The first rays of dawn filtered through the trees.
Kieran slowly opened his eyes.
For a few moments...
He simply listened.
The chirping of birds.
The gentle flow of the nearby stream.
The rustling of leaves carried by the morning breeze.
Crystal had once told him...
«"Before your eyes tell you about the world, let your ears speak first."»
Finding nothing unusual, Kieran stretched before extinguishing the remains of his campfire.
He scattered the ashes, covered them with fresh soil, and brushed away his footprints.
Only then did he continue his journey.
---
By midday...
The road had become considerably busier.
Caravans traveled in both directions.
Mounted guards rode past from time to time.
Several young men and women, each carrying weapons, hurried along the road with determined expressions.
Some wore the robes of noble families.
Others wore the uniforms of sects.
Everyone seemed to be heading in the same direction.
The Grand Academy.
---
As Kieran walked...
A loud voice suddenly echoed from ahead.
"Move! Move! Get out of the way!"
The sound of galloping hooves followed.
Several frightened travelers hurried off the road.
A pair of large horned horses pulled an expensive carriage whose driver was desperately trying to regain control.
"The reins snapped!"
"Watch out!"
The horses had become startled by something in the forest.
Their panic only worsened with every passing second.
The carriage swayed violently.
A little girl sitting inside began crying.
Without thinking...
Kieran moved.
Instead of standing in front of the carriage...
He ran alongside it.
His eyes carefully observed the horses.
"They're frightened..."
"They're not angry."
He grabbed a low hanging branch and swung himself onto one of the horses.
The startled beast reared.
Kieran didn't try to overpower it.
Instead...
He gently placed a hand against its neck.
His voice remained calm.
"It's alright..."
"No one's trying to hurt you."
For a brief moment...
The horse continued struggling.
Then...
Its breathing gradually slowed.
The second horse soon followed.
The carriage rolled to a gentle stop.
Silence filled the road.
Everyone stared.
The driver blinked several times before climbing down.
"You..."
"How did you calm them?"
Kieran simply smiled.
"They were scared."
"They just needed someone to understand."
---
An elderly man stepped out of the carriage.
His robes were simple.
Yet the quality of their fabric suggested considerable wealth.
Beside him stood the little girl, still clutching a stuffed rabbit.
The old man bowed slightly.
"You have my gratitude, young man."
Kieran quickly returned the bow.
"I only did what anyone should."
The old man smiled.
"No."
"Very few people would have."
He studied Kieran for a moment.
"You travel alone?"
"Yes."
"Toward the Grand Academy?"
Kieran nodded.
"I am."
The old man laughed softly.
"What a coincidence."
"So are we."
---
"My name is Roland."
"I own several merchant caravans operating throughout the Gardenia Empire."
Before Kieran could introduce himself...
Crystal's words resurfaced in his mind.
«"Never reveal everything about yourself to someone you've only just met."»
He smiled politely.
"My name is Kieran."
Nothing more.
Roland noticed.
And inwardly approved.
"A cautious child."
---
The little girl stepped forward.
"I'm Lila!"
She held up her stuffed rabbit proudly.
"This is Snowball!"
Kieran smiled.
"It's nice to meet both of you."
She tilted her head.
"Are you strong?"
He scratched his cheek awkwardly.
"I... don't know."
Her innocent answer came immediately.
"I think you're strong."
"You weren't scared."
Roland laughed heartily.
"Children often see truths adults overlook."
---
After a brief discussion...
Roland extended an invitation.
"The roads ahead have become increasingly dangerous."
"If you don't mind..."
"Would you travel with us until Ardent Crossing?"
Kieran hesitated.
Traveling together would certainly be safer.
But...
Crystal had also warned him not to depend too heavily on others.
Seeing his hesitation, Roland smiled.
"You may decline."
"There is no obligation."
Kieran thought for a few moments before nodding.
"I'll accompany you until the city."
"But..."
"I'll help guard the caravan in exchange."
Roland raised an eyebrow.
"I wasn't asking for a guard."
Kieran smiled.
"I know."
"But I don't want to owe anyone."
The elderly merchant looked at him for several seconds before laughing.
"What an interesting young man."
---
The caravan resumed its journey.
This time...
Kieran walked alongside the guards rather than riding inside the carriage.
Some of the guards glanced at him curiously.
"He doesn't look like much."
One whispered.
Another nodded.
"Probably another academy applicant."
The captain of the guards, however, remained silent.
He had seen how calmly the boy handled the frightened horses.
That wasn't something ordinary children could accomplish.
---
High above the caravan...
Hidden among the branches...
The Nine-Tailed White Fox watched silently.
It observed the people surrounding Kieran.
The merchant.
The guards.
The little girl.
None carried ill intent.
The fox quietly settled onto the branch.
For now...
There was no need to interfere.
---
As the sun slowly descended...
The caravan approached a narrow mountain pass.
The captain raised his hand.
"Halt."
Every guard instinctively reached for their weapons.
Roland stepped out of his carriage.
"What is it?"
The captain frowned.
"The forest is..."
Too quiet.
Even the wind seemed to have stopped.
Kieran slowly looked toward the cliffs overlooking the pass.
His expression remained calm.
But his instincts...
Were quietly warning him.
Someone...
Was watching.
End of Chapter 51