The sun had barely risen, and already the peace of the village was gone.

  Leonhardt stood at the edge of the training field, arms crossed, staring at the four young adults who once sat under his lectures, sparred with his wooden swords, and grumbled about carrying gear.

  Now? They looked ready to take on the world. And they were asking him to walk back into it.

  “I already said no,” Leo muttered, looking away.

  “You said that yesterday,” Aria said, stepping forward, arms folded. Her crimson hair whipped in the breeze, her emerald eyes locked onto his. “But you’re still here. Still listening.”

  Elias sighed, flipping his spellbook open as he leaned against a nearby post. “Come on, Master. Don’t pretend you're not itching to swing that old sword again.”

  “I’m not. Not even a little,” Leo lied, eyes narrowing.

  The story has been illicitly taken; should you find it on Amazon, report the infringement.

  “Then why is it always polished?” Selene asked softly, her violet gaze warm but knowing. “You keep it by your bed.”

  He froze.

  Dain chuckled. “Told you, he keeps it like a lover’s gift.”

  Leo shot him a look. “It was a gift. From a friend. Who didn’t come back from our last expedition.”

  Silence. Just for a moment.

  Selene lowered her gaze. “We’re sorry.”

  Leo sighed, rubbing his eyes. “I don’t want you kids ending up like them.”

  “We won’t,” Aria said firmly. “We have you.”

  “That’s exactly the problem.”

  He turned, starting back toward his home, hoping they’d give up.

  But Aria followed him. Then Elias. Selene. Dain.

  And none of them said a word, not until he reached his porch.

  “Fine,” Leo muttered, stopping. “I’ll go as far as the first layer. I’ll guide you through the outer walls. That’s all.”

  “Deal,” Elias said immediately.

  “Temporary deal,” Leo warned. “One floor. One. After that, I’m coming back here, and I don’t want to hear a word about it.”

  Aria’s smirk returned. “You always said one lesson at a time.”

  Leo knew this wouldn’t stop at one floor.

  And for some reason… he didn’t mind as much as he thought he would.

  ---

  That night, as Leo packed the armor he thought he’d never wear again, the wind outside shifted.

  Far across the continent, deep within the Labyrinth of Eternis, something ancient stirred—aware that a familiar presence had returned to the path of fate.