I woke up early, as usual, to the rhythmic sound of Orsik chopping logs in the crisp morning air. He was always the first one awake, diligently tending to his tasks, even on weekends.

Yawning, I dragged myself out of bed and stumbled to the washbasin. A splash of cold water on my face sent a shock of wakefulness through my groggy mind.

With a renewed sense of energy, I got dressed and made my way outside for my morning jog.

As I stepped onto the porch, the beauty of the morning greeted me. A gentle breeze caressed my skin, carrying with it the delicate scent of blooming flowers. The sun, just beginning its ascent, cast a warm, golden glow across the garden.

“Good morning, Orsik,” I greeted as I passed by him, his axe striking the wood with rhythmic precision.

“Morning,” he replied, his voice steady and resolute. “Off for a jog?”

I nodded, a smile forming on my lips. “Yes, the usual routine. Wish me luck.”

Orsik returned the smile, his eyes filled with genuine warmth. “Luck to you, my friend. May your run be refreshing.”

We exchanged well-wishes, each of us ready to embark on our respective tasks. With a final nod, I set off, the steady rhythm of my footsteps harmonizing with the awakening world around me.

As I jogged through the peaceful garden, my mind couldn’t help but wander back to the conversation I had with Dahlia the previous night. I wasn’t sure how I felt about the mission. Killing some vampires sounded exciting, no doubt, but also a bit overwhelming.

I let out a sigh as I took in the serenity of the morning. Life had been moving at such a fast pace lately, and sometimes it felt like it was spinning out of control. But I wasn’t scared, just cautious. Vampires were creatures I’d only heard about in my previous life. To put it simply, besides what I’d heard from idle rumors, I knew next to nothing about them. They were a mystery to me...

Guess I’ll learn about vampires the hard way...

Something else had been clawing at me lately, especially in the last couple of weeks. It was a deep sense of disappointment in myself, that whispered in the depths of my mind, taunting me with the notion that I wasn’t doing enough.

In the quiet recesses of my thoughts, I wrestled with this suffocating doubt. I had grown stronger over the past year, honing my skills and pushing my limits beyond what I thought possible. I'd stood tall in the face of adversity, prevailing against all the challenges Dahlia had thrown in my direction. But no matter how strong I got, that voice of self-doubt refused to be silenced.

It was an awful feeling that had plagued me for years. A gnawing sense that I had fallen short of where I should be.

Ironically, the source of my torment was no mystery. I knew all too well who held the power to ignite the inferno within me. Cassius, the very architect of the demons that haunted my thoughts, loomed large in my mind. The passage of time had done nothing to quell the fire of vengeance burning within my heart.

Calm yourself, Lucian! Don’t let your anger overwhelm you!

I stopped running and closed my eyes to take a deep breath. For a second, I shut everything out, both the real world and the world that had become my mind.

Breath in... Breath Out...

I let out a sigh of relief as a sense of peace filled my chest. Feeling that the worst had passed, I took a chance and opened my eyes.

The beauty of the garden surrounded me, and I couldn’t help but find solace in its simplicity. The sunlight streamed through the leaves, casting dappled patterns on the ground.

As I prepared to resume my morning jog, a small butterfly fluttered into my line of sight, its delicate wings carrying hues of iridescent beauty. A mischievous thought crossed my mind, urging me to seize the opportunity and embark on my first experiment with barrier magic. It was a chance to put my newfound knowledge to the test after the interruption that had cut last night’s experiment short.

With deliberate steps, I approached the flower upon which the butterfly delicately perched, careful not to disturb its graceful repose.

Inwardly, I steadied the flow of mana within me, allowing it to pool and gather at my fingertips. The fundamental principles of barrier magic played through my thoughts as I concentrated on the task at hand.

Kneeling down, my fingertips tingled with mana, as I meticulously guided the energy, manipulating its density and volume.

Mana particles danced and weaved as I harnessed their essence into a shape. Through focused intent, I visualized the barrier materializing. The principles of physics and my intuitive understanding of mana harmonized, giving birth to a barrier that balanced stability with elegance.

Excitement tingled in my veins as I marveled at the intricacy of my creation. The barrier shimmered as it refracted sunlight, encapsulating the flower and ensnaring the unsuspecting butterfly within its ethereal confines.

I was so engrossed in my barrier magic experiment that I barely registered the sound of footsteps behind me. “How did you do that?”

