Adrian leaned in as he outlined his plan. “Hear me out, a thunder wolf has way too much power for us to handle directly the way we are now. Instead, we’ll use fire and sound to scare it away.”

He glanced at each of them, gauging their reactions before continuing. “Anisa, I’ll need you to position yourself in the trees over there, on the right. You’re our distraction. When I give you the signal, fire a few arrows just past the wolf, aiming for the rocks behind it"

Anisa nodded as she assessed the terrain. “Got it. I’ll set up as soon as we’re ready."

Adrian turned to Marcus. “I’ll be at the front, conjuring a line of fire to block its path and guide it away from us. Marcus, I need you to be on standby, ready to shout or make some noise if it doesn’t back off right away.”

“Are you sure about this, kid? One wrong move, and we're done.”

“I am. We just need to look bigger and louder than it is. If we create enough noise and fire, it’ll think we’re a greater threat.”

Seth nodded in agreement. “I think it’s a solid plan. Thunder wolves rely on their instincts, and we can use that against it. I’ll be ready to back you up if it doesn’t take the hint.”

Satisfied, Adrian turned to Helen, who was watching intently despite her exhaustion. “Helen, you should sit this one out."

Helen opened her mouth as if to protest, but after a moment, she sighed and nodded. “Alright, but if you need me, I’ll be ready."

With everyone in place, Adrian took a deep breath, focusing his energy into his right hand. Mimi trotted to his side, green flames flickering in anticipation. “I'll start now."

Anisa slipped off into the trees, finding a higher vantage point. Marcus took his position a few steps behind Adrian while Seth moved around to the left, crouching low and keeping silent as he readied himself to react if the wolf turned hostile.

Adrian steadied his breath, his right hand warming as blue flames licked at his fingertips. Stay calm. Trust them. Trust yourself.

A low growl rumbled in the distance, the thunder wolf stepping into view. Its massive form was illuminated by flashes of blue lightning dancing along its fur.

Adrian took a step forward to draw the wolf’s attention. The creature’s ears perked, its body lowering slightly as it prepared to strike. Then, Adrian thrust his hand forward, conjuring a sweeping line of blue fire that roared to life in front of him. The wolf recoiled, snarling in irritation.

“Anisa, now!” Adrian shouted.

From her perch, Anisa released a flurry of arrows. They sailed just past the wolf, striking the rocks behind it with sharp, echoing cracks. The noise filled the clearing, reverberating off the trees. The wolf turned its head, distracted by the sudden clamor. It growled, shifting between aggression and retreat. Good. It’s working.

“Marcus!”

The swordsman let out a thunderous shout, slamming the flat of his blade against his shield. The metallic clash combined with his booming voice, creating a cacophony that startled even the surrounding wildlife. The wolf took a step back, its lightning-furred tail flicking in agitation. The blue fire and noise disoriented it, driving it to pace nervously.

Adrian gritted his teeth, maintaining the line of fire. Just a little longer.

Seth edged closer, positioning himself to strike if necessary. He kept low, dagger gleaming faintly in the firelight. Things should be fine, even if it all goes downhill.

The wolf snarled again and lunged forward a step, but the flames roared higher, forcing it back. Adrian locked eyes with the creature, his voice cutting through the noise. “Leave now you stupid mutt!"

The wolf paused, its growl faltering. Adrian could see the hesitation, the instinct to fight warring with self-preservation. Come on, you know you can’t win this.

Another arrow struck the rocks behind it, and the sound was sharper this time, like a thunderclap in the wolf’s ears. It flinched, retreating another step. Adrian focused, channeling more energy into the fire. The blue flames twisted and writhed, forming a wall that blazed with intensity.

The wolf backed away further, its growls subsiding into low rumbles. It gave one last defiant snarl before turning abruptly, bolting back into the shadows from which it had come.

Adrian released the spell, the flames dissipating into flickering embers before vanishing altogether. He swayed slightly, exhaustion nipping at the edges of his consciousness. Mimi pressed against his leg, her green flames dimming in response to his weariness.

Anisa dropped from the trees, then brushed off her hands. “Nice work, everyone. That was smoother than I expected.

Marcus let out a hearty laugh. “Kid, that was brilliant!” he said, clapping Adrian on the back with a force that almost sent him stumbling.

Adrian grinned despite himself, letting the lingering rush of the moment fill him. “It was thanks to all of you helping out."

"You’re a natural at this, kid. You’ll make one fine adventurer someday, mark my words.”

“Please, you’re giving me too much praise.”

Before Marcus could respond, Helen interjected with a playful scoff, though her sharp eyes fixed on Adrian with a flicker of skepticism. “With talent like that? He should be in the academy at the capital, not out here risking his neck with us. Who are you, kid?”

He hesitated, his grin faltering. “Honestly… I’m not sure how I got here. I remember wandering into the forest, but everything before that is… hazy.”

Helen’s scoff turned colder, and she folded her arms. “A kid with powers like yours just happens to lose his way and end up out here? I’m sorry, but that’s a little hard to buy.”

