Part 3
The academic city of Aldoria was already visible on the horizon…
"Look, look! There it is!" Seri shouted, waving her arm excitedly.
But before they could take another step, Eve raised her hand.
"Hostile movement detected nearby," she said in a neutral tone, pointing back toward the stone trail.
Kaito squinted.
"Is that… a carriage?"
"Yes. And a few bandits escorting it," Eve confirmed. "How would you like to proceed, Master?"
Kaito sighed.
"Guess we can't ignore that."
He turned to Ayame, who had lagged a step behind, visibly anxious.
He gently placed a hand on the kitsune's shoulder.
"Don't worry. Seri and I will handle this."
Then his gaze sharpened as he addressed Eve.
"Eve, you're in charge of Ayame's safety. Do not leave her side under any circumstances."
"That's an order."
The automaton nodded seriously.
"Understood, Master."
Seri materialized her staff and spun it with a spark of energy. Beside her, the spirit of Ignaria emerged in a blazing flare.
"Ready to burn some thieves," Seri grinned… the kind of grin only a fire elf could wear.
Kaito summoned his sword.
The blade was still as dull and lifeless as ever… but he gripped it firmly.
"Wish Lunaris was ready by now. But no matter."
He looked down the path with steely focus.
"I'm already level 20. I should be able to handle this."
Ayame watched them rush into battle without hesitation. Seri's flames lit up the path. And even Kaito's dead blade seemed to carry weight… forged in resolve.
But something inside her twisted.
She didn't want to stay behind.
She didn't want to be just the one who needs protecting.
"Boss! Some brats are heading this way!" one of the bandits shouted from the carriage.
The leader turned with a grunt, spitting on the ground.
"Ugh? Now who the hell's bothering us?"
"Boss… that girl looks like a fire elf. She's got a spirit with her."
The bandit frowned.
"Tch. Don't worry about it. We're ten strong!"
The men turned as one… Just as Kaito arrived at the front, sword in hand.
"Hey, you lot… surrender now, and I promise no one gets hurt," he said calmly, pointing his rusted blade at them.
A second of silence.
Then—laughter.
"HAHAHAHA! What is this, a clown dressed as an adventurer?!" one jeered.
"That sword's gonna break just from being looked at!" added another.
"Go home, kid. Before we make you cry."
Kaito didn't flinch. He just turned the blade in his grip, steady.
Seri stepped up beside him, already wreathed in flame.
"Bad move picking a fight with a fire elf…"
The air began to heat up. And the ground… started to tremble.
Meanwhile, Ayame watched from a distance. Her heart was pounding. Her hands trembled… but she never let go of her gohei.
"I can't stay behind…"
"Eve… I want to help too," she said, gripping her staff with newfound resolve.
The automaton looked at her, scanning her vitals… The mana around her was beginning to intensify.
"Acknowledged," Eve replied firmly, drawing her kukris from her side pockets.
Ayame took a deep breath.
She traced circles in the air with her gohei, forming a graceful and subtle pattern.
A soft blue light emerged from the symbols. And from it, two white spirit foxes burst forth.
"Little foxes," she said clearly, "Support Kaito and protect the carriage."
The spirits nodded. Then like silver lightning, they darted toward the frontlines, leaving behind glowing trails that split the battlefield in two.
Ayame and Eve ran together… Straight into the chaos.
When they arrived, they found Seri gasping for breath, surrounded by unstable flames, and Kaito holding off three enemies at once.
The spirit foxes were already working. Raising an electric, impenetrable barrier in front of the bandits threatening the carriage.
Eve dove into combat without hesitation, her kukris slicing through opponents with deadly precision, like a dance of steel.
Ayame rushed to Seri first.
"Mana Calm!"
"Intelligent Boost!"
"Body Recovery!"
"Revitalize!"
"Great Spell Casting!"
A radiant glow enveloped the fire elf.
Seri felt the exhaustion melt away. Her mana flowed under control. Her mind cleared… as if her inner fire had finally come under her command.
"This is AMAZING…!!" she yelled, raising her staff. "Now we're playing for real!"
Ayame turned toward Kaito, extending both arms.
"Boost Attack Speed!"
"Agility!"
"Brave Heart!"
"Enchant Life!"
"Increase Critical Rate!"
A cascade of golden light wrapped around Kaito like an invisible mantle of power.
His body felt lighter. His movements sharper. And for the first time in a long while… He felt alive.
"Whoa… this feels incredible. Almost like an RPG," he murmured, smiling.
He turned toward Ayame.
"Thanks, Ayame."
The kitsune looked down, but couldn't hide her smile. For the first time, she felt truly useful.
For the first time… part of the team.
Kaito turned back to his sword.
