The sound of hammer striking anvil. The heat of the forge, as coal burned fiercely within the chimney. The unwavering focus of a craftsman, each blow shaping steel with precision. The slow, deliberate birth of metal as it was forged into its destined form.
Such was the daily rhythm of Thomen, the village blacksmith. The countless weapons, armor, and tools on display throughout his workshop stood as a proud testament to his craft. I lingered not far, seated in the other part of the house—a modest room separated from the workshop by a wooden wall and a small door.
From where I sat, I could still hear the rhythmic clang of metal and feel the faint heat that seeped through the cracks. I reached into the basket I had brought and grabbed an apple, knowing full well that Thomen wouldn't mind. He wouldn't tell Mother either. I stayed quiet, munching on the fruit as I observed him work from afar.
"So," Thomen said, glancing over his shoulder while still hammering away at the tool, "you need a new plow? No need to be all dramatic about it, you know."
He plunged the heated metal into the water with a loud hiss.
Swallowing the bite of apple in my mouth, I replied, "It's not just about the plow. I need a favor from you."
Sensing the shift in tone, Thomen paused and turned toward me, one brow raised.
"Alright," he said, crossing his arms, "I can already tell you're about to drop a bomb on me. What's going on inside that brilliant young brain of yours?"
I tossed the apple core onto the table, then looked him in the eye with calm determination.
"I want to become an adventurer. Will you craft me a weapon?"
My tone was steady. After all, I didn't know much about the relationship between this body's former owner and Thomen—aside from the fact that the old man clearly had a soft spot for the boy.
As a loud silence settle in, my gaze remain on his face. He look at me but I could see by his eyes, a mix of defiance, tiredness but as soon as he focus on my eyes he felt what I could determine as suprise.
"You… You sound more serious than before. Like this time, it's not just some fleeting thought of yours..."
Before ? The thought crosses my mind. Does that mean the previous owner of this body talked about it too?
"Of course I'm serious. I always think before acting. This time, I'm sure of it. I will become an adventurer. That's my vocation."
He lets out a sigh and turns back toward his anvil.
"Have you talked to your parents about this? I want to support you, kid, but if they're not on board, then it's a no-go for me. Even if, to be honest..." — he shrugs while hammering down again — "I don't really mind. You're old enough to start making your own choices."
I look down at my palm.
It's good to have Thomen's support, but getting the approval of my parents would mean much more. I don't want to leave behind a broken bond between this boy and the people he loves—just because of my own selfish ambitions.
I have to remind myself: I don't own this body. I'm only borrowing it.
Every choice I make, every step I take… once I'm gone, the consequences will fall on his shoulders.
Anyways, I stand up and look at him before making my way outside.
"Whatever. I'll head to the library while you work on the plow."
"Sure. Come back in an hour or two—I'll have it ready by then."
I nod and head off toward the village library, greeting a few passersby along the way. The building wasn't anything grand—small, as expected of a rural village—but I was certain it held enough knowledge to help me understand this new era I found myself in.
I head to the history section and start browsing. It doesn't take long to find what I expected.
"Mike and Lia, after 'defeating' the Demon King, were crowned King and Queen of Aelgora, just as the old king had promised. Exactly like Death said."
And what about me?
Barely a mention. Only referred to as "The Third Hero."
No name. No deeds. No past. They erased me—or at least made sure I'd be forgotten.
I wonder… did our old allies accept that ? Were they bribed ? Killed ? Silenced ? It's all just guesses unless I hear it from them directly.
After all, books like these are the proof.
That history is written by the winners.
Or in this case… by the survivors.
Regardless, I kept searching through the books, going trough other shelves for anything useful. Most of them, however, covered topics I already knew: basic alchemy, introductory magic theory and practice, swordsmanship, and some tales of old legends. All things I had already experienced in my previous life—so they weren't of much help. Still, it seems there's nothing particularly useful to learn from this village library.
But still, there was some time left, so I decided to look around a bit more. Wandering deeper into the library, I stumbled upon a dusty old book tucked away on a forgotten shelf. Its title caught my eye: "My Experience as an Adventurer."
Curious, I pulled it out. It seemed like a common memoir—an old adventurer recounting his tales after retiring. After just a few minutes of going trough the page, nothing were special at first glance.
That said, the final chapters caught my attention.
The story followed the usual pattern: starting as a rookie, rising through the ranks, facing monsters and hardship. Eventually, the author mentioned taking part in the Demon King subjugation.
There were so many people involved back then that recognizing him by memory would be impossible.
But now right at the last few pages, the tone of the book shifted—dramatic, heavy, even broken. Never explained things clearly, but something had clearly gone wrong after the mission. The cheerful tales turned grim.
Friends lost. Reputation shattered. A quiet, lonely retirement.
The last few chapters were disjointed, almost like the writer had trouble organizing his thoughts... or had chosen not to.
Only one line stood out at the very end:
"The truth is a burden far too heavy to be borne by those who witnessed it. Let those who read this know: heroes are not always those whose names are sung. I saw the crowned king with my own eyes. He is not the man they speak of in the tales. But it is too late now. The only thing I can do is pass on this message, hoping that the future will remain wary."
As I look at this last sentence I couldn't help but be lost in toughts. What does he meant by that ? Does he know about the truth of Mike and Lia crowning ? Who is this author ? Was he a friend ? an old ally ? Or just an unknow adventurer ?
In any case, It's been already been a few hours that I was there. I could ponder on the question further this night. But... I look at the worn out book, I would enjoy if I could take it with me but don't know if the librarian would agree to it. But better to take a try than to let it dust here.
