And just like that, the deadline arrived.

  The visitors who had arrived more than a year ago finally began to leave.

  Three children were crying uncontrollably, not wanting to separate from Kael.

  “Hey, kids,” Kael said. “I even left you something to remember me by. Goodbyes aren’t forever…”

  “Kael, come with us!” Ronan, Lysandra, and Althea shouted at the same time.

  “Ah, don’t be like that…” Kael replied. “We’ll see each other in about twenty years, what do you think?”

  “WAAAAAAAAAAAAAAA! NO, NO, NO!” the children cried.

  Both heroes and guardians finished their final farewells before departing.

  Freya, when only one person was left to say goodbye to, approached him.

  “Well, kid,” she said with a slight smile. “I don’t think we’ll see each other until the element ceremony or maybe a little before.

  Remember to train every day, stay disciplined, and don’t overexert yourself.”

  “YES, MASTER!” Kael replied. “When you come back, you’ll see how strong I’ve become!”

  Freya looked at him with tenderness and affection.

  “I’ll be looking forward to it…” she said. “And we’ll see if you’re good enough to make me use more than one ability.”

  The visitors climbed into their carriages and headed back to the city of Taratios.

  Now calmer, the hosts finally relaxed.

  “AAAAAAAAAAAAA!” Caria shouted. “No more visitors! Now the mansion is just for us!”

  “And you’re not exaggerating,” Laret replied. “Having so many important people here means a lot of expense, both financial and physical…”

  Laret frowned.

  “Hey, Caria… I don’t know if you noticed there was a small problem with the floor of the main bathroom tub…”

  “Really?” Caria replied. “Then we’ll have to fix it.”

  “Yes…” Laret nodded. “Everyone is very busy. I think we should fix it ourselves.”

  And just like that, almost jogging, the young lords went straight into the bathroom.

  Meanwhile, the guardians and maids watched the scene with neutral expressions.

  “Was it that hard to say ‘how about we take a bath together and do inappropriate things’?” Kael commented without filter.

  “Pfff! Hahaha!” Ken laughed loudly.

  Tana and Holley stared at the young master.

  “Young master…” Tana said. “Where did you learn those words?”

  “That’s right,” Holley added. “A child shouldn’t know or say that.”

  “IT WAS KEN!” Kael shouted, pointing at him.

  The two women rushed at Ken and beat him mercilessly for being a bad influence, while a surprised great lord and the beastman watched the scene.

  “Young master… you are quite mischievous,” Enta commented.

  “Ha, ha… yes,” Kael replied without guilt.

  Garbard turned toward his grandson.

  “Well, boy… now that there are no visitors, this place will have more space and more free time.

  Tell me, do you want to go with me to the city?”

  Kael’s eyes lit up.

  “YEEEEEEEEEEEEEEES!”

  .

  ..

  …

  ….

  …..

  On the way to the center of the city of Cautares went the great lord, two loyal guardians, and a wide escort of soldiers.

  From the carriage window, young Kael watched impatiently, his face almost pressed against the glass, finally ready to see the great city.

  “Calm down, boy,” Garbard said. “We’re just going to make a visit and see how the city is doing.”

  “But it’s my first time here!” Kael replied. “I’ll finally see what it’s like! They never let me go out!”

  When they reached the center, a beautiful and well-kept plaza opened before them. Several fountains, carefully trimmed trees, and many market stalls filled the place with life and color.

  As soon as the people saw the flag on the carriage, they immediately knew who it was.

  Their great lord had come to visit them.

  With great joy, the citizens began to approach, raising their hands in greeting and gratitude.

  The great lord stepped down first, greeting everyone in general and then personally several who came forward to shake his hand.

  With a wide smile and genuine enthusiasm, Garbard welcomed each of his citizens, listening to their words and returning their affection to the people he protected, organized, and helped every year when they needed it most.

  When the crowd finally calmed down and returned to their tasks, the lord was finally able to help his grandson down so they could walk peacefully.

  While several soldiers maintained a secure perimeter, the great lord walked with his two assigned guardians, Ken and Enta, who were also well known in the city.

  Holding Kael’s hand, Garbard guided him through the center so he could see the place.

  When they reached a vegetable stall, Garbard stopped and greeted the vendor warmly.

  “Hello, Neni. I see business is going well.”

  Neni is a woman around forty years old, sturdy and strong like a work animal. Her tanned skin and reddened cheeks reveal years of hard work under the sun and the cold dawn air. She wears her long black hair braided to one side, practical and firm, just like her.

