Three years had passed. Kana, Suri, and Boris were now fifteen.

  In that time, they had grown—not just in age, but in power and skill. They’d successfully cleared a low mid-level dungeon, and even managed to re-clear it a year later when it was restored. Through those experiences, Kana finally understood why most adults in the village had such low-level skills. Without her unique perk that multiplied experience, reaching level 10 might have taken her over a year. Dungeons were few and far between near their village, and competition for them could be fierce.

  Now, their levels stood as follows: Kana at 18, Suri at 17, and Boris at 15. They did not gain any new skills but their based stats increased and no items were dropped again.

  Physically, they’d changed too.

  Boris, once the smallest in terms of height, now towered over both girls. He’d inherited his father’s build and height, broad-shouldered and strong. Suri had grown more feminine, her mannerisms more graceful and measured—almost noble. Her crimson hair had lightened slightly over the years, making her stand out even more, and her pale green eyes sparkled with wit. Whether it was a joke, a secret, or subtle disdain, her gaze always seemed to be one step ahead. Boys, both in the village and the nearby town became crazy over her.

  Not that she cared.

  She ignored them all, flashing smiles that meant nothing and returning to her usual self only to Boris and Kana.

  Kana, meanwhile, had become the shortest of the trio. Her jet-black hair was wilder than ever, untamed and defiant. Unlike Suri, Kana had no love for dresses or gowns—she favored a sleeveless dark tunic, her armor lacquered in a blood-red hue that echoed the color of her sharp eyes. Her forearms were wrapped in cloth over hidden steel, her shins protected by gleaming metal guards.

  At that moment, Kana and Boris were sparring as usual, the clash of spear and dagger echoing through the training ground. Suri watched from a shaded bench under a tree, surrounded by a small crowd of boys. None dared approach too close—she barely acknowledged them. Every now and then, she’d offer one a polite, meaningless smile. It only made them fall harder.

  Their bout came to a halt when the rhythmic clatter of hooves echoed through the village.

  A carriage, bearing the crest of the Kingdom, rolled in through the main path.

  “Is that today?” Suri asked, rising to her feet.

  “Oh! The academy!” Kana’s eyes lit up. She’d been waiting for this. She had devoured every book in the village, and even in the nearby town, but it wasn’t enough. She’d heard the academy’s library was legendary—some books written entirely in English, others rumored to contain lost truths, and professors who claimed to understand the divine language: the voice of God.

  A knight in polished armor stepped down from the carriage, holding a scroll. He handed it to the village chief with a curt bow.

  The chief unrolled the parchment and cleared his throat. “Boris. Suri. Kana. This year, you are to attend the Academy. Bring your invitation, and a few basic necessities—clothing, provisions, and your preferred weapons.”

  The knight nodded, then turned away, leaving the scroll with the chief.

  For a moment, none of them moved. Then Kana’s mouth curled into a grin.

  ……

  The village was quiet on the day of their departure—quiet, but not without feeling. Though most people didn’t say it out loud, a subtle sadness hung in the air. After all, the stubborn trio—Kana, Suri, and Boris—were finally leaving. They were proud of them, of course. But they would surely miss them.

  Kana and Suri embraced their mothers tightly near the edge of the village.

  “You girls be careful,” Suri’s mother whispered as she brushed back a strand of red hair. “And write to us.”

  “I’ll try,” Suri said, though they all knew letters were slow and rare.

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  Kana’s mother didn’t speak much. She just hugged her daughter longer than usual, her fingers tightening slightly before letting go.

  Boris, on the other hand, wasn’t so lucky. His father didn’t hug him—he scolded him.

  “You listen, boy. Don’t go picking fights with nobles. Don’t chase girls, and—”

  “I get it, I get it!” Boris yelped, dodging past his father mid-rant and sprinting toward the carriage as fast as he could. “Sorry, Chief! Can’t hear you!”

