Marsal Evertin

Waking up, I slowly opened my eyes, and the enchanting sunset light penetrated my irises. I lay on the wooden floor of the carriage, wrapped in a blanket with a comfortable white pillow.

"You finally woke up," a voice to my right said.

"Ah, it's you, Esme," I said, sitting up. "How are the others?"

"We are the only survivors, Ton's team, and five other soldiers from different groups. No serious injuries, but none of them is fit for battle," the boy explained.

"Ah, you're awake," Elya entered the carriage. "How are you feeling?"

"I feel a bit sore in the core, but otherwise, I'm fine, thanks," I replied, massaging my abdomen.

"I'll go call Ton," Esme said, stepping out of the carriage. "He said he wants to talk to you." The boy walked away slowly.

"Even though he seems impassive now, he was quite worried about you earlier," Elya explained, watching Esme. "Have you been friends for long?"

"Yes, we've known each other for nine years. He was my first friend at the academy," I smiled. "He's always been by my side and supported me. I really want to repay him in some way."

Elya burst into laughter. "I would have never expected that from Esme."

"Were you talking about me?" The white-haired boy re-entered. Ton was with him, not wearing armor but a brown shirt and dirty brown pants, his massive sword hanging from its sheath.

"Oh, you're back quickly," the girl remarked.

"Nice to meet you, Marsal," Ton nodded at me.

"Pleasure, Mr. Ton," I replied, shaking his hand. "Do you need anything from me?"

"Don't be so formal, Marsal," Ton sat in front of me. "I wanted to talk to you about your brother."

"About Roseth!?" I exclaimed. "How does he know him?"

"I fought alongside him on the day of the collapse; he was an incredible kid," Ton explained.

"Oh, that's good to hear."

"Today, while you were unconscious, I found the dungeon where he went missing," Ton stated with his ever-serious gaze.

"Eh!? Really?" I stood up, surprised. "Where is it?"

"Calm down, Marsal, we're both exhausted from the last battle," Ton explained, looking at me with a piercing gaze.

"You're right," I sighed, sitting back down. "You need to calm me down."

"Ton," Esme interjected, "why did you go searching for the dungeon? And why risk so much by going inside with Marsal? It's impossible that you're doing all this for a kid you just met."

"You're right," Ton responded with his deep voice. "The reason I'm doing all this is not just for Roseth, but for a close friend of mine who fell into the dungeon with him that day."

"It doesn't matter why you're doing it," I affirmed, crossing my arms. "Let's focus on a plan of action; a dungeon is a dangerous place."

"You're right," Ton confirmed, smiling. "Are you really thinking of going in?" Elya expressed her concern. "You could be trapped inside for years, or you could be killed by the creatures."

"I know, Elya," I said with a lowered gaze. "But I don't want to abandon Roseth."

"Why are you so stubborn!" The girl shouted. "Even if everything goes well, your expedition could last for at least a decade."

Esme chuckled. "What's the matter, Elya? Are you going to miss him?"

The girl blushed, embarrassed. "N-no, it's not because of that."

Esme and I looked at Elya, enchanted. In our heads, the same thought crossed: "So she can be cute too."

The problem was that the white-haired boy decided to say it to her face. "So even someone like you can be cute when you try."

"What do you mean by 'someone like you'?" Elya said angrily.

Esme retreated in fear, looking at me for help.

"T Ton, have you decided on our course of action?" I asked, creating a diversion for my companion.

"I've acquired a magical compass a while ago," the imposing man took out an object resembling a compass from his pocket. "This tool indicates the direction of powerful mana sources in the area. We'll use it to find the right direction in the tunnels. Finally, I also have an artifact that can interfere with spells." He put the compass back in his pocket and took out a luminous yellow stone. "By carrying it with us, we could reduce the time distortion."

"Both are very expensive items," I observed. "Do you earn a lot with your work?"

"No," Ton replied, putting the artifact back in his pocket. "As you well know, participating in these expeditions doesn't pay much. It wasn't me who bought them, but my brother Gru."

"Oh, I know him," Elya intervened. "He's a talented blacksmith who has become famous lately, producing the best weapons in the entire kingdom."

"Eh!? That Gru?!" Esme exclaimed excitedly. "Do you have one of his weapons? Can I try it?"

