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In the quiet town of Wendale, nestled in the northern reaches of the Mainland, a young girl named Renn dreamed of escaping her hometown to explore the world beyond. But there was one small obstacle—by law, only those who were at least fifteen could leave on their own, and Renn’s fifteenth birthday was just days away.

Renn had short black hair and dark blue eyes, her petite frame brimming with boundless energy. Despite her small stature, she carried herself with a boldness that made her presence impossible to ignore—whether that was a good thing or not depended on who you asked.

At the town’s tiny schoolhouse, Witz, the local teacher, was halfway through recounting the tale of Neona, the Goddess of Light, to a class of wide-eyed children.

“…And so, with the help of the seven heroes, Neona subdued the three colossal beasts and saved the world from certain destruction.”

The room erupted in claps and gasps of awe. Well, most of the room.

“Boooooring!” Renn’s voice cut through the applause like a knife through soft bread. “How many times are you gonna tell the same story?”

Witz sighed, already bracing for trouble. “Renn, you know this is an important part of our history. You’d show more respect if you didn’t sneak in here every other day.”

Renn leaned casually against the doorframe, a smirk playing at her lips. “Free time’s gotta go somewhere, right? Figured I’d liven things up for the kids.”

The younger students snickered, amused by Renn’s irreverence, while Witz—who had long since given up on disciplining her—rubbed his temples.

“You’re not even a student anymore. And if you’re so keen on causing mischief, maybe try being useful for once?”

“Oh, c’mon, old man, I’m just keeping things interesting.” Renn flashed a playful grin and turned to leave, already knowing Witz wouldn’t dare chase her.

“Old man?! I’m not—ugh, never mind!” Witz threw up his hands in mock surrender as Renn’s laugh echoed down the hall, the sound of her footsteps already fading.

Renn was a familiar troublemaker in Wendale, her antics equally loved and bemoaned by the townsfolk. Yet, beneath her playful defiance, there was an undeniable sharpness. Aisha, her closest friend, knew this better than anyone.

The bakery owned by Aisha’s parents was where Renn often sought refuge after a day of stirring up trouble. The moment the bell above the door chimed, Mrs. Oliver, a warm woman with flour still dusting her apron, turned from the counter.

“Hi, Ms. Oliver!” Renn called out, her voice bright and familiar. “Is Aisha upstairs?”

Mrs. Oliver smiled, her eyes crinkling at the corners. “Hey there, Renn. She’s in her room. You know where to go.”

With a nod and a salute, Renn darted past the rows of freshly baked bread and pastries, making a beeline for the stairs.

Aisha’s room was a cozy sanctuary, bathed in soft evening light. It was the complete opposite of Renn’s chaotic energy. Pillows were strewn across the bed, and a faint smell of lavender filled the air. Aisha, with her long, wavy brown hair and pink eyes, sat quietly at her desk, writing in her usual serene manner.

“Hey, whatcha working on?” Renn asked, flopping onto the bed without invitation, as usual.

Aisha glanced up with a soft smile. “Just a letter to Dad. He’s in Kaska, delivering a big order.”

“Kaska! One of the Mainland’s four capital kingdoms!” Renn’s eyes lit up like fireworks. “I’ve always wanted to go there.”

Aisha giggled, her gentle demeanor an ever-present contrast to Renn’s excitement. “You’re about to turn fifteen, right?”

“Yep! The day after tomorrow. Then I can finally leave this place!” Renn stretched out on the bed like she was already basking in her future adventures.

Aisha’s expression shifted, growing more serious. “You’ll be careful, right? The monsters have been more active lately. Even the town guards are talking about how dangerous it’s become for travelers.”

Renn waved her hand dismissively. “Monsters? Please. Between here and the next town, I won’t run into anything too bad. Besides, if I need to, I’ll just charm some poor fool into lending me enough for a mana weapon.”

Aisha’s cheeks turned a faint pink. “Renn! You can’t just—”

“I’m kidding!” Renn chuckled, though the glint in her eyes suggested a hint of truth. “Sort of.”

Aisha frowned, the soft scratch of her pen filling the brief silence as she finished her letter. “You know… being a monster hunter is dangerous. And mana weapons—those things aren’t cheap.”

Renn sighed, her bravado momentarily dimming as she stared at the ceiling. “Yeah, I know. But I’ll figure it out. I always do.”

