The following morning, as the first rays of dawn scattered the lingering veil of mist across the horizon, Leo made his way toward the caravan station that would carry him back to the lands of the Dainhart family. At long last, the day he had been waiting for had finally arrived.
His footsteps were calm and unhurried.
When he reached the station, he found the members of the caravan already assembled, quietly making their final preparations before departure.
It was not the massive merchant convoy he had expected.
Instead, it was a modest, well-organized caravan consisting of only five people, each bearing the composed demeanor and seasoned instincts of veterans who had spent countless years traversing the roads that connected kingdoms, cities, and distant frontiers.
The moment one of them noticed Leo approaching, he raised his voice in the rough tone common among travelers.
"You're late, kid."
Leo showed no reaction.
He saw no reason to waste words over such a trivial remark.
With nothing more than a slight nod, he climbed into the carriage in silence, as though words themselves were too valuable to spend on meaningless exchanges.
Only moments later...
The horses began to move.
The wheels rolled forward, carrying the caravan northward along the long road stretching toward the Dainhart domain.
Seated quietly inside the carriage, Leo took a moment to examine his surroundings.
It did not take long for him to realize that this carriage was entirely different from the one he had ridden on his journey to the Elven Forest.
Everything about it was superior.
Its frame had been crafted from premium hardwood, polished to perfection.
The suspension absorbed nearly every bump along the road, leaving only the faintest vibrations beneath his feet.
Even its speed was noticeably greater than that of ordinary merchant wagons.
A faint smile crossed his lips.
"It seems..."
"This journey will be much shorter than I expected."
Naturally, Leo had no intention of wasting such an opportunity.
He slowly closed his eyes.
Almost immediately, he began refining the mana circulating throughout his body, using every passing hour of travel to strengthen himself further.
He had already set a clear objective.
Within two months...
He would reach the Sixth Circle.
It was an ambitious goal by any standard.
Yet to Leo, it was neither arrogance nor wishful thinking.
It was simply the next step he intended to take.
And so...
The first day slipped by almost unnoticed.
Completely immersed in his cultivation, he lost all sense of time until darkness quietly descended upon the land.
Only then did he stop refining his mana, deciding to allow his body a brief period of rest.
Outside, the caravan had halted in a secure clearing.
The members gathered around a small campfire, whose dancing flames illuminated the surrounding darkness while quiet conversations drifted into the cool night air.
Leo joined them in silence.
After sitting there for a while, however, a question that had lingered in his mind ever since the journey began finally surfaced.
Looking toward the others, he asked,
"Something has been bothering me."
"Why hasn't a single bandit attacked us this entire journey?"
After a brief pause, he added,
"During my last trip, bandits appeared constantly."
"At times..."
"It felt like they attacked almost every single day."
The group exchanged amused glances.
Then a cheerful-looking woman seated beside the fire smiled before answering.
Her name was Aris, the caravan's vice-captain.
"My guess..."
"The carriage itself is the reason."
Leo looked at her curiously.
"And what does the carriage have to do with it?"
Aris gestured toward the luxurious vehicle parked behind them.
"Carriages like this usually belong to noble families or influential figures."
She continued,
"And nobles rarely travel without protection."
"Most of them bring an experienced knight or a veteran mage as a personal guard."
A playful grin spread across her face.
"So naturally..."
"Most bandits would rather stay far away."
"No treasure is worth throwing away your life."
Leo slowly nodded.
"So even bandits..."
"Know when to retreat."
Aris laughed lightly before waving her hand dismissively.
"Enough with the serious topics."
"We'll be traveling together for several more days."
"So let's introduce ourselves properly."
Leo looked at her for a moment before replying with characteristic brevity.
"My name is..."
"Leo."
Then he fell silent once again.
Aris blinked twice before bursting into laughter.
"Now that's certainly a short introduction."
Placing a hand over her chest, she smiled warmly.
"It's a pleasure to meet you, Leo."
"I'm Aris, the vice-captain of this caravan."
She then pointed toward each of the others gathered around the fire.
"That's our captain, Piers."
"Over there is Tony."
"Next to him is Martin."
"And the last one..."
"Is Girlad."
Leo inclined his head respectfully.
"The pleasure is mine."
That was the end of their introductions.
Leo was never particularly talkative, and before long, the others realized that trying to draw lengthy conversations from him was a futile endeavor.
The hours quietly slipped away.
Then...
The following day passed just as swiftly.
As evening approached, the towering walls of Nectar appeared on the distant horizon.
However, Captain Piers had no intention of approaching the city.
After a brief discussion, the caravan unanimously decided to avoid it altogether, taking a longer route around its borders to steer clear of the dangers and unrest for which Nectar had become infamous.
Leo offered no objections.
He understood that city's nature well enough.
The last thing he wanted was another unnecessary headache delaying his return.
Two days later...
The caravan reached the city of Lunaria, where they briefly stopped to replenish their food, water, and other supplies needed for the remainder of the journey.
While the members carried crates and provisions back toward the carriage, Piers wiped the sweat from his forehead and said with visible satisfaction,
"If everything continues like this..."
"We'll reach our destination in just two more days."
Leo silently reflected,
"I originally thought this trip would take at least ten days."
"Looks like I've saved far more time than expected."
The remaining days passed peacefully.
So peacefully, in fact, that they seemed to disappear in the blink of an eye.
And before long...
The borders of the Dainhart territory finally came into view.
The caravan stopped there.
That was the end of their route.
Aris smiled warmly at Leo.
"It looks like this is where we part ways, little friend."
"Take good care of yourself."
"And I hope fate lets our paths cross again someday."
Leo answered in his usual calm voice.
"Goodbye."
He stepped down from the carriage, slung his belongings over his shoulder, and continued the remainder of the journey on foot.
To him...
The distance was no longer an obstacle.
After reaching the peak of the Fifth Circle, the tremendous increase in mana within his body had strengthened not only his magical abilities, but also his physical endurance and overall vitality.
Hours passed beneath the open sky.
Yet Leo never felt the slightest hint of exhaustion.
Then...
Far in the distance...
The main estate of the Dainhart family gradually emerged upon the horizon.
At first, it appeared as nothing more than a distant silhouette.
But with every step he took, it grew larger.
Clearer.
More imposing.
Until its full majesty finally stood before him.
It was an awe-inspiring structure.
Its towering walls stretched proudly toward the heavens, while magnificent towers overlooked the surrounding lands like silent guardians.
Elegant carvings adorned every visible surface, each one speaking of an ancient lineage, immeasurable prestige, and centuries of noble history.
At first glance...
It scarcely resembled the residence of a ducal family.
It looked more like the palace of an emperor.
Leo stood motionless before the magnificent estate.
Silence surrounded him.
Then...
Without warning...
Countless memories flooded his mind.
They were not memories that belonged to Alovenus.
They were fragments of a life he had never lived...
Yet somehow, they felt painfully familiar.
Fragments of childhood.
Years spent within these very walls.
Moments of joy...
Moments of loneliness...
Moments filled with humiliation, sorrow, and wounds that time had never truly healed.
He remained standing there for a long while, gazing silently at the mansion that had witnessed both the happiest and the cruelest chapters of that boy's life.
Finally...
He spoke quietly within his heart, as though addressing the lingering soul that had once inhabited this body.
"Don't worry..."
"I made you a promise."
"And from this moment onward..."
"Everything... will change."