As we walked through the Raphen Village.
The Priestess came up beside me. She looked surprised and a little shocked.
"You didn't tell us your mother was an S-Rank Adventurer—or maybe even higher!" she said.
I looked at her, confused. "S-Rank Adventurer?"
The others came closer too.
"I mean, the way she used those water spells?" the Excalibur swordman said.
"That's not normal magic. She might have S-Tier Water Magic. That's really strong." the Marksman said.
"There are 8 Adventurer Ranks in the Pallet Kingdom, you know," the Axe swordsman said, then nodded.
"Adventurers are ranked based on their experience. There are 8 official ranks, divided into 5 basic ranks and 3 elite ranks." he added.
"If your Mother really is a S-Rank Adventurer or even higher, that's a big deal," he said, looking at me seriously.
We arrived safely in our village just as the sun was beginning to rise. The warm golden light stretched across the rooftops.
My fellow villagers had gathered near the entrance. They were waiting for us with bright smiles, ready to welcome and congratulate the Assigned Adventurers who had returned after protecting the village from dangerous monsters.
We walked together toward the village square. In the very center stood the tall and beautiful statue of Archangel Raphael.
The statue had always been a symbol of hope and healing for our people. Flowers were placed around it, and the light of the rising sun made it shine like it was glowing.
Everyone in the village had come to see us. The square was filled with people—children, elders, farmers, and the village chief—all clapping and cheering as we approached.
"They really came to greet us?" the Marksman said from behind me, sounding surprised.
"How thoughtful of them," the Priestess added with a gentle smile.
I couldn't help but smile too.
"All the people in our village are very kind and accommodating," I said softly, feeling proud to be part of such a caring place.
I'm really glad the people in our village are safe. There are dangerous monsters out there—monsters that sometimes try to sneak into our homes while the Adventurers are busy fighting near the edge of the Forbidden Woods.
Some of the scariest ones are winged monsters.
They don't just fly above us—they try to trick their way into our homes. They land quietly on rooftops or stand outside our doors.
Then, they knock, just like a normal person would. Some of them even speak with kind voices, pretending to be lost travelers or friendly neighbors.
But they are not what they seem.
Vampires are the followers of Gorvain, the Demon of Gluttony. They are wicked and sneaky. They have large, bat-like wings folded against their backs, allowing them to fly silently through the night. Some of them can shape-shift into people we once loved—family members who have already passed away. They use those false faces to make villagers open their doors. But once inside, they reveal their true forms and attack, sucking the blood of the people they deceived.
There are also Harpies, bird-like women with claws and wings—who swoop down from the skies and try to snatch anyone walking alone, unprotected by the invisible veil of the Archangels.
Other dark creatures, like Grim reapers—shadowy creatures with glowing eyes appear in the shadows, more dangerous than soul snatchers. Some just watch from a distance. Others come closer, looking for their next victim.
That's why it's so important that the Adventurers keep watch. They fight every Blood Moon to protect our homes, our families, and everything we care about.
Our village may look peaceful now, but the dangers that lurk beyond the woods are always waiting. That's why we never let our guard down. And that's why I'm thankful—for every Adventurer who stands between us.
I couldn't stop thinking about the witches. It was my first time seeing them with my own eyes, and even now, I still feel a chill in my chest just remembering it.
They weren't like the other monsters I had seen before. They used magic spells.
The Blood of the Lamb is effective in keeping us safe every Blood Moon. I doubt their magic will work on it.
"Big Sister, you're okay!" Alera, my younger sister, came running toward me with tears in her eyes. She threw her arms around me and hugged me tightly.
"I'm fine, I'm fine," I said, hugging her back with a gentle smile.
As I held her close, I suddenly realized something that made my chest feel heavy. Since Mother came out to look for me, Alera had been left alone in the house… all by herself. In a village where monsters sometimes tried to get inside, being alone was dangerous—even terrifying.
I felt a sharp guilt deep inside me. I shouldn't have made her worry like that.
Before I could say anything else, an old man stepped out from the crowd. His face was wrinkled with age, but his eyes were sharp and wise. It was our village chief.
"Are these the Adventurers who protected our village?" he asked, looking at the group standing behind us.
"Yes, Chief," Mother replied politely, giving a respectful nod.
