"I see..." Rodic had to do the dirty work I left behind. I don't have the courage to kill another person. Actually... at that moment when Yanma left, I was only thinking about killing Marco. Maybe it was just the desire for revenge, I don't know.

Turning around, I walk back the way I came from. On the way, I noticed that my clothes were in a deplorable state, with dirt and tears. I hope Hera doesn't get mad... 

Back in the square, I smell the scent of food that grows stronger as I approach. A heavy but pleasant smell of meat and vegetables mixed together—it's probably the soup the knights were making when I woke up. 

I better sit down and rest after all this. I'm not a registered adventurer, but I sure could use a vacation! 

Thinking about that, do adventurers take vacations? 

I sit down on the carpet next to William. Looking at his wounds, I can see that his injuries seem to have disappeared. My wounds are healed, even so, the scars still appear. But William... His skin seems to have regenerated as if it had never been damaged. Could this have anything to do with Dragon Magic? 

I hope Richard and Hera think I protected him. How are they feeling now, by the way? 

Maybe I should go back to the village, I don't want to make them worry. If I get stronger, I can make my parents less worried.

It seems like everything revolves around strength, my mind is overwhelmed with so many problems... 

Letting out a deep sigh, I lay my head back on the pillow as I relax all my muscles. 

Things are going to be different from now on. I need to get stronger, but I feel like I can't evolve alone anymore. I need a mentor by my side to teach me. 

But who could train me? 

Rodic is very busy, and he also doesn't seem like the type to have pupils; not to mention that, in Legorio, there are no outstanding mages. 

Is my only option to go to another kingdom? 

Nah, my parents wouldn't let me venture out into the world at six years old. 

Thoughts come and go in my head, and they are all interrupted by the growling of my stomach, which decides to let me know that I am hungry. 

I told that knight earlier that I wasn't hungry. Pure nonsense, I'm starving. 

Beside me, a certain person's legs pass by me at the exact second my stomach craves food. How embarrassing... 

The person stops walking and turns his feet towards me. Looking up, I see a girl with white bandages covering her eyes; her hair is short and snowy, with a silvery sheen, appearing to be well-moisturized. A dark blue cape covers her entire body, except for her arm, which carries a wooden bowl with a wooden spoon inside. 

Is-Is-Is she who I think she is? 

That person I saw before I passed out—her silhouette is similar. 

"Children must eat if they want to grow," She looks at me, saying it with words in a sweet and gentle tone. Her voice is not high-pitched or delicate, it sounds more like a rebellious girl. "Right?" She finishes saying as she lowers the bowl to hand it to me. 

Oh, damn, what do I say? 

I need to talk to her about something before she leaves... 

I raise my torso and hold the bowl with both hands, immediately feeling the heat of the food emanating across the entire wood surface. 

"Ah..." I need to thank her... I have to say something, but why is it so difficult? "Thank you..." I said it very quietly, she probably didn't even hear.

"You're welcome." She continues on her way forward. 

Hmrrr, I have to ask her name, I have to ask her name, I have to ask her name! 

"Excuse me, miss," I call her back. "what's your name?" 

"Hm?" She turns to me. "Zoe Ethy." She says it with a slight smirk. 

A chill runs down my spine, it's different when that name comes out of her mouth. I'm in front of the strongest mage in the entire world, I thought I would only have a chance to meet her when I went to Skylar or something like that.

"You better eat before it gets cold," she says. "...Actually, I want to talk to you." No way, we're already friends!?

I thought I would only make friends with children until I was fifteen. Thank you, Ms. Strongest, I feel moved...

I take the spoon into the soup and eat what is served. It's not the best food I've had in months—it lacks seasoning, it seems like they only seasoned it with salt. At least the broth is good. 

None of that matters, the best seasoning is hunger. 

Almost as if it were a natural instinct, I devour the food like a hungry lion! 

"Can you tell me your name?" Zoe asks, and I get a shock, that question caught me off guard! 

How could I forget to say my name?!