"Lunaris Edge, please… Give me your power… I need your help."
The sword shimmered—soft, but steady.
And its voice echoed directly in his mind.
"Promise me one thing…"
"Promise that you'll use your power to help those in need—never for your own gain."
"What kind of question is that? Of course I promise!"
The bandit leader lunged toward him, roaring in rage.
"Then promise… Because once you do—there's no turning back."
Kaito gritted his teeth. His gaze… became fire.
"I promise! In my parents' name, I swear I'll always protect those in need!"
"Even if it means sacrificing myself!"
"So be it… I grant you Phase One. Show me you're worthy of my trust."
The blade shone with intensity.
Its shape solidified. A real katana. Clear. Elegant.
Kaito barely moved the blade.
CRASH!
The bandit leader was blown back like a ragdoll, crashing several meters away.
A floating panel appeared in front of Kaito, revealing a list of techniques and skills… All of them locked until now.
"Use 'Moon Unleashed' and end this."
Kaito didn't hesitate.
"Moon Unleashed!"
A white aura surged through his body. Combined with Ayame's buffs, he felt as light as air. And as solid as a mountain.
For the first time since arriving in this world… He felt like a hero.
For the first time… Everything made sense.
"…So this is what it feels like," he whispered, eyes on his sword.
The world seemed to slow.
Kaito moved.
He didn't run.
He danced.
His motions were smooth, lethal, precise.
One by one, the bandits fell. Unconscious. Without even realizing what struck them.
Even the leader collapsed, defeated in a single slash… Offered no resistance.
Seri stared in shock.
"What the heck is happening…? Is that Kaito?"
"Affirmative," said Eve. "It appears Master has finally accessed his hero powers."
Ayame watched in silence. Her eyes reflected something new. As if, for a moment, she was witnessing a mythical being.
Kaito lowered his blade calmly and walked toward the carriage.
He knocked on the door—gently. Not a threat.
"No need to worry. The bandits have been neutralized," he said, his voice firm—yet warm.
A moment of silence… Then the door creaked open.
A tall man stepped out first, wearing a navy-blue velvet coat with gold embroidery. His gaze was sharp, his posture commanding. And his expression suggested he was constantly disappointed by the world.
He scanned the scene: The unconscious bandits. The sword in Kaito's hand.
He frowned.
"And who might you be?" he asked, not even pretending to be grateful.
Kaito held his gaze steadily.
"Just a simple adventurer. Are you alright?"
"You could've been the one who attacked us, then made it look like you saved us," the man snapped, brushing dust off his cape. "But… apparently, that's not the case."
Kaito sighed. He was used to that kind of reaction by now.
Then—another figure appeared behind the noble.
A young girl.
Her hair was cherry blossom pink, long and tied into two braids. Her eyes matched… round, wide, and filled with quiet curiosity.
She wore a sky-blue travel dress with white trim, wrinkled from the commotion… but even so, her presence radiated a warmth that caught Kaito off guard.
"Father…" she whispered. "He… saved us, didn't he?"
The noble said nothing.
The girl stepped forward, hesitantly leaving the carriage. Her eyes locked onto Kaito's with a mixture of awe and gratitude.
"Thank you…" she said softly. "My name is Mirai von Aelwyn. If it weren't for you… who knows what might have happened."
Kaito slowly lowered his sword and gave her a small, modest smile.
"I'm just glad you're safe. But honestly… it was a team work."
He turned and thumbed over his shoulder at his companions.
From the rear, Seri narrowed her eyes.
"Great. A busty pink-haired noble girl now swooning in gratitude… At this rate, I'm gonna lose Kaito to all these overboobed girls."
She crossed her arms, cheeks puffed.
"I can already see it happening…"
'Ohhh, Kaito-sama! Thank you for saving me! Please, take me as your future wife and let's make cute heroic babies with honorary titles!' she mimicked in an overly high-pitched, melodramatic tone.
She clicked her tongue in disgust.
"Ugh. What a crappy future."
"Probability of upcoming romantic misunderstanding: 87%," added Eve, deadpan.
"Shut it, you perverted tin can!" Seri snapped, pointing an accusing finger at her.
"Actually, my body is almost fully human. I even have…" Eve began, slightly lifting her skirt.
"OKAY, OKAY, TMI!" Seri shouted, covering her eyes. "Information I did not need!"
"Is this because my breasts are bigger than yours…? Sob sob…" Eve said with exaggerated melodrama.
Ayame looked away quietly, holding her gohei to her chest, not really sure why… but the warmth on her cheeks said enough.
Mirai simply watched them.
Smiling.
And for a moment, she seemed to tuck that scene into her heart as if it were the start of something important.