Life in a new Kingdom

Several days passed before we set out on our journey. Lukia visited me not long after we accepted the quest to talk to me, mainly to ask me a few questions about how I plan to hide my magic from everyone. I explained to her that my mother's artifact was helping me channel my magic into barriers. It limits my abilities but allows me to protect myself and others. She understood and soon left. Saying some small words before leaving me with a smile. Ceila had been calm for most of the days, but she asked me one night if she could speak to me.

"Master, can I speak with you?" She stands just before my doorframe in her nightwear. I let out a soft sigh and invited her to sit.

"What seems to be the problem, Celia?"

"I won't see you for months; I am worried you might not return."

"The possibility of death is an everyday occurrence for adventurers. I believe that a lot of my experience so far has been nothing but near death. I'm stronger than ever before, and I am only going to rise higher if I continue to push forward."

"I've gained some control of myself these past few months. Maybe I can join-" I place my hand on her lips and shake my head.

"This is something I must do with the Phantom Blades. Your place is here, tending to it, and making sure it remains a proper home for me to return to."

"I understand..."

"I'll miss you too, Celia. I'm sure Mei doesn't show it, but she is just as worried as you are. Help each other, and maybe find more than just cleaning the house to broaden your hobbies. You're plenty strong, scary even but I can't have you get in danger for me."

"I only worry because you need someone to watch your back!"

"Lukia and Gale have done that plenty for me. They are more than reliable. Return to your room and get some good sleep. We got a long day ahead of us."

Without another word, Celia exits my room and heads into her own. I found myself lying down and feeling tired. Quickly falling asleep, the night swiftly passes by—the dawn of our journey approaches. I have the girls help me pack any personal belongings fit for a horse to carry. After setting up, the Phantom Blades waited for my arrival.

"Time to hit the long road. You sure you're still up for this, Caleb?" Gale fixes his saddle to a horse as he speaks. I notice that everyone is just about ready as well.

"I signed the contract for the job, didn't I? You want me to be banned from the Guild?" Gale snickers out a laugh before patting my shoulder.

"That's the spirit. We will be together for a while. Best we let go of the tension and travel with a light load."

"Caleb, we got something for you," Lukia speaks out. I turn to her and see that she is holding some object wrapped in a cloth.

"What is this?"

"Well, we heard you break your sword quite often, so we thought we could commission a blacksmith to forge a hard-to-break sword. Since you have done a lot already, it's the least we can do to repay you for much of the good." Gale grabs the blade from Lukia and raises it to the sun. Unveiling the sleek design of a sharp longsword. It is slightly bigger than most swords I am comfortable with. The hilt is crafted with a purple steel ingot that caused the metal to darken in its molding phase. The handle is also wrapped with dark red leather, and the pommel ends with a diamond design. The blade itself is thin, but the steel was folded to make it heavier and durable.

Placing it into my hands, I expected to feel awkward holding such a heavier sword. It took a second, but the moment I practiced swinging the blade, I felt how much force I could manipulate in my strikes. Whoever made this blade was above a master.

"This blade is incredible. How much did it cost?"

"You get a gift and ask how much? Damn, so you really are a greedy noble!" Gale laughs at his own joke, and everyone else does, too. I join the laughter but repeat the question once again.

"Actually, we were looking around town for the blacksmith, but he wasn't in. With time being so limited, we didn't have the luxury to wait another day for the commission. However, one of the hands of the blacksmith reported some old dwarf in town working on his own little place in town. With his directions, we found the dwarf and asked if he could make this sword. But when he saw us, our bodies froze because it looked like he was mad to see us." Gale lets out a sigh before continuing. "Thankfully, we mentioned your name and wanted to apologize in our own way for giving you trouble. He told us he could make the sword with a modest fee. Safe to say, we got our money's worth and then some.

It was indeed a beautiful weapon. The craftsmanship was beyond anything I had ever seen. It left me puzzled for a moment. But then I saw a soft scripture written on the blade.

Heart of a warrior, I am thy. Soul of a man, I am thy. Bound by honor, I set for the heavens.

This sword was crafted for me. It deserves a name...

"Tempest..." As the words escape my lips, a magical glow washes over the blade, and the runes of the common language of this world etch into the blade. The word Tempest appears on the other side of the blade. I look in awe, and so does everyone else.

"That cheeky dwarf!" Hark says loudly.

"He must have put a spell in the metal for you to give its name. Not many smiths can do something like that. This blade is worth a fortune at this rate!" Gale looks in disbelief.

"Gorg... You really outdid yourself..." I laugh to myself and place the blade into my sheath. "Let's get going. We have a time limit here."

"R-Right!" Gale saddles up with the rest of the party. I place my pack onto the horse and climb up. Climbing onto the horse felt easier than usual. A simple yet obvious detail that I took in. Grasping my situation, I looked at my body and closely examined it. My legs fit into the saddle perfectly, and my torso wasn't so small anymore.

In that instant, I listened to my own voice for a moment. Hearing its pitch and volume. My body has definitely changed; I have grown taller, and my voice has changed. After being so busy with the last week and not really too focused on myself, I didn't realize the changes occurring. My fight with Gale before I noticed it too, but now, I can fully realize the changes in my body. The horse begins to follow after Gale and the others; I watch with new eyes how my life has barely started, yet I feel so much different.

My journey in this life has only started, and I intend to continue living through it as long as possible. If I have to fight, I will fight. With this life, I am more than just a killer or servant. I can be free of someone's influence as long as I stay true to myself. I chose to join the Phantom Blades, and I decided to live my life as I saw fit. The sins of Sato Haruki will forever haunt my dreams and soul, but at least I can carry it all in my heart and continue moving forward...