Chapter 3: An Unexpected Companion

The examination room remained silent.

Every pair of eyes was fixed on Eli.

Senior Mage Orion was the first to speak.

"You... were born in the Hidden Village?"

Eli nodded.

"Yes, Senior."

Orion stared at him in disbelief.

"And you've never mentioned this before?"

"...No one ever asked."

Eli lowered his eyes for a moment before speaking.

"Its real name is Asterwyn."

The room fell silent.

No one had ever known the Hidden Village's true name. In ancient books and legends, it had always been referred to simply as the Hidden Village.

Eli continued,

"When I enrolled at the Royal Academy, I only wrote that I came from a remote mountain village."

"The elders taught us never to reveal our homeland to outsiders unless it became absolutely necessary."

"I... didn't know people outside believed Asterwyn was only a legend."

"I knew there were many great mages living there, but to me, it was simply home."

A few of the royal guards looked at each other in disbelief.

One of the generals finally broke the silence.

"If what you say is true... then can you lead us there?"

Eli's cheerful expression slowly faded.

"I can."

"But entering Asterwyn isn't that simple."

Everyone listened carefully.

"Asterwyn is protected by ancient magic. People who don't know the path will only walk in circles forever. Even maps change before your eyes."

"Only those who were raised there are taught how to find the entrance."

"And only two people may enter."

The room grew quiet.

"Two?" Orion asked.

Eli nodded.

"One guide."

"One traveler."

"Those are Asterwyn's oldest laws."

"If anyone else tries to follow us, the forest will simply reject them and lead them back to where they started."

One of the generals immediately objected.

"Absolutely not!"

"You're a new mage! You haven't even worked here for a week."

"How can we entrust Sir Kael's life to you?"

Eli lowered his head.

"...That's a fair point."

"But I'm still the only one who knows the way."

The room fell silent once again.

One of the generals turned toward Orion.

"What do you think?"

The senior mage looked at Eli for a long moment.

"He may have only joined the Royal Mage Tower yesterday..."

"But don't mistake that for a lack of ability."

"I personally oversaw part of his examination at the Royal Academy."

"His magical aptitude is among the highest I've seen in decades."

"He graduated years earlier than expected because there was nothing left for the Academy to teach him."

"He earned his place here."

The room remained silent.

Orion smiled faintly before adding,

"His magic has never disappointed me."

He looked directly at Eli.

"...Only his clumsiness has."

Several people couldn't help but smile.

Even Kael remembered the unfortunate incident involving his horse.

Eli sighed dramatically.

"I said I was sorry."

"I still feel bad about the horse."

"...Good," Kael replied.

A few quiet laughs echoed through the room, easing the tense atmosphere.

The general gave a slow nod.

"Very well."

"I'll inform His Majesty."

"If His Majesty approves..."

"You and Sir Kael will leave immediately."

---

Less than an hour later, the king's approval arrived.

There were no celebrations.

No ceremonies.

Only a single royal order.

Escort Sir Kael safely to Asterwyn and return with a way to break the curse.

---

The meeting ended soon afterward.

Servants carefully carried the cursed relic away, sealing it inside an enchanted chest before locking it deep within the royal vault beneath countless magical barriers.

For just a brief moment...

A faint crimson light flickered across its surface.

Then it disappeared.

No one noticed.

---

Outside the examination room, Eli leaned against the wall and let out a long sigh.

"...I can't believe this."

His first week at the Royal Mage Tower...

And he was already being sent on a kingdom-saving expedition.

"I haven't even unpacked all my books..."

"You certainly work fast."

Eli jumped.

"...Sir Kael!"

The knight stood nearby, arms folded.

For a few awkward seconds...

Neither of them spoke.

Finally...

Eli rubbed the back of his neck.

"So..."

"...How's your horse?"

Kael stared at him.

"...It's black."

"Oh."

"...Good."

Another awkward silence.

Eli smiled nervously.

"I guess that's... progress?"

Kael sighed.

"I hope your sense of direction is better than your spell casting."

Eli folded his arms.

"It is."

"I've never gotten lost on the roads to Asterwyn."

Kael studied him for a moment before giving a small nod.

"...Good."

---

Early the next morning...

The palace courtyard was filled with activity.

Supplies were loaded onto two sturdy horses.

Fresh travel cloaks had been prepared.

Several soldiers gathered to see them off.

Orion handed Eli a leather satchel.

"Inside are healing potions, emergency scrolls, mana crystals, and a few books."

Eli smiled.

"You packed books?"

"I know you."

Orion sighed.

"If I didn't, you'd complain the entire journey."

Eli laughed sheepishly.

"Thank you, Senior."

Orion's expression softened before becoming serious.

"Eli."

"Yes, Senior?"

"For the first time since you arrived here..."

"I'm placing someone else's life in your hands."

Eli's smile disappeared.

"I won't let you down."

Orion nodded once before turning to Kael.

"The curse is stable for now."

"But don't waste time."

Kael nodded.

"We won't."

Soon after, the palace gates slowly opened.

People had gathered outside to see the kingdom's greatest knight depart once again.

Many called out to Kael.

"Come back safely, Sir Kael!"

"Our hero will return!"

Others looked curiously at the unfamiliar young mage riding beside him.

"Who's that?"

"I've never seen him before."

Eli gave an awkward little wave to a group of children.

They happily waved back.

As the two riders passed beyond the capital's walls, the voices behind them slowly faded.

The long road stretched toward distant forests and mountains.

After several minutes of silence, Kael finally spoke.

"How long until we reach Asterwyn?"

Eli looked toward the horizon.

"If the weather stays kind and nothing delays us..."

"It'll still take several weeks."

Kael nodded once.

"Then we'd better not waste a single day."

Without another word, the knight and the young mage rode onward.

Behind them, the Kingdom of Elaria slowly disappeared into the distance.

Ahead of them lay a long road, filled with places yet unseen, people yet unmet, and secrets that had slept for centuries.

Their journey had only just begun.

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