Early in the morning, Risa arrives at Finn’s tent, her backpack slung over one shoulder. “Good morning, Finn, Inky, and Plushie,” she says, her voice softening towards the end.

  Finn yawns, stretching slightly before returning her greeting. With a flick of his fingers, he casts a cleansing spell inside the tent, then grabs his already-packed backpack. He offers his hand to Inky. “Let’s hold hands while walking through town.”

  Obediently, Inky takes his hand, clutching Plushie in the other.

  “Did you say goodbye to all your friends?” Finn asks.

  “Yes. Where are we going first?” Risa queries.

  “We’ll collect our rations first. Then, we’ll drop by the inn to see if the innkeepers are around before we set off.”

  “When we reach the inn, you and Inky should wait on the other side of the road,” Finn instructs. “I’m not sure how to explain Inky’s presence just yet.”

  Just as he guessed, Mira and John are already elbow-deep in rubble, picking through what’s left of the inn.

  Finn gives a wave. “Morning, Mira. John. I’m heading off to Osemond soon. Just came to say goodbye.”

  Mira flashes him a grin. “Morning, Finn! Leaving so soon?” Her energy’s unshaken, even with ruins all around her. Typical Mira. Nothing ever dims that spark. John smiles and nods as he hefts a large boulder aside.

  “I need to get someone to The Academy before their entrance exam. If I delay any longer, we might miss the enrolment deadline.”

  “Ah, I see. Pity I can’t send you off with a proper meal.” Mira sighs.

  Finn smiles. “It’s fine. It’ll be a while before I return, but when I do, I hope I can stay at your new inn and enjoy John’s steak again.” His smile is bright and genuine.

  After exchanging a few words about the siege, Finn hands them a pouch of coins as a token of gratitude for their hospitality. They try to refuse, but with Finn’s persistence (and the fact that the amount isn’t particularly large), they eventually accept. In return, Mira promises him free lodging once they are done rebuilding the inn.

  At last, it’s time to bid Mistwood farewell. Finn rejoins Risa, Inky, and Plushie on the other side of the road, and together, they leave the town behind.

  The archway that once welcomed travellers to Mistwood now lies shattered, a silent witness to the devastation. Yet soon, a stronger gateway will stand where the old one fell. When danger returns, the town will meet it with fortified walls and vigilant eyes, prepared for whatever comes by land or sky.

  Before leaving, Finn and Risa had discussed their route to the capital. Given their limited magical ability (both still Disciples), their modest funds, and the unpredictability of travelling with Inky and Plushie, they opted to avoid the Forest, taking a detour instead.

  “We’ll head to Narfolk first,” Risa recites, glancing at the map.

  Finn nods. “Yes. Even though we’re avoiding the Forest, we should stay alert for predators. They’re rare outside, but not unheard of.”

  “Got it!” Risa replies enthusiastically. She glances at Inky and Plushie (who’s now floating beside her) before a thought occurs. “Should we give them proper names?”

  “Now that you mention it, Inky doesn’t exactly sound like a human name. More like the name of a...,” Finn holds in his laughter. “Do you have any ideas?”

  Risa taps her chin before clapping her hands together. “For Plushie, how about Cocoa? As for Inky… I’ve never named a person before.”

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  “Cocoa suits Plushie well. And for Inky… how about… Nyxveil?”

  “Ooh, I like it!” Risa claps. She turns to them. “Do you guys like your new names?”

  As expected, they simply stare in silence. Finn grins. “Let’s take that as a yes. On our journey, we should teach them the language of humans. It’ll make communication much easier.”

  “Speaking of training, Risa,” Finn continues, “I’ve listed some exercises for you. You can start with this: for the next few days, cover your legs with wind magic to increase your walking speed.”

  “Hm, I’ve tried it before, but only briefly. Never for an extended period.” She shrugs. “Well, might as well give it a go!”

  “I’m not finished.” Finn pulls a low-grade magic vault from his storage stone. “You’ll do it while maintaining a steady mana flow from this vault, as efficiently as possible to extend its lifespan.”

