Only a week remained before the church evaluation. Alaric could hardly believe how quickly time had passed since the letter confirming his application had arrived. Today was the day he would leave for Larethin, and for some reason, the sky hung low and dark, clouds heavy with a cold, wintery weight. It was unusual for this time of year, but the gray above seemed to mirror the turning point in his life. Crossing this stage… he knew somehow that things would never be quite the same again.

  The packed bags were stacked neatly in the corner of his room. Clothes, extra blankets, a small set of personal items, his spell primer, and his notebook filled with magic practice notes. Corwin has already paid and prepared for the caravan that goes to Larethin. Elaine had insisted he double-check everything at least three times, worrying that he might forget some essential item. “I will be only away for 3 weeks at most, sister,” Alaric said pleading .Elaine with hands on her hips, eyes scanning the pile. “3 weeks, yes. But I still don’t trust you to be prepared. Check again. Make sure you do not leave anything behind.”

  Alaric had rolled his eyes but obeyed, checking the satchel and small leather pouches he would carry. He had packed dried food for emergencies, a few healing herbs Sister Elaine had given him, and his personal training dagger, carefully wrapped. As he organized everything, he couldn’t help noticing that Lia had been avoiding him for the past three days. Normally, she would trail him everywhere, clinging to his side like a shadow, but now she seemed to disappear whenever he entered the room.

  By noon, he was ready. The chapel’s gates opened, and a faint cold wind blew across the courtyard. He stepped outside, bags on his back, and immediately saw everyone waiting. Kellan stood near the gate, hands resting on the hilt of his sword as always, his expression serious but carrying a subtle warmth. “Good luck, Alaric,” he said simply. “Father Corwin has recommended me as well, but I’ll attend the exam next year. Take this as a chance to see how things work. Don’t rush ahead before me. Wait for me, all right?”

  Alaric nodded, feeling the weight of responsibility, but also a flicker of pride. “I’ll wait. And make sure you will be ready as well.”

  Rin bounced on her heels, a smirk tugging at her lips. “You better win and show those church bigwigs how awesome Saint Elyss’s Rest is. Otherwise, I’ll….” She waved a hand dramatically. “Well, you know. I’ll deal with you when you get back.”

  Mira stepped forward quietly, offering a small, serene smile. “I’ll be waiting to hear all about the trial. I hope you do well, Alaric. Take care.”

  Alaric gave a small bow of thanks, then noticed Lia hiding behind Mira’s skirts, small shoulders trembling. He knelt in front of her gently. “Lia… won’t you tell your big brother what’s wrong?” His hand reached out to brush a stray lock of hair from her tear-streaked face. “What did I do to make you so sad?”

  The little girl couldn’t hold it in any longer. She burst into sobs, clutching his tunic tightly. “I… I’m afraid you’ll leave me… just like everyone else. My parents… my uncle… everyone left me…”

  Alaric’s chest tightened. He knelt fully, arms opening, trying to offer the comfort he had always wished for himself in moments like this. “Lia,” he said softly, “I won’t be gone forever. This is only for a few days. I’ll come back as soon as the test is done. Less than a month, I promise. I swear it.”

  Her sobs softened slightly, and she sniffled, looking up at him with big, wet eyes. “Promise?”

  “Yes,” Alaric said firmly, squeezing her gently.

  With that, she leapt into his arms, holding on as though she could melt away any distance between them. “I’m sorry for avoiding you,” she whispered. “I was sad and mad and…” Her words dissolved into another small sob. Alaric hugged her tightly, rubbing her back and murmuring, “It’s okay. You don’t need to be sorry. I’ll always come back for you.”

  The narrative has been taken without permission. Report any sightings.

  Corwin approached next, holding a small, worn leather pouch. “Take this,” he said, handing it to Alaric. “Coins for emergencies. Do not waste it on frivolous things. Consider it a lifeline if needed.” Alaric accepted it with a grateful nod, tucking it into his pack.

