Time did not stop for Bell Sirocco.
Days became weeks.
Weeks became months.
Months became years.
And the small seven-year-old boy who once secretly climbed through his bedroom window to battle F-Rank Forest Wolves did not stop moving forward.
Not once.
TEN YEARS LATER
Bell's childhood passed beneath the sounds of clashing swords, roaring monsters, swirling sand, family laughter, secret adventures, bruises, mistakes, discoveries, and endless training.
To most nobles in Ravelle, Bell remained the unusual youngest child of House Sirocco.
The Sand Mage.
The boy who had awakened the strange derivative element that many aristocrats had once whispered was disappointing.
But those people did not know Bell.
They did not know what happened after sunset.
They did not know about the forests.
The caves.
The abandoned ruins.
The hidden valleys.
The monster territories.
They did not know how many times Bell returned to his bedroom before sunrise with torn clothing, nearly empty mana reserves, aching muscles, and another level gained.
And they definitely did not know how far Sand Magic had evolved.
AGE SEVEN
Bell continued hunting F-Rank monsters.
Forest Wolves.
Grey Wolves.
Horned Rabbits.
Blue Slimes.
Goblins.
Kobolds.
Giant Rats.
Needle Boars.
Cave Bats.
Mud Frogs.
Bell learned something from every creature.
A Forest Wolf taught him not to turn his back on a pack.
A Horned Rabbit taught him never to underestimate something because it looked harmless.
Goblins taught him to watch enemy hands.
Kobolds taught him how dangerous teamwork could be.
Slimes taught him battlefield control.
Bell practiced constantly.
One night, three Forest Wolves charged simultaneously.
Bell slid backward.
"Sand Wall!"
FWOOOOM!
A compressed barrier rose.
Two wolves crashed against it.
The third jumped over.
Bell smiled.
"Expected that."
He snapped his fingers.
The top of the wall collapsed.
The loose grains wrapped around the airborne wolf.
"Sand Bind!"
WHUMP!
The monster was pulled into the ground.
Bell pointed.
"Sand Bullet!"
BANG!
The battle ended.
Bell stared at his hand afterward.
"I keep thinking of Sand Magic like separate spells."
He looked toward the scattered grains.
"But it doesn't have to be."
His eyes narrowed thoughtfully.
"A wall can become a bind."
"A bind can become a bullet."
"A bullet can become loose sand again."
Bell grinned.
"It's all the same material."
That realization changed how he trained forever.
AGE EIGHT
Bell began challenging stronger F-Rank monsters and the weakest E-Rank creatures.
His physical training became more serious too.
Early mornings were for conditioning.
Bell sprinted through the estate.
He practiced balance on wooden beams.
He performed controlled push-ups, squats, abdominal exercises, climbing drills, and flexibility training.
Heather watched him one morning as Bell hung upside down from a branch.
"Young Master Bell."
Bell looked toward her.
"Yes?"
Heather folded her arms.
"Why are you upside down?"
Bell remained hanging.
"Balance training."
"You have been upside down for four minutes."
"Core training."
"You are turning red."
Bell blinked.
"…Good point."
He dropped.
Thump!
"Ow."
Heather sighed.
Bell raised one finger from the grass.
"Landing training."
Heather stared at him.
Bell smiled innocently.
She shook her head.
"I should have known."
AGE NINE
Bell began formal martial arts instruction.
His instructors initially expected him to rely entirely upon magic.
Bell disagreed.
One knight asked:
"Young Master, why does a mage need hand-to-hand combat?"
Bell tightened the wrappings around his fists.
"Because monsters don't politely remain twenty meters away."
The knight paused.
Bell continued:
"And if someone gets close enough that I can't cast properly, I don't want my only plan to be screaming."
The knight laughed.
"A sensible answer."
Bell learned proper footwork.
Punches.
Elbows.
Knees.
Kicks.
Throws.
Escapes.
Blocking.
Counterattacks.
He was never physically enormous.
That wasn't his goal.
Bell wanted efficiency.
Movement.
Timing.
Technique.
His Sand Magic became part of his martial arts.
A sliding Sand Step could increase the momentum of a kick.
A sudden burst beneath his heel could change his direction.
A handful of sand could disrupt vision.
Bell started creating a fighting style nobody in House Sirocco had taught him.
AGE TEN
Bell began studying swordsmanship.
Danny mocked him the first time he saw Bell carrying a wooden training sword.
"You're a mage."
Bell looked at him.
"And?"
Danny crossed his arms.
"You already have magic."
"So do you."
Danny frowned.
"That isn't the point."
Bell raised his wooden sword.
"You use a sword."
"Because Fire Magic enhances my swordsmanship."
Bell smiled.
"Then maybe Sand Magic can enhance mine."
Danny stared.
Bell shrugged.
"Only one way to find out."
Danny walked away.
"Waste of time."
Bell looked after him.
Then returned to training.
"Maybe."
He swung.
"Maybe not."
Years later, Sand Blade would begin from that exact experiment.
AGE ELEVEN
Bell's relationship with Princess Madelyn changed too.
At five, she had been the little princess who demanded sand dragons.
At eleven, she had become a serious young royal trainee.
Her magic had begun developing toward the path of a Magic Swordswoman.
She trained swordsmanship.
Mana reinforcement.
Spellblade techniques.
Royal combat etiquette.
Bell and Madelyn trained together whenever the royal family visited House Sirocco or Bell traveled to the palace.
Their first serious spar lasted less than thirty seconds.
Madelyn rushed forward.
"Bell!"
Her wooden sword came down.
Bell stepped sideways.
"Too direct."
Madelyn turned.
"You always say that!"
She attacked again.
Bell slid backward using Sand Step.
Madelyn chased.
Bell formed a tiny mound beneath her foot.
She stepped on it.
Her balance broke.
"Ah!"
Bell caught her before she fell.
Madelyn glared.
"You cheated."
Bell raised an eyebrow.
"With my own magic?"
"You changed the ground."
"That's what Sand Magic does."
"That is cheating."
"That is strategy."
Madelyn puffed her cheeks.
Bell smiled.
"Again?"
Madelyn immediately raised her sword.
"Again."
By thirteen, she stopped falling for that trick.
By fourteen, she could cut through Bell's Sand Bind before it fully closed.
By fifteen, she had learned how to use Bell's own sand clouds to conceal her approach.
One afternoon, Bell stood inside a Dust Veil.
He smirked.
"You can't see me."
Madelyn's voice answered somewhere inside the cloud.
"I don't need to."
Bell's eyes widened.
A wooden blade touched his back.
"Got you."
The dust disappeared.
Bell slowly turned.
Madelyn stood behind him smiling proudly.
Bell stared.
"How?"
"You always move clockwise when you think I'm going to attack from the left."
Bell blinked.
Madelyn's smile widened.
"You're predictable."
Bell placed a hand over his heart.
"That hurt more than the sword."
She laughed.
Years together meant they slowly learned everything about each other.
Madelyn learned Bell tapped two fingers against his leg whenever he was thinking deeply.
Bell learned Madelyn bit the inside of her cheek whenever she was nervous but pretending not to be.
