Jon and Julius walked along the road that led to the city. Jon carefully held the child in his arms.

  “She’s only unconscious,” Julius was relieved.

  “Who were those guys?” he asked.

  “Probably bandits,” Jon replied briefly.

  “How did you even find me?” Julius asked curiously.

  “The tavern was too loud, so I went looking for a quiet place to meditate. That’s when I ran into a woman wandering around in a panic.”

  “And how did you know I was in the forest?”

  “I sensed your mana,” Jon said calmly.

  “You sensed my mana? What does that even mean?”

  “It’s hard to explain,” Jon replied. Julius didn’t press further—Jon had helped him tremendously.

  “There’s the main gate,” Julius said as they approached the city entrance.

  A woman and a few men were already waiting there.

  “Mina!” the woman cried out and ran toward them, wrapping her child tightly in her arms.

  “Thank you so much!” she said with tears in her eyes, bowing deeply before Jon.

  “I’m just glad she’s alright,” Jon replied modestly.

  “And thank you as well,” she said to Julius, bowing to him too.

  “Don’t mention it,” Julius replied, unable to meet her gaze. If not for Jon, the child might not have made it.

  “If you hadn’t followed them, they would’ve escaped already,” Jon said.

  “Alone, we’re weak—but together, we can do anything. That’s what my master always said.” Jon put his hands together, as if in prayer.

  “Thank you again,” the people said as they took their leave and headed home.

  Julius stared after them, his expression empty.

  “You shouldn’t dwell on it too long. What’s done can’t be undone,” Jon said calmly.

  “I killed those men.”

  “Do you regret it?”

  “They tried to kill me. And maybe they would’ve kidnapped more people. I won’t shed a tear for them.”

  “Then what’s bothering you?”

  “I never took magic seriously. I always saw it as some kind of game,” Julius said, clenching his fists.

  “If I had used the wrong spell on my friends back then, they might’ve…”

  “My master hated magic. He spent his time meditating, always searching for a deeper meaning in life,” Jon said.

  “But magic exists. That’s something we can’t change. What matters is how we choose to use it.” Jon closed his eyes briefly and took a deep breath.

  “Are you sure we’re the same age? You talk like a grown man,” Julius said with a small smile.

  “Experience is what turns a boy into a man,” Jon replied and pulled a necklace from under his shirt.

  A symbol hung from it—a mix between a cross and a crescent moon.

  “That’s the symbol of the Church, isn’t it?” Julius asked.

  “When I was young, I quickly realized I was different. I was the only one who could use magic—and strong, even without spells.”

  This story has been stolen from Royal Road. If you read it on Amazon, please report it

  “You have a blessing?” Julius asked.

  “Yes,” Jon answered.

  “My blessing allows me to sense and absorb the mana around me. That way, I can strengthen my body.”

  “That sounds like a powerful blessing. I wish I had one…”

  “I didn’t know about it at first. One day, I absorbed too much mana without realizing it. I panicked. I thought I was going to die. My master tried to calm me, but the mana discharged suddenly.”

  Julius looked troubled.

  “My master was severely injured. Since then, he hasn’t been able to move. He lies in bed all day, only able to meditate.”

  “Is that why you want to go to Lidoris?” Julius asked, glancing at the necklace.

  “They say there’s a priestess at the Church who holds one of the Neun Wunder. She’s said to be able to heal any illness or injury.” Jon tucked the necklace back under his shirt.

  “That was the day I realized how dangerous mana could be. I started meditating more and avoided fighting whenever possible.”

  “Do you regret being born with that blessing?” Julius asked.

  “Everything in life has a purpose. Maybe this is the path I’m meant to walk. I’ll only find out if I keep going. That’s what my master and I believe.”

  “Keep walking the path, huh…” Julius muttered, thinking about his own reasons for heading to Lidoris.

  “Without my master, I might’ve lost myself completely. Today, you got a little closer to understanding the value of life—and you did that on your own. That’s strength.”

  Jon continued walking toward the tavern, while Julius remained for a moment, gazing up at the stars.

  —————

  Knock knock.

