Nearly One Month Later
The forest echoed with the sound of steel slicing through the air.
Several trees lay scattered across the ground, their trunks severed cleanly in half. Standing among them was Mason Grace, gripping his father's blade with both hands.
Sweat ran down his face and dripped from his chin. His breathing was heavy, his chest rising and falling as he stared at another tree standing a short distance away.
He tightened his grip.
Then, without hesitation, Mason charged forward.
His feet struck the ground as he approached the tree. At the last moment, he shifted his stance and swung his blade downward from above.
SHING!
The blade tore through the trunk.
For a brief moment, the tree remained standing. Then a deep crack echoed through the forest as the trunk split apart and the tree collapsed to the ground.
Mason landed a few steps away, his blade still extended.
He stared at what he had accomplished before slowly lowering his weapon.
His strength had improved. His movements were sharper, and his strikes carried more force than they had a month ago.
But he knew he still had a long way to go.
Mason walked to a nearby patch of grass and sat down, placing the blade beside him. He leaned forward, exhaling deeply as he wiped the sweat from his forehead.
He looked at the blade.
"Father… I guess I'm becoming stronger because of you."
His fingers tightened around the hilt.
"I haven't forgotten my promise. I'm going to join the Legion Academy."
He raised his gaze toward the canopy above him.
"I heard the Entrance Tournament was postponed. That gave me enough time to become stronger."
A faint smile appeared on his face.
"Thank you for giving me this opportunity, Father. I won't waste it."
Mason had changed over the past month. His features had matured slightly, and there was a new seriousness in his eyes. The boy who had once struggled to understand the weight of the world was gradually becoming someone determined to face it.
He remained seated for a few more moments before pushing himself to his feet.
"All right. Time to go home."
He walked toward his belongings, picked up his water bottle, and gulped down several mouthfuls. After wiping his mouth with the back of his hand, he secured the bottle and retrieved his belongings.
He slid the blade into its sheath at his waist, then picked up a brown hooded coat and draped it over his shoulders. Pulling the hood over his head, he glanced toward the direction of his village.
"It's been almost a month since I left. I wonder how everyone is doing."
With that, Mason broke into a run.
He moved swiftly between the trees, following the familiar route toward the village he had once called home.
But before he could get far, a desperate voice interrupted the quiet of the forest.
"Help! Somebody, please help me!"
Mason stopped.
He turned his head, listening carefully.
Did I just hear something?
"Please! Help me!"
His expression changed.
"No… I'm definitely hearing someone."
Mason immediately changed direction and sprinted toward the voice. As he approached a clearing, he slowed down and took cover behind a thick tree.
What he saw made his eyes narrow.
Five men stood around a young girl. Chains restrained her wrists, ankles, and neck, preventing her from escaping. Her clothes were dusty, and tears gathered in her eyes as she struggled against her restraints.
One of the men crouched in front of her, examining her with a disturbing grin.
"How much do you think we can get for this one?"
"Who knows?" another replied. "But I've got an idea."
"Oh? What is it?"
"Why don't we have a little fun with her before we sell her?"
The others laughed.
The largest man among them stepped forward, reaching toward the frightened girl.
Before he could touch her, she suddenly threw her head forward.
THUD!
Her forehead struck his stomach.
"URGH!"
The man staggered backward, clutching himself.
"You stupid little brat!"
His face twisted with anger as he raised his fist.
The girl squeezed her eyes shut, bracing herself.
But the blow never came.
A hand had caught the man's arm.
The girl slowly opened her eyes.
Standing between her and her attacker was a young man wearing a brown hooded coat.
Mason Grace.
The large man stared at him in disbelief.
"Who the hell are you?"
Mason looked at him calmly.
"You talk too much for a big guy."
He tightened his grip on the man's arm before releasing it.
"Here's some advice. Go back to wherever you came from if you don't want trouble."
The man glared at him.
"Who do you think you're talking to, you little—"
"I've seen enough trouble this month," Mason interrupted, his voice growing colder. "And I don't think you want to see the anger I've been holding back."
The man's expression darkened.
"You pathetic little—!"
He swung his fist.
Mason moved first.
With a single explosive motion, he leaped and drove his leg into the man's face.
