The soup was warm, a gentle steam curling up into the dim cabin air. Klaus sat cross-legged on a fur blanket, his hands wrapped around the wooden bowl as he listened in silence. Siva was still curled up beside him, her breathing slow and steady. The fire crackled softly, casting long shadows across the walls filled with hunting gear, worn boots, and aging trophies of the wild. Heads of Kono Beasts hung silently near the ceiling beams, their eyes glassy and long devoid of life.

“So,” Claudia said, arms folded as she leaned against the wall. “What now? Do you plan to keep him or something?”

Klaus looked up slightly at that. His spoon paused mid-air.

Aren, still seated beside the hearth, tossed a small log into the flames. “Naturally,” he replied after a beat, voice calm.

Claudia raised a brow. “You said that last time too.”

Klaus blinked. “Last time?”

Aren opened his mouth, but Claudia beat him to it with a grin. “Oh no, he should know. It’s a cute story, really.”

Aren gave her a look that said ‘don’t you dare,’ but it only made her lean over to Klaus more.

“There was a girl. This was five years ago. Just wandered into Aren’s life, like this little guy here.” She gestured at Klaus with a wink. “She was younger than you at the time. Gifted. A natural-born mage. But Aren, bless him, was never the best at training mages.”

Aren grunted. “I didn’t say I couldn’t.”

“Right,” Claudia said, drawing the word out. “Anyway, after a while of training her with what little he could manage, he sent her off to someone better suited. A friend of his. At the Wizard Tower in the Kingdom of Zetara.”

Klaus’s eyes widened a bit. “Zetara? What is that place?”

Aren sat up straighter, the flickering firelight gleaming off the red rune etched into his sword nearby. “Zetara is… a different world compared to these snowy lands. It’s a kingdom where scholars and mages gather. A place of study, refinement, and incredible magical breakthroughs. They say their libraries can fill valleys, and their towers pierce the sky.”

“They also have the best bread,” Claudia added. “And roasted duck. Spicy fish stew. Oh, and mango cakes. Gods, I miss mango cakes.”

Klaus lowered his bowl, his gaze distant. “She must’ve been strong.”

“She was,” Aren said. “And reckless. But she learned to control her magic. I did what I could for her, then handed her to someone who could do more.”

There was a silence between them then, broken only by the occasional pop of wood from the fire.

After a moment, Klaus looked toward the sword hanging on the wall again, the same one that had mesmerized him when Aren demonstrated the flames earlier. “Can I be a swordmage too?”

The question came quietly, almost unsure of itself, but Aren heard it clearly.

He studied the boy’s face, then smiled. “You’re already halfway there.”

Claudia let out a laugh. “That’s the spirit. You’re at the perfect place, kid. This guy may be a grumpy old fire mage, but he’s taught all sorts of elements. Even ice.”

“Barely,” Aren said, feigning modesty as he rubbed the back of his neck. “But enough to give you a start. Magic’s a part of you, Klaus. That means the blade has to be an extension of that, not something separate. Swordmages don’t just swing and cast. We shape the flow of battle with our breath, our footing, our will.”

Klaus looked down at his hands. Small, pale, trembling. “I was always told magic was cursed. That I was cursed.”

“You’re not,” Claudia said gently. “Magic is dangerous. But it’s not evil. What matters is what you do with it.”

Aren rubbed his chin. "I already told him he isn't" Claudia looked at him unamused. "Wow congrats Aren you did it first!" Rubbing her elbow into him. 

"Knock it off." Aren said annoyed before rose  from his seat and walked over to one of the larger wooden chests near the wall. He opened it, rummaged through for a moment, then pulled out something wrapped in cloth. He unrolled it on the floor.

A wooden sword.

It was longer than Klaus’s arm, its grip worn smooth from use. Clearly old, but well cared for.

“You’ll grow into it,” Aren said, handing it to him.

Klaus took it with both hands, the weight unfamiliar but not unwelcome. He got up and tried to swing the sword, but he wobbled and almost fell if it weren't for Aren catching him. Claudia giggled softly patting the boy's head. 

“Take it slow kid. Starting tomorrow,” Aren continued, “we’ll see what you’re made of.”

The firelight danced across Klaus’s face as he stared at the practice blade. The wood was dark and cool to the touch, but his heart beat fast, warming his chest.

“I’ll do my best,” he said.

Claudia nodded, pleased. “Good. And if he pushes you too hard, tell me. I’ll knock some sense into him.”

Aren rolled his eyes. “You’ve tried that before.”

“And I’ll keep trying.”

Siva stirred beside Klaus, letting out a quiet breath as she shifted. Klaus reached down and gently brushed snow crystals off her ear.

Aren sat down again and looked at the boy for a moment longer before leaning back with a sigh.

“I suppose it’s time we all got some rest. Tomorrow starts a new chapter, Klaus.”

Klaus nodded. “Yeah. It does.”

Claudia grabbed her stuff and waved. "I'll see you two tomorrow then!" She said cheerfully before disappearing into the night. 

Klaus looked at the door where Claudia left. "I thought she lived here." He said. Aren looked at him and sighed. "She doesn't. Claudia lived in the city quite far from here. She just comes here to bother me." Klaus turned his gaze to Claudia and said slightly worried "Isn't it dangerous at night?" Aren shook his head. "Don't worry though she's strong. And there hasn't been any monster sightings here aside from a few bears."

Klaus tilted his head even more confused. He paused for a moment before asking. "How come?" Aren simply replied. "Because I cleared out most of the path going back and forth to the city." He explained as if its a regular tuesday. Klaus was surprised and looked at Aren with even more respect and awe. He looked outside of the window. "The city.." Klaus thought. He lived his whole life in the village. Never going farther than a few meters. He isn't sure if he's ready to visit the city. "Someday." He said to himself. Aren looked at him with a raised eyebrow but decided not to pry. 

Outside, the wind howled across the mountainside, but inside the cabin, the fire burned steady. Warm. Safe. And for the first time in days, maybe even longer, Klaus felt like he wasn’t alone anymore. And that he could trust Aren.