A short, comfortable silence settled between them, broken only by the muffled sounds of Wendale’s evening life drifting in through the window.

Aisha finally folded her letter and slipped it into an envelope. “I’m done. Want to take a walk?”

Renn sprang up, her restless energy back in full force. “Sure! Let’s see if this town’s gotten any less boring since this morning.”

The two girls wandered the quiet streets of Wendale, the sun sinking lower on the horizon, painting the town in shades of gold and crimson as the first stars began to twinkle in the sky.

“So,” Renn broke the silence, hands stuffed into her pockets as they walked, “You’re staying here to take over the bakery, huh?”

Aisha nodded with a soft smile. “Yeah, that’s the plan. The world outside… it’s kinda scary. I’m happy staying here.”

Renn tilted her head, her thoughts wandering to the world beyond Wendale’s borders. The Mainland was huge, filled with adventure and danger, both calling to her. But for Aisha, that same world was a little too much.

“Yeah, I get it,” Renn said, her voice unusually soft. “But me? I can’t wait to get out of here.”

Aisha smiled again, though her eyes held a flicker of worry. “Just… promise you’ll be careful, okay?”

Renn grinned, her usual confidence creeping back. “I’m always careful! Well… most of the time.” The last part came out with a sheepish chuckle.

They continued walking in a peaceful silence, the quiet of Wendale wrapping around them. But Renn’s mind was already racing, thinking about what lay beyond—about the danger, the excitement, the unknown waiting for her just days away.

As the sky deepened into dusk, Aisha finally spoke up. “I think I’ll head home now. Thanks for hanging out with me, like always.”

“I’ll walk you back,” Renn offered casually, not making a big deal out of it.

After dropping Aisha off at the bakery and waving goodbye to both her and Mrs. Oliver, Renn strolled back to the mayor’s house, her mind still buzzing with thoughts of her upcoming journey. As she quietly slipped through the front door, she tried to avoid making noise.

“I’m back…”

“Ahem!” A deep voice echoed from the shadows, freezing her in place. “I heard you visited Mr. Witz today.”

At the mention of her former teacher, Renn winced. She knew what was coming.

“Aw, c’mon, Gramps! It was nothing serious. Just having a bit of fun, that’s all—”

“Silence, youngster.” The old man raised a finger, his other hand resting behind his back. Despite his stern voice, Mayor Tou—“Gramps,” as Renn called him—was clearly showing his age. His white hair and the way he stood revealed the years weighing on him.

Tou wasn’t just the mayor; he was the one who had raised Renn, and the person who held the authority to decide whether or not she could finally leave Wendale. He had already allowed Aisha’s father to go on his journey, and Renn’s own fate rested in his hands.

“You’re not just some random troublemaker in this town—you’re my daughter, even if not by blood,” Tou said, his tone heavy with meaning.

Renn sighed, her bravado faltering. “Yeah, yeah, I know. I’ll be out of your hair soon enough.” She tried to brush it off like she always did, but it was clear she had more weighing on her mind than she let on.

“…Renn,” Tou’s voice softened this time, pulling her attention back to him. “We both know why you’re in such a rush to leave. You want to find your real parents, don’t you?”

Renn froze, the weight of his words hitting her. She hadn’t said it out loud, but of course, Tou already knew.

“…Yeah,” she admitted quietly, her gaze dropping. “I want to know who they are, why they left me in the forest… and if they’re still alive.”

The room fell into a heavy silence. Renn felt the familiar stir of emotions she tried so hard to keep locked away. She didn’t like being vulnerable, but Tou saw through her every time.

After a moment, Tou cleared his throat. “Tomorrow, you’ll come with me to the smithy.”

Renn blinked, her head tilting in confusion. “The smithy? What for?”

“You’ll see. But before I let you leave Wendale, you’ll have to pass my test—as the mayor’s daughter.”

Unauthorized duplication: this tale has been taken without consent. Report sightings.

Renn’s eyes narrowed as she studied his face, searching for any hint of a joke. He wasn’t kidding. Whatever this test was, it wasn’t going to be easy. If she failed, her journey would be over before it even started.

“…Alright, I’m in.”

“Good. Now go take a shower and get some rest. We’ve got a long day ahead of us.”

Renn gave a quick nod before heading to her room, but her mind was anything but calm. As she lay in bed, staring up at the ceiling, a thousand questions buzzed in her head. What was the test? Why the smithy? And most importantly, would she finally be free to leave Wendale?

