About two and a half years had passed since we left the town where we had met the beastmen and where Lilia and I had participated in a local tournament. And about the same amount of time since I received Mother's letter. In it, she wrote about her worries, and also that everyone was safe.
We had now settled in a large city called "Fanea City." It was a rich city with a lot of activity, markets, and almost anything you could imagine.
We had earned a lot of money by completing requests. We could have earned much more if Master had chosen the higher-paying ones — since he could have completed them alone — but he didn't.
Lilia and I had become much stronger than before. Sometimes we went on missions by ourselves. I had learned to use more Wind Magic and had grown stronger with the sword. Lilia had also progressed tremendously; she was already an exceptional mage.
From time to time, I received letters from the Palace, and I replied as well. I continued training like before, but no longer all day long, since there were more things to do.
Now, Master used swords he bought from merchants when sparring with us, because he had never once drawn the sword he carried in his scabbard against us.
Well, since I had grown and was getting stronger and stronger, I had to change swords frequently. The one I had was already worn out. So I urgently needed a new one.
So we immediately headed out to buy one. Now that we had money, we could choose the best one without hesitation.
We entered the most famous forge in Fanea City. The heat from the furnace hit our faces, and the sound of hammers striking anvils echoed like a steady heartbeat. The blacksmith, a burly man with arms like tree trunks, looked at us with curiosity.
"I'm looking for a sword that can endure," I said directly. "Something that won't break with my style."
The blacksmith smiled, wiping the sweat off his face.
"I've got just what you need, kid. Steel from the northern mountains, tempered with mana. Light, but cuts like the wind."
He showed me several. I tested the balance of one: a blade long enough for my use, perfect sharpness, and a grip that fit my hand as if it had been made for me. I swung it a few times.
Lilia stood next to me watching silently, while Zekin nodded with his arms crossed.
"This one," I said.
We paid without bargaining. We left the forge with the new sword sheathed at my waist. Its weight was perfect — it felt alive.
We walked through the crowded streets. Merchants shouting their offers, guards patrolling, children running around. The sun was strong, but I had only one thing in mind.
Time to test it.
That same afternoon, we found an abandoned field on the outskirts of the city — perfect for training. Seeing how restless I was, Zekin smiled.
"You ready to break it in, kid?"
I unsheathed the sword. The blade shone under the sun.
"More than ready."
And so, under the sky of Fanea City, I faced my new sword.