Reynar knelt down to be at eye level with Caius, his tone serious. "The test wasn't about landing a hit. It was about how far you were willing to go and how much you were willing to push yourself. You didn't hold back, Caius. You went all out, and that's why you passed."

Caius frowned. "But if I can't land a hit, how am I supposed to face the world? What's the point of pushing myself?"

Reynar's expression softened, and he rested a hand on Caius's shoulder. "That's exactly why I wanted you to fight me. You needed to see your weaknesses—every mistake, every opening you leave. This wasn't about winning; it was about learning. You'll face enemies that won't give you a second chance. I need you to be ready, and today you learned more than you realize."

Caius sat silently for a moment, letting Reynar's words sink in. He had been so focused on the outcome—victory—that he hadn't considered the deeper lessons Reynar had been trying to teach him. His frustration slowly gave way to understanding.

"But…" Caius hesitated, his mind flickering back to the strange energy he had felt during the fight. "Near the end, I felt something... inside me. What was that?"

Reynar stood up, his gaze shifting to the horizon. A small smile played on his lips. "Ah, so you noticed it. That power is something not everyone has. Only the chosen ones could awaken it. And you, Caius, have just taken the first step."

Caius's heart raced. "What is it? How do I control it?"

Reynar shook his head. "That's for you to figure out. I've taught you all I can, but this—this is something you must discover for yourself."

Jory, still standing nearby, furrowed his brow. "So, you won't tell him anything about it?"

Reynar chuckled softly. "I could, but what would be the point? Caius must learn to trust in that power and understand it on his own terms. That's part of his journey."

Caius clenched his fists. He wasn't satisfied with that answer, but something in Reynar's eyes told him there was more. "So, where do I start?"

Reynar turned back to Caius, his expression growing serious again. "There's someone who can help you—someone who knows more about that power than I do, at least in teaching it." His gaze sharpened. "Her name is Elara Duskwind. She was part of the Silver Serpents, the legendary pirate crew I sailed with. She's the one who can help you understand what you've just begun to tap into."

"Elara Duskwind?" Caius repeated, excitement and curiosity flooding his mind. He had heard stories of the Silver Serpents, but Elara's name was new.

Reynar nodded. "She's not easy to find, but there are whispers of her on the nearby islands. That's where you should start. Ask around, follow the leads, and you'll find her eventually. But finding her will be your first real test out there."

Jory looked at Caius, grinning despite the seriousness of the moment. "Sounds like the adventure is really about to begin, huh?"

Caius nodded, his heart pounding with excitement. Reynar had given him the first clue, the first step toward his adventure and understanding the power inside him. But the rest was up to him.

Reynar's gaze lingered on Caius, the tension from the test slowly fading. He crossed his arms and spoke with a calm but firm voice. "Before you start chasing after Elara and setting sail, there's something important you need to do, Caius."

Caius blinked, unsure where this was going. "What do you mean?"

Reynar raised an eyebrow. "Has your Aunt Maria given you permission to set sail?"

The question hit Caius like a wave he hadn't seen coming. He hadn't considered it or even considered what Aunt Maria would say. He'd been so consumed with the idea of adventure, the stories Reynar had told, that the reality of leaving home hadn't crossed his mind.

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Jory, standing nearby, looked just as surprised. "That's make sense..." His voice lowered. "You think she'd actually let you go? She's always looked out for you, Caius. You know how protective she is."

Caius felt a knot tighten in his stomach. Aunt Maria had raised, provided, and cared for him like a son. The thought of her reaction to him leaving made his excitement falter. He could almost picture her worried face, standing at their doorway, asking why he wanted to leave.

"I…" Caius hesitated. "I didn't really think about it."

Jory let out a small, sympathetic laugh. "Yeah, I didn't think about it either. But you know she won't be thrilled about you running off."

Reynar stepped closer, his expression softening. "You've got big dreams, Caius, and that's good. But setting sail isn't just about adventure. You've got people who care about you here—people you are responsible for."

