The Vale carriage slowed as it crossed into the small lakeside town of Fogward. Mist rolled lazily across rooftops and drifted through open windows like a nosy spirit exploring every corner.
The cobblestone road shone with moisture beneath the late morning sunlight. As the wheels came to a halt near the main square, the house guards finally allowed themselves to breathe.
They had been tense since the forest incident. Being stalked by a Rank A beast they could not see had aged them a few years in a single night. Nobody dared to mention it aloud, but Ethan was sure half of them wanted to retire and open a bakery now.
Empress Seraphina stepped down first, adjusting her hood and blending into the role of a mysterious mercenary effortlessly. Her purple eyes glinted beneath the fabric. If not for that one detail, nobody would imagine this "mercenary" could order an Empire to kneel.
Behind her was Lady Lyra Dareth Vale, whose steps made even the stones feel conscious. Calm. Sharp. Always with the aura of someone who could eat wars for breakfast.
Then came the three children, Ethan, Kael, and Temari. Who sucked in huge lungfuls of air. Traveling with an Empress and a legendary killing machine wasn't exactly good for one's emotional stability. Their brains were still trying to process yesterday's battlefield gore and violence.
Fogward greeted them like a bustling carnival. Lanterns hung between buildings. Confetti littered the streets. Vendors hawked grilled fish, spicy buns, and even pastries shaped like fish with googly edible eyes.
"Great rooms for great nobles!"
"Hot baths! Softest beds!"
"Eat this and you will instantly become handsome!" shouted one particularly confident stall owner.
Kael looked tempted. Temari suspected the vendor sold false hope.
But Ethan's focus was elsewhere. His eyes were glued to the battle report projected by Aimi in his vision.
Mother's kill efficiency: perfect.
Reaction timing: terrifying.
Number of dismembered enemies: disturbing.
However, what intrigued Ethan wasn't his mom's power, he'd accepted long ago that she was basically a cheat code.
But the bandit leader with the ridiculous peacock mohawk.
Element: Earth mutation.
Ability: Metal manipulation.
He could bend metal like clay. Shape armor like water. In a different universe, he'd be the world's coolest blacksmith.
Ethan sighed dramatically.
Bad luck, buddy. You tried to bully the wrong family.
Imagine if I could have convinced him to be my friend instead? Ethan thought. We could have built incredible stuff together. Like a flying battleship with morphing armor! Maybe a robot dragon!
Aimi's digital voice chimed like a patient teacher reassuring a depressed student.
"Do not worry, Host. Metal-attribute users are not that rare. The Academy will be crawling with geniuses. You can recruit someone better."
Ethan felt a spark of hope… followed by motivation.
The Academy will be crawling with geniuses.
He already gathered two loyal minions, maybe he could expand it more in the Academy.
The Vales stayed at a family-owned villa outside the main town. The place had been scrubbed clean by Fogward's residents, polished floors, trimmed hedges, fresh linens aired in the sun.
Fogward adored noble visitors. Nobles brought coins. Coin bought bread. Bread prevented starvation. And if pleasing nobles required a bit of butt-kissing ….. Well, dignity couldn't fill a stomach anyway.
Even the Great Azure Tide festival existed mostly because nobles liked it. Once every ten years, they flocked here for the Academy admission filled with side drama, fishing, magic, money, and gossip.
The town didn't mind. They were ready with smiles, souvenirs, and the occasional fake "ancient relic" from the Misty Lake itself, sold for a thousandfold profit.
......…
Next morning,
"A picnic will relax everyone," Lyra declared.
She sounded like someone who is very experienced in outdooring.
The Azure Moon Tide, the big magical event everyone was here for, was still eleven or twelve days away. So they had time to enjoy themselves. At least, that was the theory.
The Misty Lake was one mile away from town. The closer they walked, the thicker the fog became. Mist curled around ankles like curious cats. The whole place felt enchanting… but also creepy.
Ethan squinted ahead.
"This reminds me of Silent Hill…"
Aimi responded immediately, "Host, do not manifest horror flags."
"Too late," Ethan muttered.
Kael stretched with a grin. "Foggy but fun! Maybe there are fish bigger than me here."
Temari shivered. "Maybe we shouldn't mention giant lake creatures…"
The road wasn't empty like Ethan feared. Many nobles and their maids, servants wandered with picnic baskets. Couples flirted under parasols. A man sold roasted corn from a tiny cart.
Seeing normal humans being normal humans helped Ethan breathe easier.
Then his logical brain kicked in.