Ton laughed, observing the boy's reaction. "Sure, I have it right here." He drew his massive sword from the sheath, with its shining silver blade.

"Wow!" Esme exclaimed.

"Take it, try it," Ton said, handing the weapon to the boy.

"Eh? Really? Can I?" Esme continued, still surprised.

"Of course."

The boy grabbed the weapon and ran out of the carriage enthusiastically. His petite body didn't match the enormous sword of Ton. Seeing him alongside that weapon larger than himself was a truly funny scene. We all laughed watching him swing the weapon.

Stolen from its rightful author, this tale is not meant to be on Amazon; report any sightings.

"Come on, Marsal, take my sword and join us!" Esme shouted.

"Eh? W-why should I?" I replied, frightened to face him.

"Well, I need to test this weapon against someone, right?"

"Then let me handle it," Ton said, getting off the carriage.

"I would have preferred Marsal, but I'll settle for you," Esme said.

"Pass me a weapon," Ton shouted.

Elya picked up Esme's sword from the floor and threw it to the imposing man, who caught it effortlessly.

"Don't you think it's a bit too dangerous?" I asked the girl, but she completely ignored me, continuing to watch with a terrifying smile the two challengers.

"Is everyone okay?" I asked worriedly.

"I can't wait to see Esme's blood splattering everywhere," Elya affirmed, smiling with a terrifying look.

"I understand that you're angry with Esme, but this is a bit excessive," I remarked.

The two challengers started their duel. Esme swung the enormous sword at Ton, who, surprised, blocked the blow and distanced himself.

"I didn't expect you to handle such a large weapon so well," Ton observed.

"So you underestimated me," Esme retorted before launching another attack. He struck quickly and precisely, but Ton, stepping back, avoided the blade and grabbed the arm with which the boy held his sword. Finally, he pointed his weapon at Esme's throat.

Esme dropped his sword and raised his hands in surrender. "I give up."

"You're quite skilled, but lack experience," explained the imposing man. "Coming here to experience the battlefield was a good choice, but in a real war, you won't face naive monsters, but intelligent men. Remember that."

"Yes, sir!"

Despite his defeat, Esme seemed enthusiastic. A broad smile adorned his face.

"As incapable as ever," remarked Elya, pleased with her companion's defeat.

"If you really think so, why don't you come and prove it?" challenged Esme.

"I wouldn't bother for someone like you," retorted Elya.

"So, you're afraid, huh?" Esme teased before bursting into laughter.

"N-no... that's not true!" Elya shouted, embarrassed. She dismounted the carriage, snatched the sword from Ton, engulfed it in flames, and pointed it at Esme. "Get ready; I won't spare you like Ton did."

"Hey, Marsal," the imposing man placed a hand on my shoulder. "If you're clear, we can decide on the departure date," he said, while the other two continued arguing.

"I used a lot of mana in the last battle; I need at least three days to recover."

"For safety, let's leave next week, what do you say?" suggested Ton.

"Sure, works for me."

"Then it's settled."

The clash between Elya and Esme began. Elya threw a fireball to distract him; Esme cleanly cut it with his sword. As the flames dissipated, Elya appeared next to him, swinging her blade towards his neck. A seemingly impossible-to-dodge blow, but Esme swiftly and precisely moved aside as if nothing happened. Elya was shocked by his speed and distanced herself.

"Marsal, did Esme attend the academy with you?" Ton asked thoughtfully.

"Yes, why?"

"While fighting him, I had a strange feeling, as if he were holding back."

"Eh?" I replied, surprised. "Why would he do that?"

"I don't know, but I think he's hiding something from us."

I observed Esme, pondering Ton's words. Our eyes met, an imposing aura overwhelmed me, and I couldn't even breathe. I fell to my knees, and a powerful laughter echoed in my head.

Is this Esme's doing?

"Marsal!" the white-haired boy yelled, parrying Elya's swing with his sword and striking her with a knee to the stomach. She fell, and he took the chance to reach me.

Ton, though surprised, remained calm and had me lie down. "Focus on your breath," he ordered.

"Marsal!" Esme knelt beside me. "What's happening?"

No, I'm sure the presence I felt wasn't Esme; it's something within him.

