The carriage wheels rattled against the cobbled road, shaking the gate with every bump. I lay back, gazing at the sky, letting my thoughts drift far away.
"I hope Norman keeps his promise…" I whispered softly.
Honestly, I never asked for any of this. I just wanted a peaceful life, far from the chaos of the world. I wanted freedom—to wake up without worrying about rules, to walk without someone dictating my path, to live without being tied down to anything.
But now… everything has changed.
I took a deep breath.
Suddenly—
Ihhhhhh!
The horses came to an abrupt stop, followed by the sound of commotion outside. I lifted my head and glanced around.
"Are we here already?"
Yes, we had arrived at Romania Port—one of the largest ports, famous for its trade and sailing routes. The salty sea breeze mixed with the scent of fresh fish and spices carried through the air. Merchants were busy haggling, laborers hauled massive crates onto ships, and a group of children dashed through the streets, stealing bread from unattended stalls.
I stepped down from the carriage with my belongings and approached a merchant tending to his horse.
"Nao!!" he greeted.
"Yes," I replied indifferently.
"I'm leaving you here. This is where we part ways." He lit a cigarette and took a deep drag.
I nodded. "In that case, thank you for bringing me here." I bowed slightly as a sign of appreciation.
"Your ship is No. 145—"
Before he could finish his sentence, a loud voice boomed from the docks:
"Ship No. 145 will depart in 15 minutes!!"
Time to move.
"Well then, I'll be off now, merchant."
Just as I turned to leave, the man called out once more.
"Hey, kid!!!"
I looked back. He simply waved.
I returned a small nod before turning and making my way toward the ship.
—
Onboard, the atmosphere was crowded with passengers settling in. I navigated through the corridors, searching for my assigned room.
"Finally!" I found the right door after wandering for what felt like forever.
Turning the knob, I pushed the door open and—
I froze.
The room was spacious, far more luxurious than I had expected. A large bed with soft pillows, finely carved wooden furniture, and glass windows overlooking the vast ocean. It was as if I were a noble!
I shut the door behind me, then—
"This is insane!!"
I let out a small shout before collapsing onto the bed, sinking into its heavenly softness.
"Finally… I'm alone."
I groaned in satisfaction, stretching my stiff muscles after the long journey. I was exhausted—tired of dealing with people, tired of smiling at passersby… tired of the world.
I pulled the blanket over my head and let out a sigh.
"Hopefully, nothing disastrous happens on this trip…"
But for some reason, an uneasy feeling crept into my heart.
—
I (Zepr) sat on the cold stone floor, my hands bound tightly with steel chains laced with a magic seal. The energy within my body felt completely drained.
"Damn it…" I gritted my teeth, frustration burning inside me.
I had already expected the consequences. That liquid had granted me overwhelming power, making me feel as if I could tear down mountains with a single punch. But it only lasted for an hour. And now? I was nothing more than a caged beast.
Tap. Tap.
The sound of boots echoed against the stone floor. I lifted my head, watching as someone approached.
I recognized that silhouette.
Zareth.
He stood tall, his face calm yet filled with arrogance. As always, he looked at others as if they were mere trash on the roadside. But this time, there was something different.
He was interested.
"Zepr…" His voice was flat, but I could sense the pressure behind it.
I remained silent.
"Tell me." He crouched slightly so our eyes were level. "Who was the kid that fought you earlier?"
I frowned. Why was he suddenly interested in that kid?
Instead of answering, I shot back a question. "Why do you want to know?"
Zareth's expression didn't change. "Just answer me."
I exhaled sharply. As usual, he was pushy.
I took a slow breath, choosing my words carefully. "I don't know his name… but I know his strength." I closed my eyes briefly, recalling the battle. "If I had to compare, I'd say he was on the level of last year's academy students."
Zareth raised an eyebrow.
"You can't be serious," his tone grew sharper.
I opened my eyes, meeting his gaze with certainty. "I am. Based on his fighting style, his techniques, his movement balance… he was at the level of an academy graduate from last year."
Zareth remained silent for a moment. I noticed a faint glint in his eyes—something rare.
"…I see. Thank you."
I flinched slightly. Since when did this arrogant guy know how to say 'thank you'?
He gave a slight nod before turning away, walking off without another word.
I was stunned.
Zareth was really interested in that kid…?
I leaned my head against the wall, deep in thought. I could still remember the kid's final attack—the way he fought, the way he controlled his movements… that wasn't just luck.
A grin spread across my face.
If even Zareth found that kid intriguing… then I needed to meet him again.
A low chuckle escaped my lips, echoing through the stone chamber.
Hahaha… interesting. Very interesting.