"Excuse me"
I asked the gently librarian who were busy writing or reading whatever she is doing. She look up at me kinda suprised and her gaze seem to linger for a moment.
"Excuse me but can I borrow this book ?" I asked again, politely of course
The librarian quickly nod as she seems flustered and asked
"S-sure ! S-sorry ! Didn't expected you to be there Teiko."
She knew my name ? What I am thinking about of course she know my name what a dummy I am. We are in a rural and small village everybody know each other surely.
"What is the title of the book ?"
"My experience as an adventurer, the author is anonymous"
"Ah ! adventure huh ?" She smiled fondly as she read the book as I can understand as a repertoire for all the book in the library "You always wanted to be an adventurer, isn't it ? Teiko ?"
I nod as I look at the book, after a long silence, she seem lost
"Well, I don't find it in the repertoire. Worst than that, I see that he should have been seized by royal guards 5 years ago"
"Really ?"
"Yes, 'My experience as an adventurer' was classified as a rebellious or regicide book."
"That must be because of the last sentences..."
The girl nod as she cross her arm and close her eyes thinking of what to do next
"You gonna destroy it ?" I asked
"Well, the rule should be to give it to the royal guards but we are far away from the capital and all. But yeah he shouldn't stay in the library"
"Can I take it then ?"
"I don't see a problem with it. As long as you don't try to copy and sell it. Or try to pull up a rebellion by influencing people with it !" She joke wholeheartidly
"..."
"You ain't gonna do that are you ?"
"No"
"Good"
I nod and thank her as I make my way out but she suddenly call me stopping me into my track
"Teiko ?!"
I turn around and look at her
"Yes ?"
"Are you really going to be an adventurer ?"
"Yes, I will"
"I see..."
The silence that follow was loud. I don't know the reason why. I don't even know this girl but it seem like she wanted to say something. Does the boy in that body have a relation with her ? Aw... what should I say ?
I rub the back of my head kinda embarass. I don't want to pry but I also didn't want to damage the boy's relationships. I didn't know this girl—didn't even know her name—and I certainly didn't know what kind of bond they had... Were their friends ? Childhood friends ? Or perhaps even more ? What should I do ?
"Teiko ? Is... Something on your mind ? Or something wrong ?"
She asked so gently, so sincerely, that the words slipped out of my mouth before I could stop them.
"Hum ? Do I know you ?"
The silence that followed was brutal.
"..."
"..."
"Is it a joke ?" She raised an eyebrow, crossing her arms
I stayed quiet as the seconds ticked by. I knew I shouldn't have said that. Right now, I wished I could just vanish. Disappear. But having felt the warm of death once, I would gladly object that idea.
The girl look down sad, of course you would tell me. But then, after a long sigh, she spoke.
"What is happening to you Teiko ? It's Sophia. I am Sophia. We were friends since forever !"
Ah... So childhood friends then
"What happenned ? Just last week, we were walking by the river, talking about dreams and the future. And now you don't even remember me?"
Ah... I think I screwed up.
"Ah... A-ah yes. S-sorry... It's just... I got really sick and my mind is quite foggy..."
"Really ?"
"Y-yes. I'm sorry."
I gulped. Her gaze felt like it was digging right through me.
Needing to escape, I moved toward the door.
"Anyway ! See you soon Sophia ! I'll make it up to you ! I promise !"
I quickly turn and retreat. Fleeing out of shame, as I walk to the blacksmith house. I couldn't help but look up at the sky, guilt squeezing my lungs and heart.
So caught up in my thoughts, I didn't even realize I'd reached the shop until
"Teiko. Tei-i-i-ko !"
Thomen shout as I open my eyes
"Oh ? Y-yes ?"
"You totally zoned out. Are you alright" He patted the tool beside him. "Anyways just finished repairing it."
"Ah ! Thank you, Thomen"
"Your welcome"
As I tucked the book under my shirt, he squinted at me, and asked
"Did something happen ? You had a fight with Sophia ?"
"How do you know ?"
"Come on. You've got a book you clearly just grabbed from the library. Obviously, you passed by her."
I sighed and gave a small nod in acknowledgment.
"Oh boy... Hope it isn't that bad. But knowing you two, I'm sure it'll be fine ! Like always !"
"Really ?"
"Really"
I couldn't help but letting out a sigh of relief. Even if I wasn't sure everything would be fine, I decided to set that headache aside for now and focus on what to do next.
Looking at the repaired plow, I gripped the handle and got ready to leave.
"Thank you for fixing it and for supporting me in my desicion to become an adventurer."
"No problem Teiko ! I'll always support you."
I gave him a thankful nod, then hesitated before asking
"If you don't mind can you... You know ?"
"Want to gear up before heading off on your big adventure, huh?"
He grinned
"Sure, young man. I'll help you out. But you'd better talk things through with your family first. And also… try to patch things up with Sophia."
I couldn't help but smile at the kindness in his voice.
"Yeah. And… if it's okay with you, could you teach me a few things about forging too?"
"Of course!"
"Thank you Thomen. Again for everything"
"Like I said—and I'll say it again—no problem, kid."
I waved him goodbye and stepped out, carrying the plow.
On my way back to the farm, my thoughts drifted toward the near future. Leaving.
Becoming an adventurer again.
It felt… nostalgic somehow.
Like picking up a sword I hadn't touched in ages.
But before I could fully embrace that path, I had to make sure my choice wouldn't bring too much chaos into this boy's life.
And just as I thought that…
Ugh. Guilt and embarrassment crashed over me again.The library. Sophia. That awkward moment.
"Aah! Kiddo, I'm sorry! I may have ruined your chances!"