  Stolen from its rightful author, this tale is not meant to be on Amazon; report any sightings.

  She wears simple and durable clothes: a thick light linen blouse under a worn brown leather vest tied at the front. Her hands are large and firm, marked with small cuts from knives, thorns, and leaves. They smell of earth, fresh vegetables, and honest effort.

  “My Lord Garbard!” Neni replied happily. “It’s such a pleasure to have you here!

  That’s right, the harvests were less abundant this year, but they grew strong and good in quality.”

  The vendor soon noticed the small child Garbard was holding by the hand.

  “Oh, my lord…” she said, bowing slightly. “And who is this adorable little one you brought with you?”

  “Let me introduce him,” Garbard replied proudly. “He is my greatest happiness. This is my grandson, Kael.”

  Kael took a small step forward.

  “Good afternoon, Miss Neni,” he said politely. “It’s a pleasure to meet you.”

  A clear look of tenderness took over the vendor.

  “Oh, by the goddess!” she exclaimed. “How adorable!

  The pleasure is mine, young master. So small and so well-mannered… there’s no doubt you are the great lord’s grandson.

  What a blessing to receive such an important visit!”

  Neni gathered several fruits into a basket and offered them to Garbard as a gift for the visit.

  “Oh, Neni,” Garbard replied. “You don’t have to trouble yourself. It’s your merchandise, please let me pay for it.”

  “Don’t worry, my lord,” she answered. “For everything you’ve done and for the lovely visit you brought me, I am more than happy to give this with all my gratitude.”

  Kael looked carefully at Neni’s arms. Her skin looked somewhat dry, surely from constant work and sun exposure.

  “Miss Neni,” he said gently, “excuse me… may I make an observation?”

  “Of course, young master,” she replied. “Go ahead.”

  “I can see that because of your work, your skin has suffered dryness.”

  “Ah, yes…” Neni replied. “Being under the sun all day does that.”

  Kael opened his small backpack and took out a tiny jar with an ointment he had prepared himself.

  “Miss Neni, would you do me the honor of trying a skin ointment I prepared at home?”

  Neni looked at him, confused.

  “Oh, young master… I appreciate your concern, but I don’t have money for something like that…”

  “Oh, no, no,” Kael replied quickly. “It’s a free sample of an ointment I made.

  Please try it on your arms. It’s a gift for the warm welcome you gave us.”

  Moved by the child’s kindness and courtesy, Neni could not refuse.

  “Oh, my little master… you have a big heart.”

  “This year he has been working on products like this,” Garbard added, “to improve people’s quality of life.

  Please try it. Next time we come, you can tell us how it went.”

  “I will gladly try it,” Neni replied. “I am very grateful for this gesture, my great lords.”

  The young master did not leave without receiving an affectionate kiss on the cheek from the vendor, leaving Kael completely satisfied.

  .

  ..

  …

  ….

  …..

  The tour continued through several more streets in the center.

  Kael watched everything with almost greedy attention: the fabric stalls, the open forges, the smell of freshly baked bread mixed with hot metal and old wood. It was a living, noisy, imperfect world… very different from the quiet and orderly peace of the mansion.

  As the great lord passed through different places, he showed him various parts of the city.

  When they walked past a building almost as large as the mansion, Kael became excited instantly.

  “Grandpa! What is that building?” he asked, his eyes shining.

  “Oh, that is the adventurers’ guild,” Garbard replied. “It is the largest in the country, since most of the monster hunting missions and requests take place here in Cautares, because of the Indomitable Forest.”

  Kael’s eyes shone even brighter.

  While Garbard stopped to greet some citizens and merchants, Kael asked eagerly:

  “Grandpa! Can I go see the guild?!”

  “Of course,” Garbard replied. “I’ll go in a moment anyway. Go ahead.”

  Excited, Kael ran toward the guild. Enta moved to follow him, but Garbard stopped him.

  “Let him go alone…”

  “Are you sure, sir?” Enta asked.

  “Nothing bad will happen to him…” Garbard replied. “But I want to see how he reacts to powerful adventurers with intimidating personalities.”

  Kael opened the door quietly, and the first thing he found was a wide reception hall, with several benches and tables where all kinds of adventurers were eating and drinking.

  It didn’t take long for them to notice the small child, who was looking around with enthusiasm and a smile.

  A visibly drunk adventurer stood up and stepped in front of him.

  “Hey, brat… what are you doing here?” he snapped.

  “Oh, hello, good afternoon,” Kael replied. “My name is Kael. I came to visit with my grandfather. It’s a pleasure to meet you.”

