Farewell at the Everhart Mansion
Morning light poured over the Everhart marble like a last blessing—soft, golden, and cruelly warm for such a cold goodbye. He stood beside the waiting carriage, fists clenched, chest tight with the ache of parting.
His father had returned, and it was time for him to depart for Duskwind Barony.
His mother, Seraphina, knelt before him, her warm hands cupping his cheeks. “My sweet Rin…” Her voice wavered. “You’ll write letters to me, won’t you?”
Rin bit his lip, nodding. “Of course.” His eyes flickered to her stomach, still small but unmistakably carrying his future sibling. He forced a smile. “You have to take care of them for me.”
Seraphina’s laugh was light, fragile—like porcelain just before it cracks. Her golden eyes shimmered, not with joy, but with tears she refused to shed. “And you have to take care of yourself.”
Edwin, standing beside them, placed a firm hand on Rin’s shoulder. His silver eyes held pride, but something deeper, unspoken. "Come back safely, Rin. Your mother will be waiting for you."
"...So will I," Edwin admitted softly.
Seraphina pulled Rin into a tight embrace, her warmth wrapping around him like a shield. “Then come back stronger.”
Rin cast one last look over his shoulder—a glance that stretched the moment thin, as if time itself mourned with him—before climbing onto the carriage. As it rolled forward, his mother’s form grew smaller, her hand resting on her belly—his future sibling.
For the first time, he was truly leaving home.
Rin swallowed hard. The weight in his chest grew unbearable.
Lucien’s voice broke the silence. "Rin… are you alright?"
Elysia stepped closer, her golden eyes filled with concern. “Rin… are you crying?”
He wiped his eyes quickly, forcing a small smile. “It’s nothing… Just… I’ll miss my mom.” His voice wavered slightly, betraying the emotions he tried to suppress.
From the entrance of the mansion, Seraphina and Edwin waved their hands. “Be safe, Rin!” they called out in unison, their voices filled with warmth.
Taking a deep breath, Rin stepped onto the wagon, and the wheels began to turn. The journey to Duskwind had begun.
Brimwood’s Gateway
Arcane energy pulsed beneath their feet—then light devoured everything. When Rin blinked again, the air had changed. Pinesap and mist replaced city polish.
Rin blinked as Brimwood came into view—quiet, humble, and real. Timber homes lined worn roads, and mist clung to pine-covered hills like old memories. The air was earthy, grounded, and far from the polished stone of Everhart.
This was Duskwind’s edge. And his work had just begun.
The Duskwind Forest and the Question of Danger
The carriage rattled violently over gnarled roots and jagged stone. All around them, shadows slithered between ancient, moss-draped trees like predators watching from the dark. The scent of damp bark and decay hung thick in the air, and distant growls rumbled like thunder. The forest breathed damp decay. Every gust carried the musk of moss and danger—every growl, a promise of teeth. Amid the dense foliage, Rin spotted a small mountain in the distance, its silhouette marking the border between Duskwind and Willowshade Village.
Rin glanced at the towering trees. He turned to Darius. "Darius, how dangerous is this forest?”
Darius smirked. “Some Chief-rank beasts, one General-rank. Nothing I can’t handle.”
Rin crossed his arms. “So, you’d be evenly matched?”
Darius chuckled, shaking his head. “Not exactly. A General-rank beast is strong, but if I go all out… I can take it down.”
Rin hummed in thought.
The Monster Hierarchy of Dominara
His mind wandered to the monster ranking system:
Normal – 1st Awakening Equivalent (Roughly the strength of a trained human with minor mana use)
Chief – 2nd Awakening Equivalent
General – 3rd Awakening Equivalent
King – 4th Awakening Equivalent
Lord – 5th Awakening Equivalent
Emperor – 6th Awakening Equivalent (Mythical)
This story originates from Royal Road. Ensure the author gets the support they deserve by reading it there.
Unlike mindless beasts, monsters had their own fighting styles, unique skills, and a tendency to live in groups.
Planning Duskwind’s Revival
Rin shifted his focus. “Lucien, how much funding does Duskwind have right now?”
Lucien frowned. “I’m not sure. We were at the Everhart estate for 15 days. I’ll check the ledgers once we arrive at the baron’s mansion.”
