Several intense weeks had passed, filled with constant travel and specific goals that were gradually beginning to take shape. Kael had accompanied Lord Garbard to the city on several occasions to review the details of the sewerage and water purification project, walking alongside him as he listened to discussions about slopes, pipes, and flows that would define the future of the city.

  The construction of four public baths had already been approved, each with its own sewer system, designed to maintain the hygiene of all citizens. The goal was clear: to provide public showers and accessible services, allowing people to gradually get used to a new, cleaner, and more organized routine, without imposing sudden changes.

  When he had the chance, Kael would sometimes sneak off to the adventurers' guild to check the number of missions available and the different types that appeared on the bulletin boards. There, he would take the opportunity to greet his D-rank adventurer friends, who had become the envy of even the A-ranks thanks to their incredible equipment. They had increased their level so much that they now qualified for C-rank, something they still found hard to believe.

  That day, however, was different.

  Kael was traveling with his parents, the three guardians, and some soldiers. The objective was varied: on the one hand, his parents needed to collect legal documents related to the administration of the city; on the other, Kael wanted to go to the commercial district, a place that always filled him with curiosity and enthusiasm.

  Once in the city center, after greeting several citizens who approached to express their gratitude to the lords of the mansion, the group finally set out to begin their errands. The streets were lively, with merchants calling out loudly and the aroma of fresh fruit mingling with that of freshly baked bread.

  There, as always, was a quiet, traditional fruit and vegetable stand.

  "Neni!" Kael shouted enthusiastically. "Good morning! I've come to see how my ointment worked for you."

  Neni jumped a little and then burst out laughing when she recognized him.

  "My young master! What an enthusiastic welcome!" she replied amused. "Well, it worked wonders; my skin feels like that of a twenty-year-old, ha ha ha. The girls at the other stalls are very excited for you to sell them your ointment."

  Kael smiled, clearly satisfied.

  "Ah, yes... the tools to start preparing the different ointments are still in the works, hehe. There are machines that I haven't finished building yet, and they're important."

  As they talked, the others finally arrived.

  "Kael, don't run off alone!" Caria complained. "Hello, Neni!"

  "But it's my restless Caria," she replied affectionately. " "My girl, it's so good to see you."

  "Hello, Neni," greeted Laret. "It's so good to see you. Jacki asked me to ask you about an order he had placed with you.

  "My young Lord Laret, how nice to see you," replied Neni. "Yes, Jacki came by the other day asking for some vegetables, but they hadn't arrived yet... here you are. I've also included some excellent citrus fruits for you to enjoy.

  "Thank you, Neni!" exclaimed Caria. "Let me know when the watermelons arrive. I've been waiting all year for them."

  "Of course, my dear.

  Kael frowned and crossed his arms.

  "Hey... I was doing business first."

  "You're coming with us," said Laret, leaving him no choice.

  Laret picked Kael up in his arms and carried him away effortlessly.

  "We'll leave you here, Neni. The manager will bring the payment tomorrow."

  "Of course, my young lord. Take care."

  Before leaving, Ken and Enta approached the stall.

  "Neni, a question..." said Enta. "Have you heard if the kato grass will arrive?"

  "No, Mr. Enta," she replied. "Trade with the beast kingdom has been suspended for months due to a problem in the elf kingdom."

  Ken laughed.

  "Mr. Cat was looking forward to relaxing with some catnip."

  "You two stop joking around," Holley interjected. "The lords have already left. See you next time, Neni, take care.

  "Goodbye, my children. Take care!"

  ..

  ..

  …

  ….

  A few hours later, the lords were busy with paperwork inside the district building, reviewing documents and real estate projects that were planned for the coming year. The comings and goings of officials, stamps, and papers set the bureaucratic pace of the place.

  Kael, on the other hand, waited outside with Ken and Enta.

  The boy was sitting on a small stone step, swinging his legs with obvious boredom, watching people pass by without much interest.

  "My parents can be so boring..." he muttered. "And then they complain when I don't want to spend time with them..."

  Enta, firm as always, replied calmly.

  "My young master, you must understand that your parents are responsible for much of the city's development: expansion, administration of public resources, and investments."

  Kael puffed out his cheeks slightly, unconvinced.