Bell knew when she was angry before she spoke.
Madelyn knew when Bell was hiding an injury.
Madelyn could tell whether Bell was joking by the way his left eyebrow moved.
Bell could tell when Madelyn wanted something because she suddenly became suspiciously polite.
They argued.
They trained.
They studied.
They teased each other.
They attended noble events together.
Sometimes they simply sat beneath trees and talked.
During one royal visit, Madelyn found Bell lying in the grass.
She sat beside him.
"What are you doing?"
Bell looked at the clouds.
"Nothing."
"You are always doing something."
"Today I'm doing nothing."
Madelyn looked upward too.
They remained silent for a while.
Then she asked:
"Do you still want to become an adventurer?"
Bell's golden eyes shifted toward her.
He had mentioned the dream years earlier.
"Yeah."
"Even though you're a noble?"
"Especially because I'm a noble."
Madelyn looked confused.
Bell clasped his hands behind his head.
"Everyone already has a plan for people like us."
"Marriage."
"Politics."
"Titles."
"Responsibilities."
Madelyn became quieter.
Bell continued:
"I'll do what I need to do."
He smiled.
"But before I spend my whole life sitting in meetings…"
Madelyn laughed.
"…I want to see the world."
Bell looked toward the sky.
"Dungeons."
"Ancient ruins."
"Other kingdoms."
"Monster territories."
"Deserts."
"Floating cities, if they really exist."
Madelyn smiled.
"You really have thought about this."
"For years."
She looked toward him.
"Then go."
Bell blinked.
"You don't mind?"
"Why would I?"
"We're engaged."
Madelyn's cheeks reddened slightly.
"I know that!"
Bell grinned.
She shoved his shoulder.
"My point is…"
Madelyn looked away.
"You shouldn't stop being yourself just because we're engaged."
Bell stared.
Her voice softened.
"Just come back."
Bell's expression changed.
Then he smiled.
"Deal."
AGE TWELVE
Bell began regularly defeating E-Rank monsters.
Dire Boars.
Goblin Soldiers.
Venom Spiders.
Stone Lizards.
Blackfang Wolves.
Cave Troll Younglings.
He also developed Sand Eye after becoming tired of entering caves blindly.
His first attempt was horrible.
A floating lump of sand hovered outside a cave entrance.
Bell concentrated.
A blurry image appeared inside his head.
He immediately stumbled.
"Whoa!"
The Sand Eye crashed into the wall.
Bell grabbed his forehead.
"That feels weird."
He tried again.
And again.
Months later, Bell could scout corridors without exposing himself.
AGE THIRTEEN
Bell reached D-Rank monster territory.
He stopped thinking only about defeating enemies.
Now he studied environments.
Wind direction.
Moisture.
Soil composition.
Available minerals.
Escape routes.
Bell learned that Sand Magic changed dramatically depending upon where he fought.
A beach was heaven.
A stone cave required preparation.
A swamp was annoying.
A desert?
Bell discovered what fighting in a desert felt like during a supervised family journey south.
He stood on a dune.
Sand stretched beyond the horizon.
Bell went completely silent.
Heather stood beside him.
"Young Master?"
Bell slowly smiled.
"Heather…"
"Yes?"
"I think I've found paradise."
Heather laughed.
Bell raised both arms.
Mana spread.
The dune trembled.
RUMMMMMBLE.
Heather's eyes widened.
Thousands upon thousands of grains lifted.
Bell stared upward.
For the first time, he understood what abundant natural material could do for him.
"No creation cost…"
His grin became enormous.
"This is ridiculous."
AGE FOURTEEN
Bell's hidden hunting reached serious D-Rank monsters.
Ogres.
Armored Lizardmen.
Giant Scorpions.
Basilisk Younglings.
War Goblins.
Rock Bears.
Bell stopped relying on Sand Bullet as his primary attack.
He developed Sand Shot.
Then Sand Needle.
Then volleys.
One War Goblin charged with a shield.
Bell fired a Sand Shot.
BANG!
The shield absorbed it.
The goblin laughed.
Bell tilted his head.
"Okay."
He formed something narrower.
A thin spinning spike of compressed sand.
"Then let's stop attacking the shield."
He aimed for the exposed shoulder.
"Sand Needle."
FWIP!
The projectile pierced through the armor gap.
The War Goblin dropped its weapon.
Bell's eyes narrowed.
"Precision beats power sometimes."
AGE FIFTEEN
Bell started testing himself against the weakest monsters classified around the beginning of C-Rank.
He was careful.
Very careful.
The difference between D and C was enormous.
One young Ironhide Ogre taught him that lesson.
Bell's Sand Shot struck the creature's chest.
BANG!
Nothing.
The Ogre looked down.
Then back toward Bell.
Bell stared.
"…That's concerning."
The Ogre charged.
Bell's Danger Sense screamed.
"DUNE STEP!"
SHHHHHHH!
Bell accelerated sideways.
The Ogre's fist smashed the ground.
BOOOOM!
The earth cracked.
Bell stared.
"Very concerning."
That battle lasted twenty-three minutes.
Bell used Sand Prison.
Sand Serpent.
Dust Veil.
Sand Needles.
Iron Sand.
Body Reinforcement.
Martial arts.
Even his sword.
He eventually won by targeting the Ogre's knees, eyes, and throat.
Afterward, Bell collapsed against a tree.
His entire body shook.
He laughed weakly.
"Okay…"
He looked at the defeated monster.
"C-Rank is different."
That was exactly why he kept training.
And throughout all those years—
Bell still had a family.
At least, most of one.
Terra remained warm and caring.
Lucas happily exchanged magical theories with him.
Serenity occasionally helped Bell analyze elemental control.
Alexander repeatedly tried convincing Bell to race him.
Alana, Bell's youngest sister, grew up believing her older brother was the coolest person alive.
Natalie never stopped supporting him.
Regonald watched Bell's growth with increasingly obvious interest.
Marabella proudly bragged about him whenever possible.
Vivien loved hearing about Bell's unusual techniques.
Heather remained beside him through almost everything.
And Madelyn became one of the closest people in his life.
But two people remained unconvinced.
Viktor.
And Danny.
Bell's father continued believing Sand Magic could never truly compare with Ravelle's prestigious elements.
Danny continued seeing Bell's magic as inferior.
Neither knew the truth.
Neither knew Bell secretly fought monsters for nearly ten years.
Neither knew how much power he had hidden beneath his casual smile.
And Bell never felt the need to tell them.
He preferred showing rather than arguing.
PRESENT DAY — AGE SIXTEEN
Morning sunlight slowly entered Bell Sirocco's bedroom.
The room had changed significantly over the years.
The childhood toys were mostly gone.
Books filled several shelves.
Maps covered part of one wall.
Different mineral samples sat inside labeled containers.
Training weapons rested against a rack.
A black adventuring coat hung neatly nearby.
And beneath the window sat several sealed containers filled with exotic sand.
Sunlight moved across the floor.
Then the bed.
Finally—
It reached the face of the person sleeping beneath the blankets.
