Zayn walked quietly through the depths of the forest. It was early morning, but the energy in the air was invigorating. He could feel it more sharply with each passing day. Every step he took seemed more in sync with the power inside him. Stone, grass, earth... mana was speaking to him now.

His ongoing training was breaking down invisible barriers, one after another. He followed the path he had set for himself, advancing without needing a guide. Today, he had reached the fourth part of the first stage. Though his body still looked like a child's, the intensity inside him held the resolve of a warrior.

After completing his training in the forest, he slowly made his way back and reached a spot where he could see the village square from afar. His eyes were naturally drawn to the crowd. In his field of view stood Selia.

But she wasn't alone.

Zayn narrowed his eyes and observed in silence. The children who had once mocked her were now standing around, smiling and talking to her. The tension between them had vanished. In fact… they were offering help. One handed her a basket, another knelt down beside her to help sort the gathered herbs. Even a small child was working under Selia's gentle instructions.

Zayn watched for a long while. He leaned his hand against a tree, but his face showed no anger, no jealousy. Only silence.

"So, they've changed," he whispered to himself. He felt a flicker of doubt… but chose not to interfere.

Still, his sharp eyes noticed something important. Selia's movements had become more fluid. When she touched the ground, the nearby plants seemed to bow. As she ran her fingers over the herbs, it was as if she was listening to them through the flow of mana. This... was not something ordinary.

"The first connections," Zayn thought.

Before returning, he paused for a moment. He picked a leaf, twirled it between his fingers. Some things in this world were beginning to take shape on their own. All he needed to do… was wait for the right moment.

He didn't return to the village. He turned in the opposite direction. Before leaving, he left behind a brief note:

Zayn had left the village before the first light of dawn. As always, he was quiet. This time, however, he had chosen a different route—one of the old northeastern trails. The trees were denser, the shadows darker. But to him, these paths felt like home now.

The air was cool, and the leaves rustled softly. But something was following him. Zayn noticed. He didn't stop. When he reached a flat clearing, shadows appeared from all sides. Within moments, five or six men had surrounded him.

A sword tip touched his back. But Zayn didn't move.

One of them stepped forward—a muscular man with a face full of scars—and spoke mockingly:

— "How are you, Zayn?"

Zayn, without even looking at him, replied coldly:

— "Is that all a group of roadside bandits cares about?"

The man laughed. The others chuckled softly too.

— "Name's Rauk. You might remember me... one of the first who attacked your village."

Zayn didn't squint. He asked directly:

— "What do you want?"

Rauk tilted his head and walked closer to Zayn. His voice softened with a sly tone:

— "Simple offer. You help us get back into that village. But this time... everyone dies. Woman, child, elder, doesn't matter. We wipe it clean."

Zayn didn't react. Rauk continued:

— "And you'll get your cut. A generous share of gold. As much as you want. Take your little sister, start a new life somewhere far away. Trust me—you're too good for that pit of a village."

Zayn looked down. He kept quiet for a moment. Then lifted his head and locked eyes with Rauk.

— "When?"

Rauk grinned.

— "Two nights from now. When the moon's high. My men will be ready."

Zayn nodded. His tone remained ice-cold. No fear. No excitement. He simply said:

— "Then... see you there."

He turned and walked away. No one stopped him. The men watched in silence. Rauk called out behind him:

— "Trusting a kid like you is a big gamble, Zayn. But a traitor… is always a treasure."

Zayn didn't reply. His footsteps faded into the forest, swallowed by the trees.

On the way back to the village, he was quiet. Was he confused? No. His mind was crystal clear. But his feelings? Maybe.

What went through him was complex. "They think I'm a traitor. Their biggest mistake."

A faint smirk formed on his lips. "Two days..." he whispered.

"Two days from now, everything will change."

🌙 End of Chapter Note:

Has Zayn truly accepted the offer? Or is he running his own plan?

One question remains:

What will Zayn do?