  The village chief chuckled, raising his hand to wave farewell, but Boris had already thrown himself inside the carriage.

  The journey to the capital city wasn’t long—thankfully. Their village was relatively close compared to others in the kingdom, and the trip would take less than a week by carriage.

  Still, the ride was dull.

  The forests gave way to endless rolling plains. Occasionally they passed a rocky outcrop or a distant flock of sheep, but otherwise it was wind, grass, and silence.

  That night, they stopped near a cliffside, pitching camp under a pale sky smeared with stars. The wind was cold, so they gathered around a modest campfire, flames flickering against their faces.

  Boris, always the curious one, broke the silence. “Hey, Jor... how did you become a knight?”

  Jor, the armored knight who rode with them as escort, was polishing his sword beside the fire. He looked up at Boris and raised an eyebrow.

  “You wanna be a knight?”

  Boris shrugged. “I mean… yeah. Why not?”

  Jor gave a short chuckle, then leaned back. “Well, first—you’ve got to graduate from the Academy. That’s not so easy part. Then, if you’re lucky, you get a chance to challenge one of the captains. Beat one—or at least impress them—and maybe they’ll sponsor you.”

  “Just like that?” Boris blinked. “Sounds kinda simple.”

  Jor snorted. “Simple? Try surviving a duel with a captain. And pray you don’t end up challenging a psychopath. Some of them enjoy putting rookies in their place.”

  Kana listened quietly, her fingers resting on her dagger hilt, her eyes reflecting the firelight.

  Suri, on the other hand, was scribbling something in her notebook—perhaps thoughts, perhaps illusions ideas.

  “Better if you know someone,” Jor added, stretching. “Connections get you places faster than talent alone. But if you’ve got both… you’ll go far.”

  Silence returned for a moment, broken only by the crackling of firewood.

  Jor glanced at her, then gave a slow nod. “ Maybe, I am already promoted to Captain by the time you submit your application and since I know you folks, I may easily give you a pass but you must graduate first. We’ll see, kids. We’ll see.”

  …

  After six long days on the road, they finally arrived.

  The capital city towered before them like something out of a storybook—a stark contrast to the sleepy towns they had known. The walls loomed nearly fifty feet high, made of stone so thick and ancient it looked like they’d been carved by giants. Banners flapped along the battlements, catching the wind in loud, crisp snaps.

  Even before the carriage reached the gate, they saw the crowd—merchants, travelers, nobles in embroidered cloaks, farmers with carts of goods. Dozens of people, maybe hundreds, were either trying to get in or out, guarded by a small army of city watchmen. The guards moved with practiced efficiency, checking documents, inspecting goods, lifting tarps and barrels without breaking pace.

  Kana leaned forward out the window, eyes wide. “That’s… a lot of people.”

  “Too many,” Boris muttered, pulling back as someone nearly bumped into the carriage. “Do they ever sleep?”

  “Not in a place like this,” Suri replied softly, her pale green eyes absorbing every detail—the banners, the armor of the knights, the structure of the gate, even the expressions of the guards.

  Their carriage came to a halt in line.

  Jor knocked lightly on the window. “Stay seated. I’ll handle the inspection.”

  True to his word, the moment a guard approached, Jor stepped out and handed over a sealed scroll. The guard glanced at the royal crest on the wax, nodded once, then waved them through with little more than a glance.

  The carriage rolled forward.

  As they passed under the massive gate, the stone arch swallowed them in shade—and then, suddenly, sunlight again.

  The capital city opened before them.

  Buildings of white stone and red-tiled roofs stretched in all directions, some four or five stories tall. Cobblestone streets branched like veins, leading into open markets, fountains, and wide plazas bustling with life. People moved with purpose. Horses trotted past. Carriages rattled by. Music floated from some street corner while the scent of roasted meat and baked bread drifted from somewhere unseen.

  It was overwhelming but not for Kana, she had seen busier and bigger cities but she could not fully remember it.