The words hung in the air, causing me to jump in surprise. I swiftly turned around to find Debbie standing behind me, a mix of curiosity and awe written across her face.

“You nearly scared the living hell out of me, Debs,” I exclaimed, my heart still racing from the sudden interruption.

Debbie’s gaze fixated on the butterfly resting within the delicate confines of the barrier. With wonderment dancing in her eyes, she knelt beside me, mirroring my earlier position. “It’s so beautiful! When did you learn to do something so cool?”

I shrugged modestly, downplaying the achievement. “Oh, it’s nothing much, just a small project I’ve been working on.”

Debbie’s excitement grew as she looked up at me, her innocent curiosity shining through. “Can you teach me barrier magic?”

“How did you know it was barrier magic?” I asked, feeling genuinely intrigued.

“Because it looks similar to the barrier magic, Aunty Dahlia uses.”

“Wait, Dahlia knows how to use barrier magic?!”

Debbie nodded. “Aunty knows how to use all kinds of magic.”

“Interesting,” I said, rubbing my chin thoughtfully. Thanks to this discovery, I could speed up my practical research by going straight to Dahlia for answers.

“So,” Debbie said, reminding me that she was still here. “Will you teach me barrier magic or not?”

I hesitated for a moment, pondering the best way to respond. “You’re still too young, Debbie. You’ll need to develop a magic core before you can use mana properly.”

Her expression turned into a pout, accompanied by a tinge of anger. “But how is it possible for you to have a magic core when you’re ten months younger than me?!”

I smiled apologetically, understanding her disappointment. “I’m a bit of a strange case, Debs. Never compare yourself to me. Everyone grows at their own pace.”

Debbie sighed, shaking her head in resignation. She seemed dissatisfied with my words.

With a gentle gesture, I dismantled the barrier, setting the butterfly free to soar into the cerulean sky. Turning my attention back to Debbie, I suggested, “How about we head back to eat breakfast? I think I just heard your stomach rumble...”

A chuckle escaped my lips as she blushed, her eyes lighting up with a mix of happiness and hunger.

As Debbie and I strolled back to the house, I noticed that she was being quiet. Awfully quiet. If it was any other person, I would have left it alone, but seeing that I knew Debbie all too well, I could sense that something was wrong.

“Are you leaving on an assignment?” Debbie suddenly asked, revealing what was truly on her mind.

“Wait, pause! How do you know that?”

Debbie scratched her head nervously, avoiding direct eye contact. Her voice came out in a mumble, barely audible. I couldn’t help but chuckle at her adorable attempt to hide the truth.

“Were you eavesdropping last night?” I teased, knowing full well she was guilty.

Her cheeks flushed a deep shade of red, betraying her secret. There was no denying it now. She had indeed overheard my conversation with Dahlia.

With a playful smirk, I leaned in closer. “You do realize it’s rather impolite to eavesdrop on other people’s conversations,” I said, feigning seriousness.

“Whatever... So, are you really leaving?”

I let out a sigh, realizing I couldn’t keep it a secret any longer. “Yes, I’m leaving tomorrow on an assignment.”

A tinge of sadness filled Debbie’s eyes as she absorbed the news.

“I won’t be gone for long, though.”

“Can I come with you?” she asked, her voice barely above a whisper.

I shook my head gently, trying to hide my own disappointment. “I’m sorry, Debs. It’s far too dangerous for you to come with me.”

Her shoulders slumped, and her disappointment was evident.

“But listen,” I began, trying to brighten her spirits. “Once you grow older and develop a magic core, we’ll have plenty of adventures together. I promise.”

A spark of excitement lit up her face, and she nodded eagerly. “Really? You mean it?”

“Absolutely,” I affirmed, a smile tugging at the corners of my lips. “We’ll make memories that will last a lifetime.”

Stepping into the comforting embrace of the dining room, the air was filled with the warmth of familiarity. Dahlia, busy as always, looked up from her book and greeted us.

“Good morning, my sweet darling,” she exclaimed, her eyes sparkling with affection as she caught sight of her niece.

Debbie returned her greeting with a beaming smile, exchanging affectionate words with her beloved aunt.

Dahlia blew her a kiss before turning her attention to me. “How was your run this morning?”

“It went well, thank you.”

Just as we were about to sit down, the doors swung open, and Orsik, our lively chef, burst in, followed by a trio of maids. His booming voice reverberated through the room as he announced, “Breakfast is served!”

