Days passed.
Kael remained seated on one of the church benches, his gaze lost in the light streaming through the stained-glass windows.
The words of the gods echoed like a distant bell.
The hero's sword…
The king…
Correction of history…
He rested his elbows on his knees and sighed.
— You seem confused today.
The soft voice brought him back.
Lyra sat beside him gently. Her white dress fell softly around her as she settled in. With a natural gesture, she tucked her hair behind her ear — revealing the small hairpin he had placed there days ago.
Kael noticed.
And smiled faintly.
She turned her face toward him, looking directly into his eyes.
— How about a walk through the village? We could buy some clothes… or even eat out this time.
He blinked, surprised.
Then chuckled quietly.
— That was unexpected.
— So, do you accept?
He stood up.
— Of course I do.
The Village
The day was alive.
Vendors shouted their offers.Children ran around.The scent of fresh bread mixed with roasted meat.
As they walked side by side, Lyra cast a subtle glance.
— Where is Fufuin? Is he refusing to serve you now?
Kael sighed.
— After that hug… you left him slightly traumatized.
Lyra made an offended expression.
— I was only showing affection!
— He says he's acting as my escort. Covering my blind spots.
Lyra muttered something like "dramatic…" and they kept walking.
That was when they heard:
— Miraculous potions! Cure any wound! A unique opportunity!
A hooded woman, covered in a deep purple cloak, waved shimmering flasks.
People avoided her.
Ignored her.
Distrusted her.
As Kael and Lyra approached, she raised a sparkling vial.
— Young sir! This potion can restore even broken bones!
Lyra politely raised her hand.
— We appreciate it, but—
Kael gently touched her arm.
His eyes were shining.
— Wait.
The woman smiled beneath her hood.
— Perhaps you would prefer to see my shop?
The Shop
The interior was… strange.
Flasks containing frog legs floating in bluish liquids.
Lizard paws trapped inside glowing spheres.
Demonic eyes drifting near the ceiling like macabre balloons.
Lyra leaned in discreetly.
— You shouldn't walk into just any place like this…
Kael whispered back, excited:
— It's the first magic shop I've seen. I need to know what all this is.
The woman spun theatrically, arms raised.
— I am an extremely skilled mage! I supply potions to the finest warriors!
She pointed at Kael.
He looked visibly pleased.
But before he could respond—
Lyra stepped forward.
— What do you really want?
Silence.
Kael blinked.
— Lyra…?
She turned to him.
— There has never been a magic shop in this region.
The air shifted.
The woman froze.
Then—
She removed her hood.
Dark hair fell over her shoulders.
She dropped to her knees.
— You win! I confess!
Kael and Lyra remained neutral.
They exchanged a glance.
And slowly pointed at Kael.
— ME?! — he exclaimed. — You're after me?!
The young woman lifted her face.
— You… are the man summoned by accident?
— That's me… and I'm doing very well, thank you!
She stepped back.
Shadow covered her face again.
But before anything could happen—
The ground trembled.
Shadows condensed.
Fufuin emerged in his colossal form, filling the entire space of the shop.
Kael and Lyra fell seated onto the floor.
Fufuin growled.
— He would have been attacked now.
Kael's eyes widened.
— What?!
The young woman confirmed, tense.
— I was supposed to attack you… and complete my mission.
Lyra stood, gripping the cross at her neck.
— Why harm an innocent man?
The girl clenched her fists.
— If I fail… the king will send me to the battlefield. There is an active mission… to destroy a beast inside the dungeon of the ancient hero.
Kael slowly stood.
He stroked Fufuin's fur, and the wolf began shrinking.
He touched Lyra's shoulder, asking for calm.
Then he walked toward the young woman.
She closed her eyes, expecting an attack.
But—
Flick.
Right on her forehead.
She blinked.
Then puffed her cheeks in irritation.
— Why did you do that?!
Kael crossed his arms.
— I didn't ask to be summoned to this world. If the king wants to kill me… I'll make him regret it.
Lyra smiled proudly.
Fufuin returned to his small form.
The tension dissolved.
The young woman looked at the little wolf.
Lyra did too.
Seconds later—
Both of them were hugging Fufuin at the same time.
The poor wolf let out small muffled protests.
Kael placed a hand on his forehead but couldn't suppress his smile.
The conflict had vanished.
Replaced by something unexpectedly light.
The young woman took a deep breath.
She stood.
Bowed slightly.
— My name is Nyx Aeloria.
With a yellowish flame forming in the palm of her hand, a beautiful long staff appeared, crowned by a glowing magical sphere.
Kael raised an eyebrow.
— So you really are a mage.
She gave a sideways smile.
— From the Empire.
They left the shop.
Kael glanced back.
— And… the shop?
Nyx snapped her fingers.
The structure simply dissolved like mist.
Nothing remained.
As if it had never existed.
While they walked through the village — Lyra and Nyx taking turns holding Fufuin — Kael felt something new begin to form.
Not just companions.
But pieces moving.
Empire.King.Hero's dungeon.Sacred sword.
The story was beginning to expand.
And this time…
He was not alone.