"I think I'm still too tired for battle; excuse me," I lied.

"No, it's my fault. I didn't pay attention to your well-being," Ton responded with his ever-serious gaze.

Elya approached us, still in pain. "Eh?! Marsal?! What happened?"

No, I'm sure the presence I felt wasn't Esme, but something inside him.

"I believe I'm still too tired for battle; excuse me," I lied.

"No, it's my fault. I didn't pay attention to your well-being," Ton responded with his ever-serious gaze.

Elya approached us, still in pain. "Eh?! Marsal?! What happened?"

Nothing serious," Esme replied. "Do you want to continue our fight?"

"Not today; we need to conserve energy. We're still in Nepenthes, and we don't know when the beasts might attack," Ton intervened.

"You're right; I'm sorry."

Due to my lie, I had to stay inside the carriage all day. Esme stayed by my side, keeping me company, while Elya and Ton went to retrieve beast carcasses for dinner. The sun set, my stomach rumbled, but fortunately, Elya entered the carriage with a bowl of dragon stew.

"I brought you dinner, Marsal."

"Is there some for me?" Esme asked, noticing only one bowl.

"You didn't collapse in broad daylight; you can get it yourself without any problem," Elya retorted.

"But you took it for Marsal; what harm would an extra bowl have caused?"

"Can you eat on your own, or do you want me to feed you?" Elya asked, completely ignoring Esme.

"No, I'm just a bit tired; I can eat on my own," I said, taking the bowl from Elya's hands. I noticed her disappointed expression.

"Is something wrong?" I asked.

"Fool."

"Eh?!"

The girl walked away and left the carriage. "I made the soup for you," she said, turning back to me. "Let me know if you liked it after eating." A smile returned to her face, and she left.

"Marsal, who was that?" Esme asked, surprised.

"Eh? What do you mean? That was Elya, right?"

"Yes, I know, but... she was completely different, I mean her behavior was strange."

"I think it's because of you," I said, tasting the first spoonful of soup.

It's delicious!

"Eh? How is it my fault?" Esme asked, confused.

"Even if indirectly, you told her you see her as a male. It might have hurt her, making her believe everyone sees her that way," I explained.

"So, to appear more feminine, she decided to change her behavior," Esme completed my sentence.

"Exactly."

"Now that I think about it, it makes sense."

Esme lay on the floor, crossing his arms behind his head, and sighed. "Women are too complicated."

A moment of silence followed. I finished my soup, put the bowl on the ground, yawned, and lay down next to Esme.

"Ton and I decided to leave in a week," I explained. "You, on the other hand, will go with the others in two days."

"I'm sorry, Marsal, but I've already made a decision. I'll come with you to the dungeon," Esme affirmed with a slight smile.

"By coming with me, you risk your life. There's also a possibility of being stuck in there for decades. Though for you, it might be just a few months, for people you care about, it would be different. They would age for entire years, and the time you can spend with them would decrease. Some might even be dead by the time you exit the dungeon," I calmly explained to Esme, trying to make him reconsider, although I knew it was useless with him.

"I know the risks of coming with you, but I'd rather risk my life than stay at home bored, waiting for the war."

It was hard to keep up with his reasoning; he seemed like a masochist or something. But in the end, Esme has always been a strange one; there's no surprise there.

"Esme, if you want to come with me, you have to understand that survival is our priority," I said, getting up from the ground.

"I know, I'm not a masochist, it's not pain I seek, and I would never endanger the life of a friend anyway."

"So, in the end, you'll come with me this time too," I grabbed the bowl and stepped out of the carriage to return it to Elya.

The girl sat around the fire, laughing and enjoying herself with the surviving soldiers, while drinking good wine.

"Marsal! What are you doing here? You shouldn't exert yourself," Elya explained, concerned.

"I've already told you, I'm fine," I placed my bowl next to the other dirty dishes.

"Well, since you're here, why not join us?" suggested a young blond-haired boy. "You saved us, offering you some wine is the least we can do."

"Well, I guess I can't refuse."

I sat with them, Elya handed me a mug, and I began to drink and joke with the others. Later, Esme joined, and we celebrated until late into the night.

The next morning, I woke up in the same carriage, wrapped in the same warm, soft leather blanket. I emerged into the sunlight and stretched. Next to the fire where we had celebrated the night before, three soldiers slept on the ground, including the blond-haired boy.