Caius's heart sank. He had been so eager to experience the freedom of the seas that he hadn't considered what leaving would mean for the one person who had always been there for him. Aunt Maria wouldn't stop him, but the thought of disappointing her weighed heavily.

"I need to talk to her," Caius said quietly, more to himself than the others.

Reynar nodded. "You do. This journey will shape your future, but before you go, ensure you've settled things at home."

Jory patted Caius on the back with a small grin. "We'll figure it out. Aunt Maria cares about you—maybe she'll understand."

Caius nodded, but uncertainty hung over him. The excitement of setting sail was still there, but now he knew he had to face Aunt Maria first.

***

Caius and Jory stood outside Aunt Maria's modest home, exchanging nervous glances. The day's excitement had been replaced by a knot of tension in Caius's stomach. He hadn't considered how his aunt would react to him leaving, and now, the moment had come to face her.

Jory nudged Caius. "You ready for this?"

Caius took a deep breath, then nodded. "Let's get this over with."

As they stepped inside, the comforting smell of home greeted them—freshly baked bread and the faint scent of herbs hanging in the air. Aunt Maria was at the small table in the kitchen, her back to them, humming softly as she prepared something.

She turned as they entered, her soft, knowing smile on her lips. Aunt Maria, at thirty-four, was a striking woman. Her long, chestnut hair framed a delicate face, and her green eyes—much like Caius's—always seemed warm and wise. Despite her youth, a quiet strength in her made her seem ageless.

Caius shifted awkwardly. "Aunt Maria, I need to talk to you about something."

She wiped her hands on her apron and raised an eyebrow. "Oh? Is this about you finally deciding to set sail?"

Caius froze. Jory's jaw dropped. "Wait—how did you…?"

Maria chuckled softly. "Come now, you think I wouldn't know? I've seen that look in your eyes for months now, Caius. You're restless like your father was."

"My father?" Caius blinked, taken aback by how casually she spoke of it. He had expected resistance, maybe even a stern lecture, but Aunt Maria seemed completely at ease instead.

"Well," she said, placing her hands on her hips. "When do you plan to leave?"

Both boys stared at her, speechless. Jory was the first to find his voice. "Wait, you're okay with this? I mean, you're really… okay with him leaving?"

Maria's smile widened as she crossed her arms against the table. "Why wouldn't I be?"

Caius, still processing her reaction, managed to stammer, "I thought… I thought you'd be against it. You've taken care of me all this time…"

Maria waved a hand dismissively. "Caius, you're sixteen. You've got your whole life ahead of you. I knew this day would come, and I've been preparing for it. You've always been curious, always looking beyond the horizon. I wouldn't hold you back from that."

Jory still couldn't believe it. "But… you've always been so protective. And you never talked about what happened with your family—"

"Ah, our family," Maria interrupted, her expression softening. She turned to look at Caius, "I've always told you that you'll know more when the time is right, haven't I, Caius?" She glanced at her nephew. Her smile was tinged with sadness. "But... It's not something I'm ready to share yet."

Caius had heard this before, but now, with the prospect of leaving, it carried a deeper weight. He wanted to know, but he could see that whatever the story was, it was too painful for her to tell. He decided not to push her, not now.

Still in shock, Jory blurted out the question Caius hadn't asked. "So, why are you okay with this? I thought… I thought you'd want him to stay."

Aunt Maria's eyes gleamed mischievously. "Taking care of Caius has kept me from getting married." She laughed, the joke breaking the tension building in the room.

Caius rolled his eyes, though a small grin crept onto his face. "Very funny, Aunt Maria."

Maria chuckled again, stepping forward and gently touching Caius's cheek. "I've done my part raising you, Caius. It's time to go into the world and make your own way. Just remember to write me, alright?"

Caius nodded, feeling a weight lift off his shoulders and a newfound sense of responsibility. "I will."

Jory, still recovering from his surprise, grinned. "I guess that's it then. You're free to go."