The soft morning light bathed the village of Dawn, casting a golden hue over the rooftops and surrounding fields. The air was crisp and filled with the sounds of early birds chirping. Isaki stood outside his family's modest home. Today was the day he would leave for good, the first step toward fulfilling his long-held dream.

His father, Izaku, stood a few feet away, watching him with arms folded, his expression a mixture of pride and silent understanding. Izaku's once-powerful frame had started to show signs of wear, but his presence was no less commanding. Isaki had always admired his father's strength and resilience.

"Father," Isaki began, his voice firm and filled with determination, "I'll make sure my name is known throughout the southern, central, and northern territories," Isaki said, his voice steady and resolute. He adjusted the sword, the same one they had journeyed to Asdra to retrieve only weeks ago. "I'll become an excellent warrior, and I'll make you proud."

Izaku's eyes softened slightly, though his face remained stern. "I have no doubt, Isaki. You've trained harder than anyone, and your spirit is unbreakable. But remember this—strength alone won't carry you through the trials ahead. Your heart and your mind must be as sharp as your sword."

Isaki straightened his posture, absorbing the weight of his father's words. "I'll remember everything you taught me, i won't let you down. I promise."

Izaku stepped forward and placed a firm hand on Isaki's shoulder, giving it a reassuring squeeze. "You've already made me proud. Now, go. The world awaits you."

For a moment, neither spoke, the silence between them filled with mutual respect. Then, with a firm nod, Isaki turned to leave. As he walked away, Izaku's eyes followed him, his face as still as stone. But when Isaki was out of sight, a single tear slid down Izaku's cheek. He quickly brushed it away, not in sadness, but in the quiet pride that only a father could know.

Isaki arrived outside the office of Instructor Tora, the rendezvous point where he was to meet the rest of the cadets. As he approached, he spotted familiar faces—Jenia Balko and Riku were already there, leaning casually against the wall.

"You're late, Isaki," Jenia teased, with her arms crossed.

Riku, standing beside her, his eyes narrowing with playful sarcasm. "Always making an entrance, aren't you?"

Isaki rolled his eyes but smiled back. "You're just early. What, nervous about the trip?"

Balko laughed and shook his head. "Hardly. But we wouldn't want instructor Tora to skin us alive for being late on a day like this."

The three exchanged light banter as more cadets gathered around. In total, there were ten of them—the top cadets of their third year. Each had proven their worth through grueling training and relentless discipline.

Instructor Tora appeared from the building, a grizzled man with a scar across his cheek and eyes that had seen too much. He mounted his horse with practiced ease, turning to the group. "Mount up," he barked. "We're heading to Fey Bell Village. It's a two-day ride, and we'll stop at the village of Delhi for the night. Eat, rest, and don't waste your energy. Fey Bell is a long way off."

The cadets followed his orders without hesitation, each swinging up onto their horses. The sun was now fully above the horizon, and they set off at a brisk pace, the sound of hooves thundering through the open countryside.

As they galloped through the rolling hills, the wind whipping past them, Jenia rode up beside Isaki, her eyes filled with excitement.

"Isaki, did you hear? Balko and I have decided to go to Espoir Academy in the Elpis region," she said, her voice barely audible over the sound of the horses' hooves.

Isaki blinked in surprise, glancing at her. "You too? I knew Riku was going to Espoir, but I didn't think you and Balko would be heading there as well."

Balko, riding just behind them, grinned. "It's where the best go, and I figured why not compete with the best? Besides, you'll see us at the inter-academy tournament in the second year."

Isaki smirked, the competitive fire igniting in his chest. "I'll be ready. Just don't complain when I win."

Jenia laughed, her voice carrying over the wind. "We'll see about that, Isaki."

Hours passed, and as the sun dipped lower in the sky, the group finally reached the village of Delhi. The village was nestled in a valley, surrounded by lush fields and famous for its food. The scent of spiced meats and freshly baked bread wafted through the air as they entered the village square.

Tora dismounted and waved the group forward. "We'll rest here for the night," he said gruffly. "Eat well, sleep well. We leave at first light."