The wind is blowing from the lake… but the mist isn't moving.
That was suspicious.
He scooped some mist into his palm and observed its behavior. It clung together, almost resisting separation.
Aimi vibrated with excitement.
"Host! Confirming bizarre mana fluctuations in the vapor. Not natural at all."
Seraphina glanced sideways with a tiny smirk. "I see our little genius has figured out the secret already."
Kael blinked. "There's a secret? Isn't mist just… wet air?"
Ethan looked to Seraphina. "Mana is keeping it together, right? Or the mist is the mana?"
"Sharp as always," Seraphina praised. "The lake is infused with leftover energy from the Starfall Academy. You will understand soon.There is a reason it's called Starfall after all."
Temari raised a hand like a curious student. "Then why build a town here? Isn't this dangerous?"
Ethan gave her a thumbs up. "Good question, Minion Number Two."
Temari pouted. "I am not your minion…"
Lyra answered gently, "Yes, the lake has dangerous beasts in the deep water. Rank 3 or maybe even Rank 4. But the shores are safe. Didn't you enjoy the silver-fish stew last night? That's an exclusive local delicacy of misty lake"
Kael's stomach growled at the memory.
Lyra continued, "The water here helps plants grow faster. Trees mature in a third of the normal time. That is why Fogward thrives."
Ethan nodded. Nature was basically on steroids here.
After a short walk, they reached a clearing, only to find it half-claimed by another noble group.
Duke Marcellus Vauntir and his family were already set up.
A giant pavilion. Cushy chairs. Servants running around like ants.
A whole deer was being roasted on a spit, dripping heavenly fat over hot coals.
Kael inhaled the scent like oxygen. His soul left his body for a second.
Temari grabbed his sleeve immediately.
"No drooling. Behave. We represent House Vale."
Lyra paused and sighed.
"So many… luxury-loving… distractions."
Seraphina whispered, "Don't worry. Marcellus is only interested in money and food. He won't dare interrupt us. Probably."
Ethan whispered in panic to Aimi, "I can't eat Mom's boiled vegetables while that exists right there!"
Aimi responded, "Host, your mother's cooking has balanced nutrition. It ensures a healthier body."
"I don't want a healthier body," Ethan cried inside.
Marcellus Vauntir, round and red-cheeked, was busy slathering sauce all over the deer. His wife and son chomped on fat sandwiches like hungry wolves.
He spotted Lyra from afar.
His hands froze.
Should he greet? Should he run?
Lyra Vale was known to break bones casually.
But… ignoring her would be worse.
Switching on his best salesman smile, Marcellus handed the sauce brush to his son and waddled over.
"Duchess Lyra Dareth Vale! What a pleasant surprise! I trust your journey was smooth?"
Lyra replied politely. "Good Morning, your Grace. Interesting would be a better word. I hope your family enjoys this outing."
"Absolutely! We brought down a deer at dawn. Fresh venison! Why don't you join us? Plenty to go around!"
Kael's eyes sparkled.
Temari locked him down immediately.
Lyra smiled back.
"We appreciate it. But we brought our own food. Something healthier for the children."
Marcellus blinked only once before bursting into laughter and patting his belly so hard waves formed.
"Haha! Good good! Healthy is good! Enjoy then!"
He gave a polite bow and returned to his feast. His eyes did linger briefly on Seraphina's hooded form… those eyes looked familiar…
But nah. He had meat to eat.
Lyra picked a nice shady spot under a small tree. The kids quickly spread a comfy blanket and set cushions.
Lyra opened the basket.
Salad.
Tomato sandwiches.
Boiled beans.
Boiled eggs.
Fruits and nuts. Milk for the kids.
Healthy. Nutritious.
Zero fun.
As the heavenly smell from Marcellus's barbecue curled over like a personal attack.
Lyra and the disguised Empress poured wine into cups and began chatting like noble ladies at tea parties.
Lyra: "House Cinderval brat still acting like a peacock?"
Seraphina: "He tried flirting with a priestess last summer. She threw holy water on him."
Lyra: "Serves him right."
Meanwhile,
The kids ate their joyless food in silence.
Ethan ate a sad tomato slice.
"I can't use magic… and now I have to eat salad. Life is pain," he groaned to Aimi.
Kael stared at Vauntir's deer like a betrayed lover.
Temari tried to stay positive. "The fruit looks yummy…"
But even she sighed eventually.
She looked at the two boys.
Two hopeless faces.
One roasted deer too far away.
Temari let out a long, quiet sigh.