Edrin laughed softly.
“Haha, No need to be so stiff. We’re all going to the same academy. Aren't we”
The atmosphere eased a little.
Slowly, the children started talking again but now their voices were lower than before.
Some gathered their courage and spoke directly with Edrin. He listened patiently, answered kindly, and smiled at the right moments.
while others glanced toward Salena. She sat near the fire, quietly rubbing her hands.
The conversation continued, and the officer also joined in.
Suddenly, John asked,
“Sir… why are you and young miss the only ones here? Where is Young Master Calum?”
The officer frowned slightly, worry flashing across his face.
“Now that you mention it… why hasn’t he come out? Is he unwell?”
But before the concern could grow, Edrin spoke casually. “Calum is fine. He just… prefers to be left alone.”
Hearing this, the officer sighed in relief.” I see.”
John scratched his head,“Being alone on a night like this… if it were me, I would have already started crying.”
“Ouch!” John yelped as Mimi pinched his leg.
“Be quiet,” she hissed.
Edrin laughed. The sound was warm, genuine. "Calum wouldn't cry. He's my brother, after all."
John rubbed the back of his neck, grinning sheepishly.
Another boy leaned forward,"Young Master Edrin... how do we become brave like you and Young Master Calum?” The others nodded eagerly at the question. After all, they were children.
Edrin paused for a moment, before replying in a poetic tone. “If you want to become brave, then you have to train.”
His tone shifted slightly—more serious, but still kind. “I was also thinking—starting tomorrow, until we reach the academy, we should train together in the mornings. I’ll give you some tips too.”
The children's faces brightened immediately.
"Really?"
"Yes!"
"Thank you, Young Master.” All of them agreed instantly,
Edrin waved them off, still smiling. "Just do your best. That's all I ask.”
Food was served shortly after.
The children ate around the bonfire, chatting between bites, laughter mixing with the crackle of flames.
Inside the white carriage, Calum stayed seated, legs crossed in the lotus position, cultivating without pause.
KNOCK KNOCK.
He opened his eyes.
Young Master," a soldier's voice came from outside. "I've brought your meal.”
Calum rose from his seat, opened the door slightly, and accepted the tray.
“Mm.”
The soldier bowed and left.
While Calum ate in silence. He didn't know that outside, by the fire, they were still talking about him.
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“Haha, Calum doesn’t talk much, so don’t bother him, okay,” Edrin said, chewing on a piece of meat.
The other children nodded in agreement.
After everyone finished eating, the officer said. “It's already getting late, so y'all should sleep now.”
Soon, the children entered their tents with excited faces.
..
..
Edrin sent a soldier to the white carriage with a message: would Calum like to sleep in the tent with them?
The reply came quickly. "No."
Edrin sighed. "Figures.” and also retreated into his tent.
Night fell completely and the camp grew silent.
Only the sound of insects could be heard, filling the air with a strange, living stillness.
Everyone slept deeply inside their tents.
Meanwhile, inside the white carriage, Calum lay on his back, staring up through the window above him.
Watching the beautiful dark sky which was filled with stars, twinkling and shining. They seemed Endless and Infinite that cannot be touched.
And slowly he also fell into peaceful sleep.
…..
Next morning.
Everyone gathered outside their tents.
The soldiers were already getting ready to move. Nearby, Edrin was training the ten children, while Salena stood off to the side, watching them quietly.
“Eight… hah!”
“Nine… hyah!”
“Ten!”
The children were breathing heavily and sweat dripped down from their faces, but none of them stopped.
Edrin crossed his arms and nodded slightly at their effort.
“Again,” he shouted.
The children started counting once more and Edrin joined them. Moments later, the officer arrived.
“That’s enough. Back to your carriage, we are leaving.”
The children quickly stopped and wiped the sweat from their faces.
Edrin smiled, breathing heavily. "Haah... let's do this again tonight."
"Yes, Young Master!"
With that, everyone returned to their carriages.
The soldiers took their positions, and the convey resumed it's journey which continued for three days.
They passed rivers, villages, saw the mighty mountains as their peak was covered with white snow. And at last, the group reached a town nearest to the academy.
The children pressed against the windows, eyes wide.
This place was totally different from their hometown. Far more developed.
The roads were wider, paved with smooth stone. Buildings rose to three stories, sometimes four stories high. The streets teemed with people—merchants, travelers, laborers, mages in academy robes.
The air buzzed with noise of Trade, Conversation and Life.
The carriages then stopped in front of a large inn—stone construction, well-maintained, with a painted sign reading The Silk Rest.
The officer stepped down first.
