Chapter 11: Moonlit Steel, Blossoming Will
The carriages hadn't moved far before they began to slow again, the sound of hooves softening into near silence as the forest thickened around them.
Inside the grand carriage, Dian's golden eyes narrowed as he felt the subtle change in motion. He stirred slightly, and beside him, nestled close under each of his arms, Suzine and Gianna fluttered their eyes open.
"Mm… we're stopping?" Gianna murmured, blinking against the carriage's soft lighting.
Before anyone could speak, there came a gentle—
Knock. Knock.
Two soft taps against the carriage's crystal-framed door.
Dian didn't tense. He knew who it was.
He rose from the comfort of their warmth and unlatched the door.
Outside stood Jones, the butler's presence calm and noble as ever. He bowed slightly.
"Butler," Dian greeted with a raised brow.
"Young Lord," Jones replied, "It's been nearly a full day of continuous travel. I recommend we rest."
Dian studied him. He could tell—Jones wasn't done speaking.
"There's a clearing just ahead," Jones continued, signaling forward with a gloved hand. "A wide space at the end of this forest stretch. It's perfect for setting camp."
Dian nodded. "Very well."
Jones bowed again and stepped away.
Dian returned to his seat. Suzine and Gianna didn't question anything. They simply nestled close again, seeking his warmth.
But Dian's mind was already ahead.
An open clearing. An untamed forest. A perfect chance…
As if responding to his thoughts, a familiar chime rang in his mind.
"Host, you are absolutely correct," the system's sweet voice rang. "Now that you've stabilized your Mage Class, gaining real battle experience would be highly beneficial. There's a vast difference between training and live combat."
Dian smirked faintly.
---
The carriages halted once more—not just slowed, but fully stopped.
Dian stepped down first, his boots touching grass kissed by moonlight. Behind him, Suzine and Gianna descended gracefully, their gowns catching faint glimmers of silver light.
Around them, the guards were already setting up camp—pitching enchanted tents, creating a protective mana dome, and lighting small, smokeless fires. The clearing was peaceful, bathed in soft starlight, but the trees that bordered it stood eerily still. Not a single leaf stirred.
A hush rested over the forest.
Dian turned his head slightly.
Even the wind respected this place.
Jones approached once more.
"Young Lord, the perimeter will be secured within minutes. Please rest inside while we complete preparations."
Dian nodded, but then paused.
"No. I'll be going on a short hunt."
Silence.
Gianna and Suzine blinked.
Jones's brows twitched, the faintest break in composure.
Before anyone could object, Dian raised a hand.
"I'll take two guards. I won't go far."
His tone left no room for debate.
Jones remained hesitant but ultimately gave a slight nod. Two elite guards in enchanted armor stepped forward, silently taking formation.
Dian was just about to leave when he felt a soft tug.
From both sides.
He didn't need to look.
Suzine and Gianna.
Their hands clung to his robe, eyes wide and glistening—not in protest, but in desire.
They wanted to go too.
Dian turned, chuckling softly, and pulled them into a warm embrace. The guards respectfully averted their eyes. Jones cleared his throat and pretended to adjust his glove.
For a moment, the women smiled, thinking they had his approval.
Until Dian pulled away and spoke.
"You're not coming."
Their smiles vanished.
The system giggled. Even the guards tried not to laugh. Jones looked skyward, expression unreadable.
Suzine and Gianna both huffed, cheeks flushed with embarrassment and irritation. They pounded his chest lightly in protest.
"It's not safe," Dian reasoned.
"But it's safe for you?" Gianna pouted.
"There are guards with me," Dian said with a smug grin, "and I'm a Supreme Class Mage—Second Stage."
Their eyes lit with curiosity.
"You never told us that," Suzine muttered.
"I saw you train," Gianna said, her voice rising. "You didn't even use magic. Still looked terrifying."
Dian waved a hand lazily. "I told Jones the truth—or at least, a version of it. Apparently, I advanced while recovering from the poison."
His acting was perfect. The system would've given him a five-star rating.
But the women weren't backing down.
Something stirred inside them when they had seen him train. A need. A pride.
"I'm a Supreme Class Mage too," Gianna said, hand over her chest proudly. "Second Stage. Top graduate of the Royal Academy of Elves."
Dian raised a brow. "Only Supreme Class? ...Has the Academy standard dropped that much?"
Gianna shot him a glare. "What did you just say?"
"H-uh, N-nothing," Dian shudderd, then chuckled.
Suzine stepped up. "I'm Supreme Class too. I have trained under the previous Head Maid."
Dian looked between them. Their gazes burned with resolve.
He sighed.
"Fine. But be careful. No going deep into the forest."
Their faces lit up instantly. They hugged him from both sides, giggling like mischievous schoolgirls.
Dian met Jones's gaze from over their shoulders.
Jones nodded slightly, and a subtle ripple in the air trembled—an invisible presence activated. Watching.
They were ready.
Each woman chose her own path into the woods, flanked by a guard. Dian let them go separately, understanding they sought their own victories.
Each of the accompanying guards was at least Grand Mage rank. Trustworthy.
"Do not interfere unless absolutely necessary," Dian commanded the guards.
They bowed.
The forest opened before them.
Their hunt had begun.
And they would return—wiser, sharper, stronger.
At the clearing's base, they would regroup.
In one and a half hours.
---
Dian now stood before the trees of The Forest of Twilight Veins—a dense, mysterious expanse that marked the natural border between the Kingdom of Elves and Kingdom of Rikos.
His gaze drifted to his side where a finely-forged sword hung in its sheath with his family's insignia.
He drew it, holding it steady in his hand.
A gift from Jones before they departed—crafted from rare materials, capable of clashing against even a Tier 4 magical beast.
In the world of Siros, magical beasts were categorized into seven tiers:
Tier 1: Harmless, often kept as pets or farm creatures.
Tier 2: Low-threat, suitable for basic training.
Tier 3: Pack hunters or elementals.
Tier 4: Require teams of talented mages.
Tier 5: Multi-elemental creatures, highly dangerous.
Tier 6: Solo monsters capable of destroying towns.
Tier 7: Calamity-class. Not seen in ages. Might require a Chosen One.
...
"Tch... even here a choosen one ." He thought as a man with blonde hair came in hsj mind.
Dian looked at his reflection in the sword's polished surface.
"Well… it'll do. Not planning to hunt a multi-elemental beast tonight."
With that, he stepped forward.
Sword drawn.
Senses sharp.
The forest greeted him with eerie silence—only distant howls and rustling.
He hadn't gone far when the bushes ahead began to rustle.
His eyes narrowed. Senses working.
Then a smile.
Sikron Rabbits.
The most hunted forest creature in this region.
Delicious meat. Soft white fur. Big, round eyes. And a tiny, rocky horn on their heads.
Deadly.
The moment one spotted Dian, its eyes shifted from black to blood-red.
It darted forward with terrifying speed.
Dian braced, sword raised.
The beast's horn clashed with his blade, sending sparks flying.
His grip faltered—twisting his wrist just slightly—and the sword flew from his hand.
The Sikron rabbit slid past, absorbing the impact with its powerful legs. It paused, turning to face him.
Mocking him.
Dian stared, lips twitching.
I'm a total newbie with swords.
Of course. He had trained in magic and theory, but swords? That was something he'd only seen in shows and anime.
Still...
The rabbit charged again—
.
.