Dressed in his training clothes and carrying a wooden katana, Liam precisely executed the basic forms of the style Joel had taught him. In front of him, fourteen children imitated him with discipline, each wielding a smaller version of the sword.

  "Keep the rhythm," he said firmly, still moving. "After a hundred repetitions, we move on to the thrust form."

  The sound of wood slicing through the air filled the room, marking a steady beat.

  Quite a few years had passed since Liam began his swordplay, and although he was still far from reaching his master's level, his effort and dedication had already turned him into a true swordsman. Strangely, magic, his katana technique, and his passion for sculpting had ended up intertwining, forming an unexpected harmony.

  From that intersection was born what Joel defined as a Combat Art. A singular state, similar to the creative trance Liam achieved when sculpting, but transferred to the battlefield. There, his entire being aligned: his breathing, his heartbeat, the movement of his arm, the sounds around him... and with it, he was able to read his opponent's gestures with disconcerting clarity, anticipating attacks even before they were executed.

  It was a skill that not even his teacher could replicate, and that discovery awakened in Liam a feeling that didn't quite fit with his gentle personality: an ambition to teach it to others. That's why he trained the children so diligently, hoping some of them could find the same path. Especially Jared, the little one who was already on the verge of awakening his magic.

  Liam knew very well that Joel had carried an enormous weight since the day he decided to take him and his sister under his wing. When he was a child, he couldn't grasp the magnitude of that sacrifice, but as the years went by—and now, at seventeen and in charge of a group of children—he understood how difficult it was to provide security, food, and shelter in a world that seemed determined to crush them.

  That's why he couldn't help but admire his Master. Joel had given up so much for them, and now Liam wanted to give back, even if only a little, of everything he'd received. His purpose was clear: to make Joel's educational project prosper, for these children to help create a different future, free from the chains of the empire.

  The amazing power of his master, capable of bringing objects out of nowhere, was not enough to sustain so many children. So Liam and Ariel had taken on new responsibilities, including hunting in the nearby forests. She, with the help of Oscar, the owl that had become her inseparable companion, had specialized in hunting birds with lethal precision. Liam, on the other hand, took on larger prey, animals that required strength and experience that only he had gained from Joel.

  His new weapon, the pistol Joel had given him, had made a huge difference. In his hands, the artifact had become a decisive ally. A well-aimed shot to the eye, as his master taught him, usually ended a fight before it began. There was no glory or spectacle in it, only efficiency. And although part of him still preferred the katana, he couldn't deny the peace of mind he felt knowing he now had a faster and safer way to protect and provide for his people.

  Sometimes, when he returned with a deer on his shoulder or a bleeding boar dragged by its legs, he remembered the difficult times they had endured when they had first arrived in the forest, and the struggle Joel had endured to keep them safe and well-fed. He had greatly abused his ability to create food with magic.

  Liam still struggled to understand how his master could use magic to create so many strange things, some truly astonishing. As a child, everything seemed to have a simple explanation: "Magic makes it possible," he often thought. But as he grew older and discovered the limitations of his own power, he understood that Joel's actions were not ordinary. He was not just another magician: he was special, perhaps unique in the world. And that uniqueness had saved him and his sister from an uncertain fate.

  Over the years, Joel had become much more than a mentor. Liam had now spent more time with him than with his own parents, and both he and Ariel saw him as a father figure. Joel had done what his real parents had failed to do: take a risk, defy the empire, and risk his own life to keep them safe.

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  Liam also knew well what Ariel felt. He had noticed it long before she herself had acknowledged it. The way she looked at him, with devotion and a sparkle in her eyes that had changed over the years, transforming into something more complex. A feeling sometimes impossible to avoid for a young woman who sees her whole world revolve around a man. Liam wasn't sure, but he sensed it. And although he didn't know if Joel reciprocated that feeling in any way, he understood that, for his sister, that man was much more than a protector.

  In contrast, the memories of his parents grew increasingly blurred. Sometimes, when he closed his eyes, he tried to evoke happy moments from his childhood... but the only thing that came back again and again was that scene: his parents handing them over with a smile to the imperial delegates, as if they were giving away a treasure. There was no resistance, no tears, not even hesitation. "A better future," they said. That was the moment his innocence broke.