  Risa’s eyes gleam with interest. “Now that sounds like a challenge!” She snatches the magic vault from him and immediately starts experimenting.

  Evening falls, and they settle for the night near a plateau by a stream. Finn casts a masking spell before gathering twigs to set up a fire, while Risa pitches the tents.

  Along the way, they catch a few small animals, and Finn salvages a type of edible red plant to brighten the plating. Now, he roasts the meat and slices of the plant over the fire. The enticing aroma of seasoned meat wafts through the air, enough to push Risa’s exhaustion to the back of her mind.

  Nyxveil and Cocoa sit, or float, patiently near the flames, waiting in quiet anticipation.

  “What’s this plant called?” Risa asks, eyeing the vivid red slices with curiosity.

  “It’s called Bloodroot Bloom,” Finn replies. “Good for your health. And if you powderise it, you can even use it as paint.”

  Once the meal is cooked, Finn hands a portion to Risa and another to Nyxveil. Risa nibbles hers carefully, but Nyxveil opens his mouth wide, about to swallow the steaming-hot piece in one bite. Finn swiftly intervenes.

  “Nyxveil, take smaller bites, like Risa.” He gestures towards her.

  Nyxveil hesitates, then turns to watch Risa. She exaggerates the motion, blowing on her food before taking a small, delicate bite. Nyxveil mimics her actions.

  Seeing his obedience, Finn smiles and pats his head.

  He picks up a burnt stick and writes Nyxveil on a flat stone, just as he did in the labyrinth. “Your name is Nyxveil,” he says, enunciating slowly. “Nyx-veil.”

  Nyxveil stares blankly.

  Risa tilts her head. “Why don’t we give him a nickname? Something easier to pronounce? Something like… Nyx?”

  “Ny...x,” the little boy murmurs, his young voice clear and crisp.

  They watch expectantly as he tries again, this time with more confidence. “Nyx.”

  Risa claps, delighted. “Great job, Nyx! Now, try our names! I’m Risa, and he’s Finn.” She points at herself, then Finn.

  Finn repeats his name slowly, and Nyx mirrors him. “Fi–n…F–in…Finn.”

  Finn pats his head in approval. “Well done.”

  Now it’s Risa’s turn. “Ri—sa. Risa.”

  Nyx is quicker this time. “Risa.”

  Risa beams and gives him a thumbs-up. Cocoa floats beside him, silently watching.

  They continue teaching Nyx new words, with Risa eagerly taking on the role of his language tutor.

  “That makes you Nyx’s teacher in language, and I’ll be your magic teacher,” Finn grins, amused. “Quite the team we’ve got here.”

  “Isn’t it fun? Why don’t I write some letters for him to learn while we walk?” Without hesitation, Risa tears a page from her book and scribbles down the simple words.

  Finn, seeing her enthusiasm, simply smiles warmly.

  Soon the fatigue and magic draining kickin, Risa becomes drowsy and she goes into her tent after saying good night to the guys.

  As the fire crackles, Finn glances at Nyx and Cocoa, considering whether to trust them with the night watch. They never tire, and Nyx’s strength is reassuring. If they stand guard, he and Risa can drift into restful sleep, undisturbed, night after night on their journey.

  Without hesitation, he sketches two stick figures, then adds twisted, grotesque shapes on the opposite side. Arrows shoot from the monstrous figures toward the stick figures, but a swirl of black smoke leaps between them, ready to block the assault.

  After finishing scribbling, Finn turns to Nyx, “Do you understand what I mean?”

  Nyx’s dark, hollow eyes shift from the scribbles to Finn. The black smoke within swirls relentlessly and tirelessly, visible only to those who look closely. Finally, he nods.

  Finn’s face lights up with relief. “Thank you. Now, with you and Cocoa keeping watch, we can finally sleep soundly through the night.”

  “But… your eyes… maybe we can find a way to make them less frightening. They’re a little unsettling in the dark,” Finn murmurs.

  With that, he tidies up the campsite, murmurs cleansing spells over the group, and slips into his tent, ready for a well-earned rest.