Just as the cadets began to dismount, a commotion erupted nearby. A crowd had gathered around a tall, muscular man with dark skin and jet-black hair. He was in the process of shackling a criminal, the man's face contorted in fear as he struggled against his bonds.

Tora's eyes narrowed as he walked toward the scene. "Reji," he called out, recognizing the figure in the center of the chaos. "What's going on here?"

Reji, a familiar face from past missions, turned to Tora with a nod. "Caught myself a fugitive. This man's wanted for murder across three villages. I'm taking him to the Land of Criminals."

At the mention of the Land of Criminals, the fugitive let out a terrified wail. "No! Please! Don't send me there! It's death! I'll die if I go there!"

Reji, unfazed by the man's pleas, struck him across the face, rendering him unconscious. "He'll be quiet now."

Tora chuckled. "Good work, Reji. We'll leave you to your business. We're headed to Fey Bell tomorrow."

A case of literary theft: this tale is not rightfully on Amazon; if you see it, report the violation.

As the cadets watched the scene unfold, Isaki couldn't help but ask, "What exactly is the Land of Criminals?"

Riku, his expression darkening, explained, "It's a massive territory far to the west, walled off from the rest of the world. Only criminals live there, and every day, hundreds die. It's like a prison, but worse."

Balko shuddered. "It's beyond Dawn, past the western mountains, just the names of the criminals living there is scary."

Jenia shuddered. "I've heard stories. Once you're sent there, you never come back."

The group fell into an uneasy silence, the weight of Riku's words lingering in the air. They soon moved to the inn, where the promise of a good meal awaited them. The food in Delhi lived up to its reputation—delicious and heavily spiced, a far cry from the simple fare they were used to in Dawn.

The next morning, the cadets mounted their horses and set off once again. After hours of riding, the horizon finally revealed the vast expanse of Fey Bell Village. But as they rode closer, the cadets quickly realized this was no ordinary village.

"Look at this place," Jenia whispered in awe. "It's massive, this… this isn't a village," Jenia said in disbelief. "It's more like a city!"

Isaki nodded in agreement. Fey Bell stretched out before them, at least twice the size of Dawn, with rows of houses, shops, and bustling docks that lined the coast. Ships of all sizes were docked, their sails billowing in the sea breeze, ready to set sail for the northern territories.

Tora led them toward the docks, where he gathered the group. "Listen carefully," he said, his voice carrying over the sound of the waves. "Fey Bell Village is the gateway to the central territories. The ships here are bound for three major regions, each divided into four great cities. In each region, there is an academy at the center of the four cities."

He pointed toward the nearest ship. "The region closest to Fey Bell is Moirai. That's where Fate Academy is located. To the east of Moirai is the region of Elpis, where you'll find Espoir Academy. And to the west is Dunamis, where Potentia Academy stands."

Instructor Tora concluded his speech, his voice cutting through the murmurs of the crowd like a well-honed blade. The wind from the sea whipped around the cadets, as if echoing the storm of emotions building inside each one of them. They were standing on the precipice of something far greater than any of them could fully grasp yet.

"You've worked hard to get here," Tora said, his deep, gravelly tone commanding attention. "From now on, your paths will diverge, but don't forget this: the strength you carry isn't just in your weapons or powers. It's in your heart and mind. Wherever you end up—Espoir, Fate, Potentia—you carry the lessons of this camp with you. So, fight with honor and never lose sight of who you are. The world is waiting for you. Good luck."

The silence that followed was heavy, not because of any lack of understanding, but because his words resonated so deeply. One by one, the cadets began to disperse, each heading toward the ships that would carry them to the next chapter of their lives. Some were headed to Espoir, others to Fate, and a few toward Potentia Academy in the west.

Isaki stood still for a moment, taking it all in. He stared at the ship that would take his friends—Balko, Jenia, and Riku—toward Espoir Academy. It was a grand vessel, its massive sails rippling in the wind, and the creaking of wood mingled with the distant shouts of the crew preparing for departure. His gaze lingered, knowing this was the moment they would part ways.

Balko, never one for sentiment, broke the silence first. He clapped Isaki on the back with a broad grin. "Well, Isaki, it's been real. Guess this is where we say goodbye, huh? Espoir is calling me, my friend. Try not to miss me too much."