  Liam tried to convince himself that he shouldn't blame them, that they had been ignorant, that even he didn't understand what was really going on back then. But still, he couldn't help but feel angry. They had denounced him as soon as they discovered his magical potential, when he accidentally lit a candle with his fingers. That spark, which should have been celebrated as a miracle, was the very one that marked the beginning of everything.

  And now, with each passing day, that memory faded more and more, replaced by Joel's steady presence, Ariel's serene voice, and the laughter of the children he trained and cared for. It was as if the past were erasing itself, making way for a new life, a new family.

  But deep down, Liam couldn't help but wonder if he'd ever see them again. And, if so, if he'd ever be able to forgive them.

  Turning his attention to the children in front of him, Liam couldn't help but see himself reflected in those small faces, filled with enthusiasm and focus. Every awkward movement, every attempt to mimic the correct posture, reminded him of his own beginnings. But what moved him most was the strength with which those children, each and every one with a past far tougher than his own, clung to the opportunity Joel had given them. A chance to learn, to grow… to be more than just victims of the world.

  Not far away, the girls' bustle distracted him for a moment. They ran in circles around the large tree they had made their home, their laughter filling the air like a song of freedom. Ariel enthusiastically guided them, her voice mingling with their laughter, while Oscar the owl watched everything from a high branch with his attentive and imposing gaze.

  Liam allowed himself a brief smile. It was a scene he'd never have imagined experiencing in his childhood: a refuge amidst the chaos, where innocence could be restored, even if only for a moment.

  His eyes then fell on Abigail, the so-called child prodigy. Joel and Ariel spoke of her as if she were a diamond in the rough, and Liam knew they were right. Now, however, she was barely able to keep up with her classmates, her tiny legs struggling to keep up. That fragility only evoked more tenderness than concern.

  Liam smiled again, wider this time. He knew with certainty that when Abigail's magic fully awakened, none of the other girls would be able to keep up. He saw it in the way she observed everything, in that distinct spark that burned in her eyes. Time was on her side, and when her time came, she would shine brighter than anyone else.

  Nana had been constantly improving her elixirs, making them ever more effective and tailored to each individual. Liam still couldn't believe that the strange statue his master created years ago had become the true pillar of their small community: a silent guardian that gave them shelter, security, and, above all, the ability to grow as magicians.

  In recent months, Nana had begun experimenting with a new type of potion that she claimed could gradually strengthen children over the years. Perhaps even awaken magic in others besides Abigail and Jared. To Liam, this sounded revolutionary, almost impossible… although, being Nana, he wouldn't be surprised if it actually worked.

  The house under her control was, nowadays, a true fantasy world. With lights that turned on with simple switches, appliances that could cook and heat without fire, and so many other conveniences that made life seem almost too simple. He and Ariel still couldn't overcome their addiction to the video game consoles Joel had given them, and they waited expectantly for the day when their master might decide to create even more amazing new versions.

  Suddenly, Oscar let out one of his signature screams, a dry squeal he always used to alert others. The bird spread its wings and began flapping vigorously, demanding their full attention. The training stopped immediately, and Liam turned his gaze, following the direction the owl was pointing.

  Amid the dense forest vegetation, a silhouette began to take shape. It only took a moment for him to know who it was: the way he walked, the serenity of his bearing, were impossible to mistake. Joel.

  Ariel didn't need confirmation. She let out a squeal of joy and ran toward him, closely followed by several of the girls who were laughing excitedly, leaving everything they were doing behind. Liam smiled at the scene... until he noticed Joel wasn't alone.

  Beside the unmistakable figure of his teacher, another, smaller silhouette emerged, with blond hair that shone even in the shade of the trees. Liam felt his blood run cold and, without realizing it, dropped the wooden sword to the ground.

  He instantly recognized that presence. He didn't need to see her up close: memory brought back her face, her voice, the warmth that had marked a stage of his life he always held dear. She was the only person who had managed to penetrate Joel's emotional shell and become part of that fragile family when the three of them were fleeing even from their own shadows. Alicia.

  Liam's heart leaped, and a lump tightened in his throat. After so many years without seeing her, after so many unanswered questions, there she was, walking beside his teacher as if she had never left their lives.