Part 1
The sun had yet to fully rise over Astralis, but the streets were already teeming with activity.
White flags with golden borders fluttered from balconies, royal banners hung over the avenues, and at every corner, at least three soldiers kept watch over the citizens. Even the air smelled of protocol.
Kaito walked beside Seri, weaving through merchants, bards, and guards clad in gleaming armor. The whole city seemed to be preparing for the grand parade of the heroes.
—Never thought a city could get this hyped over something that happened less than a week ago —Kaito muttered, wearing a crooked smile.
—I guess it's normal. They're their heroes —Seri replied, watching with curiosity as a group of soldiers unloaded crates filled with magical fireworks.
—Makes sense… it's big news for the kingdom —he admitted, then let out a sigh—. Now I get why I wasn't invited.
—I already knew that… but it still bothers me. I mean, the way they treat you.
Kaito didn't respond. He simply adjusted the gray cloak sold to him as "gear for aimless travelers," and turned down a quieter street.
—There's still time before the ceremony. Maybe we can find you a decent weapon. I don't want you kicking me again with your bare feet.
—That was just once! —Seri protested, puffing her cheeks.
—And I don't want it happening again.
They both laughed, letting the tension in the air fade away for a moment.
A few minutes later, they arrived at a forge in the artisan district. Black smoke rose in spirals from a stone chimney, and the steady pounding of hammers filled the air with a heavy rhythm.
A dwarf with arms like tree trunks stepped out to meet them, wiping his hands with a cloth.
—What are you looking for? A new sword? A spiked helm? Or just browsing?
—A repair and a purchase —Kaito replied calmly.
He showed him his sword, still wrapped in a white cloth.
The dwarf unrolled the fabric with curiosity… and went silent at the sight of the weapon's condition.
—...Is this a joke?
—No.
—You really think this can be fixed?
—I don't know. But I don't want to throw it away either.
The blacksmith took a closer look. He touched the guard, turned the blade, held it in his hands for a moment.
—Hmmm… This isn't forged with regular steel. In fact… I have no idea what this is made of. Maybe Astrium, but I don't know how to work with that.
—Is that good or bad?
—It's rare. And rare things sometimes… have stories. But if you want to use it, you'll need something else. I can't fix it… but I can make you a new sheath. That'll keep it from falling apart on the road.
—That's good enough for me —Kaito said.
—And you, little one —the dwarf looked at Seri—. What kind of weapon are you looking for?
—A staff. One that won't explode if I get too excited.
The dwarf burst out laughing.
—Finally, someone honest! I've got just the thing. Sturdy, obsidian core. Perfect for beginners with a tendency to set taverns on fire.
Seri lit up like someone had just offered her a jewel.
—I want it!
—Five silver Yues.
Kaito paid without hesitation.
—Don't get used to it —he said, watching her hug the staff like it was treasure.
—Too late.
After leaving the forge…
—Well… that was a waste of time —Kaito sighed, his shoulders slumping.
—Not exactly. At least now you know no one can mess with your rusty sword.
—Thanks for the reminder —he muttered, sarcastically.
Seri smiled and gave him a little elbow bump.
—But don't worry. I'll teach you a useful spell. A basic one that doesn't require mana or being a mage. It's like the status panel.
—Basic?
—It's called Materialize. Lets you summon weapons from your inventory. There are also magic pouches, of course, but we don't have the budget for that… and Materialize is something every adventurer should know.
—Sounds interesting —he said, bringing a hand to his chin.
—Simple but effective. You can carry up to ten weapons without having to lug them around, and summon them whenever you need.
—But it's better if I show you with my new staff. I haven't registered it yet, but it's already mine in spirit.
—Materialize Lock! —she declared with energy.
With that chant, the weapon vanished on the spot, as if it had never been there at all.
—Whoa… now that's practical.
—Exactly. And when I need it, all I have to say is…
Seri raised a hand, a proud smile on her face.
—Materialize! Obsidian Staff!
A flash of light shimmered, and the staff appeared in her hand as if it had always been there.
—See? Easy, right?
Kaito looked at her, then unsheathed his sword, following her example.
—Well… I guess it's my turn.
