I did some running exercises for a few kilometers, push-ups, pull-ups, and sword-swinging exercises. I finished my training and went back to shower. There's nothing better than a warm shower. After finishing, I got dressed—I was going shopping to buy some things in preparation for my return to the royal capital, Valeria.

  The weather was cold, and the market was filled with many people—men, women, and even families. I passed by various food stalls, weapon and armor shops, vegetable and fruit vendors, and finally arrived at my destination.

  The clothing shop had an air of nobility and elegance. A young woman dressed in refined clothes, with a noble demeanor, welcomed me. After spending some time browsing, I got what I wanted—a shirt, a black jacket, and black trousers—all for 10 silver coins.

  I also stopped by the weapons shop and bought two daggers. They were perfect for me—their weight, length, and sharpness were ideal. These cost 5 silver coins.

  The sun began to set. I needed to return to my lodging to prepare for the next day.

  The Next Morning

  I woke up at 6 AM, had breakfast, and packed a small bag since I didn't have many belongings.

  I wore the new clothes I bought yesterday and placed the daggers, my bow, and a cherished book from my childhood—given to me by my mother—into a special bag.

  Leaving the guild, I headed to the train station. I arrived at 7:55 AM, five minutes before departure.

  Trains—a great invention. A massive structure of iron moving swiftly and steadily, powered by coal or magic.

  I sat by the window. As the train started moving, I heard the whistle blow—it had begun.

  A man dressed in clean, well-matched clothes sat beside me and started reading a newspaper.

  I gazed out the window—the scenery changed rapidly. Lakes, trees, and houses filled the view, bringing a sense of happiness and tranquility.

  Then, I heard a calm and gentle voice:

  "Sir, your ticket, please."

  I smiled at him and handed it over. He stamped it and returned it to me.

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  The distance to the royal capital was 150 kilometers. After several hours, we had covered 140 kilometers.

  Many passengers got off at different stops, while new ones boarded. Finally, I arrived at my destination—or close to it. I had reached a village.

  (Haven of the Clouds).

  As I stepped off the train, a cold breeze brushed against my face, bringing a smile to my lips. I wrapped a scarf around my neck and bought an umbrella since it was raining—as if the rain was welcoming us.

  Walking under the rain, I saw people enjoying it, and children playing joyfully. Their happiness was contagious.

  After some time, I arrived at my other home—the house of my?Maternal uncle? and aunt.

  I knocked once, then again. Silence. A worrying silence.

  I knocked a third time. Fear crept in—had something happened to them?

  Just as I was about to force my way in, I heard a voice:

  "Who is it?"

  It was my?Maternal uncle? , Albert.

  I replied, "?Maternal uncle? Albert, it's me—Illarion."

  I heard hurried footsteps. The door swung open, revealing a man in his forties with an expression mixed with joy and sorrow.

  He pulled me into a tight embrace. Then, as we stepped inside, I saw my aunt—still as beautiful and elegant as I remembered from my childhood.

  It was a deeply emotional moment, especially for my uncle, who had thought I was dead since that incident.

  They invited me to a meal, filled with a variety of dishes. We sat and talked about many things—my adventures and missions.

  Of course, I kept things simple and avoided mentioning any hardships. I didn’t want to burden them with worry.

  Afterward, they allowed me to take a bath. When I finished, my uncle called me and guided me to the room where I would be staying.

  The room was beautiful and spacious—a white bed, a large window adorned with simple yet stunning patterns, a desk with flowers of various colors, and finally, a bookshelf filled with books.

  I couldn’t resist. I delved into my uncle’s library, losing track of time. Before I knew it, I had fallen asleep.

  The Next Morning

  I woke up at my usual time—6 AM. My aunt was already awake. I greeted her, and she welcomed me with a warm smile before preparing breakfast.

  As she spoke about many things, I listened without minding.

  After a while, I heard my Albert, calling for me.

  I got up and went to him. A big smile was on his face.

  "Come with me, there's something I want to give you."

  I followed him as we walked to a room that hadn’t been opened for a long time—it was covered in dust.

  He searched for a few minutes before pulling out two swords. One was white, the other black. Their craftsmanship was exquisite. Their weight was balanced—combining both lightness and heaviness perfectly. And the intricate engravings on them complemented each other flawlessly.

  I looked at my uncle, Albert. "This is a good sword—no, a very good one."

  Albert replied, "I acquired them a few years ago, but I'm getting old, so I’m giving them to you as a gift for returning safely. Let me explain their abilities to you."

  The Black Sword – "Master of Darkness"

  Primary Ability:

  The sword possesses a formidable ability to absorb mana from its wielder or opponents, whether they are human or monsters. Thanks to this, the wielder can envelop the blade with dark magic, granting it extreme sharpness and indestructibility. Not only that, but the dark energy flowing through the sword can be unleashed as a devastating attack that pierces through anything in its path.

  Secondary Ability:

  The true danger of this sword lies in its wounds. When it strikes a target, it prevents their ability to heal or regenerate for a set period, making even the slightest wound lethal. Enemies who rely on regeneration will find themselves in a desperate situation against this weapon.

  The White Sword – "Flame of Dawn"

  Primary Ability:

  With each strike delivered by the white sword, "Flame of Dawn," the blade glows with an increasing brilliance, as if the very light itself responds to its thirst for battle. Each hit not only weakens the opponent but also strengthens both the sword and its wielder.

  Secondary Ability: [Unknown]

  Illarion smiled. "Of course, I wouldn't refuse such swords."

  I thanked my uncle and took both swords.

  Returning to the kitchen, I found my aunt preparing tea. We sat down and enjoyed it together.

  After finishing, I bid them farewell—ready to continue my journey to the capital.

  ---

  Questions from the Author:

  1-What is the name of the village in this chapter?

  .

  2. What is the name of Illarion’s uncle?

  .