Rin nodded. “Darius, once we arrive, we’ll visit the three villages. Each has needs that must be addressed for development.”
Darius nodded. “Understood, Young Master.”
Rin let out a sigh. If Cain were here, this would be so much easier…
Stonebrook Village – The Iron Town
Noon arrived, and Rin set off for Stonebrook Village. Unlike the others, Stonebrook had no internal conflicts. The village thrived on iron mining—villagers extracted ore, selling it to merchants and local blacksmiths, who in turn forged weapons for adventurers in Brimwood.
Yet, something felt off.
As Rin walked through the village, he observed carefully— Their faces were ghostly beneath layers of soot, bodies moving with the mechanical rhythm of survival. Not a single voice rose. The village was filled with sound—but not life. Just the clinking of picks, the dragging of boots, and the silence of exhaustion, too occupied to even acknowledge his presence.
Rin’s gaze drifted from the workers to the roads, the homes, the mines. They weren’t well-off, nor were they struggling—but they were pushing themselves too hard.
The Rhythmic Hammering
Just as he was about to leave for Willowshade, a distant sound caught his ear—a rhythmic hammering, slow yet unwavering. It came from a broken, run-down forge on the outskirts.
Curious, Rin followed the sound, his entourage trailing behind.
Inside the dilapidated smithy, a young boy, no older than eight, stood before a blazing forge. The hammer was comically large, yet it rose and fell with solemn rhythm. Sparks danced in the dim forge-light, painting his grimy face in fleeting gold. He struck not just metal—but loneliness, frustration, hope. Each blow was deliberate, precise—like the heartbeat of the forge itself.
Lucien’s expression softened. “He’s in pain.”
Elysia frowned. “Why doesn’t he rest?”
Darius folded his arms. “One should know their limits.”
Rin’s gaze darkened as he observed the boy’s every movement. “He’s not just working. Every swing of that hammer is a cry. A plea for someone to notice.”
Those eyes… they were the same as his own in his past life. A soul desperate to be seen, to be valued, to belong.
Rin activated his talent.
A translucent screen appeared before him.
[Tyrant of Commerce Activated]
[Eye of the Merchant: Evaluating Target]
Name: Dain Stromforge
Age: 8 years
Race: Human
Class: Emberforged Prodigy (1st Class Awakening - Growth Type)
Talent: Tranquil Mind (Epic+)
[Talent: Tranquil Mind]
- Deep Focus: Enters a meditative state, blocking out all distractions.
- Unwavering Precision: Performs tasks flawlessly without hesitation.
- Sustained Endurance: Can work for long periods without noticing fatigue.
- Situational Tunnel Vision: Full awareness of the task but reduced awareness of surroundings.
[Class: Emberforged Prodigy (1st Class Awakening - Growth Type)]
A rare forging class blessed by the flames of perseverance. The Emberforged Prodigy starts as an apprentice, but with every weapon forged, his skills evolve. Over time, his creations gain intrinsic power, and he can imbue weapons with unique traits.
- Craftsman’s Growth: The more weapons he forges, the higher the chance of evolving his forging abilities.
- Flame-Kissed Arms: Weapons forged by the user have a chance to inherit special properties based on material and craftsmanship.
- Battle-Tempered Steel: Gains insight into battle through the weapons he creates, allowing for instinctive improvements.
Rin’s eyes widened. "A Growth-Type Blacksmith…? And that level of focus…? I’ve never seen anything like this before."
He clenched his fists. He doesn’t even know. No one has ever told him. No one has ever guided him.
"If Duskwind is to grow, it needs craftsmen. A blacksmith like him… he’s not just useful. He’s necessary."
Golden light shimmered into a translucent screen, its glow flickering like a spark of fate.
[Quest Activated]
Aid Dain in realizing his potential.
Rewards: A small forge hammer (Epic)
Failure Penalty: Dain will succumb to overwork.
[Accept] [Decline]
Rin exhaled. This wasn’t just about business or development. This was about a boy, like him once—desperate to be seen. Desperate to matter. I've seen those eyes before. The same ones I had. No one to rely on… no one to ask if I was okay. No… I won’t let that happen again."
He pressed [Accept].
"Dain Stromforge… you deserve better. And I’m going to make sure the world knows your name."
"This time… I won’t let another soul fade into the shadows."
[End of Chapter]
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