  Finally, Elaine stepped forward, her hands glowing faintly as she whispered a short prayer. She placed a small bracelet in Alaric’s palm. “This is for protection and luck,” she said softly, pressing a quick kiss to his forehead. Her eyes lingered on him for a heartbeat “Do your best. Return safely.”

  Alaric’s throat felt tight, but he forced a small, determined smile. “Thank you. I won’t disappoint any of you.”

  ***

  The journey to the town square was brisk. The caravan awaited, a mix of wagons loaded with goods and travelers moving to larethin. Alaric scanned the crowd and noticed another boy near his age, slightly older, looking a little out of place among the adults organizing supplies. When he reached the wagon he would share, the boy looked up. Their eyes met, and a quiet recognition passed, they were going to be traveling companions, at least for this stretch.

  As the caravan began to move, bouncing gently over the rough road, Alaric and the boy exchanged introductions. “I’m Jarik,” the boy said. “I’m from Norvale, a village south of Bordertown.”

  Alaric nodded. “Alaric from Saint Elyss’s Rest in bordertown… I’m… attending the church evaluation.”

  Jarik’s brow furrowed slightly. “The church evaluation? Same here. I was… well, my village priest and the chief insisted I go. I’m supposed to be the most talented in my village, so if I become a knight, I can send money back to help everyone. There’s a lot of hope riding on me.”

  Alaric considered that. “I understand,” he said slowly. “I… want to be strong. Strong enough to protect people I care about. That’s why I’m going.”

  Jarik’s expression softened slightly, a quiet respect showing. “You’re going for a noble reason it seems.”

  Alaric nodded laughing.

  For the rest of the journey, the two boys spoke sparingly, each occupied with their own thoughts. Snowflakes began to fall softly, dusting the caravan and the road in a thin white layer.

  He allowed himself a moment to glance back at the receding chapel, the familiar spires and the surrounding fields shrinking in the distance. A pang of longing struck him, but he pressed it aside. The evaluation awaited, and he had to focus. Saint Elyss’s Rest would be there when he returned, and he would make sure it was proud of him.

  ***

  Days passed along the road. The scenery changed subtly as the caravan moved north, forests giving way to rolling hills and plains. Alaric practiced small exercises in his mind, manipulating mana within the wagon without anyone noticing, honing his control over elemental manipulation, especially using ambient mana. Fire from the stove nearby, water from the barrels, earth from the ground when rested, air from the cold wind outside, he subtly coaxed them, guiding the elements with precision, feeling them pulse and respond. Even in a wagon, he found ways to practice.

  He had also refined his senses. The vibration of mana in the atmosphere allowed him to feel the presence of other travelers and animals on the road, detecting subtle shifts in their energy within twenty meters. It was like a silent awareness that kept him prepared for anything and that might save his life someday.

  ***

  Finally, after nearly six days of travel, the spires of Larethin came into view. The caravan slowed, the first glimpse of the city walls rising \against the horizon. Alaric’s breath caught. The walls were enormous, far larger than anything he had seen before in this world, stretching as far as the eye could see. Merchants, travelers, and townsfolk moved about in a ceaseless tide along the main road entering the city.

  “It’s huge,” Alaric breathed, gripping the edge of the wagon tightly. Jarik leaned beside him, equally impressed. “I’ve never seen anything like this,” he said. “If we can survive here, maybe we can survive anything.”

  This was Larethin, capital of the Duchy of Larethin, one of the top three largest cities in Shershia.

  As the caravan crested a small hill, the full grandeur of Larethin stretched before them, its towers looking down even under the muted winter sun, the streets alive with people moving in chaos. Alaric swallowed hard, a mix of awe and anticipation coursing through him. Everything he had trained for, everything he had prepared, was leading to this moment.

  Somewhere deep inside, a spark of excitement flared alongside the nerves. The trial awaiting him in Larethin would not be easy, but Alaric’s heart beat with determination. For the first time in his young life, he truly felt the weight of opportunity before him

  Whatever trials awaited him in Larethin, he would face them. He would learn, adapt, and survive. And he would return home, stronger, to those who trusted him most.