The sun was still low on the horizon when Kael was abruptly awakened by a sharp pain in his head. A hard kick struck him, forcing his eyes open in shock. “You filthy beggar! I’ve told you a thousand times not to sleep here,” the guard shouted, his voice full of disdain.

Kael blinked, trying to clear his vision. He immediately recognized the guard; he was a burly man, his face marked by time and the abuse of power, someone who had attacked him before. But this time, something was different. Though the kick had been strong, the pain wasn’t as unbearable as it had been in the past. He felt the force of the blow, but his body seemed more resilient, better able to withstand the impact.

With some effort, Kael stood up, rubbing the sore spot on his head. As he rose, the new strength in his body became evident. His 1.75-meter height, now accompanied by a slim yet well-defined physique, made the guard hesitate for a moment. He instinctively stepped back, narrowing his eyes as he tried to recognize the young man standing before him.

“Who are you, you bastard? I’ve never seen you around here,” the guard growled suspiciously. His voice, once full of confidence, now carried a note of uncertainty.

Kael, still dazed from the sudden violence, replied calmly, “I’ve always been in the city.”

Kael’s response, spoken without any intent of mockery, was interpreted as an insult by the guard. The anger, which had briefly been replaced by surprise, came rushing back with full force. “Are you mocking me?” The guard, furious, advanced again. This time, he delivered a direct punch to Kael’s stomach. The impact made Kael stagger and fall to his knees, but surprisingly, the pain wasn’t as intense as he had expected.

As he tried to catch his breath, Kael looked up at the guard and saw the number above his head: Level 17. This was the level of a man who had spent decades in the military, yet Kael had managed to endure. Slowly, he stood up, his eyes fixed on the guard, and took a firm stance. The speed with which Kael recovered impressed the guard, who took another step back, his fists clenched but his confidence starting to waver.

The guard clenched his teeth, enraged by the young man’s unexpected resistance. He began to raise his arm again, ready to beat Kael until there was no strength left in him, when a firm, feminine voice cut through the air: “Stop!”

Kael turned his head toward the voice, and immediately, her presence dominated the space. A young woman was approaching, dressed in noble clothes that clearly set her apart from the common citizens of Eldruin. Her posture was regal, and she carried a natural authority that silenced the guard instantly. She appeared to be the same age as Kael, perhaps 15 or 16 years old, but already possessed an air of maturity. Looking up, Kael saw the level glowing above her head: Level 15. It was impressive that someone so young had already reached such a level, especially in comparison to the guard, who seemed to be around 40 years old and was only at level 17.

The guard, who had been so aggressive moments earlier, backed away even more and, without hesitation, bowed before the young woman. “Miss,” he said, his voice suddenly full of respect.

She looked at the guard, her expression unflinching. “What do you think you’re doing?” she asked, her voice calm but filled with authority.

“I... I was just punishing this bastard,” the guard replied, trying to maintain a firm stance but clearly uncomfortable under her gaze.

The young woman shook her head in disapproval. “Stop this immediately.”

The guard, already humiliated and furious at being interrupted, tried to argue. “But, miss…”

Before he could continue, another guard, older and with a much more severe expression, stepped forward. The aura of authority emanating from him was palpable, and without a word, he cast a terrifying glance at the first guard. The latter immediately fell silent, realizing that insisting further would be dangerous. He took a few more steps back, clearly intimidated, and kept his head down.

The young woman approached Kael, her eyes now softening as she looked at him. “Are you alright?” she asked, her voice filled with genuine concern.

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Kael, still dazed by the series of events, took a moment to respond. He wasn’t used to this kind of attention, much less from someone of such high status. “I’m... I’m fine,” he replied, still trying to process what had happened.

She smiled slightly, a gesture that carried more warmth than Kael was accustomed to receiving. “My name is Elara,” she said, extending her hand in a friendly gesture. “And yours? Do you have a name?”

Kael hesitated for a moment, still unsure how to react to her kindness, but something in her voice made him trust her. “My name is Kael.”

