Tale of Vanguard

Kaelen stood at the base of a massive drawbridge leading into a bustling heart of a town. The grand structure of the bridge itself creaked under the weight of its own age, while the cobblestone streets of the capital streched out before him. The rustling sounds of the city—the murmur of conversations, the clattering of carriages, and the distant hum of a marketplace—can be heard drifting on the afternoon air.

He glanced down at a map that he held in his hand, the edges of the map are worn and frayed, probably because of its frequent use. He had walked for half an hour through the winding paths of the forest from Master Cronos' laboratory. His reason for this journey was simple: Serephira had invited him to hang out in the city, sort of like a break from their usual routine.

When Kaelen asked Master Cronos to teleport him to the capital, the old man flatly refused him because he was simply tired. The old man excuse seemed dubious to Kaelen, who knew damn well that his usual vigor was unmatched. Hence the map that he got from the old man.

Kaelen himself looked a bit nervous, as it had been a while since he had last seen a civilization. For the past two weeks, the only people he had encountered were Serephira and his master.

'Why am i thinking like some kind of N.E.E.T that never interacts with people?'

As Kaelen approached the entrance of the city, he notice a robed figure making its way towards him. The hood was drawn low, casting its face in shadow, but Kaelen could sense an air of familiarity about the figure.

 As they drew closer, the hood was pushed back, revealing Serephira's face. Her eyes sparkled with a hint of mischief, and her smile was both warm and apologetic. She quickly greeted Kaelen

"Kaelen!"

"Serephira? What's with the getup?"

She smirked to him

"You know, being the princess and all, i'd rather not draw to much attention"

She then reached into her robe and pulled out a second, matching robe. She handed it to Kaelen with a grin.

"Here."

Kaelen accepted the robe and examined it closely.

"Why do I have to wear one too?"

"Well, it would be awkward if i were the only one in disguise, and besides, it's more fun to be inconspicuous together."

Kaelen chuckled, he took the robe and slipped it on himself. As they headed into the city, the pair became just another pair of robed figures blending into the lively crowd.

***

As they stroll through the bustling city streets, Serephira's enthusiasm for exploration became increasingly evident. She darted from stall to stall with her eyes that are lighting up with excitement at every new sight. From delicacies to trinkets, she seemed to want a taste of everything. Kaelen can only watched her in amused disbelief as the princess collected a small mountain of various items, with each one more enticing than the last.

As he watched her smiling cheerfully, Kaelen couldn't help but to appreciate the contrast between her usual royal persona, and her playful side she was showing him now. The city's lively atmosphere seemed to draw out a different side of her, one that was less burdened by duty and more at ease.

After what felt like an endless string of purchases, Serephira suddenly turned toward a certain narrowed street.

"Come on, there's one more place i want to check."

Kaelen followed her through the winding alleyways until they arrived at a weathered but sturdy-looking shop. A sign with faded letters can be seen above it.

'Arms & Armor... Emporium?'

Serephira pushed open the door, and they entered a room filled with an impressive array of weaponry and armor. The shop's interior was lined with display racks showcasing swords, axes, and spears of every imaginable design. Shields, breastplates, and helmets were neatly arranged along the walls, each piece crafted with meticulous attention to detail.

At the shop's counter, a burly man stood with the look of a seasoned blacksmiths. His muscular arms were bare, revealing a network of scars and soot stains that spoke of countless hours spent at the forge. His wild mane of dark brown hair was tied back, and his thick beard had the same rugged appearence. 

The man lingered his gaze to the two robed figure who entered the room, not long after, a smile spread across his face.

"Greetings, Your Highness"

Serephira lowered her hood and offered a polite nod.

"Hello, Mr. Thorin, is the stuff that i asked for are ready?"

The man simply nodded in return and then went to a room behind the shop.

Kaelen glanced at Serephira, asking her a question:

"Do you know him?"

"Yes, Mr. Thorin is an expert and a very reliable blacksmith. I actually stumbled upon his shop by accident a long time ago, but it turned out to be quiet the fortunate discovery. Oh, and he's the one who forged my rapier. His craftmanship is unmatched, and i trust him completely with anything i need."

Kaelen couldn't help but be impressed; not only had the man earned the princess's complete trust, but he was also the one who made her weapon.

Mr. Thorin returned from the backroom, carrying a small box and a sheathed sword. He placed both items on the counter gently.

Serephira turned to Kaelen with a smile.

"Those are for you."

Kaelen's eyes widened in surprise as he approached the counter. He picked up the sheathed sword, feeling its weight and balance. The sword's hilt was wrapped in dark leather, expertly stitched to provide a comfortable grip. The guard was intricately designed with elegant, swirling patterns

With a cautious but eager motion, Kaelen slowly unsheathed the sword. The blade glimmered in the shop's light, a perfectly forged piece of steel with a mirror-like polish. The edge was honed to a razor-sharp finish, and the blade's subtle curvature suggested a balance between precision and power.

Even Kaelen, who was a novice when it came to weaponry, could recognize the quality of the sword. It was clear that this was no ordinary sword but a masterfully crafted weapon, built to last and perform exceptionally well.

He then carefully sheathed the sword back and turned his attention to the small box. As he opens it, he found a necklace inside. The base of the necklace was shaped like an elegant letter X, with intricate patterns etched into its surface. At the center of the X was a striking red gem, its deep crimson hue catching the light and glimmering with an inner fire.

He lifted the necklace and examined it closely.

"What's this?"

Serephira smiled and explained to him

"This necklace enchances your connection to the Aether, making it easier for you to materialize your veils. Consider these two items as a gift from me for when we start attending the academy."

As Kaelen examined the sword and the necklace, a realization began to dawn on him. He slowly connected the dots—Serephira had likely given him the sword because he was still struggling to manifest his dark sword. While the necklace, with its enhancement of aether energy, seemed intended to aid him who is still struggling with his resonance. Noticing this, he appreciated the thoughtful gifts even more.

'Maybe i should've bought something for her too...'