I noticed something as she spoke—she quickly hid her wand into her pocket, as if she didn't want anyone to see it. Maybe she didn't want the villagers to know she had used magic.
Either way, I stayed quiet, standing beside Alera and watching as the chief slowly nodded his head in thanks to the Adventurers.
"Thank the Creator that you found your daughter," the village chief said to my mother kindly.
"You've been out there for a long time looking for her," he added, his voice full of concern.
Actually, she didn't find me. She said she dozed off.
"Yes, I've been looking for her everywhere, Chief," she replied, pretending to cry in an overly dramatic way, then gave me a quick glance.
"Yeah, right…" I muttered under my breath.
But it looked like she was being sarcastic.
"So yeah, I thank the Creator that He made my precious daughter alive," she added, still fake crying, as some of the village women came over to comfort her.
Seriously? I thought.
"Oh, poor Mother… she must have been so worried," one of them said, patting her shoulder.
"How could you make your mother worry like that?" another one asked, giving me a sharp look.
"Children these days… always running off!"
"If my daughter did that, I'd tie her to the post!"
They all started fussing over her like she was the victim of some great tragedy, and my mother—my own mother—secretly smiled behind them, clearly enjoying every second of it.
Then suddenly, five soldiers came marching toward us. Their boots made a steady thudding sound on the ground as they approached. Walking beside them were two people I didn't recognize—two unfamiliar faces.
Everyone turned to look.
The soldiers looked serious, their uniforms stained with dirt and dried monster blood. For sure, the Capital City was under siege and attacked by numerous monsters.
They must have come here to clean up all the mess in the farm field—disposing all the corpses of the monsters and burning them.
Now, thanks to them, it was quiet again.
The two strangers walking beside the soldiers seemed important. Maybe messengers… or higher-ranked Adventurers? I wasn't sure. But they looked like they had something serious to say.
The cheerful mood in the village square slowly shifted as the crowd fell silent, watching them approach.
Something told me… this wasn't just a visit.
"Make way for the General!" the young lady beside the red-robed and hooded woman shouted as they approached us.
The villagers quickly stepped aside, making a clear path through the crowd. People whispered to one another, curious and nervous at the same time. It wasn't every day someone from the Capital City came all the way to a small village like ours.
The young woman stood tall and confident. She wore a neat uniform and carried a shining badge that marked her rank. The red-robed and hooded woman beside her remained silent, her face hidden in the shadows of her hood.
But something about her presence felt powerful—like she wasn't just an ordinary person.
Then, the young lady raised her voice again.
"Citizens of Raphen Village," she announced clearly, "we are here on behalf of the capital city of the Pallet Kingdom to deliver an important message."
Everyone fell silent, listening carefully.
"We are currently searching for potential students to be trained at the Royal Magic Academy," she announced, reading from the scroll in her hands. "By order of His Majesty the King and Her Majesty the Queen of the Pallet Kingdom, it is hereby required that all youth of eligible age be selected.
Gasps echoed among the villagers. People turned to each other in surprise. The Royal Magic Academy? That was a place where only the gifted—those with rare potential to become Adventurers—were chosen to study.
"Those who are selected will receive full training in magic spells, special abilities, and combat skills under the guidance of certified masters," the young woman continued. "If you believe you—or someone you know—have magical potential, step forward without fear."
Everyone looked scared and confused.
No one moved.
Becoming an Adventurer wasn't something people took lightly—it was a dangerous job. You had to face terrifying monsters, explore cursed lands, and risk your life to protect others. Most villagers just wanted to live simple, peaceful lives.
So no one stepped forward.
No one spoke.
Not a single hand was raised.
The young lady beside the robed woman glanced around, clearly disappointed. But the woman in red didn't seem surprised at all. Instead, she slowly reached up and pulled back her hood.
Gasps filled the air as her face was revealed. Her eyes began to glow a dark red.
A wave of whispers spread through the crowd.
"It's General Vera!" someone said in shock.
"A General? Here in our village?" another voice added.
"Since none of you stepped forward," she said, looking over the villagers, "I will choose students myself—from among the youth in this village."
The woman's voice was calm but chilling as she spoke.
My fellow villagers began to murmur anxiously.
Parents pulled their children closer. Some covered their mouths in fear. The tension grew thicker by the second.
I could feel my heart pounding.
Was she really going to pick someone… by force?
Mother hid me behind her back.