“Kael,” Elara repeated, seeming to enjoy the sound of the name. “You must be hungry. Come, let me help you.”

Kael looked around, noticing that the few people who had passed by the street until then had completely ignored what was happening. It was as if the violence against him was just another ordinary scene in Eldruin, something no one cared to notice. But Elara... she was different. She had stopped, intervened, and now she was offering him help.

Kael hesitated again, still not fully convinced this wasn’t some kind of trap. "Why are you... why are you doing this?" he asked, his voice tinged with doubt.

Elara smiled again, this time with a sparkle in her eyes. "Because I can," she replied simply. "And because no one deserves to be treated like that. Trust me, Kael. I won’t harm you."

After a moment, Kael decided he had nothing to lose. There was something sincere about her, something he hadn’t found in anyone else. With a slight nod, he accepted her offer. "Alright. I’ll go with you."

Elara nodded and began walking, the older guard close behind her, while the other one remained standing, unsure of how to react. Kael followed Elara, leaving behind the tree where he had found a moment of peace, now heading into the unknown, sensing that the life he knew was about to change even more.

Kael followed Elara through the streets of Eldruin, still trying to grasp what was happening. The streets, once deserted and silent, gradually gave way to a more opulent scene as they advanced. The houses around them grew larger and more imposing, until they finally arrived in a neighborhood where each building seemed like a small mansion. The buildings here were much larger and more elaborate than the homes of common citizens, and Kael had never dared to explore this part of town before.

The streets were impeccably paved, and the atmosphere carried a solemn quiet, as if every stone had been placed with a specific purpose. There were no shadows or narrow alleys where Kael used to hide; everything here was exposed, open, a reflection of the security and power these wealthy families possessed.

When Elara stopped in front of one of the houses, Kael looked up to examine the facade. The house stood out from the others, not only for its grandeur but also for its design. It was painted in a deep navy blue, beautifully contrasted by the numerous large windows arranged in elegant rows along the structure. The glass of the windows gleamed in the morning sunlight, and the carved wooden frames added a touch of sophistication.

At the center of the facade was a massive wooden door, majestic in its simplicity. The hinges were made of dark metal, adorned with details Kael couldn’t decipher from a distance. But what caught his attention the most was the crest displayed at the entrance, just above the door. It was the symbol of Elara’s family, proudly shown, likely representing generations of power and influence. The crest was a meticulous work of art, with intertwining lines forming an emblem that seemed to carry tales of glory and tradition.

Kael felt a wave of discomfort as they approached the entrance. He, a boy who had spent his life on the streets, dirty and ragged, now stood before a residence that exuded wealth. It was a world completely different from his own, and he felt the weight of it with each step.

Elara, noticing his hesitation, turned to him with an encouraging smile. "This is my home," she said, as if it were the most natural thing in the world. "You don’t need to worry, Kael. You’re safe here."

Kael looked at her, still feeling a mix of doubt and disbelief. He wasn’t used to being treated with kindness, let alone being invited into a place so refined. For a brief moment, he thought about retreating, fleeing to the safety of the streets where he knew what to expect. But Elara’s gaze was sincere, and there was something about her that made him want to trust her.

She took a step towards the door and pushed it open gently, causing it to creak lightly, almost like a silent invitation to enter. "Come," Elara said, turning to him once more. "You must be exhausted and hungry. Let’s go inside."

Kael took a deep breath, his eyes glancing at the interior of the house now revealed before him. For a moment, he stood still, his body still caught in the uncertainty he had carried for as long as he could remember. But then, with one last look at Elara, he stepped forward, crossing the threshold of the door.

The entrance embraced him with a warmth and welcome he hadn’t felt in a long time. The environment was different from anything he knew, but at the same time, there was an implicit promise that here, perhaps for the first time, he might find something more than just survival.

And so, with his heart still pounding in his chest, Kael entered Elara’s home, leaving behind the life of misery he had always known.