"We'll stay here tonight," he announced. "Tomorrow morning, we leave for the academy.”
…..
Inside the inn, the children sat around rough wooden tables.
Calum, Edrin, and Salena were there as well, while the officer spoke with the inn owner at the counter, negotiating rooms.
Most of the children stayed silent but some of them glanced at Calum, curiously.
He didn’t speak or react, remaining quiet the entire time. In contrast, Edrin sat comfortably among them, bright and talkative, easily holding small conversations.
Soon, the officer returned.
Handing three room keys to Edrin and five keys to the other children.
After giving a few simple Instructions, he left the inn.
Right then, Edrin stood up and gave a short congratulatory speech, smiling proudly.
While everyone listened, Calum quietly slipped away mid-speech and headed upstairs.
Bam,
He closed the door behind him,
“Haah!” Letting out a deep breath, he threw himself onto the bed and opened the system.
The purple screen appeared.
________
[NAME: CALUM WARDEN]
[AGE: 11]
[LEVEL: 0]
[MAGE CIRCLE: FIRST CIRCLE (INITIAL STAGE) - PROGRESS: 27%]
________
Even after a whole month, he was still stuck at the initial stage of the First Circle.
Only now did he truly understood how difficult cultivation was—No wonder even the strongest beings in this world had only reached the Ninth Circle.
He dismissed the screen and got up from the bed, stepping outside his room. He called an inn worker and asked where he could take a bath or clean himself.
The worker bowed. "The hot spring is on the lower floor, young master. I can show you the way.”
Calum nodded and after being guided to the entrance, he handed the worker a copper coin.
The worker's eyes widened. "T-thank you, young master!”.
To which Calum didn't respond. Just walked inside the hot spring.
Entering the hot spring. The facility was divided into two sections—men's and women's, separated by a solid wooden wall.
Calum undressed, stepped into the warm water, and sank down until only his head remained above the surface.
The heat soaked into his muscles, relaxing his body.
Then he placed a towel over his face, leaned back against the edge, and closed his eyes.
Silence.
Shortly after, voices echoed from outside the hot spring.
“Wow, it’s my first time in a hot spring!” someone said excitingly.
“Hehe, we’re really lucky.”
“You boys better not try peeking.”
“Don’t worry, Mimi. I’m here.”
The children filed in, the chatter hushed slightly
“Huh? There’s already someone inside… looks like he’s asleep.”
“Idiot, this is an inn, let's go.”
The girls then entered their side of the hot spring and closed the door, leaving the boys outside.
After changing, the boys also entered their section as well. And jumped into the warm water. The hot spring was more than large enough for all of them to enjoy.
“Aaahhh—” a sigh of relief escaped them.
“Wow… my back pain just disappeared.” one of them murmured.
Not long after, Edrin and Salena arrived too.
“Haah, you’re all already here?” Edrin said cheerfully. “No problem, no problem.”
The children laughed lightly.
As they soaked, the boys whispered among themselves.
If Young Master Edrin is here… then on the women’s side…
Thinking about this their faces turned red.
The same kind of thoughts passed through the girls’ side as well.
…
…
While relaxing, Edrin, who was now in the hot spring, suddenly noticed Calum lying quietly with a towel over his face.
He moved closer, and called in a low voice, “Calum, wake up.”
Calum lifted the towel and opened his eyes.
“Huh… brother? You’re here too.”
Yaaahh….
“What? You left earlier without telling me, and now you’re here enjoying alone,” Edrin complained.
“Hehe.” Calum replied with a smile.
“Forget it,” Edrin said. “After bathing, I’m going outside with the others. Want to come with us?”
“For what?” Calum asked.
Edrin rolled his eyes “Just tell me if you’re coming or not.”
“alright,” Calum nodded.
After bathing, everyone changed back into their clothes. Edrin clapped his hands. "Alright, everyone. We're going out. Hurry up."
They left the inn together.
Edrin called for the soldiers, who immediately formed an escort around the group.
The group moved together through the streets.
And the townspeople noticed them quickly.
Merchants called out, trying to sell their goods.
But the children hesitated. Their parents had given them some money—but not much.
Calum who was behind them noticed a boy in front of him counting coins.
“Seven… eight…”
“Mmm… I only have eight copper coins. If I buy something for Mimi, will she be..?”
Just then, the boy who was john suddenly looked back and realized Calum was watching him.An embarrassed smile escaped from his face as he turned away.
The soldiers beside Calum smiled faintly at the boy’s innocence.
But Calum only tilted his head slightly, indifferent to this lover. who was just too innocent to understand the reality of this world.
