The next morning.

The first rays of dawn crept through the cracks in the window, casting soft shadows across the modest wooden furniture. The morning was quiet, save for the faint chirping of birds in the distance.

Star was already awake, her heart pounding with excitement. She moved slowly about the room, gathering her few belongings—a small pack with supplies, a knife her grandfather had made, and a simple map of the region. Her eyes were filled with resolve, though a trace of uncertainty lingered in her chest.

She stopped at the doorway, taking one last look around the home she had known all her life. This village—with its fields and quiet rhythms—was where she’d grown up, where she’d learned to fight. But it was no longer where she was meant to stay. Not anymore.

With a long breath, she opened the door and stepped into the cool morning air. The village still slept. The only sound was the rustling of leaves in the breeze. She moved quickly, her steps gaining speed as she approached the trail leading toward the distant village of Odinshold.

But as she reached the edge of Eldhaven, a voice called from behind.

“Star! Where are you going this early?!”

The shout came from a small cottage, and Star froze, her heart skipping. She turned to see her grandmother standing at the doorway, wrapped in a worn cloth around her waist, her hair a tangled bun. Her voice held a mix of surprise and concern.

Star hesitated, then called back, her voice steady and firm.

“I told you, Grandma. I want to go to Odinshold. There are warriors there—people who can teach me how to fight.”

The old woman narrowed her eyes, worry softening the lines of her face as she stepped closer. Star could see the concern in her gaze.

“Are you sure, child? You’re still so young... not even eighteen yet. I only worry for you, that’s all.”

Star stood silent, her lips pressed tight. She’d heard this worry before, but today, it no longer shook her resolve. She had made up her mind.

“I’m sure, Grandma. And besides... I know Siegfried. His father was a royal guard before he retired. They can help me.”

Liora raised an eyebrow, hands on her hips.

“Oh, I see... Siegfried, is it? That boy’s a good one—but I still worry for you, Star.”

Star puffed her chest, trying to contain the nervous flutter inside her. She wasn’t a child anymore. She was growing up—and now, she had a purpose.

“You don’t have to worry about me anymore, Grandma. The village is safer thanks to my skills. I’ve scared off monsters before, haven’t I?”

Liora’s eyes gleamed with pride, though worry still flickered beneath. She sighed deeply and stepped closer, gently pinching Star’s cheek—her hand firm but affectionate.

With one last glance at her grandmother, Star turned around and began walking down the path, her heart swelling with sorrow and anticipation. The journey to Odinshold would be long, and she had no idea what challenges awaited her. But she knew one thing for sure: this was her path, and she had to walk it, no matter what.

Star glanced back at Eldhaven one last time, her reddish hair tousled by the wind, her golden eyes filled with tears and determination. Behind her stood the only home she'd ever known. Ahead—Odinshold, and whatever came after.. Star was highly respected by the villagers for having driven away and defeated the evil monsters that once terrorized her village. She was an orphan, living only with her grandfather and grandmother.

Her parents had died during a great war between the remnants of the Demon King’s army and the kingdom’s soldiers when Star was still a child. Because of that, she was determined to become a warrior and protect the people she loved.

Despite everything, Star had three friends who had never left her side: Klara Eisenhardt, Friedrich von Hardenberg, and Siegfried Schwanstein. Klara had been Star's closest friend since childhood, while Friedrich and Siegfried had met her when she was fighting a troll-like monster.

The four of them then formed a group and planned to register at the adventurer’s guild as soon as Star turned 18. Among her friends, Star was the youngest, while the oldest was Siegfried, who had just turned 20.

After saying goodbye to her grandparents, Star left the village, passing through vast rice fields. She brought her beloved sword—the only one she owned—which looked rusted and worn.
Star greeted the villagers and bid farewell to them all, because to her, the people of Eldhaven were like family who had cared for her since her parents passed away.

She kept walking and looked back to see the villagers waving at her. Tears suddenly streamed from the corners of her eyes. In her entire life, she had never left the village. Her greatest fear was that if she left, monsters would return and destroy the village. But she was determined—there would be no more threats.

After walking quite a distance, Star entered the Blessing Forest. The rustling wind brushing the leaves greeted her arrival. Bathed in golden light, she walked beneath the lush trees.
Sometimes she hopped playfully along the path, and sometimes she crouched down to pick flowers she had never seen before. After walking deep into the forest, she reached its heart. Her eyes caught a statue of a beautiful woman with a single wing on her back.

There was an inscription at the statue’s base that read: Sophia, Aeon of Wisdom.
It was the Blessing Statue, carved in the likeness of one of the deities of Atlantia. This statue in the Blessing Forest was modeled after Sophia, the Goddess of Wisdom, who had fallen in the great war against the Demon King thousands of years ago.

Star decided to rest for a while, sitting beneath the statue with her legs stretched out. Her legs ached after walking such a long distance from her village. Her eyes grew heavy as a gentle wind brushed over her body. Star fell asleep under the statue of Sophia, Aeon of Wisdom.

Unbeknownst to her, a Mountain Troll approached. Accompanied by a smaller Bergtroll, the mountain troll entered the Blessing Forest and walked toward its heart, right where Star was sleeping soundly. Star then heard faint whispers carried by the wind.

“Star...”
“Wake up...”