Sleep came slowly, her thoughts swirling like a storm. Eventually, exhaustion claimed her, pulling her into restless dreams.

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The next morning, after waiting for Tou to wrap up his paperwork, Renn and her foster father finally made their way to the smithy.

“So, what’s this about, Gramps?” Renn asked, her energy bubbling over as she practically bounced around him. Her excitement was palpable, like a kid waiting to open a present.

Tou, calm as ever, glanced at her from the corner of his eye. “You’re planning to leave Wendale on your own, so you’ll need something to protect yourself.”

Renn nearly jumped out of her skin at the mention of a weapon. “Wait, a weapon? For real?”

Tou gave her a sidelong glance. “It’s just a regular weapon, not a mana one. Calm down.”

“Aww…” Renn’s shoulders slumped, her excitement deflating in an instant. “I was hoping for something cooler…”

“Wendale’s a small town,” Tou continued, unfazed. “We don’t have a mana weapon shop here. Just a general store with a few basic mana tools.”

As they approached the smithy, a stout man with a bandana wrapped around his head stood outside, wiping soot from his hands. His face lit up when he saw them.

“Ah, Mayor! And Renn too! Come on in.”

“Hey!” Renn waved, her earlier disappointment quickly replaced with the anticipation of getting a new weapon.

“I’m here to get Renn a weapon,” Tou explained. “I figured you’d have some ideas, seeing as she’s been ‘borrowing’ your spares so often.”

Renn froze. “Wait, what?!” Her eyes went wide. “How did you know about that?!”

“I told him,” the blacksmith replied with a smirk, not even looking up from his work.

“Huh?!”

Renn stood there, dumbfounded, her secret out in the open. She thought she had been so sneaky…

Tou raised an eyebrow. “Even without him telling me, it wasn’t hard to figure out you’ve been training somewhere, preparing to fight monsters.”

Renn groaned, rubbing the back of her neck. “Ugh…”

“Enough of that,” the blacksmith said, cutting in. He stepped inside and unrolled a thick cloth on the floor, revealing an assortment of weapons—swords, claymores, spears, axes, and a pair of gleaming daggers.

“Whoaaa! Can I have them all?” Renn’s eyes sparkled like a kid in a candy shop.

The blacksmith let out a hearty laugh, wiping a bead of sweat from his brow. “You trying to bankrupt me or something? Just pick one.”

Renn circled the weapons like a predator eyeing its prey, deep in thought. After a few moments, her hand hovered over the spear, and a grin spread across her face.

“I’ve tried them all before, but spears are nice. Longer reach means safer, right?”

The blacksmith nodded, stroking his chin. “Spears are good for range, but if you’re traveling alone, I’d recommend a sword and shield. More balanced, and the shield will keep you safe.”

“I don’t want to hide behind a shield,” Renn said, her grin widening. “I like to move around too much for that.”

“Figured as much,” the blacksmith chuckled. “So, the spear it is?”

“Yep! Charge Gramps for it.” She pointed a thumb at Tou, flashing him a cheeky grin.

“Haha, he didn’t tell you, did he?” the blacksmith chuckled again.

“Huh? Tell me what?”

“That’s my farewell gift to you, girly.”

Renn blinked, taken aback, her hand still resting on the spear. “Wait, really?”

Tou stepped forward, his expression softening as he spoke. “It was my idea. But I’m not just giving it to you for free.”

Renn straightened up, her face growing serious. “What’s the catch?”

“You’ll have to prove you’re ready to protect yourself.” Tou’s gaze dropped to the spear. “You’ll do that through battle.”

Renn had suspected something like this might happen, but her heart still skipped a beat at the mention of a fight. “Wait, wait... do I have to fight you?”

Tou chuckled. “Oh no, not me. You’ll be fighting Witz.”

Renn’s jaw practically hit the floor. “Mr. Witz?! He doesn’t even know how to fight!”

Tou smirked. “Despite his looks, Witz was once a monster hunter. He wasn’t exactly successful, but his skills will be enough to test you.”

Renn’s shock slowly morphed into a grin. She may have driven her teachers crazy, but there was a part of her that respected them. Witz, though? She hadn’t seen that challenge coming.

“Alright, fine,” she said, her confidence returning. “If that’s what it takes to leave Wendale, bring it on.”