He held the blade in front of him. For a moment, he hesitated. The sword was still the same—rusted, cracked, dull… but it was his.
—No matter what they say —he murmured—. This weapon chose me for a reason.
He held it with both hands, took a deep breath, and recited firmly:
—Materialize Lock.
The spell echoed softly. For a moment, he thought it wouldn't work… but then, Lunaris Edge disappeared in a silver-blue shimmer, dissolving into the air.
—Heh… looks like it worked —he said with a faint smile.
—See? Told you, anyone can do it —Seri replied, giving him an approving nod.
—Yeah… though for a second, I thought even the spell was going to reject me —he joked.
—Alright, why don't you try summoning it now?
Kaito raised his hand, closed his eyes, and said in a clear voice:
—Materialize. Lunaris Edge.
A faint glow emerged from his palm. The sword reappeared, wrapped in that soft, silent light, as if it had just been waiting for the call.
—Congratulations, you've learned a new spell —said Seri, with a mischievous smile.
—I can't tell if you're being sincere… or just teasing me.
—Who knows? I learned that spell when I was two, after all…
—At two…?
—Materialize! World Breaker! —she said with excitement.
And instantly, she materialized a tiny wooden stick… that looked like a carnival toy.
—You mock my sword… and you've got that little twig…
—To your eyes, it's just a stick —she replied solemnly, lifting it like some ancient relic—. But World Breaker is far more powerful than you think.
Kaito sighed and brought a hand to his face, holding back a laugh.
—You'll see, once we leave this city, I'll show you just how powerful it really is. I just can't unleash its full power here…
—Yeah, yeah… If you don't like your new staff, we can return it.
—No! Obsidian Staff is mine. My precious staff —she said, hugging it like a treasured gem.
Kaito glanced at his coin pouch and realized he'd already spent 10 gold Yues out of the 100 he had.
—If I keep this up, I'm going to go broke… —he murmured to himself.
At that moment, Seri's stomach growled loudly.
—What are we having for breakfast, Kaito?
—Didn't we eat some fruit at the inn?
—That was two hours ago… It was a pre-breakfast. Yeah, that's right.
—Alright, alright… Anyway, the ceremony hasn't started yet. Let's check out the food stalls and see what we can find.
—Yay!
Kaito and Seri walked calmly through the crowd. The food stalls were already lined up in the central plaza, with colorful awnings and aromas drifting through the air like an irresistible invitation.
—Do you want something sweet or savory? —he asked, looking over the options.
—Both! —she replied without hesitation.
—Of course you do… —he muttered, rolling his eyes with a sigh.
They bought steaming takoyaki in a paper tray and a couple of fruit juices in clay bottles.
They sat on the stone railing surrounding the central fountain, right beneath the royal banner.
Seri ate happily, feet swinging, while Kaito watched the ebb and flow of the crowd.
A horn sounded in the distance. Long. Ceremonial.
—Looks like it's starting —she said, mouth full.
Kaito didn't answer. He just chewed in silence, watching as the crowd began moving toward the main avenue. Bards tuned their lutes, soldiers lined up, and nobles searched for their best angles.
—You okay? —Seri asked, noticing his expression.
He swallowed and nodded slowly.
—Yeah. I'm where I'm meant to be.
The line wasn't grand. It wasn't epic.
But it had something more important: truth.
And as applause began to fill the streets in honor of the official heroes, he—the "mistake"—shared a tray of street food with the only person who had accepted him from day one.
—You know? —Seri suddenly said—. Maybe you're not one of those heroes in the parade… but to me, you still are.
Kaito didn't reply right away.
He just smiled.
And offered her the last takoyaki.
—Thanks, Seri. You're my little heroine too.
—I told you, don't treat me like a kid! —she said, puffing her cheeks.
—Haha… sorry, I can't help it.
—Let's go watch the ceremony. I want to confirm something I'm already thinking… —she added while adjusting her cloak and pulling up her hood.
Seri popped the last bite into her mouth, gave a little hop, and mirrored him with a mischievous smile. She pulled up her hood too, and together, they blended into the crowd—two shadows in the midst of a celebration where he had no place.