In the past few months, Shouta's journey had been life-changing. From being a rank F beginner, he now stood as a rank A adventurer, a feat that surprised many in the guild. This journey was not just about the missions he took on, but also the intense training he had undergone with Lydia and Master Orlin.

The World of Aran and the Qinlin Empire

Aran was a world full of contradictions. There were grand cities with towering magic spires, yet on the other hand, small villages struggled daily against the threats of monsters and bandits. The Qinlin Empire, one of the largest nations in Aran, was known for its military strength and its dominating magic academy. However, the peace in the empire was fragile, with many remote areas facing chaos due to monster attacks and political rivalry.

The Adventurers' Guild of the Qinlin Empire

The adventurer's guild was the hub for those who wanted to protect the empire's territories or just make a living. Adventurers from all backgrounds gathered to take on missions, share stories, or celebrate their victories. This was where Shouta began his journey, accepting missions that others saw as trivial. For Shouta, the guild wasn’t just a place to work—it was a testing ground for his strength.

Unlike most adventurers who often formed large teams, Shouta chose to work alone. He wanted to push himself without relying on anyone else. At first, he took simple missions like gathering herbs or hunting small monsters. But with each mission came new lessons. Along the way, Shouta learned to face threats like goblins, magical wolves, and even massive creatures like Stone Golems.

There were times when Lydia joined him, especially when the mission required extra strategy. On a mission to defeat a group of bandits posing as merchants, Lydia suggested a trap that worked perfectly.

“You’re too stubborn to ask for help. You could’ve beaten them by yourself with that powerful magic of yours,” Lydia teased after the mission.

Shouta just shrugged. “Sometimes, I need someone to watch my back.”

Lydia chuckled, but there was a sense of pride in her eyes.

Every morning at Lord Viscount’s estate, Shouta practiced with Lydia. At first, he often lost, struggling to even defend against her light attacks. But over time, Shouta learned to read Lydia’s movements and use his own speed to his advantage. In their latest duel, Shouta finally managed to defeat Lydia with a new technique—a chained attack that exploited a small gap in Lydia’s defense.

“How did you know I’d move to the right?” Lydia asked, panting.

“You always do that when attacking from above,” Shouta replied with a small smile.

“But I didn’t expect you to beat me this fast,” Lydia said, impressed.

His magic training with Master Orlin was equally challenging. Orlin pushed Shouta to understand the magical essence within his body and to channel that energy directly into himself.

“You have to feel the energy flow, then control it,” Orlin instructed.

As the training progressed, Orlin was again astonished. Shouta displayed an extraordinary ability to cast magic without a wand or incantations—something that was believed to be impossible.

If you encounter this story on Amazon, note that it's taken without permission from the author. Report it.

Orlin stood frozen, his eyes wide with awe. Before him, Shouta had just unleashed high-level magic without a wand or chant, something even Orlin—a seasoned magician—couldn’t easily do.

“This... incredible,” Orlin muttered, almost whispering. “Even I, with all my experience, still need a wand to stabilize my magic. But you... you did it just with your will.”

He shook his head in disbelief. “Such talent... it’s rare, incredibly rare.”

After a long period of adventuring, Orlin returned after several months, shocked by the changes in Shouta. At the Viscount’s large dining table, Shouta shared his stories with excitement.

“So, you really fought a Stone Golem alone?” Orlin asked in disbelief.

“Yeah,” Shouta smiled. “But I almost died if it wasn’t for your training.”

“He even beat me in a duel!” Lydia said, half-joking, but there was clear pride in her voice.

Orlin observed Shouta with a sharp gaze. “You’ve exceeded my expectations. But I’m sure you can go even further.”

Orlin’s reaction made Shouta blush, but it also confirmed that all his efforts had paid off.

After hearing Shouta’s stories, Orlin said firmly, “You need to go further. I recommend you enter the Grand Astoria Magic Academy. It’s the best in the Qinlin Empire, maybe even in all of Aran.”

Shouta was taken aback. “The Academy... magic?”

“Astoria is where young mages like you can meet and compete with other genius students. There, you won’t just learn techniques, but also how to survive and be the best. If you stay here, your talent will be wasted. Astoria will open doors to opportunities you can’t even imagine.” Orlin replied.

At the dining table, Lord Viscount added, “I agree. There, you won’t just learn, but you’ll also meet people who can shape your future. It’s an opportunity too valuable to miss.”

Lydia, listening in, smiled. “If you go, I’ll go too. We’re the same age, right? It’ll be fun to go through it all together.”

Shouta stared at Lydia, surprised. “You’re going to the academy too? And we’re the same age?”

Lydia nodded. “Of course. Did you think I was older than you? Besides, you really think I’d let you get ahead of me? You’ll need someone to make sure you don’t get too big-headed.” Lydia said with a mix of seriousness and teasing.

The conversation ended with a light laugh. But deep down, they all knew this was the start of a new journey—one full of challenges.

On the morning of his sixteenth birthday, Shouta stood at the gates of Lord Viscount’s estate. They were preparing to board the carriage that would take them to the Grand Astoria Magic Academy. The cold morning wind hit his face, filling his heart with confusion. Beside him, Lydia held her sword with confidence, while Shouta’s face showed a deeper expression—mixed with excitement and tension. He knew this step was not just a change in his life, but also the greatest test he would face.

Lydia looked at Shouta with a small smile, understanding what he was feeling. They had been through so much together—intense training and dangerous missions. But now, in front of them, stood a huge gate that would take them to a world full of challenges, and possibly threats.

“Shouta, what are you thinking?” Lydia asked softly, placing a hand on his shoulder in understanding.

Shouta took a deep breath. “I just... I don’t know what awaits us there,” he replied, his voice quieter than usual. “The academy... there are so many great mages. I’m just afraid I won’t be good enough.”

Lydia smiled wider. “You’re not like them. You’re different. You’ve come so far. Don’t doubt yourself. I know you’re stronger than you think.”

Shouta nodded slowly, but the unease still lingered inside him. Despite reaching rank A in such a short time, despite his growth in swordsmanship and magic, there was still uncertainty. Was he ready to survive in a place full of genius mages? Would he find true friends, or would he fall behind in their shadows?

Suddenly, Orlin’s voice echoed from behind, breaking the silence. “Are you both ready for this?” he asked with a confident smile.

Shouta turned around to see Orlin and Lord Viscount waving from a distance. Behind Orlin’s calm expression, Shouta could see pride and hope. Everything Orlin had taught him, all the hard training and battles—this moment was the culmination of it all. The moment when Shouta had to prove that he could become more than anyone had imagined.

“This is a big step, Shouta,” Orlin said seriously. “Astoria is a place that will sharpen you more than any sword. But it’s also a place where dangers await—far greater than you might expect. You must be ready for that.”

“I will,” Shouta replied, though his voice seemed more to reassure himself than anyone else. “I’ll prove I can face it. I won’t let myself fail.”

Lydia looked at him with a confident gaze. “You won’t fail. We’ll get through this together, like we always have.”

Shouta gave a small smile, though a tension still remained in his heart. “Yeah... together.”

They nodded, then climbed into the carriage that would take them to the Grand Astoria Magic Academy—a journey that would take a day and night, toward a new world full of hope, threats, and challenges waiting to be tested. Behind them, Orlin and Lord Viscount watched with hope in their eyes.

But even though the new world ahead was so alluring, Shouta couldn’t shake the growing questions in his mind. What would await him inside? What if things didn’t go as expected? One thing was certain—this journey would bring him closer to his destiny.

And as the gate slowly closed behind them, that big question still hung in the air.

To be continued…