After treating Lexi, Saxa passed her necklace over for safekeeping. Then, she left her belt bag on the bench.

She jogged to the field before she was called. Saxa stretched in her spot as she waited for the match to begin.

Gwyneth stared at Saxa for a moment, a bit lost for words.

Then, she turned to the bench and beckoned Moran.

Knowing what to do, he slicked over and passed his stuff to her. He strolled to his spot with a bow in hand, a quiver behind, and a dagger on his waist.

“Ready?” asked Gwyneth. After receiving confirmation from both sides, she started the match.

Moran grabbed an arrow, raised his bow, and fired arrows in quick succession. They flew to Saxa, pelting her in waves.

From the sidelines, Lexi admired his technique and accuracy. Unlike her, he didn’t need to aim but was confident with his shots. That must’ve taken years.

Saxa sprinted towards him, dodging the waves and slicing the ones she couldn’t dodge.

As she approached, he backed up and ran around the field. He shot while moving, pushing her back and increasing the pressure.

They circled each other. A few of his arrows hit their mark, piercing her scales. They slowly wore Saxa down, pushing her back.

Despite the disadvantage, she held steady and braced herself against the attacks.

Why? Because he was running out, and she knew that.

After Moran fired the last arrow, a grin graced her face. Saxa quickly kicked into the dirt and propelled herself towards him.

Since he was out, Lexi thought he would let go of his bow, but he didn’t.

Instead, Moran picked up fallen arrows as he ran and fired those.

Since he wasn’t rapidly firing them, Saxa charged forward, deciding to forgo all defense.

She rushed through the scattering, gashes on her scales and blood dripping down her side.

Lexi gasped in fear as she watched the fight. If this continued, someone might die.

She turned towards Priestess Gwyneth and observed her expression. She was calmly watching and saw no problem. Since the instructor wasn’t going to stop the match, everything was probably under control.

When Saxa was in front of him, Moran tossed his bow to the side, grabbing his dagger.

He blocked her right slash, but her left one made contact.

She stabbed his abdomen and blood gushed from the wound.

Clutching his side, he kicked her stomach and pushed her back.

Her tail swung around, bashing into his wound. When it recoiled, blood coated her scales.

Drip, Drip. It slid down her tail, dripping on the ground and mixing with the dirt.

With an insane grin, Saxa rushed forward, fully immersed in the battle.

As she charged forward, Moran turned to the side. He used her momentum to push her forward and pin her face down.

While Saxa struggled against his weight, he kicked both her daggers away, successfully disarming her.

A whistle. “Saxa is unarmed. Moran wins,”

Everyone let out a breath of relief. Thank God. The fight was bloody and intense, with enough pressure to kill someone.

But it showed the difference between them and the importance of experience. Even with extraordinary natural talent, Saxa lost to someone who fought while protecting their life.

After the results were announced, Lexi grabbed her bag and ran to the ring for treatment.

“Aw man,” she groaned from the ground, “I lost.”

Moran was sitting upright. He stared at her and remarked, “It makes sense. I’ve had more experience in dangerous situations.”

“Really?” Saxa stopped and quirked a brow.

He pointed at Inu. “Don’t you remember? I fought a bear once.”

“I actually thought he was lying.” Her voice was amused.

“Hey! I heard that,” Inu shouted from behind. He had followed her. “I’ll forgive you if we spar.”

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Lexi patted him, telling him to calm down. While it was important to challenge oneself, everyone was tired and injured.

“Anyway, how do I compare?”

He thought about it. “Definitely stronger than a wild bear but weaker than my teachers.”

She sighed, “Guess I still need more practice.”

Lexi passed medicine to Inu, telling him to take care of Saxa. Then, she gave Moran a potion, which he accepted with gratitude. Since he was more injured, she treated and wrapped his bloody wound first.

With her back against the dirt, Saxa stared at the sky. “Hey. Let’s do this again.”

“Sure.”

I need more medicine.

------

Three months had passed since the whole fighting session. The six of them met up somewhat frequently for training. Most of the time, it was just Inu, Saxa, Lexi, and Moran.

The three of them frequently held matches and sometimes trained Lexi, but she was usually invited to be the judge and healer.

