The next few days flew by in a blur of activity. Lance spent his time packing, saying goodbye to friends and family, and mentally preparing himself for the journey ahead. He carefully gathered all his belongings, including a small brochure that described the Elderglen Institute campus. Magister Rowan had given it to him, and Lance found himself reading it over and over, imagining what his new life would be like.

On the morning of his departure, the village gathered to see Lance off. The atmosphere was filled with a mix of excitement and bittersweet farewells. Jory, his closest friend, gave him a hearty hug. “You’re going to do great things, Lance. Just remember us when you’re a famous mage.”

Lance laughed, though his eyes were misty. “I’ll never forget where I came from.”

Farmer Thorne approached, dressed in his usual sturdy attire, but with an air of solemnity. “I’ll be escorting you to the Institute, Lance. We’ll make sure you get there safely.”

“Thank you, Farmer Thorne,” Lance replied, feeling reassured by the presence of the steadfast farmer.

Father Elias stepped forward, holding a small, leather-bound journal. “Take this with you, Lance. Write down your experiences and what you learn. It will help you stay connected to your roots and reflect on your growth.”

“Thank you, Father,” Lance said, accepting the journal with gratitude. “I’ll make sure to use it.”

Just as Lance thought the farewells were coming to an end, the villagers surprised him with a final gift. A young hellhound pup, its fur a deep, smoky gray with glowing red eyes, was brought forward. The creature was surprisingly calm, its fiery eyes filled with curiosity.

“This is for you, Lance,” Jory said, grinning he handed over the leash. “He’ll be a loyal companion and protector on your journey.”

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Lance was taken aback, but he smiled warmly as he accepted the pup. “Thank you, everyone. I’ll take good care of him.”

The pup wagged its tail and nuzzled against Lance’s leg, already showing signs of loyalty. Lance felt a surge of affection for the creature and named him Ember.

With a heavy heart but a determined spirit, Lance set off with Farmer Thorne and Ember by his side. The journey to Elderglen Institute had begun.

They had been traveling for less than an hour when Lance noticed something troubling. He stopped and pointed to the horizon. “Farmer Thorne, look! There’s smoke rising from the village!”

Thorne’s face paled as he turned to see the dark plumes of smoke billowing into the sky. “That’s bad. We need to go back, now!”

They turned and rushed back toward the village, their hearts pounding with fear. As they neared, they heard the sounds of chaos: shouting, clashing metal, and screams of panic. Bandits were raiding the village.

“Lance, stay here with Ember,” Thorne commanded, his voice firm and resolute. “I’m going to help.”

“But—” Lance started to protest, his eyes wide with fear.

“No buts, Lance. Stay hidden and keep Ember safe. I’ll be back,” Thorne insisted before rushing into the fray.

Lance watched helplessly as Thorne disappeared into the chaos. He held Ember close, trying to comfort the trembling pup and himself. Minutes passed, each one feeling like an eternity. The sounds of battle continued, but Thorne did not return.

Fear and desperation overcame Lance. Ignoring Thorne’s orders, he ran toward the village.

The village was in ruins. Homes were burning, and anybody still alive was fighting desperately for their lives. The sight of his home being torn apart was too much to bear. Overwhelmed by grief and fear, Lance turned and fled, his cries echoing in the devastated village.

Ember followed close behind, trying to keep up with Lance’s frantic pace. They ran and ran until they could no longer hear the sounds of destruction. Lance collapsed on the ground, sobbing uncontrollably. Ember nuzzled against him, offering what little comfort he could.

“I’m sorry, Thorne,” Lance whispered through his tears. “I’m so sorry.”

As the sun began to set, casting a somber glow over the landscape, Lance realized he couldn’t go back to the village. The journey to Elderglen was no longer just about learning magic. It was about finding a way to protect the ones he loved and honoring the sacrifices made for him.