The day I had wished would never come… had finally arrived.
I carefully packed everything Mother had instructed me to bring. Becoming an Adventurer requires courage, discipline, and long training.
My little sister, Alera, sat beside me on the bed as I folded my clothes. Her eyes sparkled—not with joy, but with the tears she was holding back.
"Are you going to leave us, Big Sister?" she asked in a tiny voice, barely a whisper.
I knelt beside her and gave her a gentle smile. "Of course not! I'll visit whenever I can. I promise."
She tried to smile, but her lips pouted.
Just then, Mother came into the room. She knelt down, placing a warm hand on Alera's head. "Your sister isn't leaving us forever," she said kindly. "She's just going on a new journey. One that will make her stronger."
I looked at both of them—my brave, strong mother and my sweet little sister—and felt a weight in my chest. I didn't want to leave either of them. But this path had already been chosen.
With a final, loving glance at my family and my bags finally packed, I stood up tall. This wasn't just the beginning of my training. It was the beginning of my life as an Adventurer.
I gave them one last hug and kissed them both—Mother on the cheek and Alera on the forehead. A rush of warmth and sadness swelled in me. Part of me didn't want to let go.
Then came that heavy feeling in my stomach—the nervous kind that you get before something big happens. I was scared too.
As we went down the stairs together, Mother called out from behind, "Are you sure you're not going to eat?"
"I have bread, Mother!" I replied, grinning, already halfway to the door.
Mother followed me to our door, her eyes glistening. She raised her hand and called out with love and strength in her voice, "Be careful, Klera! May the Creator guide you!"
Those words—spoken so loudly and full of meaning—stayed with me.
I stepped outside and waved my hand back to them. Then I turned toward the front entrance of Raphen Village, where the road would take me to a new life.
Around my neck, I wore Father's amulet. Mother had given it to me last night. It shimmered faintly, as though it carried secrets and promises I hadn't discovered yet.
As I approached the village entrance, I saw the familiar faces of my neighbors gathering there. They were smiling, some waving, others holding baskets or tools in their hands.
"Good luck, Klera!" they called.
Their voices wrapped around me like a soft blanket. I smiled, waving at them with both hands.
"Thank you, all!" I said, feeling my heart swell with gratitude. I would miss this place—my home.
Then I noticed another figure near the edge of the crowd.
It was the young man who had also been chosen by the General. He was standing quietly with his parents, saying his goodbyes. His mother hugged him tightly. His father gave him a firm handshake and nodded.
When he was done, he walked toward me, carrying a pack of bags just like mine.
Before either of us could speak, the Village Chief approached us, smiling gently.
"May the Creator bless you both," he said, lifting his hand in a blessing. "Your paths will not be easy. But they are important."
He looked at me closely and added, "I didn't see your mother in the crowd. She must be too sad to say goodbye."
I nodded slowly, glancing back toward our house. "Yes... she already said what she needed to," I whispered.
Suddenly, the sound of hooves and wheels broke the quiet.
A wooden wagon pulled by two strong horses came rolling toward us, a man riding beside it. He wore a brown cloak, and his boots were dusty from travel.
The Village Chief turned to us. "This wagon will take you to the Divine Academy. It's a long ride—be safe."
We both nodded, lifting our heavy bags into the back of the wagon.
As we climbed aboard, the villagers waved to us again.
"Goodbye!" I shouted, my voice cracking slightly.
The wagon jerked forward and began to move.
Beside me, the young man looked over and smiled a little. He extended his hand.
"I'm Hebrew Velano," he said. "Nice to meet you."
I took his hand, gripping it firmly.
"Klera Ward," I replied. "Nice to meet you too."
And with that, our journey began.:
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As We Traveled Toward the Academy
The wagon rolled along the dirt road, and the gentle rocking made the wooden wheels creak softly. We had only just started our journey, and already my heart was racing.
"I'm so nervous!" Hebrew blurted out suddenly, gripping the edge of the wagon.
"Me too," I replied with a small smile. My hands were sweaty, and my stomach was filled with butterflies.
The two of us sat in the back of the open wagon, our travel bags beside us. We looked around as the world slowly passed by.
We soon passed a familiar sight—the tall statue of Archangel Gabriel, the divine messenger. His wings stretched high toward the sky, and his hand held a scroll of truth.
The statue wasn't that far from the village's entrance, and I always felt comforted seeing it whenever Mother and I went to the market to buy supplies and food in the Capital City.
Then there was the statue of Archangel Michael, which stood near the edge of the Forbidden Woods. Together, these two statues created a magical barrier that protected Raphen Village. Though invisible to the eye, every villager believed it shielded our home from dark forces and monsters.