She treated their injuries and looked at her dwindling medical supplies.

Some things never change.

Moran had left earlier, needing to return home before sunset. Now it was just Saxa, Inu, and Lexi.

Saxa and Inu were roughhousing, playful wrestling the other to the ground. Their laughter echoed through the cool night sky.

Lexi turned her attention away and gazed into the sky, thinking of all her years at the church.

It had been pretty fun… Tomorrow would be her seventeenth birthday and her ninth year here.

A gentle breeze blew through her hair and ruffled her feathers. She watched the starry night sky, getting lost in her thoughts as their laughter faded into the background.

We… still have some time.

A few years back, Fauna explained how the church adoption program worked. The church took in any and all children who were seventeen or younger. For older children, they would help them settle down.

When adopted children turned eighteen, they could leave the church and pursue their passions: becoming adventurers, attending academies, joining a kingdom, etc. The time spent in the church was a method of preparing children for their future, supporting their education and dreams, etc.

June had left around four years ago. After she turned eighteen, she spent a few more months studying under Sister Lena. Afterward, she headed out towards Vistryal Academy. Her plan would study magic, graduate, and join the Librio.

Just last year, another child left and became an adventurer.

Anyway, Sister Fauna said that all Yunar and Riolar churches offered these benefits.

It sounded amazing, but Lexi couldn’t believe that all churches—all the people offered these conditions. Maybe she had read too many novels, but it was probably too good to be true.

Because who could manage all the churches?

But she at least trusted this church. The sisters and other children were nice people. And while it was a bit distant from the town, everyone knew and respected each other to a certain extent.

While it was sometimes frustrating, she loved her time here. This was her home.

Lexi turned to look at the group.

Inu planned on going to a school for knights, Aureum Academy. His application and paperwork were already filled out, and he was accepted. Now, he was just waiting to transfer into the school. She thought he would do well.

Saxa wanted to stay at the church with her sister. She planned on joining and becoming a nun.

Moran was going to grow up into one of the town hunters. He already had his future planned out and received practical training in the field.

And Lexi… Lexi didn’t have anything planned.

She wanted to travel around, collect herbs, and visit all the places in Renee’s field guide.

She sighed. Maybe… I should become an adventurer.

“Lexi!”

The shout broke her train of thought. She turned towards the sound and saw the group beckoning her over.

She jogged to them, stopping just in front.

Saxa lifted a hand to her neck, reaching for her necklace and pulling out a book.

“I know your birthday’s tomorrow.”

The cover looked strikingly familiar. It was one that Lexi frequently borrowed and flipped through.

“But this is for you.”

She passed the book, A Field Guide by Renee Lamina.

Lexi blankly stared before opening it.

She leafed through, noticing that it was the latest edition. In addition to the previous entries, this one covered more plants and new stories.

As she turned to the last page, Lexi saw notes from all her friends.

Saxa, Inu, June, Anto, Jules, Evan, Moran…

“It’s a gift from all of us,” interjected Inu. He was lying on his stomach with his arms propping up his head.

Lexi felt a little tearful. “Thank you.”

“Don’t worry about it.” Saxa rubbed her head.

They sat in silence, enjoying the calm night.

------

It was my birthday today… the anniversary of when I was found…

A few years ago I anticipated was excited for wanted this day to come. I was excited to complete my training and explore the world. Visit all the places and see all the sights.

And I knew that everyone would eventually leave. I thought I was prepared for that.

Turns out, I’m not.

Maybe it’s because this is my last year, but I felt more emotional.

Yesterday, Saxa gave me a gift from all our friends.

It Everyone left notes telling me to stay in touch and not forget them. I won’t.

But it made me feel better for the future. I’ll come back and visit during my travels.

Today, I got gifts from all the sisters. They mostly gave me herbs and gold, which I appreciate.

But Sister Lena gave me an anklet. She said that it was engraved with water protection magic.

##### activates the spell.

When I tried it, the spell summoned a wave of water.

…

Recently, Sister Lena has been giving magical accessories as gifts. Like, more often than before.

In the past year or so, she gave out more accessories than previous years.

I wonder why…