Father, huh? Sneaky.”

  She hugged him tightly. “Trust me. He treats me well.”

  Nerva’s heart melted. He had a soft spot only for her.

  “Alright. But if you ever need me, I’ll always be here.”

  She kissed his cheek.

  Lucius, watching it all unfold, was stunned. He didn’t know how to react. His master was truly unpredictable, like a firebomb waiting to explode.

  Then he noticed someone watching from the doorway.

  Marjory had long since fled.

  “I see you’re all still as crazy as ever,” said an old man in a gray robe covered in glowing runes, topped with an oversized wizard’s hat. A bright red grimoire was strapped to his waist with thick leather belts.

  Nerva burst into laughter the moment he saw him.

  Xarion turned, caught sight of the man, and joined in, laughing uncontrollably.

  Lucius and Zara exchanged confused glances.

  “What the hell?” Nerva wheezed between laughs.

  Lucius still didn’t get it.

  The old man pouted like a scolded child. “How did you notice?! Not fair! I was sure everything was perfect!”

  Xarion managed to catch his breath. “Your grimoire. You didn’t hide it. We know what yours looks like; you fool.”

  The old man looked down, slapped his forehead, and groaned. “Stupid, stupid! Such a perfect spell ruined like that!”

  A shimmer of light surrounded him, followed by the sound of glass shattering. His form dissolved like mist.

  In his place stood a short, half-Eldari woman. Her golden hair gleamed under the light. She wore a loose white magical robe that revealed her pale legs wrapped in red stockings, a black short skirt, and a sleeveless red top that clung to her curvaceous figure.

  Lucius and Zara stood frozen, mouths agape.

  Lucius was the first to speak. “The old man was… this lady?”

  Nerva finally calmed down. “This is Liliya. She’s one of our old comrades. An Eight-Circle Grand Magus, master of all kinds of magic… and just a little eccentric.”

  “Hey! Who’s eccentric?” Liliya snapped. “You said it was a secret meeting, so I changed my identity. But nooo, you had to ruin it!”

  She punched the wall in frustration.

  “Aaah! My hand!” It swelled instantly.

  “Life of the Wood, bring serenity. Lesser Heal!” she chanted, and her hand glowed green, returning to normal.

  Xarion chuckled. “Show-off.”

  “So what? Magic’s meant to be used!” she retorted.

  Nerva cleared his throat. “Liliya, close the doors. We’re starting.”

  Everyone settled around the round table. Liliya munched on a drumstick as Nerva began explaining the mission.

  Xarion spoke first. “If Sir Arthraxius has left his lair, that means he’s left this realm. I’m confident he won’t be a problem.”

  Xarion knew the history of every dragon in Eastsun. His race had been created by the Primal Dragon itself; they revered dragons as gods.

  “That’s a relief,” Nerva said. “But that still leaves the beast hordes, and whatever’s causing the attacks.”

  Liliya leaned forward. “Sounds like it started before the dragon left. Something, or someone, is making the beasts unstable.”

  Zara nodded. “From the reports I’ve read, all kinds of beasts are migrating north through the kingdom. This hasn’t happened since the Fallhaven was founded.”

  Lucius remained silent. He felt like a mouse among lions.

  “So, our mission,” Nerva concluded, “is to head south, investigate what’s driving the beasts mad, and help as many villages as we can along the way.”

  “It’ll be dangerous,” he added. “So, rest tonight while you can. We leave at dawn.”

  Thunder rumbled in the distance.

  Lucius walked to the window. “Aren’t those lightning strikes… brighter than usual?”

  Liliya joined him. “Wow. Someone’s using lightning magic during a thunderstorm. That’s insane and dangerous. But effective if you want to strengthen your magic.”

  Xarion frowned. “How can you tell? It’s so far. Even I can’t sense magic from here.”

  “You watch the patterns,” Liliya explained. “Magical lightning has a different fingerprint than natural lightning.”

  Just as she finished, a blinding light exploded in the southern sky, like a bomb had gone off.

  Nerva stood. “Even I felt that. That was magic. Something’s happening down there. We need to prepare.”

  Everyone stared out the window as the storm finally began to calm.

  Far to the south, a boy and a beast sat in the night, the ground around them scorched and razed.

  No one could know what had truly happened there.