In a simple room filled with the warm scent of oak, the afternoon light streamed through the window, illuminating the dust motes dancing in the air. Keyzier sat beside Donovan's bed. His face, usually brimming with the spark of adventure, was now swollen from crying. Tears still flowed slowly, soaking his best friend's bedsheets.
"Novan, I'm so sorry..." Keyzier whispered, his voice hoarse from sobbing. "Because of my foolish ambition to leave the village, you suffered such terrible wounds. I'm truly sorry. Please forgive me, Novan..."
Donovan, whose back still felt stiff and painful, tried to adjust his position. He looked at Keyzier, and a sincere smile blossomed on his still-pale face. His messy red hair caught the sunlight, making him look like a calm flame.
"Key, look at me. I'm still breathing, aren't I?" Donovan chuckled softly, though he winced slightly as the movement tugged at his wounds. "I'm fine, so don't worry. Besides, you're a boy, Key. Your future as a man will be bleak if you cry this much!"
"Sh-shut up! I don't care!" Keyzier retorted, wiping his nose with his sleeve. "Anyway, no one is watching! It's just you and me here! Let me cry all I want!"
Donovan laughed, his dark purple eyes glinting playfully. "Careful, Key. My room might flood because of your tears!"
"I don't care! If I have to, I'll let this whole village flood with my tears!" Keyzier replied with his signature sulky tone, though his sobbing began to subside.
Donovan burst into a louder laugh this time. He began to tease his best friend, throwing a pillow and mocking Keyzier's funny expressions when he was sad. The atmosphere in the room slowly shifted from one of tension and grief to a lively air of banter between two boys bound by true friendship. Despite the permanent scar on Donovan's back, their bond only grew stronger, unshaken even by death.
After Donovan felt strong enough to walk, they both headed toward the village square. There, they once again met the members of the Gold Wings party, who were preparing to depart. With steadier steps, Keyzier and Donovan bowed their heads, expressing their deepest gratitude to Ronan, Rin, and their comrades.
"Thank you for giving us a second chance at life." Keyzier said earnestly.
Their parents, Sarah and Keyown, along with Donovan's parents, joined them. They gave the highest honors to the city adventurers. As a token of appreciation, the usually reclusive residents of Noive Village held an afternoon feast. Long wooden tables were set out in the open, laden with roasted game from the previous day's hunt, warm wheat bread, and fresh fruit.
Laughter and joy filled the afternoon party. Everyone was immersed in happiness, celebrating the return of the two village sons from the gates of death. The Gold Wings members seemed to enjoy the village's hospitality, though they remained somewhat intimidated seeing how formidable the residents serving them were.
The next day, just as dawn was breaking, the Gold Wings party packed their gear to return to Antrows City. As they prepared to leave the village gate, Keyzier and Donovan ran after them.
"Wait! Wait a moment!" Keyzier shouted.
When Ronan and the others turned around, Keyzier stood tall, his sea-blue eyes flashing with determination. "I swear I will become an adventurer just like you! Even more than that, I will become the greatest and strongest adventurer in the world!"
There was a brief silence. Everyone at the village gate was stunned, including the usually talkative Ronan. Donovan's jaw dropped, not expecting his best friend to make such a grand declaration in public.
"Are you sure you want to be an adventurer like them, Key?" Donovan asked quietly, as if verifying what he had heard.
"Of course, Novan! Helping people who need aid just like they did... it looks so cool and exciting!"
Donovan furrowed his brow. "Doesn't that sound more like the job of a hero?"
"A hero? Yes! That's it! I will become a hero!" Keyzier exclaimed with overflowing innocence.
Hearing that answer, laughter erupted among the villagers and the adventurers. However, it wasn't laughter of mockery, but of admiration for the courage of a nine-year-old boy. Keyzier became annoyed, his face turning red. "Why are you laughing? I'm serious! I swear I will become a hero in the future!"
Rin, the healer, walked up to Keyzier. She knelt slightly to be at eye level and gently placed her hand on his head. "If it's you saying it, I believe you can truly do it, Key." she whispered with a sweet smile.
Keyzier's face instantly turned bright red. He became flustered as Rin's beautiful face was so close to his. "O-of course I'll prove it! But, Miss Rin, don't treat me like a toddler! I'm almost ten!"
"Aren't you still a child right now?" Rin teased with a small giggle.
"Sh-shut up! I'll be an adult soon enough!" Keyzier replied, looking away to hide his embarrassment.
Rin then extended her pinky finger. "In that case, do you promise to become a great adventurer in the future?"
"I promise!" Keyzier locked pinkies with her firmly. That promise was more than just a formality; it was a new source of motivation now deeply rooted in the heart of the white-haired boy.
Shortly after, the Gold Wings party finally stepped away from Noive Village. All the villagers waved, accompanying their departure until the shadows of the adventurers disappeared behind the hills.
On the road to Antrows, Oliver broke the silence. "Rin, why did you make a pinky promise with that boy?"
Rin looked at the sky and smiled. "I saw the sincerity in his eyes, Oliver. There's a fire in there. I'm certain that in the future, he will be an extraordinary adventurer."
"I also believe that boy will become something great." Ronan added. "Especially if he ends up being trained by those villagers. I'm still speechless thinking about their abilities being on par with S-Rank adventurers. That village is truly abnormal."
Chloe gripped her magic staff tightly. "I agree. Even with my current magic, I feel like nothing compared to those village mages." In her heart, Chloe resolved to train harder so as not to be left behind by the potential she saw in that remote village.
Harold also joined the conversation. "In the future, those two will surely surpass us, and their names will be known by the world."
Meanwhile, in Noive Village, the atmosphere grew a bit more serious. Keyown looked at his son with a sharp yet loving gaze. "Are you truly serious about what you said, Keyzier? You really want to be an adventurer?"
"I'm serious, Father! I want to be an adventurer!" Keyzier answered without a hint of doubt.
"Being an adventurer isn't a safe job, son. You felt it yourself yesterday in the forest." Sarah cut in with a worried tone.
"I know, Father, Mother. But I want to see the world like they do. I want to travel to many places, meet many people, and be someone useful to others," Keyzier replied firmly.
Keyown let out a long sigh and then smiled with pride. "If that is your pure desire, then your mother and I will give our blessing and agree with your choice. But remember, the training won't be easy."
Keyzier jumped for joy at receiving permission. However, the surprises weren't over yet.
"I'm going with him too, Uncle, Auntie!" a voice called out from nearby.
Donovan was standing there, though he still had to sit on a wooden beam by the roadside. "I won't let this crybaby go out into the world alone. I'm going to be an adventurer too!"
Everyone was shocked, unable to believe that Donovan shared the same ambition as Keyzier. The village became loud with chatter. The news of the two boys, who had just escaped death, wanting to become heroes spread quickly—marking the beginning of a new chapter for them both.