The pza of the vilge buzzed with the quiet hum of early morning activity. Sunlight filtered through the trees lining the cobblestone paths, painting the square in soft streaks of gold. At the center, Emerald Pact waited patiently, each member assuming their usual stance.

  Kaelith, the fiery-haired mage, leaned casually against a fountain, one eyebrow arched, lips twitching with a pyful smirk. She narrowed her eyes and whispered, teasingly, “So… what do you think about the person Lewis said he’s bringing to us? Think they’re approachable? Maybe arrogant?” She snickered, eyes closed, clearly enjoying the specution.

  Eilie, the elf ranger, shot Kaelith a sharp gre, lips pressed into a thin line. “Kaelith,” she said, voice calm but firm, “that’s not something to talk about behind someone’s back. But… no matter what, I look forward to meeting them.” Her eyes softened slightly as she gnced toward the entrance of the pza, the wind spirit around her barely stirring the tips of her hair.

  Darron, the vanguard, stood unmoving, his shield strapped to his back, radiating patience and quiet confidence. Beside him, Rynar, the young swordsman, squinted toward the path leading to the pza. Then he saw them—the figures approaching. His eyes widened involuntarily.

  Aiko.

  The moment her silhouette became clear, Rynar’s heart skipped a beat. He froze mid-step, gaze locked on her, utterly captivated. She moved with a natural grace, her long bck hair flowing down her back, shimmering faintly in the sunlight. Her face carried the soft innocence of a 12-year-old, yet there was a maturity in her confident, unwavering eyes that belied her age of 15. Her body, proportioned like a model, carried an elegance that was subtle but impossible to ignore—slim, toned, yet perfectly banced, exuding both strength and poise.

  Kaelith noticed immediately and nudged Rynar, her voice sharp and slightly exasperated. “Rynar! Eyes up here! I’m talking to you!” But her words bounced off him; he couldn’t think straight, too mesmerized by the combination of innocence, elegance, and the quiet confidence in Aiko’s gaze.

  Eilie’s eyes softened as she took in the newcomer. “Interesting,” she murmured. “She carries herself differently… I look forward to seeing what she’s truly capable of.”

  As Aiko approached, Lewis walked slightly ahead, gesturing politely. “Good morning, everyone. I see you’re all doing well today,” he said. “This is…”

  The morning sun bathed the vilge pza as Aiko stepped forward, bowing slightly. She greeted the party with a soft, clear voice.

  “Good morning,” she said, introducing herself fully. “I am Amamiya Aiko, 15 years old. It’s a pleasure to meet you all.”

  For a brief moment, time seemed to pause. Every member of Emerald Pact stared at her, struck by the graceful elegance in her posture, the subtle confidence in her eyes, and the fluid motion of her long bck hair. Her figure, delicate yet perfectly proportioned, moved with the poise of someone much older than her youthful face suggested.

  It was Eilie, the elf ranger, who first blinked and snapped out of her reverie. Straightening herself, she stepped forward. “I’m Eilie,” she said, bowing slightly. Then, she pointed toward the mage, “And this is...”

  Kaelith, still adjusting from her own amazement, quickly introduced herself. “I’m Kaelith. Nice to meet you, Aiko.”

  Eilie then said “Next is the vanguard”.

  Darron nodded politely and gave a measured introduction, his calm aura making the moment feel grounded.

  By the time the introduction reached Rynar, the young swordsman, he was still utterly mesmerized. His lips parted, gaze locked on Aiko, and he could barely form words. Every member of the party stared at him, their expressions sharp and hostile. Beads of sweat formed on his brow as he realized their silent judgment.

  Rynar tried to look composed, gnced again at Aiko, and immediately felt his heart flutter. Snapping upright as best he could, he stammered, “I?I’m… Rynar. N?nice to meet you!” His voice carried the unmistakable tone of a lovestruck idiot.

  Aiko, ever graceful, let out a delicate snicker, her eyes twinkling. The effect was instantaneous—Rynar’s posture colpsed again, and he was caught in another spell of infatuation.

  Eilie stepped forward with a swift motion, delivering a light but firm punch to the top of his head. She cpped her hands sharply, as if shaking off dirt from a rug, and muttered with a sigh, “Take care of the idiot first.”

  Turning toward Aiko, Eilie’s expression softened. “I’m sorry for our idiots’ embarrassing behavior,” she said politely. “Once again, I’m Eilie. Where would you like to go?”

  Aiko’s eyes brightened, breaking her usual composure for a moment.

  “I want to explore the forest,” she said excitedly. “See if there are ingredients I can use… or sell!”

  Eilie froze, still shocked at the sudden burst of enthusiasm from someone who had just presented herself with such serene composure.

  “I… I can recommend a spot where you can find herbs,” she said, trying to regain her voice. “See if there’s anything you want there.”