Bell Sirocco was no longer the tiny five-year-old child who had awakened Sand Magic.
At sixteen, Bell had grown considerably taller.
His body had become lean, athletic, and well conditioned through years of running, martial arts, swordsmanship, monster hunting, and magical training.
His shoulders were broader.
His arms carried defined muscle without becoming bulky.
His warm caramel skin reflected years spent outdoors.
His raven-black hair had grown longer on top and remained practical, usually tied into a compact bun with faded sides, though right now—
It was a complete disaster.
Loose black-and-white strands covered half his face.
Bell slept on his stomach.
His mouth was slightly open.
"Zzzzz…"
A tiny amount of drool sat near his cheek.
"Zzz…"
Knock. Knock. Knock.
No response.
Knock. Knock. Knock.
A familiar woman's voice came through the door.
"Master Bell."
Bell snored.
"Master Bell, it is morning."
Bell shifted.
"Mmm…"
"Master Bell."
One golden eye slowly opened.
He stared blankly at the pillow.
Heather's voice returned.
"It is time to wake up."
Bell wiped his mouth.
"…I'm awake."
"You said that yesterday while still asleep."
Bell frowned.
"I was awake spiritually."
There was silence outside.
Then—
"You also began snoring again."
Bell sat upright.
"Okay, I'm actually awake now."
The door opened.
Heather entered.
Years had passed, but she remained Bell's personal maid.
She gave him an amused look.
"Good morning, Master Bell."
Bell pushed his messy hair away from his face.
Then smiled.
"Morning, Heather."
She glanced toward his hair.
"You look very dignified."
Bell looked toward the mirror.
He stared.
His hair looked like it had fought a monster overnight.
"…You didn't have to lie."
Heather laughed quietly.
"Your family is gathering for breakfast."
Bell yawned.
"Anything special?"
Heather's expression became faintly mysterious.
"Perhaps."
Bell narrowed his eyes.
"What does that mean?"
"You should get dressed."
"Heather."
She walked toward the door.
"Breakfast, Master Bell."
Bell sighed.
"Fine."
Before dressing, however—
Training.
Always training.
Bell stepped onto the carpet.
He stretched.
Rolled his shoulders.
Bent his knees.
Then dropped.
Push-ups.
But unlike the five-year-old who once collapsed after ten—
Bell moved smoothly.
Twenty.
Thirty.
Forty.
Fifty.
He shifted onto one arm.
Heather, still near the doorway, stared.
Bell continued.
One-arm push-ups.
Then switched.
Afterward he jumped upright.
Squats.
Lunges.
Calf raises.
Core exercises.
Then Bell planted both hands against the floor.
His body lifted.
A controlled handstand.
Bell maintained it.
Heather watched.
"Are you planning to attend breakfast upside down?"
Bell's voice came from his inverted position.
"Different perspective."
"You are impossible."
Bell bent his elbows.
Handstand push-up.
Down.
Up.
Again.
Again.
Again.
Then he pushed explosively.
His hands left the floor.
Bell rotated.
Landed lightly.
Heather raised an eyebrow.
"Showing off?"
Bell smiled.
"A little."
He wiped sweat from his forehead.
"Okay."
His breathing was controlled.
"Now I'm awake."
A short while later, Bell finished washing and dressing.
Before leaving, he stood near the center of the room.
He lifted one hand.
"Status."
TING!
A familiar golden screen appeared.
Bell stared at it.
Even after all these years, seeing it still gave part of his old otaku soul satisfaction.
" STATUS "
NAME: Bell Sirocco
AGE: 16
RACE: Human / Reincarnated Soul
LEVEL:58
CLASS:Sand Mage
" TITLES "
Reincarnated One
Otherworlder Soul
Youngest Son of House Sirocco
Child of the Five Great Houses
Awakened Sand Mage
The One Who Remembers Another World
Royal Fiancé
Persistent Sand Apprentice
F-Rank Monster Hunter
E-Rank Monster Slayer
D-Rank Monster Hunter
C-Rank Challenger
Hidden Prodigy
Secret Monster Hunter
Unorthodox Mage
Master of a Thousand Grains
The Noble Who Walks His Own Path
Sand That Refuses to Scatter
Bell smiled at the final title.
"That one still sounds dramatic."
His eyes moved downward.
" ATTRIBUTES "
HP:1,780 / 1,780
MP:8,950 / 8,950
STRENGTH:142
AGILITY:196
ENDURANCE:168
INTELLIGENCE:184
LUCK:58
Bell whistled quietly.
"Eight thousand nine hundred fifty mana."
He remembered having three hundred twenty at age five.
"Yeah."
He smiled.
"We've come a long way."
His agility remained his highest physical attribute.
Not surprising.
Bell had designed nearly his entire fighting style around movement.
Sliding.
Changing directions.
Acrobatics.
Keeping enemies inside his preferred range.
" NORMAL SKILLS "
LANGUAGE COMPREHENSION — MAX
Complete fluency in the common language and several regional dialects.
Bell nodded.
"Useful when I start traveling."
ADVANCED APPRAISAL — LV.8
Displays detailed information on monsters, equipment, materials, magic items, abilities, and weaknesses within Bell's general power range.
ACCELERATED COMPREHENSION — LV.8
Bell rapidly understands techniques, mistakes, magical principles, and combat patterns after observing them.
MANA MEDITATION — LV.8
Greatly improves concentration, mental recovery, mana circulation, and magical training efficiency.
COMBAT INSTINCT — LV.7
Warns Bell of hostile intent, ambushes, incoming attacks, and dangerous battlefield changes.
Bell smiled.
"Formerly Danger Sense."
The skill had evolved years ago.
HIGH-SPEED MANA RECOVERY — LV.8
Bell naturally restores MP at an exceptional rate, particularly while resting or meditating.
MARTIAL ARTS — LV.8
Bell possesses extensive training in:
Punches
Kicks
Throws
Blocks
Counters
Grappling
Close-range monster defense
Bell nodded.
"Never hurts having options."
SWORDSMANSHIP — LV.7
Bell has trained with swords for years as a secondary combat style.
He is not a dedicated Sword Saint, but he is considerably beyond an ordinary amateur swordsman.
ACROBATICS — LV.21
Developed heavily through monster hunting and advanced Sand Step movement.
Improves:
Balance
Rolling
Landing
Jumping
Terrain Traversal
Mid-Combat Repositioning
Bell blinked.
"Still ridiculous."
Years of constantly launching himself around battlefields had pushed Acrobatics far beyond his other general skills.
PRESENCE SUPPRESSION — LV.5
Bell can reduce:
Footstep Noise
Mana Leakage
Killing Intent
Unnecessary Movement
Extremely useful during scouting and secret monster hunting.
Bell scratched his cheek.
"Also useful for sneaking back into the mansion at three in the morning."
" ABILITY SKILLS "
GREATER SAND AFFINITY — LV.4
Massively reduces the difficulty and MP cost of manipulating Sand Magic.
SAND DOMAIN PERCEPTION — LV.3
Evolution of Sand Sense.
Bell can detect:
Movement
Pressure
Footsteps
Impacts
Underground Motion
through controlled sand across a large surrounding area.
