The road leaving the Imperial Capital stretched for miles before civilization slowly began to fade.
Stone roads turned to dirt.
Tall buildings became scattered villages.
The crowds of merchants and soldiers disappeared.
Soon, only wilderness remained.
Endless forests covered the landscape, while distant mountain ranges loomed on the horizon like silent guardians of the frontier.
This was the edge of the Valtherion Empire.
A land where imperial authority was weaker.
Where danger was common.
And where strength determined whether you lived or died.
Leon sat beside a small campfire.
The crackling flames cast shadows across the dark forest around them.
He had never spent a night outside the capital before.
The silence of the wilderness felt strange.
No palace servants.
No guards.
No walls.
Only trees… and darkness.
Across from him, Aether sat quietly with his eyes closed.
He looked completely relaxed.
Leon finally spoke.
"Are there monsters here?"
Aether opened one eye.
"Yes."
Leon swallowed.
"What kind?"
"All kinds."
Leon stared into the fire.
"…That's not very comforting."
Aether stood and walked a short distance away.
Leon followed.
They reached the edge of a cliff overlooking a vast forest valley.
Moonlight illuminated the land below.
"You see this forest?" Aether asked.
Leon nodded.
"It's enormous."
"This is only one small region of the frontier."
Aether continued.
"The empire is vast. Not all of it is controlled perfectly."
"Monsters live in these forests."
"Bandits hide here."
"Rogue mages conduct forbidden experiments."
Leon's eyes widened.
"That sounds… dangerous."
Aether nodded.
"It is."
Then he turned toward Leon.
"Which is why we are here."
Aether drew a sword.
Leon immediately noticed something strange.
The blade looked completely black.
Not metal.
Not stone.
It looked like a fragment of darkness itself.
The legendary Void Sword.
Aether tossed Leon a wooden training blade.
"Show me your swordsmanship."
Leon caught it quickly.
He stepped forward and took a stance.
Aether watched silently.
"Begin."
Leon attacked.
He swung the wooden blade in a basic downward strike.
Aether moved slightly.
Leon's sword cut nothing but air.
Leon attacked again.
Slash.
Slash.
Slash.
Every strike missed.
Aether barely moved.
To Leon, it felt like he was fighting a ghost.
After several minutes, Leon collapsed to one knee, breathing heavily.
"I… can't hit you."
Aether nodded.
"Of course you can't."
Leon frowned.
"That's harsh."
Aether pointed at the wooden sword.
"Your stance is unstable."
"Your balance is poor."
"Your strikes lack intent."
Leon looked slightly embarrassed.
"I only started training recently."
Aether sheathed his sword.
"That is obvious."
Leon sighed.
"So I'm terrible."
Aether shook his head.
"No."
Leon blinked.
"You are simply… untrained."
Aether walked closer.
"You lack skill."
"You lack experience."
"You lack physical strength."
Leon's shoulders drooped further.
"But…"
Aether's eyes narrowed slightly.
"There is something strange about your presence."
Leon looked up.
"You felt it too?"
Aether nodded.
"Your bloodline carries an unusual power."
Leon frowned.
"I've never used any ability before."
Aether turned back toward the forest.
"You will."
Suddenly…
The forest below them trembled.
Branches snapped loudly.
Leon immediately stood up.
"What was that?"
Aether's voice remained calm.
"A monster."
From the trees below emerged a massive creature.
It looked like a wolf.
But it was three times the size of a normal one.
Its eyes glowed red.
Its fangs were as long as daggers.
Leon's face turned pale.
"That thing is huge."
Aether crossed his arms.
"Yes."
Leon slowly turned toward him.
"…You're going to fight it, right?"
Aether shook his head.
"No."
Leon froze.
"What?"
Aether looked directly at him.
"You are."
Leon stared at the approaching monster in disbelief.
"You're serious."
"Yes."
Leon pointed at the giant wolf.
"That thing could eat me!"
Aether's expression didn't change.
"Then don't let it."
Leon tightened his grip on the wooden sword.
His heart pounded loudly.
The monster growled and began climbing the rocky cliff toward them.
Its red eyes locked onto Leon.
Aether stepped aside.
"The first step to becoming strong…"
He looked calmly at his young disciple.
"…is surviving."
Leon swallowed.
Then he raised the wooden sword.
For the first time in his life…
He was about to fight for his survival.