  That was when something changed.

  There was no sound or immediate pain. Just a strange, uncomfortable feeling, as if the air around him had become denser.

  If you encounter this story on Amazon, note that it's taken without permission from the author. Report it.

  // -- Hey... something's wrong... I'm receiving information... and it's not good -- //

  Kael thought: What do you mean...?

  // -- Near our position there are four men talking about a kidnapping... many children in the untamed forest with bandits waiting... and, above all, they plan to attack the orphanage to take more children... -- //

  Kael thought: You should have started with that!!!

  All childishness vanished from his face.

  Kael became extremely serious and looked up at Enta and Ken. There was no trace of annoyance or boredom in his eyes.

  "Enta... Ken... quickly, come with me."

  Ken tilted his head, trying to joke, still not understanding the gravity of the situation.

  "What's wrong, young master? Do you need to go to the bathroom?"

  Kael looked at him.

  It wasn't an angry look.

  It was cold.

  Direct.

  A look that did not belong to a child.

  Ken stood still for a moment.

  "That... that changes a lot of things..." he said quietly.

  Without wasting any more time, Kael turned around.

  Quickly, Kael, the guards, and some nearby soldiers began to head toward one of the taverns in the area, leaving behind the district building and the apparent calm of the city.

  Upon entering, Kael didn't waste a second. The tavern was half full; the murmur of voices, the clinking of glasses, and the smell of alcohol permeated the atmosphere. Even so, the boy walked with determination straight toward the bartender.

  "Good afternoon, sir," he said with a seriousness unbefitting his age. "I am Kael Sungley, and we are on a highly sensitive security operation. We are here to investigate one of the rooms in your establishment, as there may be traffickers involved."

  The bartender froze. It wasn't just the boy's tone, but his escort: two well-known figures in the city, several armed guards, and a presence that left no room for doubt. He swallowed hard and nodded quickly.

  "Y-yes... of course... do what you have to do..."

  Kael immediately turned to the guards.

  "Uncle Enta, Uncle Ken... please, don't make any noise. And Uncle Enta, use your keen hearing to listen to the voices in the room."

  "Yes, sir," Enta replied without hesitation.

  Ken looked at one of the soldiers and spoke in a low but firm voice.

  "Soldier, the young master is on a mission. Run to the district building and notify the lords."

  "Yes, sir!" replied the soldier before disappearing down the stairs.

  They climbed to the second level. The hallway was narrow, with wooden doors lined up and poor lighting that cast long shadows on the walls. Each step echoed louder than Kael would have liked.

  As he paused, the boy frowned slightly.

  Kael thought: Hey, system... which room is it in?

  // -- the next one -- //

  The young lord and the guards positioned themselves in front of the indicated door. Enta closed his eyes and rested his head lightly against the wood.

  —...

  —….

  —…..

  —……

  The silence became unbearable.

  Suddenly, Enta's aura changed. He opened his eyes wide.

  "They plan to kidnap children from the orphanage."

  Kael clenched his teeth.

  "Then there's nothing more to talk about... it's time to act."

  He covered his body with magic and launched his kick.

  "Special delivery!"

  The door flew open. Two bandits were startled and immediately launched their attack, but they didn't stand a chance.

  The guards intervened with clean, precise movements, taking them down in a matter of seconds and slamming them to the ground.

  "Damn insects!" spat one. "Don't you know who we are?!"

  Kael advanced slowly, looking down at them.

  "Of course I know who you are..." he said. "You're trash."

  The two bandits looked at him in complete bewilderment. A child of almost four was speaking to them with the voice and gaze of someone much older.

  "What were you planning to do at the orphanage?" Kael demanded.

  "Us? Nothing!" one replied too quickly.

  Ken stepped forward.

  "Maybe a few blows will help them remember..."

  "No, Uncle Ken," Kael interrupted. "There are less violent methods."

  Ken blinked.

  "Really?"

  Kael looked around. He saw a broomstick leaning inside a closet and took it without hesitation.

  "Look, Uncle Ken... get him on his knees and pull down his pants."

  The bandit's eyes widened in terror.

  "I'll stick this stick in him from behind to see how far it goes," Kael continued. "I bet he can't take even half of it."

  The man looked at him as if he were facing the devil himself.

