Morning came quietly.
The forest, as always, greeted the day with calm—soft wind, rustling leaves, and the distant flow of the stream. But inside the cabin, something felt different.
Sora noticed it immediately.
Juluis was already awake.
Not unusual.
But—
he wasn't preparing food.
He wasn't sharpening his blade.
He was waiting.
Sora stepped inside, stretching his arms.
"…You look serious."
Johan, already seated near the table, didn't speak—but his gaze was fixed on Juluis as well.
Juluis exhaled softly.
"…Sit."
That alone—
was enough to tell them.
This wasn't training.
They sat across from him.
Silence filled the cabin.
For a moment, only the sound of the fire crackling could be heard.
Then—
Juluis spoke.
"…You're leaving the forest."
Sora blinked.
"…Huh?"
Johan's eyes narrowed slightly.
"…A mission?"
Juluis nodded.
"Yes."
Sora leaned forward, a grin slowly forming.
"…Finally."
Johan remained calm.
"…Details?"
Juluis reached into his cloak and placed a small folded parchment on the table.
"…A nearby village."
Sora tilted his head.
"…That's it?"
Juluis looked at him.
"…Listen first."
Sora leaned back.
"…Alright."
Juluis continued.
"The village is located beyond the eastern ridge. It's small. Isolated."
Johan picked up the parchment, unfolding it carefully.
"…No official kingdom marking."
Juluis nodded.
"Correct. It's not under direct protection."
Sora frowned slightly.
"…Meaning?"
Juluis's eyes sharpened.
"…If something happens there, no one comes."
Silence.
Johan studied the map.
"…What's the situation?"
Juluis crossed his arms.
"…Disruptions."
Sora raised an eyebrow.
"…That sounds vague."
Juluis didn't react.
"Livestock going missing. Structures damaged. Some villagers reported… movement in the forest at night."
Sora smirked.
"…So we're hunting something."
Juluis shook his head slightly.
"…No."
Sora blinked.
"…No?"
Juluis leaned forward.
"…You're investigating."
Silence.
Sora frowned.
"…That's boring."
Johan spoke.
"…It's necessary."
Sora glanced at him.
"…You really like boring things, huh?"
Johan ignored the comment.
"…We gather information first. Confirm the threat. Then act."
Juluis nodded.
"…Exactly."
Sora sighed.
"…Fine."
Then—
his eyes sharpened.
"…But if something shows up—"
Juluis cut him off.
"…You don't rush in."
Sora clicked his tongue.
"…Yeah, yeah."
Juluis's gaze didn't soften.
"…I mean it."
Silence.
Sora looked at him—
then nodded.
"…Got it."
Juluis stood.
"…This is your first mission."
His voice was calm.
But firm.
"…Out there—"
He glanced toward the forest.
"…There's no one correcting your mistakes."
Johan stood as well.
"…Understood."
Sora stood last.
Rolling his shoulders.
"…Then we won't mess up."
Juluis walked toward the door.
Stopping just before opening it.
"…One more thing."
They both looked at him.
"…You go together."
Sora groaned.
"…Of course we do."
Johan didn't react.
Juluis opened the door.
Morning light flooded the cabin.
"…And this time—"
He glanced back.
"…You're not trying to land a hit."
A pause.
"…You're trying to come back alive."
Silence.
Then—
Sora grinned.
"…Same thing."
Johan exhaled softly.
"…Not quite."
They stepped outside.
For the first time—
not to train.
But to leave.
The forest stretched before them.
Familiar.
Yet—
different.
Because now—
they weren't staying inside it.
They were crossing it.
Sora took the lead.
"…Eastern ridge, right?"
Johan followed beside him.
"…Don't rush."
Sora smirked.
"…You keep saying that."
Johan glanced at him.
"…Because you keep doing it."
They moved through the trees.
Step by step.
The cabin slowly fading behind them.
From the doorway—
Juluis watched.
Silent.
Still.
"…They'll be fine," he murmured.
But his eyes—
remained sharp.
The wind passed through the forest once more.
Carrying something unfamiliar.
Something beyond the quiet life they had known.
And as Sora and Johan walked beyond the trees—
for the first time—
they stepped into the world outside.
A world that did not train you.
Did not guide you.
Did not forgive you.
Their first mission had begun.
And neither of them knew—
that this simple task…
would be their first step into something far greater.