  “Hey Julius, wake up—we’re about to leave,” the driver called from behind the door.

  Julius got up and washed his face. A new morning had dawned, and the sun was shining brightly in a clear, cloudless sky.

  He headed downstairs into the tavern to grab a quick drink.

  The place was bustling. Many were getting ready to depart.

  As Julius made his way to the counter, he bumped into someone.

  “Hey! Watch where you’re going,” the man snapped in an aggressive tone.

  Julius recognized him instantly.

  “Ah, you’re the ox from yesterday,” he said, giving the man a death glare.

  Surprisingly, the man quieted down. Julius was taken aback.

  “I heard you helped the people in the city,” the man said, his tone subdued.

  “I didn’t do it alone, but yeah.” Julius noticed that the man was having a hard time maintaining eye contact.

  “I thought you were some noble. But maybe you’re one of us after all,” the man said.

  Julius looked him over—bald head, massive build—and thought to himself, “One of you? Please, no.”

  “I just wanted to say thank you. The child was a friend’s daughter.”

  “The important thing is that she’s okay,” Julius replied, trying to end the conversation quickly. It made him uncomfortable.

  “You’ve got a favor with us now. If you ever need help, just come find us—and your friend too.” The man flexed his bicep with a grin.

  “I’ll keep that in mind.” Julius grabbed his drink and left the tavern.

  They continued their journey toward Lidoris.

  ?

  The wagon stopped in front of the gates of Lidoris.

  “Whoa…” Julius stared at the massive walls and gates in awe.

  “These are huge.” He craned his neck back, trying to see the top.

  “This is where you go on foot,” the driver said as he climbed back onto the wagon.

  “Alone? But there’s no one here—where are we supposed to go?” Julius asked, confused.

  “They say only those capable of using magic can enter. Some spell repels those without permission,” the driver replied before heading off.

  Julius and Jon approached the gate—a large wooden door, about half the height of the wall.

  “How are we supposed to open this?” Julius asked.

  Jon pressed his hands together and began to meditate.

  Julius looked up at the gate and smirked.

  “I’ve got an idea.” A gust of wind lifted him off the ground and carried him into the air.

  He landed on top of the wall. From there, he could see the city of Lidoris in its entirety.

  The city was surrounded by forest, and at its center stood a dense cluster of buildings. Dominating the view was a towering castle, higher than anything else in sight.

  “I’ve never seen a city this big…” Julius muttered in awe. But it was the castle in the middle that truly captured his attention.

  “Hey you! What are you doing up here?” a guard shouted, running toward him.

  “Damn it,” Julius muttered, trying to run—but it was too late.

  The guard had drawn his sword. “Who are you, and what are you doing here?”

  “Relax! I’m a student—” A tremor suddenly shook the wall.

  “What was that?” the guard asked, just as confused.

  Julius looked down and saw the gate slowly opening.

  He jumped from the wall, cushioning his fall with a wind spell.

  “You opened it by yourself?” he asked Jon in disbelief as the massive gate stood wide open.

  “Yes,” Jon replied simply.

  Several guards rushed in and surrounded them.

  “We’re students from Lidoris!” Julius called out quickly, trying to avoid trouble.

  A knight stepped forward—his armor distinct from the others.

  The other guards saluted. “Commander!” they all called in unison.

  “So, you’re the new students,” the commander said, examining them both closely.

  “But there’s one missing. I was told there would be three of you.”

  Shadow, Julius thought. Did that idiot really oversleep?

  “Well, the descriptions match. You two may enter.” The soldiers stepped aside.

  “Follow this road and you’ll reach the city,” the commander said, but his gaze hardened as it settled on Julius.

  “If you cause any trouble, I’ll throw you out myself.”

  Julius was ready to respond, but Jon took the lead. “Thank you,” he said calmly and moved forward.

  “Commander, we have a problem,” one of the guards reported.

  “What is it?” he asked.

  “We can’t close the gate.”

  The commander turned to look at it.

  “The gate hasn’t been opened in years—not since the last time it was officially used.” He narrowed his eyes.

  “Are they really just commoners?”