  "H-hey, wait! Noooo!"

  "Pull down his pants," Kael insisted. "Let's test his endurance.

  "I'll talk, I'll talk!" he shouted desperately. "But tell that kid to stop!"

  Ken smiled with satisfaction.

  "Good. Then start talking... what were you planning?

  The bandit spoke with a broken voice.

  "It's too late... the wizard must already be attacking the church to take the children..."

  The air seemed to freeze.

  Kael felt a sharp pain in his chest.

  "Aunt Abel..." he whispered. "She's in danger..."

  "We'll send soldiers as soon as possible," Enta said firmly.

  // Hey, brat..., you heard what the cat said... don't do anything stupid... hey, I can really feel what you're feeling and thinking. They're in danger, but it's too risky! Do you know what your parents will do to us if we leave?! //

  A thick, helpless terror invaded Kael. It wasn't fear of dying or fear of punishment. It was something deeper. Something that tightened his chest and stole his breath.

  What could he do...?

  He had knowledge. He had skills. He had tools that no child should possess... and yet, for the first time, it all seemed insufficient.

  // -- system updating... -- //

  // -- gathering information -- //

  // -- analyzing event -- //

  // -- calculating danger margin -- //

  // -- mission found... -- //

  // -- save the children -- //

  // -- reward = system skill evolution... -- //

  // -- damn my automatic programming... that mission is extremely dangerous -- //

  Kael gritted his teeth.

  Kael thought: but if we complete it... you will evolve.

  // -- What part of "dangerous" don't you understand?! -- //

  He didn't respond immediately.

  Because at that moment, it was no longer just information he was feeling.

  It was pain.

  Not one, but many. Overlapping. Confusing.

  Children of the untamed forest, dragged away from their home.

  Children from the orphanage, still unaware that horror was about to befall them.

  Fear. Confusion. Despair. A silent plea that came not from a single throat, but from many at once.

  Kael put a hand to his chest, breathing heavily.

  Kael thought: I don't care... I just needed a reason to leave.

  Not because he wanted to run away.

  But because staying put had become unbearable.

  With that certainty gnawing at him, Kael didn't hesitate. He wrapped himself in magic and launched himself out the window, shooting at high speed toward the orphanage.

  The two guards reacted instantly.

  Enta leaned out the window and shouted to Ken:

  "I'll stop the young master. Wait for the soldiers and lords to arrive."

  And like a projectile propelled by pure technique and strength, Enta set off at tremendous speed after Kael.

  // -- no matter how fast you are, you'll never outrun the cat -- //

  Kael thought: I know... but I have a strategy...

  Kael turned sharply into an alleyway full of people, noise, and movement. Taking advantage of the chaos, he ducked into a narrow passageway and burst into a random house.

  Enta saw him go in.

  The guard burst in seconds later, searching rooms, hallways, and corners, wasting precious minutes. There were no open windows, no hidden exits, no trace whatsoever.

  Kael had disappeared.

  Enta clenched his fists in frustration.

  He had no other choice.

  He had to go to the orphanage.

  // -- I don't understand how you did that... how was it possible? -- //

  Kael thought: I think when I'm under pressure, I come up with the best ideas. Magic isn't tangible... if I open two doors in the dimensional cube, separated from each other, I can make the farthest one go through a wall. The rule of the cube says that no thinking living being can enter there, and it's true: to touch that dimension, part of the body must be outside. But if I open two doors with distance between them, when I pass my arm through one and the other works as an exit, I can use it as a portal.

  // -- I'm starting to worry... -- //

  Kael thought: Because of the enemy?

  // -- Really? For your family! Do you think you'll come out of this unscathed?! -- //

  Kael clenched his jaw.

  Kael thought: I know... I may not see the light of day for a long time after this. I'll have to prepare myself for something more serious than a simple punishment... but when the mission was activated, I felt something deep inside me... pain, despair, help... I don't know exactly what it was... but I can't ignore it.

  And so, Kael advanced toward the orphanage with a weight crushing his chest.

  It wasn't bravery.

  It wasn't heroism.

  It was the absolute inability to ignore that pain.

  That was his first direct challenge.

  The first that intentionally put his life in danger.

  And also the first that began to define him.