Bell smiled.
One of his favorite abilities.
In a sand-covered battlefield—
Sneaking up on Bell became extremely difficult.
ADVANCED SAND MANIPULATION — LV.5
Allows Bell to control vastly greater quantities of sand with exceptional speed and precision.
MANA PERCEPTION — LV.2
Bell can distinguish mana signatures, active spells, magical monsters, enchantments, and concealed mana disturbances.
BATTLEFIELD AWARENESS — LV.3
Bell rapidly evaluates:
Terrain
Elevation
Cover
Enemy Positions
Escape Routes
Choke Points
Potential Trap Locations
PARALLEL PROCESSING — LV.3
Bell can simultaneously maintain several spells while fighting, moving, observing, and planning.
COMBAT SPATIAL SENSE — LV.3
Provides precise awareness of:
Distance
Angles
Projectiles
Attack Paths
Nearby Movement
MINERAL RECOGNITION — LV.3
Bell can identify useful minerals within sand, dirt, dust, and crushed stone.
Especially effective for locating:
Iron Sand
Quartz
Crystal Fragments
Useful Mineral Deposits
GRANULAR FLOW CONTROL — LV.4
Allows Bell to rapidly change the direction, speed, pressure, and movement patterns of flowing granular material.
BODY REINFORCEMENT — LV.4
Bell circulates mana through his body to temporarily improve:
Strength
Speed
Durability
Developed alongside his martial arts training.
Bell continued scrolling.
Now came the section that mattered most.
" SAND MAGIC "
GREATER SAND CREATION — LV.8
Bell can create large quantities of ordinary sand directly from mana.
Still less efficient than using natural sand.
Bell tapped his Endless Dune Sand Pouch.
"Which is why we prepare."
SAND FORTRESS WALL — LV.8
Creates thick compressed defensive barriers capable of protecting several people simultaneously.
SAND SHOT — LV.10
Fires highly compressed sand projectiles at extreme velocity.
Can penetrate many D-Rank monster defenses and injure weaker C-Rank monsters.
Bell smiled.
The pathetic Level-One Sand Bullet capable of making a tiny mark on a wall had come a very long way.
SAND BULLET BARRAGE — LV.8
Launches dozens of compressed Sand Shots across a wide area.
Excellent for monster groups and suppressive fire.
SAND NEEDLE — LV.8
Creates narrow high-pressure piercing projectiles intended for weak points rather than brute force.
SAND SERPENT — LV.7
Creates a long serpent-shaped construct.
Effective for:
Binding
Pursuit
Area Defense
Attacking Around Obstacles
The construct is directly controlled rather than independently summoned.
SAND EYE — LV.7
Creates a floating sand cluster that transmits basic visual information to Bell.
Useful for:
Scouting
Caves
Ruins
Corners
Enemy Camps
GLASS CREATION — LV.5
Bell can transform specially heated and manipulated sand into basic glass structures.
Current applications include:
Glass Plates
Sharp Edges
Reflective Surfaces
Containers
Still requires significant concentration and mana.
Bell smiled.
People had laughed when he first talked about glass.
They stopped laughing when he made a razor-edged glass disk.
IRON SAND CONTROL — LV.5
Bell can manipulate naturally occurring iron-rich sand.
He cannot directly dominate solid metal.
Iron sand is heavier, denser, and far more destructive than ordinary sand.
VOLCANIC SAND CONTROL — LV.5
Allows efficient manipulation of dense volcanic sand.
Particularly useful against:
Armored Targets
High-Heat Environments
CRYSTAL SAND CONTROL — LV.4
A difficult developing technique allowing Bell to manipulate certain granular crystal materials.
DUST VEIL — LV.7
Creates a broad controlled cloud of fine particles.
Effects include:
Blocking Vision
Disrupting Aim
Revealing Movement
Interfering With Scent
Concealing Bell's Attacks
DUNE STEP — LV.9
Advanced evolution of Sand Step.
Allows:
Rapid Sliding
Sudden Acceleration
Sharp Turns
Longer Leaps
Wall-Assisted Movement
Brief Movement Across Unstable Terrain
SAND WAVE — LV.8
Creates a broad moving wave of sand capable of:
Knocking Down Enemies
Breaking Formations
Burying Smaller Monsters
Changing Battlefield Terrain
SAND PRISON — LV.8
Wraps sand around a target's legs and body before compressing.
Highly effective against F-Rank through D-Rank monsters.
Strong C-Rank targets can eventually escape.
SAND ARMOR — LV.4
Forms moving layers of compressed sand around Bell's body to reduce physical damage.
SAND BLADE — LV.4
Forms a sharp rotating layer of compressed sand around Bell's hand or weapon.
SAND SPEAR — LV.7
Creates a long compressed spear that may be wielded or launched remotely.
QUICKSAND FIELD — LV.3
Transforms a broad section of suitable terrain into unstable sinking sand.
Excellent for group control.
SAND CLONE — LV.2
Creates humanoid sand replicas controlled remotely by Bell.
They are not alive.
They collapse after receiving heavy damage.
SAND GOLEM — LV.2
Creates a larger humanoid sand construct capable of:
Attacking
Defending
Carrying
Restraining
Bell laughed.
He remembered the tiny crooked golem that could barely walk across his childhood bedroom.
SANDSTORM — LV.2
Creates a localized violent sandstorm.
Effects include:
Reduced Visibility
Damage to Exposed Skin
Disruption of Projectiles
Concealment
High MP consumption.
DUNE GLIDE — LV.2
Allows Bell to ride a flowing sand layer across the ground.
Extremely fast on sand-heavy terrain.
Not true flight.
SAND BEAST — LV.6
Creates controlled animal-shaped constructs such as:
Wolves
Birds
Serpents
Large Clawed Hands
They are constructs rather than true summoned creatures.
Bell smiled.
"Madelyn still asks for dragons."
The Status System apparently did not consider that comment worth acknowledging.
Then Bell reached the skill that interested him most.
" UNIQUE SKILL "
GRAIN SOVEREIGNTY
Classification: Unique Authority
Synchronization: 14%
Bell became quiet.
Fourteen percent.
Ten years.
Countless training sessions.
Thousands of spells.
Hundreds of monster battles.
And Bell had unlocked only fourteen percent.
The description continued.
Bell's understanding and authority over granular matter have developed enormously since awakening.
However:
86% REMAINS LOCKED
Bell stared.
He had read that line countless times.
It remained both frustrating and exciting.
"Fourteen percent…"
He slowly closed his hand.
"And I can already do all this."
Bell looked toward the list of Sand Magic.
His smile faded into thoughtful curiosity.
"What happens at fifty?"
Then—
"What happens at one hundred?"
No answer appeared.
Bell laughed softly.
"Of course."
" WEAPONS "
Adventurer Knife
" ITEMS "
ENDLESS DUNE SAND POUCH
Bell's most important adventuring item.
Contains large reserves of separated sand varieties.
Current commonly stored materials:
Ordinary Sand
River Sand
Desert Sand
Volcanic Sand
Iron-Rich Sand
Fine Quartz Sand
Bell closed the screen.