Adrian’s stomach twisted. I don’t blame her for being skeptical. But what could I even say that would make sense? Will they really believe me if I told them the truth?

“You alright, kid? You look like you’ve seen a ghost." Marcus asked.

Adrian forced a nod, his heart pounding. No point hiding it anymore. If they’re going to trust me, they deserve the truth. He exhaled slowly as he tried to calm himself. “I’ll explain… but it might sound hard to believe.”

Helen’s sharp expression eased as a flicker of understanding crossed her face. Seth tilted his head, his skepticism giving way to quiet intrigue. Marcus, standing off to the side, folded his arms across his chest as he waited for Adrian to speak.

Adrian swallowed hard. Now or never.

“I was raised in a convent devoted to the Church of Isha, it’s all I’ve ever known my whole life. The nuns there… they were my family.”

“We were on our way to the capital. A group of us, some of the other kids, a few of the sisters. We were excited for the most part."

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Adrian drew in another breath. He shot a brief glance at Mimi, who was curled up next to his leg. The fox was staring right into his eyes, as if to give reassurance. Okay, here it goes.

“But then… we were ambushed by bandits. They hit us fast. I tried to fight back, to do something, but…” He shook his head, a bitter laugh escaping his lips. “By the time everything was over, everyone was gone.”

The silence that followed was deafening. Helen’s lips parted as if to speak, but she stopped herself. Seth’s usual sharp edge dulled, replaced by a quieter, almost thoughtful demeanor.

Yet, Adrian forced himself to keep going. “I tried looking for my friends, but couldn't find anything even close to a lead. So… I decided to go to the woods to go find some food, and eventually met you all."

Marcus let out a low whistle as he rubbed the back of his neck. “Damn, kid. That’s rough.”

Adrian offered a weak smile, though it didn’t quite reach his eyes. “Yeah… it was.”

Helen’s arms slowly uncrossed. “I'm sorry for what you had to go through. But that doesn't explain how you helped us handle that thunder wolf better than most seasoned adventurers." She then pointed to Mimi. "Or how you met your little friend here."

"The nuns at the convent always called me blessed, believing I was special. And I don't mean to brag, but I was always considered a bright kid."

Adrian then shot a brief glance at Mimi before looking back to Helen. I think explaining the whole deal with Kiyara might be much, so I'll just tell them most of the truth.

Clearing his throat, he spoke carefully. “As for Mimi… I found her while I was wandering the forest, looking for food. I don’t know exactly how she came to be, but she just… stuck with me. She took a liking to me, and I figured she needed someone to look out for her.”

Helen’s brow furrowed, visibly skeptical given the slight tilt of her head and the way her lips pressed into a thin line. But then her posture shifted as she exhaled. The sharpness in her gaze softened, replaced by something quieter, more reflective. “As outlandish as all of this sounds… I believe you.”

Adrian’s chest loosened, relief washing over him. She believes me. Or at least, she’s giving me the benefit of the doubt. That’s more than I expected. “I’m not looking for pity, I just… I want to make things right. To find the sisters and friends, if they’re still out there.”

“You’ve been through too much, kid. I can’t say I understand it all, but… you survived. That says something.”

Seth, who had been silent until now, tilted his head slightly. “You’ve got guts, I’ll give you that. Sounds like you’ve been through more than most people twice your age.”

"Thanks for hearing me out, I appreciate it."

"No need to thank me, in fact, I should be thanking you for finally opening up."

Marcus chuckled, stepping closer to Adrian and placing a firm hand on his shoulder. “Since everyone is clear now, maybe we can lend Adrian a hand in the future."

"I don't mind, but maybe after we've made it back to Willowbrook?" Helen said, smiling lightly.

"That's fine,” Adrian said. They believe me. That’s all I need right now.

***

After days of navigating through the forest, the group finally reached the crest of a hill bathed in the soft glow of the setting sun. As they descended, the dense canopy parted, revealing a town nestled in the valley below.

Willowbrook's wooden gates were wide open. The faint hum of voices drifted toward them, mingling with the rhythmic clinking of a blacksmith’s hammer striking metal in the heart of the town square.

Marcus’s face broke into a wide grin while Anisa's eyes brightened as they fell upon the familiar buildings, "Finally back home,” she murmured to herself.

Helen lagged slightly behind, her shoulders drooping with exhaustion. She let out a deep sigh, her weariness etched into her every movement, but there was a flicker of solace in her expression as she took in the sight of civilization. Seth, ever watchful, loosened his stance just a bit.

Adrian slowed his steps, letting his companions drift ahead as he absorbed the view. The town was modest, with narrow streets that buzzed with life. Villagers bustled about, their chatter blending with the occasional bray of a mule or the creak of wagon wheels. Farmers hauled carts laden with fresh produce while children ran all over the place. It's a nice enough town, only humans, though. Do the larger cities have people from other races? Elves? Dwarves? Even beastkin?

