“Nolan, have you heard the story called, The Excalibur?” the man asked with a full dark beard on his square jaw.

The little boy with blonde hair shook his head and stared at the man in curiosity.

“Well, it all started with an old king named-”

“Nolan!”

After the dream was disrupted, the young man with blonde hair abruptly shot his brown eyes open. Everything wasn't clear enough until he wiped his droopy eyelids. After everything was clear, there was a... Grin? Typically, the young man would always notice the hay ceiling first, every time he woke up. Yet, today was different. Those blue eyes peered at the young man's brown eyes as the sunlight reflected on the ash blonde hair. It was none other than his friend, Albeit, who was grinning close to Nolan's face.

Although, Albeit's face was too close that the young man who just woke up could smell the onion breath coming from his mouth. Pushing was the only option. But, Nolan was still sluggish and didn't mean to smack Albeit's nose with his palm.

Albeit rubbed his nose. “What was that for!?” he said in a nasal tone.

“Your mouth stinks,” Nolan retorted, but, in a calm way. He leaped out of his wooden bed and stood on the stiff floor to do some light stretches. “So, why are you here?”

“Today is June first!” he squealed. Pumped up for today's event.

Nolan glanced at the calendar that he tacked on the wall next to his bed. He looked back at his friend's enthusiastic expression and arched a brow.

“Why are you looking at me like that?” Albeit asked.

“Today is May 31. Tomorrow is June. ”

“What?!” Albeit climbed on the bed and peered his eyes onto the calendar. To his shocking discovery, he let out a light sigh. “I misread my calendar... ”

“Everyone makes mistakes,” Nolan said before heading toward the door. “Have you eaten any breakfast yet?”

Albeit nodded his head and the blonde boy gestured his hand at him to come along. They ambled downstairs and reached the living room, the warmth of the fireplace filled their hearts at ease. After that, both of them headed to the kitchen, only to notice Nolan's mother wasn't anywhere to be seen.

Nolan cocked his head slightly. “Where's mom?”

“Oh, she's harvesting some carrots at the crop fields, and she even told me to wake you up.”

“I see,” Nolan sat on the chair close to the table.

Suddenly, Albeit's stomach growled just from staring at the food.

“What are you standing for? Let's eat.” Nolan said.

“Are you sure?” Albeit hesitated.

Nolan bobbed his head and a bright smile occurred on Albeit's face.

“Thanks!” Albeit sat beside him.

Their quiet breakfast went well and both headed to the center of the living room afterward. Nolan knelt in front of a small round table and faced the box with a thick candle inside. He clasped his hand together and closed his eyes. While Albeit knew what to do as he left Nolan alone.

“Good morning... Dad.”

A few minutes later... He finished praying and went outside, only to see Albeit. Holding two wooden swords. Albeit tossed the other wooden sword toward the young man with blonde hair.

“We'll get our weapons tomorrow no matter what!” Albeit exclaimed, making the mood livelier.

“Yeah!”

Albeit led the way, followed by his friend from behind. Both of them were heading to a designated area while passing crops of fields on each side. Nolan's mother waved at them, even her friends. Of course, the two did the same politely.

***

The blonde-haired boy was in a grass-filled area. He squinted his eyes at the small village and sighed, under his breath.

“What's wrong?” Albeit asked.

“Nothing, I'm just wondering why nobles are rich.”

“Is that so?” Albeit replied and prepared his wooden sword, gripping his feet on the grass. “You ready?”

Nolan hesitated before posturing himself in a fighting stance. “I'm ready.”

Albeit burst his feet toward his foe, taking the initiative first. Nolan quickly raised his weapon to guard it. As Albeit strikes his foe's weapon. The vibration crawled onto Nolan's arms. He winced in pain for a moment until Albeit smacked his right arm.

*WHACK!!*

***

After their spar was over. Both of them were heading home and Nolan held tight to his right arm.

“Does it still hurt?” Albeit asked in a concerned tone.

“A little.”

Albeit hung his head low. “I'm sorry...”,

Nolan punched Albeit's right shoulder. “Why are you apologizing? You wanna be a Wielder, right? Then use that talent to the fullest.”

Touched, Albeit was taken aback before clenching his fist. “Nolan, be my riva-”

“I refuse.”

“Why not!?”

The young man's brown eyes looked at his hand and he mumbled, “Because I promised someone...”

“What?”

Nolan ignored him and proceeded on walking. While Albeit wanted to know what he said. He kept asking him till they reached their village.

“Welcome back you two,” Albeit's mother greeted. Still harvesting on the crop fields. “So, who won?”

“I win!” Albeit answered.

“As expected...”

“Oh, right,” Nolan's mother jerked up and stopped harvesting, shifting her head at the two. “After this, who wants Cheese Buns?”

The two young men raised their hands together, including Albeit's mother.

Nolan's mother giggled and the two helped afterward.

***

“And that's how the Excalibur's got buried on a large boulder,” the man said with a dark full beard.

“Wow!”

“Great story, right?”

The little young boy nodded quickly. He stood up and looked up with pride. “When I grow up! I'll find the legendary Excalibur!”

The man burst out laughing.

“Why are you laughing!?” the boy pouted.

The man wiped his teary eyes and stopped laughing. He glanced at his son and placed his big palm on the boy's little head. “I'll look forward to it!”

Once again, Nolan gradually opened his eyes and saw the hay ceiling.

He whispered, “It's time...”