  Aiko cleared her throat, returning smoothly to her calm, confident posture.

  “Understood. Um… do we go now?”

  She paused, letting her gaze subtly hint toward Rynar. Eilie followed her gnce, cheeks coloring slightly, and muttered, “We’ll go… after this idiot wakes up.”

  The swordsman slowly woke up.

  Kaelith, the mage, noticed and called out to him. “Hey, you finally awake?”

  Rynar blinked in confusion. “Huh… what happened?”

  Then the memories slowly came back to him. What he had done earlier.

  His body stiffened.

  Slowly, he turned his gaze toward the elf ranger.

  What he saw made his face turn pale.

  Eilie was staring at him with eyes as sharp as daggers.

  Panicking, Rynar quickly looked toward Kaelith and Darron, gncing back and forth as if asking for help. But both of them simply averted their gazes, pretending not to notice, clearly unwilling to get involved.

  Rynar let out a weak ugh.

  “Hehe…”

  With a hint of fear, he instantly dropped into a dogeza, pressing his forehead to the ground.

  “I’m sorry!”

  Eilie’s expression didn’t change at all. She simply turned around and said calmly, “Fix yourself. We’re leaving.”

  Rynar immediately sprang to his feet, standing straight before giving a light salute.

  “Yes! Gdly!” he shouted.

  Lewis ughed happily at the sight. “Looks like you’re all getting along fine as always.”

  Aiko tilted her head slightly, observing the group with interest.

  It seems like it’s going to be fun exploring with them, she thought to herself.

  Eilie then walked over to Aiko and pointed toward the forest just beyond the vilge.

  “We’ll be going into that forest,” she expined. “The spot I mentioned is near the entrance, so there won’t be much danger. But still, don’t let your guard down.”

  Aiko nodded.

  “I understand. I’ll stay vigint.”

  However, her eyes sparkled with curiosity as she answered.

  Seeing that look, Eilie felt a slight sense of worry. She could already tell that once they entered the forest, Aiko might lose herself in excitement.

  Still, Eilie composed herself and turned to the rest of the party.

  “We’re leaving,” she called out firmly. “Get ready, everyone.”

  Meanwhile, Aiko clenched her fist lightly, striking a small pose filled with anticipation.

  Her eyes shone brightly with excitement for the adventures waiting ahead.

  – – –

  The party moved past the vilge gate and entered the forest.

  Tall trees stretched high into the sky, their thick branches weaving together to form a green canopy overhead. Sunlight filtered through the leaves in scattered rays, illuminating patches of moss and wild pnts on the forest floor. The air smelled fresh, rich with the scent of soil and greenery.

  Aiko looked around curiously, as if it were her first time seeing a forest.

  Her eyes wandered from tree to tree, taking in every detail with fascination.

  Then, she suddenly noticed something: small, light-green balls floating gently through the air.

  They drifted zily between the branches, glowing faintly like tiny nterns.

  Aiko’s eyes widened.

  Without thinking, she walked toward them, chasing the floating lights with brimming curiosity.

  Behind her, Eilie noticed.

  “Aiko,” the elf called out, slightly concerned. “What are you doing there? Did you find something?”

  Aiko turned around and pointed at the floating lights.

  “Eilie, I saw light-green balls floating around. Do you know what these are?”

  The moment she said that, the entire party froze.

  Kaelith blinked.

  Rynar stared.

  Even Darron turned his head slightly.

  People who could see spirits were extremely rare.

  Eilie stepped closer and looked at Aiko carefully before answering.

  “They’re spirits,” she said calmly. “I’m surprised… so you can see them.”

  Aiko froze.

  “Guhh—”

  She quickly forced a ugh.

  “Oh! So they’re spirits… they’re cute! Hehehe…”

  Her voice sounded a little stiff, as if she didn’t want the others to realize anything special about her.

  But Eilie continued staring at her with clear interest.

  “Aiko… I didn’t expect you to have spirit affinity.”

  Aiko hurriedly waved her hands.

  “J-just a little! Nothing much!”

  She averted her eyes quickly.

  Then suddenly she spotted something on the ground.

  A herb sprouted beside a tree root, its pale green leaves shimmering faintly in the sunlight.

  Aiko crouched beside it and pointed.

  “Eilie, do you know what this is?”

  The elf smiled slightly, noticing how quickly Aiko had changed the topic.

  “That’s Moonleaf Herb,” Eilie expined. “It’s edible in small amounts, and alchemists use it as an ingredient for healing potions.”

  The moment Aiko heard the word—

  Her eyes sparkled with anticipation.

  “Alchemy?” she whispered, a small smile forming on her lips.

  So this is how ingredients can be transformed in this world… she thought, her mind already racing with possibilities.