Soon, the group made their way to the town square, where a central fountain splashed quietly. Marcus stopped and took a deep breath, turning to the others with a broad smile. “Well, here we are. But before we settle in, did anyone actually keep hold of the loot?”

Seth gave a small, almost weary nod and reached into his pack, pulling out a worn leather bag. “Managed to save a few monster cores. But most of the other stuff was lost in that troll scuffle.”

Marcus let out a sigh. “It’ll have to do, then.” He clapped Seth on the shoulder. “Nice work hanging onto what you could regardless.”

Curious, Adrian stepped forward, his eyes fixed on the bag. “Would it be alright if I took a look at the cores?”

"Huh? Sure, have a look."

Seth loosened the drawstring and opened the bag, revealing a small collection of round stones, each one faintly glowing in hues of blue, green, and red. Adrian reached out and picked up a stone, feeling it beneath his fingertips as the light seemed to respond to his touch. These monster cores… they carry the echoes of life, just like human mana cores. Fascinating.

“How does someone obtain these monster cores?” Adrian asked.

“Monster cores are what’s left when certain creatures die. Not every beast has one, only those with strong elemental ties or unique power. The core holds a fragment of their essence. Useful for mages, healers, and craftsmen.”

Adrian nodded slowly, feeling the faint pulse of energy resonate under his touch. “Interesting,” he murmured, more to himself than anyone else. Could I absorb this energy somehow? If I knew the right method… or would that be too dangerous?

Anisa, who had been watching him with quiet amusement, leaned forward slightly. “You’ve never seen monster cores before, have you?”

Adrian glanced up, then offered a sheepish smile. “No, not really. I’ve read about them, but this is the first time seeing them in person.”

Anisa chuckled softly. “They’re not exactly common in towns, unless you have coin to spare. Though most people can't use them anyway."

"Oh? Can an average mage use monster cores?"

"Hmm, probably not. Even so-called 'common' monster cores are quite volatile, so only experts are generally allowed to handle them."

"Got it, and do all monsters drop their cores when you defeat them?"

"Haha, I wish. The sad thing is that most monster cores vanish as soon as the monster dies, it's really a gamble as to whether you'll find a core or not."

Adrian nodded, filing the warning away. “Thanks. I’ll keep that in mind.”

Anisa’s eyes softened further as she watched him, and after a moment’s pause, she leaned forward. “Say, this is sudden but, do you… have a place to stay?”

Adrian hesitated for a moment. Sister Selena and Seven are still missing, and I have no clue how to return to the convent. Not that I'm sure that's a good idea to begin with given what happened. Maybe it's best if I just lay low for a while.

He shook his head slowly, his gaze dropping. "Actually… I don't really have a place to stay right now."

Upon hearing that, Anisa reached out, placing a gentle hand on his shoulder. “Well, in that case, you’re welcome to stay with us. As long as you need.”

Marcus, standing nearby with his arms crossed, let out a hearty laugh. “That’s right. Since Anisa and I tied the knot, we’ve never had a chance to have a kid of our own. Having you with us wouldn’t be so bad. We’ll call it a favor for saving our lives a while back.”

Adrian blinked. Looks like they're serious about this. I'd like to keep searching for Seven and Selena if possible, but that's going to be hard if I don't have a place to rest and recover. It's probably a good idea for me to stay with Marcus and Anisa for the foreseeable future.

He managed a small, genuine smile. “Thank you. I… I’d really like that.”

Seth shot a glance at Marcus. "You really sure about this?"

Helen nodded. "Taking care of any kid is a big responsibility."

Marcus waved off their doubts with a broad grin, his voice firm yet good-natured. “Come on, you two. Show a little faith. Adrian saved us back there, didn’t he? Not to mention, Helen, he helped you with that nasty mana core overexertion. Or have you already forgotten?”

Helen flushed slightly. “I haven’t forgotten.”

She glanced toward Adrian, her voice softening despite herself. “You did help. More than you probably should have, honestly.”

Marcus clapped a hand on Seth’s shoulder, earning a faint scowl from the other man. “And Seth, we’ll all sleep easier knowing Adrian’s not out there on his own, getting into who knows what kind of trouble."

Seth exhaled sharply. “Alright, alright. You’ve made your point.” He turned to Adrian, his expression carrying a trace of guilt. “Look, sorry for being so skeptical. You’re a good kid, and you’ve proved that more than once. Thanks for pulling your weight out there.”

Adrian gave a shy nod. “Thanks, Seth. That means a lot.”

With the air a little lighter, the group began to part ways. Helen headed toward the nearest inn, throwing Adrian a brief wave over her shoulder. “Don’t let them work you too hard."

Seth lingered a moment longer before tucking a bag of monster cores into his pack. “Take it easy, kid." Then he disappeared down a side street, his shadow slipping into the growing twilight.

Marcus and Anisa exchanged a glance before Marcus tilted his head toward the path ahead. “Alright, Adrian, let’s get you settled in."