“Star...”
“Wake up...”

A young man's voice softly called her name, whispering in her ear again and again to wake her from her slumber. Star opened her eyes and saw the mountain troll standing right before her.
Like standing on the edge of death, her body froze; she couldn't move or dodge the troll's attack. In a flash, a young man ran toward her and blocked the troll’s attack. He turned to Star and smiled.

Her breath caught. The troll's shadow swallowed her whole. She couldn’t move, couldn’t scream.

Then a clang. A shield.

“Siegfried?” she gasped as the young man slid into view, standing tall between her and death.

The young man was Siegfried Schwanstein, Star’s close friend and party member. Siegfried was taller than Star, around 180 cm, with neatly cropped black hair and leaf-green eyes. He was the party leader and the oldest among them.

Seeing Siegfried block the mountain troll's strike with his iron shield, Star quickly got up and grabbed her rusted sword from her back. She dashed toward the troll, attacking wildly.
However, the troll's skin was so tough that her attacks were ineffective. Star jumped onto the troll’s arm and ran toward its back, where she found a crystal embedded there.

“Star, destroy the crystal! Hurry!” Siegfried shouted from below.
“O-okay...” Star replied.

She tried to destroy the dark-colored crystal. But it wouldn’t break—her sword was too dull and rusty. Just then, she saw the Bergtroll charging at Siegfried. With all his strength, Siegfried defended himself against the attack. Suddenly, he threw his sword to Star.

“Take my sword! I’ll handle the small one!” Siegfried said as he ran toward the trees, the Bergtroll chasing after him.

Star grabbed Siegfried's sword. But before she could destroy the crystal, the mountain troll thrashed wildly. Its body spun slowly. Star held on tightly to the troll’s huge body. In the end, she was flung far into the dense trees.

Star struggled to get up before the mountain troll reached her. As expected, the troll was coming her way. She quickly dodged its attack, leaped onto its wide back, and with a single slash, shattered the crystal. The mountain troll roared loudly—its roar echoed beyond the forest. Suddenly, its body became unstable and collapsed to the ground. Star quickly jumped off and ran away.

The mountain troll’s body crashed to the ground and disintegrated into dust. Star felt relieved. She then heard shouting from behind. Turning around, she saw Siegfried covered in blood, limping. Star was shocked and rushed to him.

“Siegfried, what happened to you?!” Star shouted.

“The Bergtroll bit my leg, haha,” Siegfried replied with a laugh. “But I’m fine, really.”

“Fine?! You’re covered in wounds—are you sure it only bit your leg?”

“Umm... yeah, that’s right. I’m not lying,” Siegfried said, scratching his head awkwardly.

“Hmph, I know you’re lying...” Star said flatly. “I heard there’s a spring in this forest that can heal all wounds. Do you want to go there?”

“If it’s not too much trouble...” Siegfried answered.

“What are you saying? Of course, you’re not troubling me,” Star replied while helping him walk.

The two of them walked slowly deeper into the forest, searching for the hidden spring. Then they heard soft laughter, like tiny fairies guiding them toward the spring they were seeking.
After searching for some time, they found the healing spring. It was deep within the forest. It seemed only the blessed could find it. Star guided Siegfried toward the spring.

“Close your eyes, Star. I’m going to take off my clothes,” said Siegfried as he began undressing.
“O-okay... I won’t peek,” Star replied, covering her eyes with her hands.

Her fingers parted slightly. She shouldn't look.

But there he was, scars painted across his back like stories she'd never read. The water shimmered around him, quiet and healing.

Siegfried quickly stepped into the spring, covering his private area with his hands. He sighed with relief once his body was submerged in the warm water. Star opened her eyes and walked toward him.

“I don’t understand why you didn’t get a Gnosis; most warriors your age have awakened one by now. A gift from the Aeons, right?” Siegfried suddenly asked.

“Maybe... I’m just not worthy of receiving Gnosis,” Star replied. “Not like you, who’s already a real warrior. I’m just an orphan who taught herself how to fight with a sword.”

"What are you talking about, Star? The gods should notice you and grant you Gnosis for your dedication in fighting the Demon King’s monsters," said Siegfried, raising his voice slightly.

"Maybe you're still an amateur, but your fighting spirit is unmatched. That’s why my father wants to teach you swordsmanship—just like Odin taught us, thousands of years ago."

Star fell silent at Siegfried’s words, her hand suddenly clenching into a fist. Siegfried stepped closer and gently took her hand.

"You’re an incredible girl, Star. It doesn’t matter whether you have Gnosis or not. To me, you shine as brightly as the stars in the night sky—just waiting for someone to truly see you."

"I—and the others—will always protect you. We’ll always be by your side, Star."

Star felt a weight lift from her chest. Her face relaxed, and she smiled softly. "I don’t care whether I get Gnosis or not. As long as I can fight, I’ll fight to protect others."

"That’s the Star I know," Siegfried said, ruffling her hair playfully.

The two remained in the Blessing Forest. Siegfried’s wounds were gradually healing—not instantly, but steadily. The cuts and gashes closed completely, leaving no trace behind. Then Siegfried climbed out of the hot spring, retrieved his clothes, and got dressed once more.

Once he was ready, he and Star began walking together toward the village—Odinshold, Siegfried’s hometown.