Golden particles disappeared.
For several seconds, he remained still.
Level Fifty-Eight.
He had started at Level One.
He remembered firing weak Sand Bullets at wooden targets.
Missing.
Running out of mana.
Collapsing after short training sessions.
Now—
Bell smiled.
"Not bad."
Then his eyes sharpened.
"But nowhere near finished."
He wanted to reach B-Rank monsters.
A-Rank.
S-Rank someday.
He wanted to see how far Grain Sovereignty could evolve.
And most importantly—
He wanted to leave.
Not forever.
House Sirocco was his home.
But Bell had spent most of his second life training toward one dream.
The dream Max Carter once had while staring at fantasy worlds through screens and books.
Adventure.
Real adventure.
Bell opened his bedroom door.
"Time to eat."
THE SIROCCO DINING HALL
Bell walked through the mansion.
Servants greeted him.
"Good morning, Young Master Bell."
Bell nodded.
"Morning."
Several younger servants whispered after he passed.
"He looks more like an adventurer every year."
"I heard he spends most days training."
"Duke Viktor still considers his affinity disappointing."
"Really?"
"Yes."
Bell heard everything.
He simply smiled.
Still talking about that after ten years.
He reached the dining room.
Two guards opened the doors.
Bell walked inside—
And stopped.
"Oh."
His family was there.
That part was normal.
But several other extremely familiar people were sitting with them.
Bell raised an eyebrow.
King Warren noticed him first.
The king was older now, faint gray becoming more visible at his temples, but his royal presence remained powerful.
He immediately laughed.
"Look who finally arrived!"
Bell smiled.
"My king."
He walked inside.
"What is this special occasion?"
Queen Caroline giggled.
Her elegant features had barely changed beyond carrying a slightly more mature dignity.
"What?"
She placed one hand against her chest.
"A queen cannot visit her future son-in-law for breakfast?"
Bell laughed.
"When you say it like that, I sound rude."
"You are learning."
Then another voice came.
"Oh, there's definitely another reason."
Bell looked.
Prince Jonah sat nearby.
Now twenty, the crown prince had grown into a tall, athletic young swordsman.
His dark brown hair remained neatly cut.
His blue eyes were sharper.
A royal sword rested near his chair.
Jonah smirked.
"Madelyn kept asking when we were visiting you."
Silence.
Bell slowly turned.
Madelyn sat two seats away.
At sixteen, she had grown into a beautiful young princess.
Her golden-blonde hair flowed far past her shoulders.
Her sapphire-blue eyes widened.
Her entire face turned bright red.
"JONAH!"
Jonah calmly picked up his drink.
"What?"
"Why would you say that?!"
"Because it's true."
"It was not like that!"
Bell tried not to laugh.
Madelyn saw him.
"Don't you start!"
Bell raised both hands.
"I didn't say anything."
"You were about to."
"I was thinking."
"That is worse!"
A new voice came from beside Jonah.
"He is telling the truth, Sister."
Madelyn froze.
Slowly—
She turned.
"Kendall."
Bell looked toward the speaker.
PRINCESS KENDALL ASHCROFT — THE LIBRARY PRINCESS
Kendall was twelve years old now.
She had grown into a cute, elegant young princess with long soft chestnut-brown hair falling beyond her shoulders in gentle waves.
Part of it had been tied back with a dark-blue ribbon.
Her emerald-green eyes resembled Caroline's.
She wore a comfortable navy-blue and cream royal dress rather than anything overly ceremonial.
A thick book rested beside her plate.
Of course it did.
Kendall had practically grown up inside the palace library.
Curious.
Intelligent.
Quiet.
Bookish.
Polite.
Gentle.
And far more stubborn than people initially expected.
Madelyn pointed at her.
"Kendall, shut up!"
Kendall calmly adjusted the small reading glasses resting on her nose.
"I merely stated a factual observation."
Jonah nodded.
"Exactly."
Madelyn stared at both siblings.
"I hate both of you."
Caroline sighed.
"You do not."
Madelyn crossed her arms.
"For the next five minutes, I do."
Everyone laughed.
Bell approached Kendall.
"Morning, Kendall."
She smiled.
"Good morning, Bell."
"Been a while."
"Twenty-three days."
Bell blinked.
"You counted?"
Kendall tilted her head.
"No."
Bell looked suspicious.
She smiled.
"Maybe."
Bell laughed.
"How's everything going?"
Kendall immediately brightened.
"I found three new books concerning ancient pre-unification magic systems."
Bell smiled.
"Of course you did."
"One includes references to granular mineral spells."
Bell's expression changed immediately.
"Really?"
Madelyn sighed.
"And there they go."
Kendall continued:
"I copied the relevant pages."
Bell pulled out a chair.
"Kendall, you're officially my favorite Ashcroft today."
Jonah looked offended.
"Today?"
Warren laughed.
Madelyn narrowed her eyes.
Bell immediately corrected himself.
"My favorite book supplier."
"Better."
Caroline looked around at all her children.
Then toward Natalie's family.
She sighed warmly.
"They have all grown so much."
Natalie laughed.
"You sound like me."
"I understand you better every year."
Natalie looked around the table.
Danny.
Terra.
Alexander.
Serenity.
Lucas.
Bell.
Then the youngest child.
Her smile became impossibly warm.
"They are all still my babies."
Several voices immediately protested.
"Mother."
"Mom."
"We are adults."
"Absolutely not."
Bell laughed.
Then a much younger voice rose above the others.
"I'M NOT A BABY!"
Bell turned.
At the table sat the newest and youngest member of the Sirocco siblings.
ALANA SIROCCO — THE LITTLE BREEZE
Seven years old.
A Wind Mage.
Alana had soft sandy-blonde hair falling just beyond her shoulders.
It was already slightly messy despite breakfast barely beginning.
Large sky-blue eyes stared indignantly toward Natalie.
Her cheeks were naturally rosy.
She wore a simple light-blue and white dress.
Tiny breezes constantly moved several strands of her hair whenever she became emotional.
Right now—
They were moving quite a lot.
Alana puffed her cheeks.
"I am a big girl!"
Natalie smiled.
"You are my baby."
"No!"
"You are."
"I have Wind Magic!"
A tiny breeze swirled around her spoon.
"See?"
Natalie nodded.
"My magically talented baby."
Alana looked horrified.
"That makes it worse!"
Bell laughed.
Alana immediately turned toward him.
"Big Brother Bell!"
"Yes?"
She pointed toward herself.
"I'm a big girl, right?"
Bell pretended to think deeply.
He rubbed his chin.
"Hmmm…"
Alana's eyes widened.
"Bell!"
He laughed.
"Okay, okay."
Bell leaned toward her.
"You're definitely a big girl."
Alana immediately beamed.
"Yes!"
Natalie looked at him.
"Bell."
He shrugged.
"What?"
"You are encouraging her."
"I'm being supportive."
Alana jumped from her chair and hugged Bell's arm.
"Bell understands me!"
Bell patted her head.
"I try."
Alana absolutely adored Bell.
She had grown up hearing whispers about his supposedly weak magic.