  Several adventurers were surprised by the child’s politeness… and by his complete lack of fear toward the man.

  “Hic… you better leave, brat. This is no place for kids like you,” the adventurer growled.

  When the drunk man moved to touch Kael, a female adventurer stepped in front of him and stopped him.

  Lyris is a young woman between eighteen and twenty years old, fragile at first glance, but with a firm posture that shows basic training.

  She has long jet-black hair, slightly messy from the wind, falling freely down her back. Her large and expressive eyes carry a determined shine even when filled with nervousness. Her cheeks tend to blush easily, whether from cold or tension.

  She wears simple traveler’s clothes: a worn olive-green vest and tunic, a thick scarf of the same color — symbol of novice adventurers — leather straps holding a pouch and a small dagger.

  Her only constant companion is a trained raven, usually perched nearby, watching her surroundings.

  Then another young woman of the same rank approached and helped her face the higher-ranked adventurer.

  Elira is a girl with a slim and toned build, the kind of body that comes from daily training to progress in the world of adventurers.

  Her hair is dark blue, long and bright, always tied in a high ponytail with a white ribbon that moves with every step. She has large expressive eyes, light blue in color, transmitting energy and determination.

  She wears a light explorer outfit: a short blue jacket, tight shorts, and long black stockings with decorative patterns. She carries her short sword with a confidence that comes more from pure motivation and desire to prove herself than from experience.

  The two girls stood in front of the drunk adventurer.

  “Hic… hey, newbies! Don’t interfere. I’m teaching the brat a lesson!” he spat.

  Kael took a small step forward and spoke calmly.

  “Excuse me, sir. If I caused you any discomfort, it was not my intention. I kindly ask you to calm down and not hurt anyone… especially these young ladies who only wish to avoid a conflict.”

  The adventurer, still drunk, grew even more furious and raised his large arms to attack the girls… but he was stopped.

  Just as he was about to move toward Kael, an overwhelming presence fell over the guild like a blunt strike of reality.

  The air became heavy. The murmur in the hall stopped instantly.

  A firm, deep voice filled with authority echoed behind everyone:

  “Stop right there. You’ve made enough of a fool of yourself.”

  There she was.

  An imposing woman with long black braided hair and white and red armor that looked designed for a war most people could never imagine. She did not simply radiate an aura… she emitted a physical pressure that made the air tremble around her.

  Her sword, almost as tall as she was, rested on her shoulder with unsettling ease.

  The adventurers swallowed when they recognized her.

  The S-rank adventurer.

  The elite beast exterminator.

  The drunk adventurer looked at her and felt real fear.

  “No… I…” he stammered.

  Lyris recognized her immediately.

  “It’s Lady Valeryn…”

  Valeryn looked at the drunk man with absolute contempt.

  “Listen, worm… disappear.”

  The adventurer left without saying another word.

  With the situation calm again, the three adventurers approached the small boy and spoke with him.

  “I… deeply apologize for causing you three these inconveniences,” Kael said. “And thank you very much for defending me.

  My name is Kael. I am sincerely grateful for your help.”

  “Don’t worry,” Lyris replied. “We didn’t really do much. My name is Lyris. I’m a new D-rank adventurer.”

  “My name is Elira and I’m Lyris’s party member,” the girl added. “And like she said, we didn’t do much.”

  Valeryn nodded seriously.

  “Facing a higher-level opponent for a greater good shows strong commitment and honor. I congratulate you, newbies.

  It’s a pleasure to meet you. I am Valeryn.”

  The three young women and the child sat at a table to talk more calmly.

  “First of all, it is an honor to be beside such an incredible and strong adventurer like you, S-rank adventurer Valeryn,” Elira said excitedly.

  “That’s right,” Lyris added. “It’s truly an honor.”

  Kael looked at them with the same excitement, his eyes shining.

  “From what I understood… Miss Elira and Miss Lyris are D-rank adventurers, and Miss Valeryn is S-rank.”

  “That’s right,” Elira replied. “We have the lowest rank. We started with other friends a month ago.

  And Miss Valeryn has the highest rank, with a great history and power.”

  “That’s amazing!” Kael exclaimed. “I hope you can rank up soon and reach Miss Valeryn so you can do missions together!”

  Lyris smiled, a little nervous.

  “That will be very difficult. Ranking up and increasing power is a very hard process…”

  And just like that, Kael entered that world for the first time: discovering the first city of Cautares… and the most powerful adventurers’ guild in Taratios.