After the brawl, Lucas formally began his training.
He worked hard, learning new techniques alongside the soldiers and knights. Over time, he grew close to Dante, and his bond with Nolan deepened. Months passed, then years. After two years of relentless training, both Lucas and Dante had improved tremendously. While the two boys became skilled warriors, Nolan took a different path. More of a scholar than a fighter, he dedicated himself to learning—exploring new ideas and researching ways to improve society.
It was clear that all three of them would become valuable assets to the Holy Empire.
One day, after a regular training session, their instructors called them in for a mission. In the church, knights were regularly sent on assignments to gain experience. These missions were ranked based on difficulty: Newbie, Advanced, and Expert.
Newbie missions involved mundane tasks—delivering goods, helping citizens, and carrying messages.
Advanced missions were more involved: bounty hunting, relaying sensitive information, and investigating unusual occurrences.
Expert missions were the highest tier, reserved for only the most trusted. These involved high-level monster hunts, national emergencies, and rescuing nobles.
Every mission came with an official scroll, which needed to be stamped by the mission provider upon completion for proof and evaluation.
After two years of hard work, Lucas, Dante, and Nolan were finally eligible for their first real mission. This one, though still ranked as Newbie, was more prestigious than most: delivering a high-grade mana stone to the young master of a noble household.
Mana stones were crystallized forms of natural energy found in mana-dense regions. These crystals could be mined or harvested from creatures heavily influenced by mana. Their uses were vast: powering tools, adorning jewelry, serving as good luck charms, and even being embedded into weapons and armor. Due to their rarity and value, mana stones were largely exclusive to nobles.
The stone they were delivering was no ordinary piece. It was of exceptionally high quality—extracted from a rare, uncontaminated region, making it both powerful and extremely valuable.
The recipient of the stone was the young master of the Grates family, a man with a notorious reputation. Rumors of his arrogance and indulgence spread far and wide, even beyond the borders of his own county. But recently, whispers had emerged of a change in his behavior—that he was maturing and growing stronger through unknown means.
Lucas, however, didn't care. Nobility or not, it didn't concern him. His only focus was completing the mission and getting the official stamp.
After receiving the box containing the stone, the trio—Lucas, Nolan, and Dante—set off for the Grates Duchy, a journey that would take ten hours on foot. Since none of them knew how to ride a horse, they had no choice but to walk.
They quickly regretted their decision.
The scorching sun drained their strength. Lucas dragged his tongue like a dog. Nolan hobbled forward like an old man, leaning on his staff. Dante looked like a walking corpse. All three were exhausted and parched, silently cursing themselves for not learning how to ride.
Fortunately, salvation came in the form of a traveling merchant. Seeing their state and learning they were from the church, he offered them a ride. The boys didn't hesitate—they practically leapt into the carriage.
As soon as they sat down, a wave of relief washed over them. The shade, the movement of the carriage, and the soft sway of travel brought back their fading energy. After regaining some composure, they all turned to thank the merchant.
The man simply chuckled and said,
"You don't need to thank me. It's my honor to serve the church—even if it's in a small way."
He was a burly man, with streaks of white in his beard—more fit to be a war general than a merchant. Despite his imposing figure, he had a warm and friendly aura, with no hint of hostility or ulterior motive in his eyes.
With a cheerful grin, Lucas leaned forward and asked,
"May we know your name, sir?"
The man smiled back and replied,
"It's John."
Nolan, bowing his head slightly, added respectfully,
"We sincerely thank you, Sir John. May I ask—where are we headed?"
John nodded as he steered the reins.
"Oh, I was on my way to the Grates Duchy. Right now, we're passing through Henny Village."
Dante, now more alert, asked with interest,
"By the way, Sir John, what kind of merchandise do you deal in?"
Without missing a beat, John responded,
"Mostly seasonal goods—but my specialty is hard leather. It's quite well-known in the county."
And so, their journey continued—now a little less grueling, with new company and renewed energy.
They continued chatting as the carriage rolled on, the sun now less oppressive under the cover of the wooden canopy. Curious and excited, the three boys peppered John with questions about the city.
None of them had ever spent much time outside their small towns or the church grounds—they were, by all definitions, country bumpkins.
They asked about everything:
How crowded the markets were.
What city food tasted like.
What nobles were really like up close.
Whether the city guard actually wore polished armor every day.
John chuckled at their wide-eyed curiosity.
"You boys really haven't been to the city, huh?" he said with a grin, adjusting the reins.
Lucas leaned forward, eyes bright.
"I mean... we've seen it from a distance, but it always looked too loud and too fast."
"And too expensive," Nolan added, hugging his satchel like it was full of gold.
Dante smirked.
"Still want to try that meat-on-a-stick thing people always talk about."
John laughed, his voice rumbling like a friendly bear.
"Ah, skewers? You'll find those on every street corner. You'll love them—just don't buy from the ones with flies swarming around."
The boys listened intently as John told them stories about bustling city festivals, merchant rivalries, tricky noble politics, and the occasional monster incident that required a quick evacuation.
For the boys, who had spent most of their lives in routine, John's tales were a taste of adventure beyond training grounds and sermons. The excitement of city life—the good, the bad, and the bizarre—filled their imaginations like air filling sails.
By the time they began approaching the borders of Henny Village, they had already decided:
One day, after finishing their duties… they'd visit the city properly. Together.