BAM!
The impact sent the larger man crashing to the ground.
Mason landed lightly, his coat fluttering in the wind before settling around his body. His right hand rested on the hilt of the blade at his waist.
The remaining four men stared at their fallen companion.
Mason turned toward them.
"I wouldn't recommend making the same mistake he did."
One of them swallowed nervously before looking at the girl.
"Forget it. She's more trouble than she's worth."
"Yeah. We can find someone else."
Another man reached into his pocket and pulled out a small set of keys.
"Here. Take them. She's useless to us now."
He tossed the keys onto the ground before the group hurried away, dragging their unconscious companion with them.
Mason watched until they disappeared between the trees.
Only then did he turn toward the girl.
He crouched and picked up the keys.
"Hold still."
He unlocked the restraints around her neck, then freed her wrists and ankles. Once the chains fell away, he stood and stepped back.
"You're free to go."
Mason turned around and began walking away.
"W-Wait!"
He stopped.
The girl stood behind him, rubbing her wrists as she tried to find the words to speak.
"Thank you."
Mason glanced over his shoulder.
"For what?"
"For saving me."
He looked at her for a moment before turning away again.
"It's nothing. Just be careful out here."
He resumed walking.
The girl hesitated, watching him move farther away. She wanted to let him go, but there was something she needed to know.
"What's your name?"
Mason stopped once more.
The wind caught the edge of his coat as he turned his head slightly.
"Mason Grace."
He paused.
"Remember it."
Then he ran into the forest, leaving the girl standing alone in the clearing.
"Mason Grace…" she whispered.
She lowered her head, a faint blush spreading across her cheeks.
"Thank you, Mason."
Cinderval — Mason's Village
Mason emerged from the forest and slowed as the village came into view.
For a moment, he said nothing.
The destruction that had once greeted him now looked different. Damaged buildings were being rebuilt, wooden beams were being carried from one place to another, and villagers worked together to repair their homes.
Some cleared debris while others helped reconstruct walls and roofs. Though the scars of the attack remained, life was slowly returning.
Mason stood at the entrance, watching.
A small smile appeared on his face.
Everyone is trying their best to move forward.
He had feared what he might find upon returning. Seeing the villagers working together brought him a quiet sense of relief.
But before he could take another step, a familiar voice called from behind him.
"Mason?"
He turned.
An elderly woman approached him, her hair completely white and her face marked by age and hardship.
It was Mara, Rohan's mother.
Her eyes widened as she recognized him.
"Mason… you're back."
"Grandma Mara."
She walked closer, studying him as though making sure he was really standing before her.
"Come with me. There's something I need to show you."
Without waiting for an answer, she turned and began walking toward her home.
Mason followed.
When they arrived, Mara opened the door and stepped aside to let him enter.
Mason walked inside.
Then he saw it.
A neatly folded uniform lay on the table.
The distinctive insignia of Legion Academy was clearly visible.
He stared at it, momentarily speechless.
"What's this?"
Mara smiled faintly.
"It's yours, Mason."
He turned toward her.
"Mine?"
She nodded.
"Some scouts came here,They were investigating the attack and said they had something for you."
She gestured toward the uniform.
"They called it an apprentice uniform, I believe. I don't remember their exact words, but they told me to keep it safe and give it to you when you returned."
Mason slowly approached the table.
He reached out and lifted the uniform, running his fingers over the fabric.
For a moment, he couldn't speak.
The Legion Academy.
The place Chad had wanted him to join.
The first step toward fulfilling the promise he had made.
"Are you serious…" he murmured.
"Of course I am."
Mara watched him quietly.
"I kept it because I knew you would come back one day."
Mason lowered his gaze toward the uniform.
Mara's expression grew solemn.
"You know, sometimes I used to think I was the only one who had suffered because of that attack."
She paused, her voice trembling slightly.
"I lost my son. My home was nearly destroyed. And there are days when the silence reminds me of everything that happened."
Mason remained still, listening.
"But then I think about you."
Her eyes filled with tears.
"You lost your entire family, Mason. Your father, your sister… everyone you loved. And yet, you're still standing here, trying to move forward."
She took a shaky breath.
