The day to leave for Velhein had come.
As the sun rose, its golden rays painted the Royal Grounds in a warm hue. Erik was already awake, staring out the window in silence as the light slowly crept across the tiled rooftops and marble spires.
After a quick wash, he approached his wardrobe. Today, his attire was different.
Over his usual black training uniform, he wore a polished silver breastplate, specially tailored for mobility. On his feet, he strapped on the reinforced boots Evalyn had given him—inscribed with faint runes for balance and shock absorption. Finally, he clasped a cloak made from the silver hair of an Elder Wolf. It shimmered faintly under the morning sun.
He fastened his belt and sheathed his sword at his hip.
Then, for the first time in a long while, Erik stood before a mirror.
He rarely looked at himself.
There was something unsettling about his reflection—the deadness in his eyes, the hollowness that lingered beneath the surface. But today… he looked different. He looked like someone with purpose. A man prepared to face something ahead. That thought alone disturbed him more than anything.
He tried to pull off a faint smile.
Failed.
Knock knock.
"Master Erik!" came a voice from behind the door.
Erik blinked.
That voice—
He rushed over and opened the door.
Yosul stood there, grinning with that warm, familiar smile Erik had sorely missed.
"Damn… I missed this"
"Oh, Erik, you look really good in that," Yosul said, giving a playful nod of approval.
"Oh...Thanks," Erik replied, awkwardly rubbing the back of his neck.
"Come on, let's go. Commander Evalyn's waiting for us."
Erik stepped out, closing the door behind him as he followed.
The White Wolfs' headquarters was bustling more than ever—rookies scrambling across the halls, officers barking orders, and sorcerers floating mid-air with their enchanted cloaks. The air practically buzzed with anticipation.
"It's busy," Yosul commented.
"It really is," Erik said. Then his brow furrowed. "Wait—did you say Commander Evalyn?"
"Oh, right! You didn't know?" Yosul grinned. "It happened right after the last dungeon raid. Apparently, even Guild master Rowan was impressed by her performance. So he granted her the title of Commander and gave her the right to form her own squad."
"…Really now."
"Impressive, isn't it?"
"It sure is," Erik muttered, still trying to process it. "So… how'd you end up as her assistant?"
"Well," Yosul said with a light chuckle, "she took me in when I was little. Ever since then, she's been like a big sister to me."
"Oh… Wait—" Erik paused. "She didn't make you her assistant just because you're her little brother, did she?"
To that, Yosul gave only a mischievous smirk and said nothing.
"…What the hell is she thinking?"
Erik didn't ask any more questions. He quietly followed Yosul through the corridor, his footsteps steady and silent.
"Hey!" a voice called from near the exit.
Evalyn stood there, waving a hand casually in their direction.
"I'll run to the guild office real quick and catch up," Yosul said, already starting to jog off. "You stay with Commander Evalyn for now, alright?"
Before Erik could respond, Yosul was already gone.
Evalyn raised an eyebrow. "Where's he running off to?"
"To the guild office, I think," Erik said. "So… are we ready to leave then?"
Evalyn nodded. "Yeah. We'll stop by the Adventurers' Guild in the central district first. You might get a chance to say goodbye to your sister after all."
"Tch. I'd rather not."
"Huh? Why's that?"
"Well… I never told her I joined the guild," Erik admitted, rubbing the back of his neck. "She's probably pissed. Just thinking about facing her sends shivers down my spine."
Evalyn chuckled. "Heh, it's nice to see the almighty Erik afraid of his own sister."
"Yeah, yeah."
"Oh! Before I forget." Evalyn reached into her coat and pulled out a polished, round metal object, handing it to him.
Erik took it, blinking. "This is… wait—don't tell me. A clock watch?"
"So you know what it is."
"Well, I know of it, but… what the hell am I supposed to use it for?"
"Open it first."
Erik flicked it open. The circular case split at the middle to reveal a beautifully crafted timepiece inside—gears ticking gently, the hands moving with slow precision.
"Oooooh…" he muttered, eyes wide.
"It's a clock," Evalyn said with mock seriousness. "It tells the time."
"…Time?" Erik repeated, confused.
"Yep."
She spent a few moments explaining how to read it—pointing at the hour and minute hands, showing him how to recognize time intervals.
As she spoke, Yosul reappeared, jogging up with his usual bright energy.
"Alright, I'm back!"
Evalyn glanced between them and gave a nod. "Okay. I guess we're ready to leave, then."
"You'll be riding with Yosul," she added, looking at Erik.
"What about you?"
Evalyn grinned proudly. "As commander, I get my own personal carriage."
"Huh. Forget I asked," Erik muttered, already turning to leave.
"Wait—aren't you at least gonna see my carriage?" Evalyn called after him.
"No thanks," Erik replied, climbing into a carriage beside Yosul without looking back.
Evalyn crossed her arms and scowled at the door.
The carriages soon began to roll out of the White Wolfs' compound, heading down the cobbled roads toward the central district—toward their final stop before the journey to Velhein.