Kaelen, Morris, and Ethan trudged out of the Veilwood forest, their bodies worn from the relentless battle against the horde of ferocious beasts. The forest’s shadows were slowly retreating behind them as they stepped into the clearing, the sun’s dying rays casting long shadows over the earth.
Each of them bore the marks of their struggle—dirt, minor scrapes, and sweat lined their faces, but their expressions were resolute, especially Kaelen’s, whose grip on the Blade of Eternity was firm, even after the chaos of the day.
"Woah! We really outdid ourselves today huh?" Morris exclaimed with a deep breath as he stretched his upper body.
"Isn’t it a good thing? You know that it’s good for our prowess" Ethan replied with a light smirk on his face.
"Well that’s true, hehe" Morris then conceited with a soft chuckle. But all through this time, Kaelen was completely silent as he lost himself in his own thoughts.
As they entered the open path leading back toward the academy grounds, the air felt different. Whispers rippled through the sparse crowd of students and onlookers who had gathered around the edge of the forest, who might be waiting for their friends who are still in the forest or they are about to go in themselves.
Eyes darted toward Kaelen, some with awe, others with curiosity, and a few with barely hidden jealousy. The murmurs grew as more people noticed them approaching.
"That’s him," someone whispered, eyes locked on Kaelen. "The one from the tournament—the one who beat Eldric."
"I heard he’s got some ancient sword or something," another added quietly, voice tinged with envy.
"Yeah, and didn’t he also defeat Guinevere? She’s one of the best fire users amongst the rookies, isn’t she?"
The words floated on the wind, finding their way to Kaelen’s ears, but he kept his face impassive. Though their bodies were worn out from the ordeal, Kaelen, Morris, and Ethan maintained their composure, trying not to draw any more attention than necessary. But it was impossible to ignore the way people were watching them, particularly Kaelen.
Morris walked a little behind him, his brow furrowed in both exhaustion and thought, hearing the whispers himself. He cast a glance at Kaelen, then at the Blade of Eternity, which now hummed softly with restrained power. Even after everything they had been through, the sword still seemed to carry an aura that drew people’s eyes toward it.
Ethan was equally weary but grinned slightly at the attention Kaelen was receiving. He nudged Morris with his elbow, speaking under his breath. "Looks like the champ’s getting famous."
Morris chuckled despite himself. "It’s about time. He’s earned it."
Kaelen, however, remained silent. He could feel the weight of the stares and the whispers, but he didn’t let it affect him. His thoughts were still on the battle in the forest, the Blade of Eternity’s restless hunger, and the mystical shard it had devoured. The sword was quiet now, but there was a shift in it, something deeper, something more powerful—and Kaelen wasn’t sure what it all meant yet.
This 𝓬ontent is taken from fгeewebnovёl.co𝙢.
As they made their way closer to the academy gates, the crowd parted slightly, allowing them through, but the whispers didn’t stop. Some students looked at Kaelen with newfound respect, while others regarded him with apprehension. Word of his prowess in the tournament had spread quickly, and now, combined with his feats in the forest, he had become a figure of growing legend among the students.
Finally, they reached the entrance to the academy grounds, the familiar sight of the towering buildings a welcome relief after the trials of the day. Morris clapped Kaelen on the back with a tired grin. "You’ve got quite the reputation now, huh?"
Kaelen offered a small smile in return, but his mind was elsewhere, focused on what lay ahead. The tournament was far from over, and with every victory, the stakes were getting higher. The whispers of the crowd were just the beginning.
"Hey Morris, what’s your next course of action now that you didn’t get into the top 16 of the tournament?" Suddenly, Kaelen asked with a calm tone. But when Morris heard him, he suddenly paused on his tracks.
"Is something wrong?" Confused by Morris spontaneous reaction, Ethan quickly asked with a concerned look on his face. When Kaelen heard Ethan, he also paused on his tracks and turned to look at the both of them.
"Did I ask a wrong question?" Surprised by the blank look on Morris face, Kaelen quickly asked with a worried look on his face.
"Oh... No, it’s just that I haven’t really thought about what I will do next now that am kicked out of the tournament" Morris eventually answered with a wry smile now on his face.