She had never understood them.
To Alana, Bell was simply the older brother who made sand animals for her.
The brother who carried her when she got tired.
The brother who helped her practice controlling wind without laughing when she accidentally blew papers across an entire room.
The brother who always listened when she talked.
Which Alana did.
A lot.
She looked at him.
"Big Brother Bell?"
"Yeah?"
"Can you make the sand bird again later?"
"Sure."
"And the sand wolf?"
"Sure."
"And the giant hand?"
Bell laughed.
"Maybe outside."
Alana nodded seriously.
"Mother says no giant sand hands indoors anymore."
Natalie sighed.
"For good reason."
Alexander laughed.
"That chandelier almost died."
Bell defended himself.
"The hand slipped."
"You controlled the hand."
"That is an unnecessary technicality."
The table erupted in laughter.
Almost everyone.
Almost.
Danny sat farther down.
The eldest brother had become a powerful adult Fire Mage.
Twenty-four years old.
Tall.
Athletic.
Strong.
His crimson eyes still carried the same pride they had when he was younger.
He watched Bell and Alana.
Then laughed once.
Not happily.
More like a scoff.
Alana heard it.
She looked toward him.
"What?"
Danny looked over.
Alana tilted her head.
"What is funny, Big Brother Danny?"
Several siblings immediately sighed.
Alexander whispered to Lucas:
"Here we go."
Lucas quietly replied:
"Again."
Terra's expression became concerned.
Serenity closed her eyes.
Danny looked toward Alana.
Then toward Bell.
"Nothing."
Alana frowned.
"You laughed when we talked about Bell's magic."
Danny leaned back.
"So?"
"So Bell's magic is awesome."
Bell's eyebrows rose.
Alana continued passionately:
"He makes animals!"
She counted on her fingers.
"And walls!"
"And slides!"
"And sand hands!"
"And dragons!"
Madelyn immediately added:
"The dragons are important."
Bell looked toward her.
"You're sixteen."
"And?"
"You're still defending sand dragons."
"Because they're important."
Bell laughed.
Danny shook his head.
"You all make it sound impressive."
Alana frowned.
"It is impressive."
Danny's crimson eyes moved toward Bell.
"He's still a Sand Mage."
The room became quieter.
Bell simply continued drinking.
Danny continued:
"Ten years."
"He has trained for ten years and at the end of the day…"
He gestured dismissively.
"…it's sand."
Alana shook her head rapidly.
"You're wrong."
Danny's eyes narrowed.
"What?"
"You're wrong!"
The small breeze around Alana strengthened.
Napkins fluttered.
Her spoon rolled.
"Bell is strong!"
Danny frowned.
"You don't understand strength."
Alana stood on her chair.
"YES I DO!"
Natalie immediately said:
"Alana, sit."
Alana slowly sat.
Still glaring.
Terra spoke gently.
"Danny, this really isn't necessary."
Alexander leaned back.
"You've been saying the same thing since Bell awakened."
Serenity nodded.
"Repeated statements do not become more correct merely through repetition."
Danny looked toward her.
"You think Sand Magic compares with Fire?"
Serenity answered calmly:
"I said nothing of the sort."
Lucas adjusted his glasses.
"The argument is flawed regardless. Magical usefulness depends considerably on application."
Danny rolled his eyes.
"You sound exactly like Bell."
Lucas nodded.
"Because the statement remains logically valid."
Danny looked increasingly irritated.
Bell finally spoke.
"Guys."
Everyone looked toward him.
Bell smiled casually.
"It's breakfast."
He lifted a piece of bread.
"Can we survive one meal without turning my magic into a philosophical debate?"
Alana pointed at Danny.
"He started it."
Bell smiled.
"I know."
Then King Warren suddenly laughed.
A loud royal laugh.
"Ah!"
Everyone looked toward him.
Warren leaned back.
"Sibling love."
Viktor sat at the head of the Sirocco side of the table.
His expression remained as reserved as ever.
Warren looked toward him.
"Wouldn't you agree, old friend?"
Viktor's golden eyes moved toward Bell.
For a moment, Bell wondered whether his father might finally say something different.
Viktor spoke.
"Danny's delivery was unnecessarily harsh."
Bell waited.
Viktor continued.
"But Sand Magic remains inherently limited compared with true major elemental affinities."
Silence.
Alana's face fell.
Natalie closed her eyes.
Bell simply looked toward his father.
Ten years.
Still the same.
Viktor continued:
"Bell has shown dedication."
Bell almost laughed.
That sounded dangerously close to praise.
"But dedication cannot alter elemental hierarchy."
Madelyn's hand suddenly moved beneath the table.
She grabbed Bell's.
Bell looked toward her.
Madelyn leaned slightly closer.
Quietly enough that only Bell could hear, she whispered:
"I believe in you."
Bell stared for a moment.
Then smiled.
"Thanks."
He gently squeezed her hand once before releasing it.
Breakfast began properly.
Servants brought food.
Warm bread.
Eggs.
Roasted potatoes.
Fruit.
Sausages.
Tea.
Juice.
Honey.
Pastries.
Conversation slowly returned.
Kendall talked with Lucas about ancient magical languages.
Alexander challenged Jonah to another race.
Jonah informed him that grown men should stop turning everything into competitions.
Alexander immediately challenged him to a sword match instead.
Caroline and Natalie discussed upcoming royal events.
Alana told Madelyn an extremely long story about accidentally blowing one of her tutors' hats into a fountain.
Bell ate quietly.
But his mind was elsewhere.
His eyes occasionally shifted toward Viktor.
This morning was not ordinary.
Bell had made a decision months ago.
He simply had not announced it yet.
Now—
It was time.
Several minutes passed.
Bell placed his utensils down.
"Father."
Viktor looked toward him.
"What is it?"
Conversation gradually quieted.
Bell met his father's eyes.
For several seconds, he said nothing.
Viktor raised an eyebrow.
"Bell?"
Bell breathed in.
Then spoke clearly.
"I will be leaving House Sirocco."
Silence.
Absolute silence.
Madelyn's eyes widened.
Natalie's hand stopped halfway toward her cup.
Alana stared.
Danny slowly turned.
Even Warren stopped smiling.
Viktor's expression hardened.
"What?"
Bell remained calm.
"I've decided it's time."
Natalie spoke first.
"Bell…"
Bell looked toward his mother.
"I don't mean forever."
Her expression softened slightly.
Bell continued:
"I've spent most of my life here."
"I've trained here."
"Studied here."
"Learned magic here."
He looked around the room.
"And I'm grateful."
His eyes returned toward Viktor.
"But I didn't get a second life just to stay behind the walls of one estate."
Nobody interrupted.
Bell continued:
"I want to travel."
"Explore."
"See other kingdoms."
"Enter dungeons."
"Visit ancient ruins."
"Fight monsters."
"Meet adventurers."
"Learn how people outside Ravelle live."
His golden eyes brightened.
"And eventually…"
He smiled.
"…join the Adventurer Guild."
Alexander whistled.
Terra looked worried but proud.
Lucas seemed unsurprised.