"Hey, Marsal, already awake?" Esme said, approaching me with firewood in her arms.

"What are you doing?" I said before yawning.

"Elya is still sleeping, so I have to take care of the fire," she explained, placing the wood on the ground.

"Couldn't you just wake her up?" I noted.

"Well... that was also an option."

I watched Esme carefully, thinking back to yesterday's incident. My body began to tremble with fear, but I resisted, knowing it wasn't her fault.

"Everything okay, Marsal?" she asked, seeing me lost in thought.

"No, nothing."

"Then go wake up Elya and the other soldiers," the boy ordered.

I headed to the girl; her carriage was the most luxurious. Once inside, I admired the splendid interiors decorated with gold. Not only did she have a comfortable bed, but also a bathroom. Elya was still sound asleep; I approached and woke her by shaking her arm.

"Is it already morning?" the girl said, yawning.

"Well, it's actually lunchtime."

"What!?" she exclaimed, surprised. "I need to go get firewood!"

"No, don't worry, Esme took care of it," I explained.

"Oh, well... I guess I'll have to thank him."

We both exited the carriage; the fire for lunch was already lit. The three soldiers who had slept on the ground had been awakened by Esme. Ton had returned with beast carcasses for us to eat, and now we just had to tear the meat apart.

So, we all got to work.

Roseth Evertin

A gentle breeze refreshed the fair skin of my face, warmed by the blazing sun shining high in the clear sky.

This wind, this light, no doubt, I am outside the dungeon.

Looking around, I noticed lying in a vast expanse of grass, with no buildings or symbols of civilization in sight. I sat down, and at that moment, I noticed changes in my body. I was no longer a child but seemed to be around 12 years old.

So, this is what he meant when he said he would make my body grow. He probably manipulated time to make me age quickly.

At that moment, I took note of my black hair, which now reached down to my waist.

If he had directly modified my body, they wouldn't be this long; this confirms my theory. The shirt I was wearing was torn and laid on the ground, while the pants I still had on, being too small for my grown body, served more as underwear.

I tried to stand up, and once on my feet, I began to tremble as I was not accustomed to this body, but I still managed to maintain balance.

Well, I'll have to get used to it, but it's not a problem; it doesn't seem difficult. Now, the most important part.

I focused on my core and slowly transported mana to my hand. At that exact moment, I felt a sharp pain in my abdomen, fell to my knees, and immediately halted the process, but mana seemed to defy me, pouring out in large quantities from my body.

What's happening? I'm losing control.

I thought my mana would disperse completely into the environment, but instead, it gathered around me, and the outflow slowed to almost nothing. I could sense the layer of mana, but I couldn't observe it; it was some kind of invisible coating.

The pain ceased, and everything calmed down. I recalled Marsal's explanation about elemental affinities years ago, and at that moment, I understood what had just happened: my aura had just been created.

It was an incredible sensation; even without seeing it, I could perceive the mana around me. According to my brother, with this aura, I should be able to develop an affinity with an element, but he never explained how it worked.

I stopped for a moment to think, but nothing came to mind. I closed my eyes and concentrated; I could feel the elemental mana around me—water, earth, wind, lightning, and fire, each appearing in my mind as a luminous sphere of their respective colors.

I closely observed these spheres, not knowing what I was doing. I was desperate by now, but suddenly, while looking at the red sphere of fire mana, I felt a strange sensation, as if it were calling me. I focused on it, and after some time, I began to perceive that fire mana differently, as if it were part of my core.

I opened my hand and slowly drew it towards my palm; dozens of red light spheres accumulated on it, creating a flame. I opened my eyes and realized it was all real.

I exulted with enthusiasm; I had just obtained an elemental affinity. Thanks to it, I could fight without excessive use of pure mana, solving the problem of core deterioration.

I began to play with the flame, making it grow, shrink, and grow again. Finally, I create

d a fireball and threw it like a baseball. It hit a tree, and the sphere exploded, setting the trunk on fire.

All that remained was to test my new power against a beast. I looked around, but instead of finding a monster like a wolf or a feline, I noticed smoke in the distance.

"Could there be someone?" I wondered, heading towards it.