(POV LIGHT RODS)

I hear footsteps surrounding me. There are heavy footsteps and a metal noise. I can actually hear some people talking, but I don't know exactly what they're talking about.

The heat suddenly begins to increase.

A bright light starts to make my eyes uncomfortable, so I press them closed, but I realize they were already closed in the first place. That's when I realize, I had woken up.

Opening my eyes, I see the roof of the white tent that can protect me from the sun's rays.

I woke up with some pain in my body since I wasn't sleeping in my bed.

In the tents, the only things we are given to sleep on are a thick, long rug and a simple pillow. Even so, the stone floor of the square can be uncomfortable...

As I get up to leave the tent, I hear light breathing coming from beside me.

"Hmm?" I mumble in my sleepy voice.

Looking to the side, I see...

What...?

I rub my eyes to see if I'm lucid.

Opening my eyes again, I see the same thing. I'm definitely not hallucinating, am I?

...

"...WILLIAM!?" My brain hadn't processed the information yet, but now the penny has dropped!

William seems to be sleeping very peacefully.

When?

How?

I didn't even notice...

"Ugh..." William seems to be waking up...

And I'm just here, standing still, not knowing what to do.

I thought he wouldn't come after me. I should have left later, when everyone was asleep...

Although, it wouldn't do much good.

He would probably follow me the next day.

Well, now there's no point in thinking about what I could have done...

"Light...?" He asks with half-open eyes, with a sleepy voice, typical of someone who has just woken up.

Finally woke up!

"What are you doing here!?"

"Errrm..." William speaks with his eyes almost closed and in a completely soft voice. "I also wanted to fight..." He says lazily.

"Fight!? Are you crazy!?" I say. "You have to go back. What will our parents think??"

"Relax, Dad let me..." Richard let William join the battlefield!? "Besides... I've been training new magic, so I'm much stronger than last time..." William says.

I'm out of words to say...

But if Richard let him come here, then I think I should put more trust in William. He will probably be fine as long as he doesn't get into big dog fights.

Coming out of the tent, I observe in front of me, knights having breakfast. The day is sunny, with some small clouds in the sky.

Where there used to be a bonfire, there is now a large wooden table with bread and fruit.

Most of the soldiers are already in armor. Plate armor, with swords sheathed. Most of the soldiers are not wearing helmets; some are not even wearing breastplates.

According to estimates, today the war will begin.

Every time I think about it, it gives me butterflies and goosebumps. Maybe it's my instincts telling me to run away, but I have to fight them.

I've been trying not to be anxious, but it's just impossible. Something that I only saw in history books will happen in a few hours, will happen in front of me.

I have to get rid of this fear. This is my new life now, I can't take a step back and go back home.

Approaching the table, I take a piece of bread and lean it against the iron bars at the castle entrance.

I've really been rethinking whether it's worth getting involved in this incident.

The moment I left home to come to the kingdom, I just acted on impulse. I thought it could be an ace up our sleeve for us to win, but I have no idea which enemies I will face.

The sun is already up; it's probably around 9 am.

In any case, there are just a few hours left to start.

My hands start to sweat, and my breathing becomes faster.

I eat a piece of bread nervously. It's very soft, but it doesn't have much taste.

Now I can't go back...

Is this what soldiers feel when they go to war?

I think it depends on the soldier. For a fearful person like me, this is the greatest act of courage I have ever done. In fact, I think anyone who's never been in a battle before would feel that way, that's how I like to think.

I have to stop putting myself down. I have been studying and training magic since I was born, and I am certainly stronger than many knights.

I have to start having more confidence in my powers...

A Supreme Mage would not feel fear in a situation like this; he would be a leader.

My tree-conjuring magic is already quite advanced; I can even control the branches so that they shape themselves the way I want.

There's no reason to be scared; I just need to do what I know.

As I ponder these questions, I see William leaving the tent.

He goes to the table and picks up an apple.

One thing I noticed is that some riders were able to recognize me. Of course, they didn't recognize me by my face, but by the description given when William and I saved Foguinho.

Two children with black hair, one with spiky hair, and the other with big eyes. It wouldn't be very difficult to deduce that it was me, especially because you don't see a child avoiding a dog kidnapping every day, I guess.

Arriving through the streets in front of me, I can see Yanma approaching.

Some knights approach her to discuss various topics, but I can't hear much from here. I can only understand about the position of the archers or something like that.

Yanma comes to the table where the food is and takes a piece of bread.

I'm going to take advantage of this situation to ask about strategies.