Serenity quietly studied Bell.
Alana's eyes became enormous.
"You're going on an adventure?!"
Bell laughed.
"Eventually."
Alana slammed both hands on the table.
"THAT'S AWESOME!"
Natalie looked toward her.
"Alana."
"Sorry."
She whispered loudly:
"That's awesome."
Warren laughed.
Bell continued.
"I want people outside House Sirocco to hear my name."
His expression became more determined.
"Not because I'm Viktor Sirocco's son."
"Not because I'm engaged to Madelyn."
Madelyn listened quietly.
"Not because I'm a noble."
Bell placed one hand against his chest.
"But because I'm Bell Sirocco."
The room remained silent.
"And I want to show everyone something else."
Viktor's eyes narrowed.
Bell smiled slightly.
"That the youngest son of House Sirocco isn't weak."
His mana stirred faintly.
"And neither is Sand Magic."
Natalie's eyes softened.
"My son…"
Terra smiled.
"I think it's wonderful."
Danny scoffed.
Terra looked at him.
"What?"
Danny crossed his arms.
"Traveling the world isn't some fantasy story."
Bell's eyebrow lifted.
If only Danny knew.
Danny continued:
"Monsters don't care about your clever tricks."
Bell almost laughed.
I am very aware.
Alexander leaned toward Danny.
"Why do you always have to do that?"
"Do what?"
"Turn everything Bell says into an argument."
Danny ignored him.
Caroline looked toward Bell.
"You have thought about this for a long time."
Bell nodded.
"Years."
Jonah smiled.
"I support it."
Warren looked toward his son.
Jonah shrugged.
"Travel teaches things books and tutors cannot."
Kendall looked offended.
"Books teach many things."
Jonah immediately corrected:
"Things books cannot teach alone."
Kendall nodded.
"Acceptable."
Warren laughed.
Then the king looked toward Bell.
"I agree."
Viktor glanced toward him.
Warren shrugged.
"I am king because I've seen Ravelle."
"Not merely the capital."
"Villages."
"Border towns."
"Military camps."
"Farms."
"Ports."
He looked at Bell.
"A man learns differently when the world stops being something described by someone else."
Bell nodded.
"Exactly."
Natalie looked worried.
"But traveling alone is dangerous."
Bell smiled.
"I know."
Danny laughed.
"You know?"
Bell looked toward him.
Danny leaned forward.
"How?"
Bell remained silent.
Danny continued:
"You've trained in fields."
"Practiced magic."
"Sparred with Madelyn."
He gestured toward Bell.
"But you have no understanding of actual combat."
Bell stared at him.
Several people around the table suddenly looked awkward.
Heather, standing along the wall, lowered her eyes.
She knew enough to realize just how wrong Danny was.
Bell smiled slightly.
"Is that what you think?"
Danny nodded.
"Yes."
Bell shrugged.
"Okay."
That answer irritated Danny more than arguing would have.
Viktor finally raised one hand.
Everyone became silent.
He looked directly at Bell.
"You wish to leave House Sirocco."
"Yes."
"Travel independently."
"Yes."
"Fight monsters."
"Yes."
"Become an adventurer."
Bell nodded.
"Yes."
Viktor stared.
Bell did not look away.
Finally—
Viktor spoke.
"I will permit it under one condition."
Natalie's expression immediately became suspicious.
Bell remained calm.
"What condition?"
Viktor's gaze shifted toward Danny.
Then back to Bell.
"You will prove you possess the strength required to survive outside this estate."
Bell narrowed his eyes.
"How?"
Viktor answered simply:
"A spar."
Bell's siblings became quiet.
Danny looked toward his father.
Viktor continued:
"You will fight Danny."
Everyone reacted at once.
"What?!"
"Father!"
"Viktor!"
"Are you serious?"
Alana's eyes became huge.
"BELL'S FIGHTING DANNY?!"
Jonah immediately looked interested.
Madelyn looked alarmed.
Danny slowly smiled.
Bell remained still.
Viktor looked between his sons.
"One-on-one."
"The training grounds."
"Victory is not necessarily required."
Bell listened.
"But I must be convinced that you possess enough combat ability to survive outside House Sirocco."
Natalie stood slightly.
"Viktor, Danny has years more combat experience—"
"I'll do it."
Everyone stopped.
Natalie looked toward Bell.
"Bell."
Bell met his mother's eyes.
Then he smiled.
"It's okay."
"But—"
"I said I want to prove I'm ready."
Bell turned toward his father.
"If this is what it takes…"
His golden eyes sharpened.
"…then yes."
"I'll fight Danny."
Danny stared.
Bell looked toward him.
For the first time in years, something like genuine curiosity appeared behind Danny's crimson eyes.
Viktor nodded.
"Very well."
He stood.
"Twenty minutes."
Bell raised an eyebrow.
"That soon?"
"If you intend to become an adventurer, you will not always receive preparation time."
Bell slowly smiled.
"Fair enough."
Viktor turned.
"Training grounds."
"I expect both of you there."
Danny stood too.
He stretched his shoulders.
Then looked toward Bell.
"You can still back out."
Bell stared.
Danny smirked.
"I've seen you training before."
"Some Sand Bullets."
"Walls."
"Fancy movement."
Bell remained silent.
Danny continued:
"But fighting monsters and fighting an experienced mage are entirely different."
Bell's smile became faint.
Danny had accidentally said something correct.
He simply did not know Bell had experience with the first part too.
Danny stepped closer.
"Don't complain when this ends quickly."
Bell looked up at his older brother.
"Wouldn't dream of it."
Danny frowned slightly.
Bell's confidence clearly bothered him.
Danny turned.
"See you outside."
He left.
For three seconds, the dining hall remained silent.
Then—
Alexander slammed both hands on the table.
"THIS IS GOING TO BE AMAZING."
Terra glared.
"Alexander!"
"What?"
"Our brothers are fighting!"
"Exactly!"
Serenity sighed.
Lucas looked thoughtful.
"This could be informative."
Terra stared at him.
"Not you too."
Lucas adjusted his sleeve.
"I am merely curious."
Alana practically bounced in her chair.
"I'M ROOTING FOR BELL!"
Natalie sighed.
"Of course you are."
Alana cupped both hands around her mouth.
"BIG BROTHER BELL IS GONNA WIN!"
Bell laughed.
"Don't put pressure on me."
Alana pointed dramatically.
"I BELIEVE IN YOU!"
Bell grinned.
"Thanks."
Natalie walked toward Bell.
She placed both hands against his shoulders.
"I don't like this."
Bell's expression softened.
"I know."
"Danny is strong."
"I know."
"He has trained seriously for years."
"So have I."
Natalie stared.
There was something in Bell's voice.
Something confident.
Not arrogant.
Certain.
She exhaled.
"Be careful."
Bell nodded.
"I will."
Warren stood.
"Well!"
He smiled.
"I suppose breakfast has suddenly become much more entertaining."
Caroline gave him a look.
"Our future son-in-law is about to fight his older brother."
Warren nodded.
"Yes."
"And you're excited."
"Very."
Caroline sighed.
"Men."