  I can experiment here too… I can test, create, discover…

  Her gaze lingered on the herb, bright with expectation. She hurriedly turned to Eilie.

  “Eilie! Can you do alchemy?”

  Eilie looked surprised, then sighed.

  “No, I can’t,” she said with mild exasperation. “If you want to become an alchemist, you have to join the Alchemist Guild first.”

  Aiko pced a hand on her chin thoughtfully.

  I can still experiment on my own… she thought, a spark of excitement in her eyes.

  Joining the guild will be optional.

  Then suddenly she raised her fist dramatically.

  “I see!”

  Her voice gradually grew louder.

  “I’ll become an alchemist!”

  She struck a pose, pointing proudly toward the sky.

  The entire party stared at her in shock.

  But before anyone could say anything—

  Darron suddenly turned sharply.

  “Attention,” he said firmly. “We have company.”

  Everyone immediately shifted into battle mode.

  Weapons were drawn.

  Eilie moved closer to Aiko.

  “Stay behind us,” she said seriously. “And don’t wander.”

  Kaelith gave a confident smile.

  “Leave this to us, Aiko.”

  Rynar stepped forward dramatically, pcing a hand on his sword.

  “I’ll take it down for you, my dy!”

  He grinned, a fsh of light glinting off his teeth as he struck a heroic stance.

  Meanwhile, Aiko watched everything with pure excitement.

  Her eyes sparkled in anticipation of seeing real combat.

  But then she noticed something strange.

  The rest of the party looked… pale.

  Aiko looked from one member to another.

  Then—

  A rge wolf stepped out from the bushes.

  Its fur was dark gray, its body rge and muscur.

  Eilie immediately spoke.

  “Aiko… we’re leaving for today.”

  Aiko blinked in confusion.

  But the others understood immediately.

  Wolves hunted in packs.

  If more appeared, they would be surrounded.

  Then Darron narrowed his eyes.

  “Wait.”

  He studied the forest carefully.

  “It’s alone.”

  The tank raised his shield.

  “It’s a straggler. We can take it down.”

  Relief spread across the party.

  They entered combat positions.

  The wolf lunged forward first.

  Darron stepped forward and raised his shield.

  A red aura spread across its surface.

  The wolf smmed into it—

  CLANG

  The attack was completely blocked.

  At the same time—

  Eilie released an arrow.

  Thwack!

  The arrow struck the wolf’s side.

  The beast staggered in pain.

  Rynar moved instantly.

  He dashed around to the other side and swung his sword.

  Ssh!

  The wolf colpsed, barely able to stand.

  “Bind.”

  Vines burst from the ground, wrapping around the wolf’s legs.

  Kaelith raised her hand.

  “Fire Lance.”

  A bzing spear of fire formed in the air.

  It shot forward instantly.

  The spell pierced through the wolf’s hide.

  The beast colpsed.

  Silence returned to the forest.

  Aiko stood there, eyes shining.

  So… that’s magic.

  Excitement filled her chest.

  Amazing…

  The group rexed slightly.

  Darron remained on guard while the others lowered their weapons.

  Eilie walked toward Aiko.

  “Are you alright? You weren’t hurt, were you?”

  Aiko snapped out of her thoughts.

  “Uh—yeah! I’m okay!”

  But then her eyes sparkled again.

  “But more importantly… was that magic?”

  She leaned forward eagerly.

  “You can use magic? Do you think I can use it too? Teach me! Teach me!”

  Eilie blinked, surprised by Aiko’s sudden enthusiasm.

  “Yes… that was magic,” she answered. “Anyone can use magic as long as they have affinity for it.”

  She continued expining.

  “If you join the Adventurers Guild, they’ll test your affinity. That’s how you’ll know what magic suits you.”

  Aiko’s eyes widened.

  “Then I’ll join the Adventurers Guild!”

  But Eilie quickly added,

  “You still need to properly study magic theory. Books about magic are usually only found in rge city libraries.”

  Aiko fell silent.

  So I need to go to a big city…

  While she was thinking deeply, Eilie watched her quietly.

  Then she spoke.

  “We’re heading to the next city near here,” Eilie said. “If you want… you can travel with us.”

  Aiko looked up instantly.

  “Really?”

  She composed herself quickly.

  “Is that okay with you?”

  Eilie nodded.

  “Of course it is."

  She turned toward the others.

  “That’s fine with you guys, right?”

  The group looked over while finishing their work.

  Darron nodded calmly.

  Rynar gave a thumbs-up and a bright grin.

  Kaelith walked over to Aiko.

  “It’s fine with us,” she said with a friendly smile. “We’ll be in your care.”

  Everyone smiled.

  Aiko bowed gracefully, almost like a noble dy.

  “Thank you very much.”