"There's only one thing I want to ask of you."
Mason turned to face her fully.
"What is it, Grandma Mara?"
She looked directly into his eyes.
"Please… avenge my son's death."
Mason's expression tightened.
"Rohan was a good boy. He didn't deserve what happened to him. None of them did."
A tear slipped down her cheek.
"That demon took my son from me. He took your family, too. I know you're going to the academy, and I know you're still growing stronger, but please…"
Her voice broke.
"Make sure his death wasn't in vain. When you're strong enough, find that demon and make him answer for what he did."
Mason stared at her.
For a moment, he remembered the village covered in blood, the faces of those he had lost, and Chad's final words.
He slowly folded the uniform and held it against his chest.
"I promise you, Grandma Mara."
His voice was steady.
"I know I'm not strong enough yet. I know there are people out there who are far stronger than I am."
He raised his head.
"But I won't stop trying."
His hands tightened around the uniform.
"Even if I fall a thousand times, I'll keep getting back up. And when the day finally comes that I have enough strength to defeat that demon, I'll make sure everyone who died that day is avenged."
Mara watched him through her tears.
"And I won't stop there," Mason continued. "I'm going to become a Great Elder. I'll do everything in my power to bring balance to this kingdom… no, to this entire planet."
He paused, his gaze unwavering.
"I swear it on my life. Rohan's death won't be something I simply forget. Neither will anyone else's."
Mara covered her mouth as fresh tears streamed down her face.
"Thank you, Mason."
He stepped forward and gently placed a hand on her shoulder.
"You don't have to thank me. I owe everyone who died that day the chance to see their sacrifices mean something."
For a moment, neither of them spoke.
Then Mason looked down at the uniform in his hands.
His journey was finally moving forward.
And he intended to be ready when the time came.
Sunstone Kingdom— Mighty Family Residence
The sound of cracking stone echoed across the training grounds.
Duke Mighty sat on the ground,Sweat covered his face and soaked through his clothes as he caught his breath.
In front of him lay the remains of a massive boulder.
It had been reduced to countless fragments, with only a small piece remaining intact.
Duke stared at the destruction.
"When I fought Varek…"
His jaw tightened.
"I felt weak."
He lowered his head, remembering the battle.
"I kept asking myself whether I was strong enough to join the academy. Whether I could actually stand beside people who were stronger than me."
He clenched his fist.
"Am nothing like my father."
His gaze hardened.
"But I'm not weak. That's one thing I know for sure."
A voice interrupted his thoughts.
"Then get up."
Duke looked toward the entrance of the training grounds.
An elderly man stood there, dressed in the formal black suit of a butler. In one hand, he held a sword.
It was the Mighty family's longtime butler, a man who had served the family for years.
Duke raised an eyebrow.
"What's this about?"
The old man stepped onto the training ground.
"Your training isn't over yet."
He raised his sword, keeping his left hand behind his back. His stance was calm, almost casual, but his blade pointed directly toward Duke.
"Get up. You're going to train with me."
Duke stared at him for a moment.
Then he smirked.
"I don't think you'll be able to keep up with me, old man."
The butler's expression barely changed.
"What makes you so certain?"
Duke rose to his feet.
"You're the only person I've ever known who could keep up with my father. You trained him, after all. But I'm not my father."
"Indeed," the butler replied. "You're not."
He adjusted his grip on the sword.
"And that's precisely why you won't win."
Duke's smirk widened.
"You've got a lot of confidence for an old man."
"I trained your father and defeated him in swordsmanship more times than I can count. I've watched you grow up, and I know exactly how much pride you carry."
The butler took a step forward.
"Now, show me whether there's any strength behind that pride."
Duke's expression sharpened.
"Don't underestimate me."
"I wouldn't dream of it."
The butler's eyes narrowed.
"Now get up properly. I won't give you a second to think once we begin."
Duke crafts his iron daggers on both hands
The injury he had sustained during his battle with Varek had finally healed. His grip was firm, and his arm moved without hesitation.
He rolled his shoulder before taking his stance.
"All right, old man."
His smirk returned.
"I want to see you try."
The butler raised his sword.
Duke tightened his grip on his dagger.
And the training ground fell silent.
To be continued…