“Good,” Tou said, turning on his heel. “Come with me to the town square.”

“Good luck, Renn!” the blacksmith called out as they left the shop.

“Thanks!” Renn waved back, her new spear in hand and a thrill of excitement surging through her as she prepared for the test ahead.

At the town square, a wide circle had formed around the center, where the townsfolk gathered in excited anticipation. The murmur of their voices buzzed like a swarm of bees.

“Oh, Mayor and Renn! Our stars of the day! Come on through!” A few familiar faces waved them forward, creating a path toward the center.

“Gramps, you didn’t mention this would be such a big deal!” Renn muttered under her breath, sticking close behind Tou.

“Oh, didn’t I? Hohoho,” Tou chuckled mischievously.

“This sneaky old man!” Renn scowled, realizing that the whole town being here had probably been planned from the start. As the mayor’s daughter, everything she did was under a spotlight, and today was no exception.

When they reached the center, Witz was already waiting, leaning against his sword, with his shield resting on his other arm. His short brown hair ruffled slightly in the breeze, and his sharp blue eyes locked onto Renn’s with a glint of determination.

“Aha! Look who finally showed up!” Witz grinned, his teeth flashing.

“Whoa…” Renn blinked, taking in the sight before her. She had never seen him like this—clad in worn armor pieces across his right shoulder, waist, legs, and torso. He looked nothing like the laid-back teacher she’d known. This was Witz, the monster hunter, standing before her.

“Impressed? This is me in my prime!” Witz flexed his arms dramatically, causing the crowd to chuckle.

“He doesn’t even have a single mana weapon and he calls himself a monster hunter…” someone in the crowd muttered, but a little too loudly.

“Hey! I heard that!” Witz barked, flustered but quickly recovering his composure. “Ahem… Anyway, ready, Renn?”

“Always, Mr. Witz!” Renn shot back, brandishing her new spear.

Tou moved to the sidelines, raising his arm. “This is a test for my daughter, so I’ll be judging the fight. We start on my count. Three…”

The townsfolk quieted, the buzzing of excitement fading as the tension in the air grew. Renn’s heart pounded in her chest. The weight of the town’s expectations pressed down on her, but she shoved it aside. Focus. She had to focus.

“…Two…”

She gripped her spear tightly, locking eyes with Witz, who stood still and calm, his shield ready.

“…One…”

The air was thick with anticipation.

“Begin!”

The moment Tou’s voice rang out, Renn shot forward. Spear in hand, she dashed toward Witz, zigzagging to throw off his timing. She thrust her spear straight toward his chest, hoping to land a quick blow.

Clang!

Witz’s shield met the spear with a loud metallic clang, easily deflecting her strike. The force of the impact jolted up Renn’s arms, nearly throwing her off balance. She stumbled back a step, eyes widening.

Without hesitation, she circled him, her spear darting from different angles—quick thrusts, slashes, jabs—but every attempt clanged against the solid surface of his shield. Witz barely moved, his expression calm as if he were simply brushing off a nuisance.

Frustration gnawed at her. Every move was countered, every attack blocked. Why couldn’t she land a hit?

She gritted her teeth and charged again, only to feel a sudden, solid impact.

Wham!

Witz had slammed his shield forward, catching her in the chest and sending her sprawling to the ground. She rolled across the cobblestones, her breath knocked out of her.

“Focus, Renn! This is a fight, not practice!” Witz’s voice rang out, both taunting and encouraging.

“Shut up!” Renn growled, scrambling to her feet. Her pride stung more than her body. Fueled by anger, she charged again, her spear swinging wildly. The crowd gasped at her ferocity, but Witz didn’t flinch. He stood his ground, blocking every blow effortlessly.

She could feel the fatigue creeping in—her muscles starting to burn, her grip on the spear weakening. This isn’t working… I can’t win like this!

Witz’s voice cut through her haze of frustration. “You’re smarter than this, Renn! Monsters won’t wait for you to figure things out. You need a plan!”

His words hit home, clearing the fog in her mind. Of course… Witz was using that shield to his full advantage. If she could just get past it…

Renn’s eyes narrowed, her mind racing as she circled him again. Think, think! If I can just throw him off balance…

She suddenly darted forward, thrusting her spear directly at the center of Witz’s chest again. As expected, he raised his shield to block, bracing for the impact. But just before the tip of her spear touched the shield, Renn shifted her grip and twisted her body sharply. Instead of thrusting, she swung the spear sideways, aiming at the edge of the shield. With a powerful spin, she hurled her full weight into the motion, like a club striking a target. The spear’s shaft slammed into the shield’s side with a heavy crack.