As we left our village behind, the road slowly widened, and the trees thinned. The air smelled fresh, filled with the scent of earth, wind, and faraway flowers.
We chatted about the Academy, wondering what it would be like—what classes we'd take, what kind of magic we'd learn, and whether the other students would be friendly.
Eventually, the road led us to a long stone bridge.
At the end of it stood the towering Capital City of the Pallet Kingdom.
Two armored guards stood tall at the entrance, their eyes sharp, holding steel spears. As we approached, the giant gates creaked open slowly, revealing something I had only dreamed of…
A breathtaking view of the Capital.
Our wagon entered the city with a soft rumble. The streets were alive with energy. People bustled through the markets, their voices blending into a chorus of life. Vendors called out, offering their goods—colorful fruits, spices, and glowing bottles of potions.
The air was filled with smells of roasted meats, fresh bread, and magical incense.
Silks in every color fluttered in the breeze. Weapons gleamed under the sun, enchanted and humming with magical energy. This was nothing like our quiet village.
The Capital City road divided into three highways.
Taking the road to the left led to three towering buildings:
The Grand Palace, home of the Royal family, stood tall and majestic, with golden spires reaching toward the sky. It was the heart of the Pallet Kingdom's leadership—a symbol of power, history, and royal legacy.
The Arena echoed with energy, known across the kingdom for its thrilling magical duels, team fights, competitions, and public tournaments. Its high stone walls, it is the Kingdom's entertainment.
The Arcane Court of Justice loomed like a fortress of law, its black stone towers etched with glowing runes. Here, the most powerful Adventurers, judges, and enforcers passed sentences on those who broke magical laws, keeping balance between magic and order across the land.
Taking the road along the Middle Highway leads to the Adventurer's Guild and possibly other public areas of the Capital.
The Adventurers' Guild a grand, stone-built hall buzzing with energy, where all classes gather. Inside, quest boards are filled with missions—some simple, others dangerous. This is where brave souls come to accept jobs from the kingdom, earn coin, gain rank, and prove their worth. Known as the starting place for many legendary Adventurers, the Guild is both a home and a battlefield in itself, where friendships are made, rivalries are born, and futures are forged.
Taking the road to the right led to a quieter part of the Capital.
Here, the noise of the market faded, and the city calmed. A peaceful Church stood with wide, open doors, welcoming all who sought rest and prayer. The scent of fresh flowers and softly burning candles drifted through the air, offering comfort to both citizens and travelers alike.
Next to the Church stood a large, second guarded gate—this was the path that led to the Divine Academy, where the chosen youth of the kingdom trained to become future defenders of the realm.
In the Capital City of the Pallet Kingdom, statues of the Archangels can be found all across the city. They are placed in important places—near the gates, on busy streets, and even in quiet gardens—so that everyone can feel their presence. When people enter or leave the city, they always pass by these holy statues, as if the Archangels are watching over them.
At the very center of the city, there are five large statues standing proudly in a circle. The statues of the Five Archangels, known as the protectors of our Kingdom. Many say their watchful eyes keep the Kingdom safe from harm. People often stop by to pray, leave flowers, or simply feel the peaceful power that surrounds them.
The statues remind everyone—young and old—that the Archangels are always protecting the Pallet Kingdom against the dark terrifying creatures of the Abyss.
The Academy was located just outside the Capital City, not far from here. Our wagon took the road to the right, and the sound of the bustling market slowly faded behind us. We headed toward the second gate.
The guards opened it.
The trees returned on both sides of the road, and the air felt calmer now. I took a deep breath and looked up at the sky—it was bright and clear, like it was blessing our journey.
After a long journey.
We reached a red brick bridge. Our wagon rolled across it, and beyond stood the towering gates of the Divine Academy.
Massive iron gates stood open, revealing a breathtaking courtyard in golden morning light. The air was filled with the soft hum of voices, rolling wagon wheels, and the distant noises of the horses' feet. But what caught everyone's attention first were the giant statues scattered across the courtyard—towering figures carved in gleaming white stone.
These were the statues of the Five Founding Archangels, standing proudly in key positions around the Academy grounds. Each one looked as if it had been welcoming us to the Academy. I already feel safe when I always see their statues glowing in divine light, capturing not just their appearance but their essence.
Other wagons and carriages had already arrived. Some were just pulling in, filled with young students like us, each carrying bags and wearing nervous smiles. It was clear—we were not alone.
I looked at Hebrew. He looked at me.
"This is it," he said, voice shaking with nervousness.