The cool winds swept past us as we approached the towering gates of Kingdom Erta, Master Luan leading the way with his usual calm and steady presence. Frostbite, the little dragon, slept quietly atop my head, nestled comfortably as we walked along the cobblestone path.

  I lifted my gaze, eager to take in the sight of the massive gates and the towering stone walls that encircled the city. Rows of knights marched dutifully along the battlements, their armor gleaming faintly in the soft light. Two guards stood sentinel at the open gate, eyes sharp and alert. As Master Luan passed between them, both bowed their heads respectfully.

  Is Master Luan truly a figure of such respect in Kingdom Erta? I wondered, Perhaps he is—after all, he is technically immortal.

  My eyes wandered over the bustling kingdom beyond the walls. The citizens went about their daily lives with quiet contentment, smiles on their faces, laughter drifting through the air. Near the entrance, vibrant market stalls displayed colorful goods, clearly set up to welcome and attract newcomers like us.

  Lost in my thoughts, I felt a gentle tug at my arm. Alya’s voice broke through my reverie. “Dliva, look— that jester is staring at us.”

  I followed her gaze to a crowd gathered around a jester performing tricks. But something about the jester’s look unsettled me; his gaze was sharp, unnatural, almost piercing in its intensity. It sent a ripple of unease through me.

  I glanced back at Alya. “It’s probably because we’re new here,” I said quietly.

  “Yeah, maybe,” Alya replied thoughtfully.

  Before the moment could stretch any longer, Master Luan interrupted our conversation. “What are you two kids whispering about?”

  “Nothing, Master,” Alya answered quickly. “We were just watching that jester over there.”

  “Jester?” Master Luan asked, tilting his head with a hint of confusion. “Where?”

  Alya pointed toward the crowd, but the jester was gone—vanished without a trace.

  “But that jester was right there... Did you see him too, Dliva?” Alya asked, her voice low and uncertain.

  I nodded firmly. “I saw him.”

  Master Luan frowned, his gaze sharpening. “Strange,” he muttered. “If you see that jester again, you must tell me immediately.”

  We both nodded in agreement, the unease lingering as we continued our march toward the castle that loomed ahead, its high towers reaching into the sky—a fortress of stone and mystery awaiting us.

  Curiosity got the better of me as we walked toward the towering castle. “Master Luan,” I asked, glancing up at him, “are you some kind of royal in this kingdom?”

  Luan chuckled softly, the sound rich with amusement. After a moment, he composed himself and replied, “Me? A royal? No, that’s not the case.”

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  Alya, walking beside me, tilted her head. “Then why are we heading toward that castle?”

  Master Luan’s expression grew calm and thoughtful. “One of my students is actually the queen of Erta.”

  Our eyes widened in shock at his words, exchanging looks filled with disbelief. Luan laughed lightly, clearly enjoying our surprise. “Alright, enough overreacting—just follow me quietly.”

  We nodded at each other and quickened our pace toward the castle gates.

  Inside the grand throne room, a knight entered briskly and bowed deeply. “My lady, Master Luan has returned.”

  A young woman sitting on the throne sat up eagerly, a bright smile spreading across her face. “Master Luan is really back?” she asked, her voice tinged with happiness.

  The knight nodded. She regarded him for a moment longer before asking, “Where is Master Luan now?”

  “At the front gate, my lady. Do you grant permission for him to enter?”

  The queen’s brow furrowed in mild annoyance. “You seriously need my permission to let Master Luan in? Eh, whatever. I’ll greet him myself.” She waved her hand, summoning her butler. “Follow me. We’re going to welcome Master Luan.”

  The butler gave no response but silently followed behind her.

  At the castle’s front gate, the three of us waited patiently. The heavy doors slowly swung open, and a girl burst through, rushing forward to embrace Master Luan tightly.

  “Master Luan, you’re finally back! You have no idea how much I missed your white magic,” she exclaimed with genuine joy.

  “Alright, Mina, you can let go now,” Master Luan said, struggling to breathe from the sudden squeeze.

  Mina noticed and released him immediately. Her gaze then shifted to us. She stepped forward, bending down to our height, and pinched both of Alya’s cheeks playfully.

  Then, turning to Frostbite, she exclaimed, “Oh wow, Master Luan, you’ve brought a dragon and two cute kids with you!” She reached out to touch Frostbite, but he quickly bit her finger.

  “Ow! Bad baby dragon,” she laughed, shaking her finger.

  Master Luan sighed, a mixture of exasperation and fondness in his voice. “Alright, enough, Mina. Act like a responsible queen for once.”

  Mina stood up, pouted, and declared, “Hmph! I am a responsible queen, Master Luan.”

  She turned toward the butler. “Alright, Butler, show the kids to their rooms. I’ll be with Master Luan.”

  The butler nodded silently and gestured for us to follow him into the castle.

  As we stepped inside, the grandeur of the castle enveloped us—the high vaulted ceilings, ornate tapestries, and polished stone floors spoke of centuries of history and power. The soft flicker of torchlight cast warm shadows, contrasting with the cold weight of the castle’s stone.

  Though the journey here had been long and tiring, the warmth of Mina’s welcome and the safety of these walls made the future seem a little less uncertain. With Master Luan leading the way, I felt a cautious hope beginning to take root.

  Master Luan’s expression grew serious as he turned to Mina, locking eyes with her. “These children,” he began carefully, “are far from ordinary. Because of that, I will be staying here to train them personally.”

  Mina’s playful demeanor faded, replaced by a solemn gaze as she met his determination. After a thoughtful pause, she nodded slowly. “I see. So that is why you have come here, Master.”

  She paused briefly, then continued with quiet confidence, “Don’t worry. I will ensure that all the resources and support you need are made available. And as for these children being ‘not normal’—”

  Her eyes drifted toward me, then to Frostbite resting peacefully on my head. “That boy, the one who carries the dragon, possesses an unnatural aura far beyond what one would expect from someone so young.”

  Her words hung in the air, heavy with significance.

  Master Luan nodded, the weight of their shared understanding settling between them. This was no ordinary training mission—it was a crucial step in preparing for challenges none could yet foresee.

  As the castle’s shadows lengthened, the promise of growth and power loomed ahead, intertwining their fates in ways only time would reveal.