Witz, caught off guard by the sudden maneuver, staggered as the force pushed his shield aside, leaving him exposed. Before he could react, Renn crashed into his chest with full force.

“Oof!” Witz grunted, the breath knocked out of him as they both tumbled to the ground in a heap.

Renn scrambled up first, her heart pounding in her ears. Without hesitation, she pointed the tip of her spear at Witz’s throat, her hands trembling slightly from the effort of holding it steady.

For a heartbeat, the square was silent.

Then, Tou’s voice rang out, cutting through the tension. “Renn wins!”

The crowd erupted in cheers, their voices rising in a wave of excitement. Renn blinked, her mind still catching up with what just happened.

“I… won?” she murmured, her chest heaving from exertion.

Before she could fully process the victory, Aisha rushed forward, tears in her eyes. She threw her arms around Renn, squeezing her tightly. “You did it, Renn! You really did it!”

“Haha… I guess I did,” Renn muttered, leaning against Aisha as her legs wobbled beneath her. The adrenaline was fading fast, and the exhaustion hit her like a ton of bricks.

“Ah, Renn!” Aisha squeaked as Renn slumped against her, but she didn’t let go, her face flushing slightly. “I-I guess you can rest for now…”

Witz, still catching his breath on the ground, watched the scene with a grin. Though he had held back in their fight, seeing Renn’s cleverness and determination had made him proud. She had what it took to handle herself out there, at least for a while.

As the fight wrapped up, townsfolk approached to congratulate Renn, some shaking her hand, others patting her back proudly.

Tou finally stepped forward, joining Renn and Aisha after the crowd thinned. “Renn, you fought well.”

“Thanks, Gramps,” she replied, still breathing heavily. “But… it didn’t feel like much of a fight.”

Tou chuckled softly. “Of course. It was a test. But you’ve passed.”

His words lingered in her mind. A test… that’s all this was. She had a long way to go.

“But I’m confident you’ll be alright, at least until you reach Alma. The roads are well-patrolled.”

Renn nodded. Alma—the first city on her journey. It was southwest of Wendale and a hub of trade and alchemy. “Alma’s where I can get a real mana weapon, right?”

“Right,” Tou confirmed. “There’s a mana weapon shop there. And an alchemist workshop. How you get one is up to you.”

Renn cracked a tired smile. “Got it. So, tomorrow’s the big day?”

“Yes. We’ll finalize everything in the morning, and you’ll be free to leave whenever you’re ready.”

As the weight of her journey settled on her shoulders, Renn’s excitement bubbled up again. She’d won the fight. She was one step closer to leaving Wendale. One step closer to finding her parents.

Then, her stomach growled loudly, breaking the tension.

Aisha giggled, offering, “Wanna come over to my place? We’ve got fresh bread.”

“Hell yeah! Let’s go!” Renn shouted, waving to Tou as she and Aisha darted toward the bakery.

Tou watched them with a fond smile, his heart both proud and heavy. His daughter was ready for the world, but the world wasn’t always kind. He could only hope she’d stay safe. “Hohoho… these kids,” he murmured, lost in thought as he headed home.

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The next morning, Renn made her rounds through Wendale, bidding farewell to the familiar faces she’d grown up with. Each stop was met with warm smiles and words of encouragement, though the bittersweet feeling of leaving home tugged at her heart.

As a final parting gift, the townsfolk had crafted a new outfit for her: a blue, short-sleeved dress reinforced with light armor on the shoulders, chest, and knees, paired with sturdy leather boots. It was practical yet stylish, and Renn couldn’t help but admire how it suited her.

Once she was dressed and ready, she made her way to the edge of town where a small crowd had gathered to see her off. Their faces—a mix of pride, hope, and a touch of sadness—watched as she approached.

“Thank you, guys!” Renn called, waving with her spear slung across her back. “I’ll come back to visit, I promise!”

Her voice rang with determination, though her heart beat faster than she expected. She took one final look at the town that had shaped her, a place filled with memories she would carry with her wherever she went.

Then, with the rising sun at her back, she turned and set off on the road toward Alma, her next step into the unknown.

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