Isaki chuckled, shaking his head. "You? Miss you? I'll be too busy becoming the strongest warrior at Fate Academy to even think about it."

Riku, who had been uncharacteristically quiet, smirked. "Strongest? You sure you're ready for that title? We'll see about that at the tournament next year. Don't get too comfortable at the top."

Isaki shrugged. "We'll see. But don't come crying when I wipe the floor with you."

Jenia had been standing quietly beside them, her hands fidgeting with the edge of her cloak. Her eyes drifted toward the ship, then back to Isaki, a small frown tugging at her lips. She blinked quickly, but it didn't stop a single tear from escaping. She wiped it away hastily, hoping no one would notice, but of course, they did.

"Come on, Jenia," Balko teased, nudging her gently. "He is not dying here. It's just a 'see you later,' not a farewell."

She tried to smile, but the tear had already betrayed her. "I know, I know," she muttered, her voice soft. "It's just... we've been through so much together. It's strange thinking you won't be with us, Isaki."

Isaki's smile softened, and he stepped closer, looking at Jenia with the same determination he had carried throughout their years of training. "We'll see each other again. And when we do, we'll be stronger. This isn't the end—it's just the next step."

Riku nodded. "Isaki's right. We'll meet again at the tournament, and by then, we'll be different people. Better warriors."

Jenia wiped at her eyes again, this time with a bit more composure. "You'd better not go easy on me just because I cried."

Balko raised an eyebrow, grinning. "You? Crying? Never. We'll make sure to remind you of that during sparring."

At that moment, two girls approached the group, both looking slightly unsure of where to go. The first had striking green eyes and long, dark hair cascading over her shoulders. Her sharp, confident gaze made her stand out, and the second girl, with soft red hair and a delicate face, looked like the embodiment of elegance.

"Excuse me," the dark-haired girl asked with a smooth, almost commanding voice. "Is this the ship for Espoir Academy?"

Riku, who had been stone-faced up until now, blinked, momentarily taken aback by the girl's beauty. He cleared his throat, trying to keep his composure. "Uh, yes. This is the one for Espoir."

Balko, usually quick with a witty remark, was also momentarily struck, his eyes flickering between the girls. He finally managed to say, "Yeah, Espoir. This is the right ship."

Jenia, noticing how both of them were momentarily speechless, raised an eyebrow and gave Balko a not-so-gentle nudge with her elbow. "Eyes up here, Balko," she muttered, a smirk dancing on her lips.

Balko flinched, rubbing his arm. "What? I was just being polite," he muttered, trying to regain his composure.

Jenia shot him a teasing glance. "Sure. Polite. Just don't trip over your own feet on the way up the gangplank."

The two girls smiled at the banter, seemingly oblivious to the effect they had on the group. The red haired girl nodded, her voice soft but clear. "Thanks. We'll see you all later inside the ship, then."

As the girls boarded the ship, Balko and Riku exchanged a glance, clearly still flustered. Isaki laughed under his breath, shaking his head. "You two are hopeless."

Balko shrugged, a cheeky grin reappearing on his face. "What can I say? It's good to appreciate beauty."

Jenia rolled her eyes, though a smile tugged at the corners of her lips. "Just make sure you don't forget how to fight while you're busy appreciating."

Riku straightened his back, finally regaining his usual cool demeanor. "We should head up. Espoir isn't going to wait."

Isaki gave them all one final look, his chest tightening just slightly. "Take care of yourselves," he said. "I'll be waiting for that rematch."

Balko turned, a grin on his face as he looked over his shoulder. "You'd better be ready. Next time, no holding back."

Jenia waved, her earlier sadness replaced by determination. "Next time, I'll win."

Riku nodded. "Stay sharp, Isaki."

As they disappeared onto the ship, Isaki stood for a moment longer, watching them go. His heart was heavy, but there was no room for doubt. They were all walking their own paths now, paths that would one day cross again. He turned away, his own journey calling him.

The ship bound for Moirai awaited him, and with it, the trials and challenges that would shape him into the warrior he was meant to be. With one last glance over his shoulder at the ship sailing toward Elpis, Isaki took a deep breath and headed toward his own destiny.

The adventure was only beginning.