I woke up early in the morning as the soft sunlight entered my room through the window.
For a moment I stayed in bed, quietly staring at the ceiling before getting up.
When I stood in front of the mirror, I noticed something different. I had grown taller, and my hair had become much longer than before.
While I was looking at myself, I suddenly sensed someone quietly approaching from behind.
It was Rim.
She was trying to sneak up on me silently, but I had already noticed her presence. Still, I pretended that I didn't know she was there.
Suddenly she hugged me from behind.
"Good morning, big brother."
I turned around and smiled at her."Good morning, Rim."
Rim looked at me and said that Steven uncle had told her to wake me up, but it seemed like I had already woken up earlier.
I nodded and said that I woke up a little early today.
After that I quickly got dressed and went to where Steven was.
When he saw me, he said, "Come and sit. Let's eat first."
I sat down and started eating with them.
While we were eating, Steven suddenly said that he had something for me today.
At first I thought he had already finished making my sword. But instead, he went into his room and came back with a letter.
He placed the letter in front of me and calmly said, "This is for you."
When I opened it and started reading, I realized it was a letter from the Academy.
The letter said that I needed to pass the academy entrance exam if I wanted to join.
Steven then looked at me seriously.
"The time has come for you to go to the academy."
His voice became slightly heavier as he continued.
"But remember one thing, Leo. When you go there, hide your real power. If someone notices your strength, you'll attract attention, and that could become dangerous for your identity."
I silently listened to everything he said.
Then I nodded."Yes… I understand."
But suddenly Steven started staring at me carefully.
Then he burst out laughing.
"With that long hair, you look more like a girl than a boy."
I frowned slightly while he continued laughing.
"Don't worry," he said. "Today I'll cut your hair."
After finishing my food, Steven suddenly pulled out a sword and looked at me.
I immediately panicked.
"Wait… I think I should go train first."
Steven started laughing loudly.
"You're scared of a small joke."
Then he finally took out a pair of scissors and started cutting my hair.
While cutting it, he said that he would make it so that no one would easily recognize who I was.
After a while he finished.
"Alright, now you look much better."
I looked at myself in the mirror.
Honestly… the haircut looked really good.
At that moment Rim walked into the room.
She stared at me for a moment before smiling brightly.
"Big brother… you look really handsome now."
I only gave a small smile.
After that Steven said that we should go to the market because he needed to buy some things for me.
Soon the three of us reached the market.
Steven bought ice cream for both me and Rim, and we started eating while walking through the busy street.
But suddenly a thief ran past us.
He had stolen money from an old lady and was trying to escape.
Steven immediately looked at me.
"Leo, watch Rim."
Before I could say anything, Steven jumped forward and kicked the thief directly in the face.
The thief immediately fell to the ground.
But during that moment, many people in the market saw Steven's face.
Soon whispers began spreading through the crowd.
"That's Steven…"
"The traitor who betrayed the continent."
People started murmuring among themselves.
Steven quietly picked up the money from the ground and walked toward the old lady.
He offered the money back to her.
But the old lady stepped back.
"I won't take money from a traitor," she said coldly.
Then she turned around and walked away.
Steven stood there silently for a moment.
Then he slowly pulled his hood up and covered his face before leaving the crowd.
But I already knew where he would go.
So I quietly walked in that direction.
Soon I found him standing behind a large tree.
He looked at me and simply said, "Let's go home."
While we were returning home, Rim had already fallen asleep.
Steven was carrying her on his back.
After walking for a while, I finally asked him something.
"Why did you help them… if everyone believes you're a traitor?"
Steven smiled slightly.
"It doesn't matter what people think."
He looked ahead calmly.
"Just because others think you're bad doesn't mean you have to become bad. What matters is whether you know the truth about yourself."
Hearing those words, I felt like I had learned something important.
By the time we reached home, it was already night.
We ate dinner and went to sleep.
The next morning Steven told me to get ready quickly because I was leaving for the academy.
Only then did I realize that I was late.
I quickly washed my face, changed my clothes, and prepared to leave.
But just as I was about to go, Steven suddenly stopped me.
Then he handed something to me.
It was the sword he had made for me.
The moment I saw it…
I couldn't hide my excitement.