"Can I suggest on what you should do?" Ethan suddenly asked with an expectant look on his face.
"Please feel free" Morris quickly answered with a pleading look on his face. After taking in a deep breath to put both Morris and Kaelen on suspense for a while, Ethan finally answered.
"Go on a pilgrimage"
"Pilgrimage?" Both Kaelen and Morris asked in unison with a confused look on their faces.
"Yes. In as much I hate to admit it, but you lack the drive to go on the offensive in a battle which is making you look like a punching bag that is overflowing with mana. So what you need right now is to go on a pilgrimage that will transform your battle sense for the better." Ethan explained with a wry smile on his face.
When Kaelen heard him. A strong urge to burst out in laughter suddenly appeared with in him but he resisted with all his willpower as he remained calm and serene outwardly.
"Oh.... You aren’t wrong" Morris said with a wry smile now on his face.
"Which is why I am taking you back to the family first thing tomorrow so that your dad who is the family head can suggest a suitable pilgrimage for you" Ethan said with a determined look on his face.
"Well it’s for my own good so let’s do this" Morris said as his eyes began to burn in fighting spirit. When Kealen saw them, his suddenly had a warm smile on his face.
As Kaelen, Morris, and Ethan approached the academy’s grand entrance, the tension from their exhausting day in the Veilwood forest finally began to dissipate. The trio shared a brief moment of camaraderie, the silent bond forged through countless battles. But there was something tugging at Kaelen’s mind, pulling him away from the present and back toward his unfinished business with General Cao.
They slowed to a halt just outside the gates, where the paths diverged—one leading toward the dorms, the other toward the more secluded residence of General Cao. The distant chatter of students filled the air, but it all seemed far away to Kaelen, whose thoughts were already with his master.
Morris gave Kaelen a curious look, noticing the shift in his demeanor. "Heading back?" he asked, but his tone made it clear he knew Kaelen had somewhere else to be.
Kaelen nodded, adjusting the Blade of Eternity on his back. "Yeah. General Cao’s expecting me."
Ethan grinned, his expression full of mischief despite the fatigue. "Off to train more? Or is it a secret mission this time?"
Kaelen chuckled softly. "Something like that."
"Don’t push yourself too hard," Morris added, his usual calm demeanor slipping into concern. "We’ve been through a lot today. Rest wouldn’t be a bad idea."
Kaelen met Morris’s gaze and gave a faint smile. "I’ll rest later. I got a notice when we were in the forest that General Cao wants to see me. Besides..." he trailed off for a moment, looking down the path that led to the residence, "there’s something I need to figure out. Something about this blade."
Ethan raised an eyebrow, leaning on his hands. "That thing’s got a mind of its own, doesn’t it?"
Kaelen sighed, his hand brushing the hilt of the sword. "It feels like it does sometimes."
Morris clapped a hand on Kaelen’s shoulder. "Take care of yourself. We’ll catch up later."
Kaelen nodded and stepped away from his companions, walking down the path that wound its way toward General Cao’s residence. The further he walked, the quieter the surroundings became. The sounds of the bustling academy soon faded into the distance, replaced by the soft rustle of leaves and the faint hum of magic that always lingered in the air near General Cao’s dwelling.
As Kaelen continued down the path, he felt the familiar weight of responsibility settle over him. The Blade of Eternity pulsed softly at his side, a reminder of the power it held—and the mysteries it still concealed. He glanced back over his shoulder one last time, seeing Morris and Ethan disappearing into the crowd, their figures growing smaller with every step he took.
Turning his gaze forward, Kaelen focused on what lay ahead. General Cao’s residence came into view, its imposing structure surrounded by thick greenery, isolated from the rest of the academy. The air seemed denser here, charged with an energy that mirrored the General’s formidable presence.
Kaelen inhaled deeply, centering himself. Whatever awaited him inside, he would face it head-on, as he always had. He approached the door, reaching out to knock, but hesitated for a moment, feeling the weight of the Blade of Eternity at his side.
Then, with resolve, he knocked firmly. The door opened silently, revealing the familiar interior of the home to a pillar of the academy.