After the conversation with the Wizard, Morena was left with a confused heart and an even more confused mind. Everything had happened so quickly that she didn't have time to react to it.

But it was her goal, it was something she wanted; she wanted to become a Wizard. It was the only way she knew of that allowed her to grow in strength.

And she had that chance handed to her. Turning it down would be foolish.

'Damnit...'

She couldn't help but sigh and take a tired breath, her eyes gazing around the camp as she did to see how everyone was doing.

The soldiers were spread around the fire in small clusters, speaking in low voices or tending to their equipment. The Wizard's men had already gone to rest near the far edge of the camp; they had lost many people and were the worse off.

The firelight flickered against her armor, catching the small scratches and dents left behind from battle.

Her mind wasn't calm, but neither was it chaotic. She knew what she had to do; she just wasn't looking forward to doing it.

With a slow breath, she steadied her mind and made her way to one of the carriages near the center of camp. Inside, her father rested against a cushion, his side still wrapped in bandages, though the color in his face had returned.

To the opposite side of him sat Alina and her younger brother, both of whom were chatting softly so as not to disturb their father.

The boy had been very nervous about the trip; throughout the entire thing, he never left the carriage once.

Morena was glad because it kept him safe, but she also wanted the boy to adapt better to the situation, especially since she wouldn't be with him forever.

When she entered the carriage, they shifted their attention to her. As her father noticed her expression, he couldn't help but sigh.

"There you go again, that look. I know that look all too well."

He paused for a second, then spoke again.

"The one that means you're about to do something I won't like."

Morena smiled faintly; her father knew her all too well.

"You always see through me."

"Of course I do."

He motioned for her to sit.

"So, what is it this time?"

She sat beside him, folding her hands in her lap for a moment before speaking.

"The Wizard made me an offer."

His brows raised slightly.

"An offer?"

"He offered me the path of a Wizard. He said that I have the potential for it. He says he can take me to Marshmill's Tower, it's a place where people like him exist and learn."

Her father stared at her for a long while, then exhaled through his nose.

"I see."

He didn't sound surprised, just thoughtful.

"You're going, aren't you?"

At his words, her siblings shifted their gaze and stared at her; like burning holes, she could feel their anxiety. They wanted to know if she was truly going, if she was leaving.

"I plan to."

She admitted. The second she spoke, she could see her sister's face twisting into a frown, and her brother's eyes looking down.

"He offered to send a letter to a Count he knows, someone who can help us settle here. He said it would cover his debt for saving him."

Her father leaned back, looking at the top of the tent.

"Leaving so soon. You've barely given this land a chance to know you."

Morena lowered her eyes.

"I know. But this is something I can't ignore. You said it yourself: to survive, we need strength. And if there's any way to get strong, it's gaining that power. You saw it; the power of a Wizard."

He was silent for a moment; she could see his eyes drifting away to memories of what he had seen in the forest, the might of a Wizard that even he believed was powerful.

Even at full health, he didn't have complete certainty that he could win against him.

Finally, he spoke.

"When I was your age, I left home too," he said. "Thought I could conquer the world with nothing but a sword and my pride. I didn't realize how much I was leaving behind until I came back."

He turned his gaze to her again, his voice softer now.

"Just promise me one thing."

"Anything."

"Don't lose yourself chasing strength. It's not worth it if you can't recognize the person you become."

Morena's chest tightened slightly, but she smiled and nodded her head slowly in response.

"I won't."

That was enough for the man. Who knows if his foolish daughter would truly keep her promise, but that wasn't for him to control. Every bird must fly one day if they wish to soar through the sky.

Morena was no different.

"Good. Then go, before I change my mind and order Adolf to tie you to a wagon."

She laughed lightly and reached over to squeeze his hand.

"Thank you, Father."

He grunted, but there was warmth in his tone. He glanced to the side at where the siblings sat and sighed; standing up, he made his way outside so that they could be alone.

"Talk to your siblings before you leave. They'll want to hear it from you, not from me. Explain it properly, it's your job as the eldest."

Morena nodded, giving him one last look before he walked outside the tent.

She turned her attention to her younger siblings across from her; they had been silent during the conversation, but they heard every word of it.

With their father gone and the conversation shifted, they looked up to meet her gaze. Lorian couldn't bring himself to look her in the eye; he feared that he would burst into tears.

But Alina was much more upright, meeting her gaze with one that hid a mixture of sadness and care.

"I'm sure you heard it all. I have to leave with the Wizard to learn magic. It's not forever, but I don't know how long it'll be."

"You're leaving? Already?"

"I don't have a choice. This is an opportunity I can't afford to ignore."

Alina stood and moved closer to her sister, hugging her. Morena was stunned for a moment, not expecting Alina to suddenly do something like that, but she slowly hugged the girl back.

"You've done enough for us already. You fought, you protected us, you got us out of that cursed forest. Can't someone else take on the burden for once?"

Morena shook her head.

"This isn't just a burden. It's a chance to make sure none of this ever happens again. The Church, the bandits, the attack; if I'm stronger, we'll never have to run again."

She paused before revealing something she didn't want to, but knew she had to.

"I have no future as a warrior."

"That's not possible, you're stronger than me!"

Alina said in rebuttal; however, Morena only shook her head.

"Yes, for now. However, my core is broken. The method I've been using so far could only take me to the point I am at now. While you will keep getting stronger, break into the ranks of a proper warrior, I will never go past being an apprentice."

The words were harsh, but true. The current Morena couldn't find a way to go past the level of apprentice. Even the system deemed her core too unstable to break through.

And she lacked the information needed to find a new method.

Becoming a Wizard was the only thing she had left.

"That's why I'm leaving you in charge of looking after Father and Lorian when I'm gone. Keep training. By the time I come back, I want to have seen big improvements. But most of all, take care of yourself."

Lorian spoke up quietly.

"You'll come back for sure, right?"

Morena's expression softened.

She knelt and placed a hand on his shoulder.

"I will. When I get the chance, I will definitely come back. You'll be brave and learn properly until then, right?"

He nodded slowly, though his eyes stayed downcast.

Alina crossed her arms, clearly holding back her emotions.

"I still don't like it."

She muttered.

"But if you're really going, then you'd better come back stronger than him."

Morena smiled faintly.

"I'll try."

After a moment, Alina stepped back and looked at her.

"Be careful, alright?"

"I will."

They stayed like that for a short while before finally parting. Morena spent the rest of the night finishing her preparations and watching over the camp one last time.

When dawn broke, she stood ready beside her horse.

The Wizard and his men were already assembled near the edge of the camp. His cloak was drawn, his staff resting across his back, his expression as unreadable as ever.

He gave her a glance as she approached.

"You're ready?"

"I am."

"Good. Then let's not waste daylight."

She turned once more to face her family.

Alina stood with their father, Lorian at their side. They didn't speak, only nodded.

Morena took a deep breath, mounted her horse, and followed the Wizard as he began down the road leading away from camp.

The sound of hooves and wheels filled the morning air.

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