The servants' corridor was quiet, but not empty.
Two maids stood near the tall window at the end of the hall, sunlight spilling across the stone floor as they pretended to adjust the curtains. Their voices were low, careful, shaped by habit.
"Did you notice Young Master Nev last night?" one of them whispered.
The other nodded. "I brought tea past midnight. The underground room was still lit."
"He used to sleep through mornings," the first said softly. "Now he barely rests."
"But he doesn't look exhausted," the second replied after a pause. "He looks… focused."
They fell silent as footsteps approached. Nev passed them without comment, his pace steady, posture relaxed. He did not carry the withdrawn presence he once had. There was no hesitation in his steps, no weight pulling him inward.
Inside the dining hall, the atmosphere was calm.
Nev's parents sat across from each other at the long table. Steam rose gently from their cups as morning light filtered through tall windows, illuminating polished wood and silverware arranged with care.
"He's pushing himself," his mother said quietly. "Training late into the night, leaving before sunrise. That worries me."
His father did not answer immediately. He stirred his tea slowly, eyes thoughtful.
"It worried me too," he said at last. "At first."
"And now?"
"Now I see purpose," he replied. "For a long time, he was drifting. This feels different. He knows what he wants."
She sighed softly. "Knowing what you want doesn't mean you should ignore your limits."
Before he could respond, the doors opened.
Nev entered the hall and greeted them both before taking his seat. His movements were unhurried but precise, as if every action had already been decided.
"You were up late again," his mother said gently.
"Yes," Nev replied. "I lost track of time."
She studied his face carefully. There were no signs of strain. No restless tension. Just quiet energy.
"You should still be careful," she said. "Even Holders need rest."
"I know," Nev said. "I'm listening to my limits."
His father watched him for a moment, then smiled faintly. "You seem lighter."
Nev paused, considering the word. "I think I finally enjoy waking up," he said.
His mother looked surprised, then relieved.
"That's all I wanted to hear," she said.
His father nodded once. "Whatever path you've chosen, keep walking it. You don't need to impress anyone. Just don't lose yourself along the way."
"I won't," Nev replied.
Breakfast ended quietly. When Nev stood to leave, his father spoke again, voice low.
"I'm proud of you."
Nev inclined his head. "Thank you."
Outside, the city was already awake.
Nev made his way through familiar streets toward the commission hall. Merchants were opening their shops. Guards changed shifts at the gates. Holders moved through the crowd with subtle confidence, energy barely restrained beneath ordinary clothing.
The commission hall stood at the edge of the central plaza, its stone walls worn smooth by years of traffic. Inside, the air buzzed with quiet purpose. Notices covered long boards, sorted by difficulty and region.
Nev scanned them carefully.
He ignored high-risk expeditions and flashy rewards. His attention stopped on a mid-tier request.
Amenta Monster Core RetrievalLocation: Western Woodland EdgeMinimum Tier: 1Required Party Size: Four
Amenta monsters were common in that region, but not harmless.
They were reptilian creatures, roughly the size of large hounds, with low bodies and powerful hind legs built for sudden bursts of speed. Their scaled hides blended easily with forest shadows, and their long tails could disrupt balance with a single sweep. Individually, they were manageable. In packs, they became dangerous.
Their greatest threat was coordination.
Amenta hunted together. One distracted. One flanked. Another waited for weakness.
Nev understood why the quest required a full party.
He reached toward the notice, then hesitated.
He worked best alone.
Still, this was legal work. A chance to gain real experience without drawing attention. He stepped back, considering alternatives.
"Thinking about that one too?"
Nev turned.
Three people stood nearby. Two men and a woman, all around his age. The woman spoke first, her tone casual but sharp. She wore light armor suited for movement rather than display, a short spear strapped across her back.
"We need one more," she said. "You're Tier 1, right?"
Nev nodded. "Yes."
One of the men crossed his arms, eyes flicking over Nev briefly. "You look steady enough."
The other shrugged. "If he's here, he wants work."
The woman smiled faintly. "We're short one. You're short a party. Seems simple."
Nev studied them for a moment. No arrogance. No desperation. They moved like people who had worked together before.
"All right," Nev said. "I'll join."
They registered the quest together and stepped outside.
As they walked toward the western gate, the woman explained the basics. "Amenta usually appear in groups of three to six. Fast, low, annoying. Don't let them surround you."
"I won't," Nev replied.
She glanced at him, amused. "Confident."
"Prepared," he corrected.
The western woodland lay just beyond the city's outer boundary. Trees grew close together, roots twisting through uneven ground. Light filtered poorly beneath the canopy, and the air carried the damp scent of moss and soil.
Nev adjusted his grip on his sword as they crossed into the forest.
This was not training.
This was work.
The forest watched them as they entered.