Dawn broke gently, the sun’s first rays spilling like liquid gold across the eastern sky. Birdsong filled the air—a cheerful chorus as the forest’s small hunters began their daily search for food. By the time Eira emerged from her tent, Dain had already prepared a simple breakfast. A pot of mushroom soup steamed gently over the embers of the campfire.

  “Good morning,” Dain greeted her with a soft smile.

  Though he hadn’t slept, his eyes were clear. Sentry duty was a fundamental part of a Royal Guard’s life; a single night under the stars was a minor feat for an elite knight.

  “Good morning, Dain,” Eira mumbled, her voice thick with sleep. She sat heavily on a log, staring blankly at the trees. “It’s so peaceful here,” she sighed.

  Dain handed her a bowl of warm soup. “Still half-asleep, huh? Eat up. We have a long walk ahead of us.”

  A moment later, Arsha emerged from her tent, stretching languidly in a sheer, silky nightdress that left very little to the imagination. “Good morning, you two,” she said through a wide yawn. Spotting the pot, her eyes lit up. “Oh! Is breakfast ready? You’re such a good boy, Dain.” She winked, her tone dripping with playfulness.

  Dain stiffened, fighting a rising blush. “I’ll… go do some stretching,” he muttered, standing up abruptly and turning away to hide his face.

  “What a cutie,” Arsha laughed.

  Eira, now fully awake, stared wide-eyed at her master’s attire. “Master!” she squealed, a deep blush creeping across her own cheeks.

  “What is it, Eira?”

  “Yo-your dress!”

  “Oh, this? I can give you one if you like.”

  “No! Not like that!” Eira squealed in embarrassment.

  After breakfast, they set out for the Masay River. As they walked, Eira practiced the Lightning Bolt, but she was already pushing her limits. She focused her will, trying to cast four separate strikes at once. The effort was immense; while she managed to shape the mana, the bolts were weak and her aim suffered.

  “You’ve already grasped the principle of shaping lightning,” Arsha said, watching with an impressed smile. “That’s advanced.”

  “It’s all thanks to your teaching, Master,” Eira replied humbly.

  “I don’t think so. You understand the nature of magic and mana on a deep level to even attempt your own variations. I wonder where you learned that,” Arsha mused, her curiosity piqued.

  “My mother introduced me to magic,” Eira said, her tone softening. “She taught me the basic principles of mana and spellcraft. But…” Her voice grew heavy. “After she died on the Black Night, I had to rely on books to keep learning.”

  “Sadness doesn’t suit such a beautiful morning,” Dain interjected gently, sensing the shift in mood.

  “I’m sorry, Eira,” Arsha said sincerely.

  “It’s alright, Master,” Eira said, offering a small, brave smile.

  “How about,” Arsha said, shifting to a brighter tone, “Once we get to the river, we should take a bath together. I’ll even wash your back.”

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  “Together?” Eira asked.

  “Yeah! Dain, you can join us too!” Arsha called out.

  “HELL NO!” Eira shrieked, her face turning scarlet. Arsha roared with laughter while Dain stared rigidly ahead, his ears glowing red.

  “Dain! No peeking, you hear me!?” Eira warned, pointing a finger at him.

  When they reached the Masay River, they found a secluded spot shaded by ancient willows. The water was crystalline, showing silvery fish darting over smooth river stones. While the women waded into the refreshing current, Dain sat under a tree a good distance away, dutifully facing the forest.

  “So, how did you two meet?” Arsha asked, pouring water over her shoulders.

  “We’re childhood friends. We grew up together, almost like brother and sister,” Eira replied.

  “And why did you become an adventurer?”

  “To be a hero,” Eira answered, her voice swelling with pride.

  “A hero?” Arsha almost laughed but caught herself, not wanting to dim the girl’s spirit. “Why do you want to be a hero?”

  “I want to defeat the Black Dragon.”

  “For revenge?”

  “No. To give people hope. I want to eliminate the threats that stop people from living peaceful, happy lives,” Eira explained, her conviction clear and bright.

  “You’re truly beautiful, Eira,” Arsha said softly. She reached out, touching Eira’s smooth cheek before pulling her into a sudden, tight hug. “Inside and out.”

  “What about you, Master?” Eira asked, pulling back. “Why did you become an adventurer?”

  “Just for the money!” Arsha laughed, a carefree sound that echoed over the water.

  “Ehh?” Eira’s face fell in disappointment.

  “Come on,” Arsha splashed her playfully. “Let’s finish this quest and get back to the city before dark.”

  The Pakorian leaves were easy to find, growing in broad, fragrant clusters near the riverbank. Known for their use in repelling household insects, the trio gathered a sizable bundle. As they worked, Eira also began collecting other plants, delicate blue starflowers, sprigs of bitterwort, and clusters of silver-root, stuffing them carefully into a separate pouch.

  Arsha watched with curiosity. “What are you going to do with those extras?”

  “I’m donating them to Soteria Apothecary,” Eira answered without looking up, her fingers gently securing a fragile stem.

  “???”

  “They’re experimenting on a cure for an illness that can’t be healed with magic,” Eira added, her voice softening.

  “I see.”

  “Do you know any details about it, Master?”

  “I’ve heard rumors,” Arsha said, her playful tone gone. “The infected are usually adventurers who’ve encountered the Warlock. Many died. Survivors… often contract the illness you mentioned.”

  “The Warlock, huh?” Eira murmured. “Fina mentioned them once. Humanoid monsters that use a different form of magic.”

  “That’s exactly it,” Arsha confirmed. “Major clans and the Royal Guards are working together to investigate them. I think their goal is to capture it alive. The Church is also rumored to be working on a cure.”

  Eira glanced at Dain to see if he was aware of this Royal Guard operation, but he only shook his head slowly.

  “The King is probably trying to keep this incident from the public,” Arsha added.

  “To avoid causing a panic among the civilians,” Dain concluded.

  “Yeah.” Eira’s face grew serious, her mind whirring. Dain recognized the familiar mannerism; she began to gently bite the tip of her thumb, a sure sign she was deep in analysis.

  “What is it, Eira?” Dain asked.

  “Huh?!” she started, pulled from her thoughts.

  “What are you thinking about right now?”

  “Well…” she began hesitantly. “I want to help. I want to assist the Church with their research too.”

  “I don’t think the Church would allow a Bronze-rank sorcerer to participate in a secret mission of that level,” Arsha mentioned gently.

  “That’s true,” Dain added.

  “But,” Arsha continued, “if you want to improve your healing magic and build a connection with the Church, you could enroll in their Seminary."

  “Seminary?” Eira tilted her head.

  “It is the training grounds for aspiring Priests and Clerics.”

  Eira’s eyes widened. “Really?”

  “The Church warmly welcomes healers. They’re accepting batches twice a year, I believe. You can ask Enya for the details.”

  Eira’s eyes widened with a bright, hopeful smile. “Thank you, Master!”