Jonah stood immediately.
"I'll watch."
Madelyn looked at him.
"You say that like anyone expected otherwise."
Jonah smiled.
"I haven't seen Bell fight seriously in years."
Bell looked toward Madelyn.
She had become quiet.
He approached her.
"Madelyn?"
Her sapphire eyes lifted.
"Are you sure?"
Bell nodded.
"Yeah."
"Danny won't go easy on you."
"I know."
She looked toward the door Danny had used.
Then back toward Bell.
"I've trained with you."
Bell waited.
Madelyn smiled faintly.
"I know you aren't weak."
Bell's expression softened.
She reached out and squeezed his hand.
"So…"
Her eyes sharpened.
"Make him understand."
Bell smiled.
"I'll try."
Madelyn frowned.
"Don't say try."
Bell laughed.
"Fine."
His golden eyes became focused.
"I'll show him."
Madelyn nodded.
"I trust you."
The rest of the family began leaving for the training grounds.
Bell turned toward the hallway leading back to his bedroom.
"Guess I'd better change."
Heather stepped away from the wall.
"I will accompany you."
Bell smiled.
"Thanks, Heather."
BELL'S BEDROOM
Bell entered quickly.
He opened his wardrobe.
Heather stood nearby.
Bell removed his breakfast clothing.
Then reached toward the outfit he kept prepared for combat and travel.
The clothes were nothing like the expensive ceremonial outfits House Sirocco preferred.
These belonged to Bell.
His style.
His choices.
First came a sand-colored linen combat tunic.
Lightweight.
Breathable.
Durable.
The sleeves could be rolled whenever necessary.
Reinforced stitching protected areas normally damaged during climbing or combat.
Over the tunic, Bell fastened a black leather chest harness designed to hold equipment without interfering with spellcasting.
Next came his trousers.
Dark charcoal travel pants made from flexible fabric.
Reinforced knees.
Utility pockets.
Dust-resistant leather patches.
Bell tightened the waist.
Then came lightweight protection.
Black leather shoulder guards.
Dark forearm bracers.
A reinforced belt.
Small waist armor panels.
Leather knee guards.
Nothing heavy.
Bell valued mobility too much for plate armor.
He pulled on his boots.
Black leather desert adventurer boots.
Thick soles.
Reinforced toes.
Sand-resistant ankle wraps.
Scuffed.
Worn.
Practical.
Heather watched him.
"You have repaired those three times."
Bell smiled.
"They're comfortable."
"They are dying."
"They still have life."
"One sole nearly separated last month."
Bell pointed.
"Nearly."
Heather sighed.
Bell pulled on black fingerless gloves.
Silver stitching followed the edges.
Reinforced palms protected his hands when climbing or using weapons.
Finally—
His coat.
Bell lifted the long matte-black Sand Mage adventurer jacket.
It reached just above his knees.
Silver trim ran around the collar, cuffs, and front opening.
Thin gold lining followed several seams.
A high standing collar protected his neck.
The back was split for unrestricted movement.
Reinforced leather covered the shoulders.
The fabric was durable enough for travel without looking excessively armored.
Bell slipped it on.
He rolled his shoulders.
Perfect.
Then—
Equipment.
The Adventurer Knife went onto his belt.
Bell checked its sheath.
Secure.
Finally, he reached toward a familiar item sitting on the table.
The same enchanted tool that had accompanied him through countless secret hunts.
The Endless Dune Sand Pouch.
Bell lifted it.
For a moment, he remembered receiving it at seven.
He remembered his first dangerous night.
His first levels.
His first monsters.
Every battle since.
He clipped it securely onto his belt.
Heather's eyes lowered toward it.
"You filled it recently?"
Bell nodded.
"Ordinary."
"Desert."
"Quartz."
"Iron."
"Volcanic."
He smiled.
"A little crystal sand too."
Heather looked toward him.
"This is only supposed to be a spar."
Bell smiled innocently.
"Preparation."
"You sound exactly like you did at seven."
Bell laughed.
"Hopefully I'm better at it now."
He walked toward the mirror.
A sixteen-year-old Sand Mage stared back.
No royal ceremonial robe.
No fancy nobleman's clothing.
No appearance designed to impress aristocrats.
Just Bell.
An adventurer before officially becoming one.
He adjusted his gloves.
His expression became serious.
"This is different."
Heather looked toward him.
"Fighting your brother?"
Bell nodded.
"I've fought monsters for years."
"Animals."
"Beasts."
"Goblins."
"Ogres."
"Things that attack because they want to eat me."
He looked down at his hands.
"But Danny thinks."
"He plans."
"He knows magic."
"He knows me."
Bell smiled faintly.
"Or at least…"
His golden eyes sharpened.
"…he thinks he does."
Heather smiled.
"You sound excited."
Bell considered it.
"I am."
He looked at himself again.
"For ten years, people have told me Sand Magic is weak."
"Danny."
"My father."
"Random nobles."
"Servants."
"Other mages."
Heather listened quietly.
Bell continued:
"I stopped caring a long time ago."
He rested one hand on the Endless Dune pouch.
"But if beating Danny is what it takes for Father to let me leave…"
His smile became confident.
"Then I'll prove it."
A knock came from the door.
Knock. Knock.
Bell looked over.
Heather had already been inside, so the voice came from the hallway.
A servant spoke.
"Young Master Bell, Lord Viktor has asked that you proceed to the training grounds."
Bell nodded.
"Tell him I'm coming."
"Yes, young master."
Footsteps disappeared.
Bell exhaled slowly.
Heather stepped toward him.
"Master Bell?"
"Yeah?"
She smiled.
"Ten years ago, I brought you ten little vials of sand."
Bell laughed.
"I remember."
"You could barely hit a stationary training dummy."
Bell placed a hand against his chest.
"You really know how to motivate someone."
Heather laughed softly.
Then her expression became warm.
"Now…"
She looked at the Endless Dune pouch.
"I suspect your brother has absolutely no idea what he agreed to."
Bell blinked.
Then laughed.
"That might be the nicest thing you've ever said."
Heather opened the door.
"Are you ready?"
Bell looked down the hallway.
His family was waiting.
The royal family was waiting.
Madelyn was waiting.
His father.
His brother.
And beyond this fight—
The world.
The Adventurer Guild.
Dungeons.
Ruins.
Kingdoms.
Freedom.
Everything Max Carter had once dreamed about while trapped behind an office desk.
Bell's golden eyes brightened.
"Yeah."
He stepped toward the doorway.
"I'm ready."
Heather bowed slightly.
"Then let us go."
Bell walked through the door.
Heather followed.
Their footsteps echoed through the long Sirocco hallways as they made their way toward the training grounds.
Bell rested one hand casually against the Endless Dune Sand Pouch.
A smile slowly appeared.
Danny thinks I'm still the kid firing Sand Bullets at wooden targets.
His golden eyes narrowed.
Father still thinks Sand Magic is inherently weak.
Ahead, sunlight poured through the open corridor leading outside.
Bell continued walking toward it.
Guess it's finally time to show them what I've actually been doing for the last ten years.
TO BE CONTINUED