The tantalizing aroma of freshly prepared dishes filled the air, making our stomachs rumble in response.

As we gathered around the breakfast table, I took a sip of the freshly brewed coffee and nearly fell out of my chair. There was no doubt in my mind that this had to be the greatest coffee I’d had in a while. Was it the milky cream? Or was it the three spoons full of sugar I asked Beatrice to add?

With a mouthful of toast, Dahlia glanced at me and said, “After breakfast, I need to discuss something with you in my office.”

I glanced back at her, a smile playing on my lips. “No need to keep secrets, Dahlia... Debbie overheard our conversation last night.”

Dahlia chuckled, her gaze shifting to Debbie. “Is that so?”

Debbie’s cheeks turned pink as she looked down, fidgeting with her spoon. “Sorry.”

Beatrice, ever the responsible mother, sighed and bowed her head. “I apologize for my daughter’s unacceptable behavior.”

Dahlia and I exchanged knowing glances, shaking our heads in unison.

“There’s no need to be angry,” Dahlia said, waving off her apology. “We were just discussing some plans, that’s all.”

“Dahlia is right, there’s no need to apologize,” I added, hoping to loosen the tension in Beatrice’s eyes.

“Since everyone’s in the loop, let’s get down to business,” Dahlia declared, her voice filled with determination. Dahlia was never one to waste time. Now that the truth was out, there was no need for us to speak in her study.

I nodded, ready to delve into the details. “What do you have in mind, Dahlia?”

“I won’t lie to you, Lucian. The journey to Thornshade, while it might be a short one, it’ll be one filled with dangers. You’re going to need a couple of things to make sure you make it there in one piece.”

“Very well, I’m all ears.”

Leaning closer, Dahlia’s face turned serious. “First, I’ll provide you with a map for your journey. But that’s not all. I have something special for you.”

She reached into her pocket and pulled out a talisman, holding it up for me to see.

The talisman gleamed in the morning light, its surface adorned with intricate engravings that seemed to dance with hidden power. It was crafted from a smooth, iridescent stone, its colors shifting between hues of deep blue and vibrant purple.

As I studied it, my eyes were drawn to a small, ornate button set at its center.

“This talisman is no ordinary trinket. If at any moment you find yourself in a life-threatening situation, you can press this button, and it will instantly teleport me to your side, no matter where you may be. Even though I won’t be by your side, know that you aren’t alone.”

“Thank you, Dahlia. That means a lot.”

Dahlia leaned back into her chair. “Now, let’s talk about the reason for this assignment. While Thornshade might seem like an ordinary dungeon, it harbors an extraordinary resource—the trekle berries.”

“Trekle berries!?” I exclaimed, the name triggering a flicker of recognition. “I think I recall reading once about a fruit that could replenish mana and mend wounds, but they’re extremely rare.”

“Indeed,” Dahlia nodded, a slight smile on her lips. “Unfortunately, a notorious vampire lord and his bothersome familiars have seized control of the dungeon where these berries flourish in hopes of monopolizing the market. They’ve been slaughtering any adventurer who ventures in... That's where you come in...”

My heart sank at the thought of innocent people being killed. “I’ll do whatever it takes to stop the vampire lord.”

Dahlia’s eyes gleamed with confidence. “I believe in your capabilities, my dear. This is an opportunity for you to cultivate and grow. The mana-rich environment within Thornshade can greatly aid your development.”

Debbie’s eyes lit up with excitement as she turned to me. “This could be a fantastic chance for you to hone your skills in barrier magic!”

Dahlia’s eyes widened in surprise at Debbie’s words. She turned to me, her gaze filled with anticipation. “Oh, dear... Is it true? Can you use barrier magic?”

Feeling a slight wave of embarrassment, I shook my head. “Well, I’ve only just started experimenting with it. I still have a long way to go before I can master it.”

“Oh, Lucian, you never cease to amaze me,” Dahlia exclaimed, failing to contain her excitement.

“Trust me,” I insisted. “I’m still just a beginner.”

Suddenly, Dahlia jumped out of her seat, a mischievous grin on her face. “Well, since we’re on the topic of barriers, would you like to see a little demonstration? I can cast a barrier spell that will cover the entire ground of my manor.”

“Wait, you can actually do that?”

“My dear boy,” Dahlia said, gesturing us to follow her outside. “I can do much more than just that.”