Morning sunlight spilled over Riverbend like honey, but the village was quieter than usual. It wasn't silence born of fear—at least not anymore. It was a kind of uneasy respect. Villagers still whispered when Orin walked by, but their words weren't only curses now.
"That boy… he's dangerous."
"Dangerous, yes—but he saved us."
"Maybe his power is too big for this place."
"Maybe he belongs somewhere bigger."
Orin, oblivious as ever, strolled down the main path with a loaf of bread stuffed in his mouth, waving one hand like a king returning from conquest.
"Morning, peasants! Fear not, your future world champion still lives here!"
Mothers pulled their children aside. Men crossed their arms and grunted. But a few heads bowed, some with respect, some with wariness.
Yira walked behind him, carrying laundry, cheeks red from embarrassment. "Stop shouting, idiot. They already think you're possessed."
"They love me!" Orin said through a mouthful of bread. "They're just too shy to ask for my autograph."
Yira smacked the back of his head.
By noon, a small gathering formed at the village hall. Hegar sat at the center, Mira beside him. Code stood off to the side, staff resting against the wall, eyes steady. Around them, elders and hunters murmured, voices low but heavy.
One man cleared his throat. "We're grateful to the boy. Without him, the Orcs would have destroyed us."
Another shook his head. "Gratitude aside, can this place hold someone like him? Every day his aura grows. It's not just strength—it's weight. The air bends around him. If it keeps rising, it will draw more monsters here. We'll all be in danger."
Mira's hands twisted in her lap. "He's just a child. My child. You can't… you can't speak of him like he's a curse."
Hegar slammed his fist on the table. "He's my son. If anyone says otherwise, I'll put them in the dirt myself."
The room fell into tense silence.
Then Code spoke. His voice was calm, level, but it cut through like a blade. "You're both right. The boy's power is not something this village can contain. If he stays, the world will come knocking—monsters, men, maybe worse."
He looked up, meeting every gaze in the room. "I will take him with me. Beyond Riverbend. I will train him. If he learns control, he will return as protector. If he does not, at least this village will not bear the weight of his growth."
Mira's eyes widened. "Take him? Out there?"
"Yes," Code said simply.
Hegar's jaw worked. He looked down, fists clenched, then finally exhaled. "If it keeps him alive… and keeps this place safe… then so be it."
Mira covered her face with her hands, shoulders shaking.
Orin was told that evening.
The moment the words left Code's mouth—"I will take you with me"—Orin's eyes lit up like a bonfire.
"YES!" He leapt so high his head nearly hit the rafters. "Adventure! Stronger punches! Bigger harem!"
A ladle bounced off his skull.
"IDIOT!" Yira shrieked, face red. "This isn't some joyride! You'll die in the first ditch you fall into!"
Orin rubbed his head, still grinning. "Then I'll climb out and punch the ditch until it begs forgiveness!"
The room exploded with noise—Mira scolding, Hegar groaning, Yira kicking him under the table. But under the comedy, a heaviness lingered. Yira's eyes shone wet even as she scowled.
That night, the Capillet house glowed warm with firelight. The farewell began.
Hegar sat cross-legged, Orin before him. His voice was rough, deeper than usual.
"Boy," he said. "You're reckless, noisy, and you've broken more fences than monsters. But you've also got a heart. That's what makes you strong. Don't forget it."
He reached behind, dragging a bundle wrapped in cloth. When he unwrapped it, the firelight glinted on steel.
A slim sword, black metal dulled with age, hilt wrapped in frayed red leather. Beside it, a dark wooden staff, weathered but uncracked, the grain shimmering faintly like night sky.
"These were found with you," Hegar said. "The night you appeared as a baby. Maybe they were your parents'. Maybe they're yours. I kept them hidden until you were ready."
Orin stared, uncharacteristically silent. He touched the sword's grip, and a faint hum pulsed through his palm. His eyes widened for a heartbeat—then he grinned. "Cool! A sword and a stick! I'll use them both to beat things harder!"
Hegar smacked the back of his head, eyes damp. "Idiot."
Mira knelt, pressing a charm and a pouch of herbs into Orin's hand. "For protection. Eat properly. Sleep when you can. And don't break yourself."
Orin hugged her, awkward but smiling. "Don't worry, Mama Mira. I'll break others instead."
She burst into tears against his shoulder.
Then Yira stepped forward. She shoved a folded bundle into his chest. "Here."
Orin blinked, unfolding it. A long-sleeved tunic, deep blue, with matching pants and a cloth belt. Rough stitching, but sturdy.
"I made it," Yira muttered, looking away. "So you don't run around half-naked like an idiot anymore. Don't ruin it in one day."
Orin's grin spread so wide it nearly split his face. "Yiraaaa, you made me a battle suit!"
He pulled it on immediately. The sleeves were a bit loose, the pants a bit long, but it fit. He struck a pose, fists up, sword at his hip, staff across his back. "Look! Stronger! Faster! Cooler!"
Yira's cheeks burned. "I said don't ruin it already!" She pinched his ear hard. "And if you die out there, I'll—" Her voice cracked. Tears slipped free. "…I'll kill you myself."
Orin tilted his head, still caught. "Why you crying, sis-wife?"
Her blush exploded. "I'M NOT CRYING! AND STOP CALLING ME THAT!" She shoved him, but her hands lingered on his arm.
Orin puffed his chest. "Don't worry. I'll be back! Stronger punches, bigger adventures… and maybe five more wives!"
Chaos followed—Hegar groaned, Mira gasped, Yira swung fists at his head. But beneath the laughter and shouting, the truth sat heavy: this was goodbye.
Dawn.
The villagers gathered at the gate in silence. Some bowed, some only watched.
Code stood ready, staff in hand. Beside him, Orin in his new blue uniform, sword at his side, staff across his back, grin bright as ever.
"Don't worry!" Orin shouted. "Your future world champion will return! Stronger punches! Bigger harem!"
Laughter rippled through the crowd, nervous but real. Yira hid behind her father, biting her lip, fists clenched.
Mira cried quietly. Hegar stood tall, though his hand rested firm on her shoulder.
The gate creaked open.
Orin waved both arms, then marched forward without looking back. Code followed, steady and silent.
As the two disappeared over the horizon, the villagers exhaled as one. Relief, sorrow, fear, hope—all tangled together.
By the river, the morning sun lit their path in gold.
This is where his true path begins, Code thought grimly. May the world survive it.