For days on end, the boys grew up under Lascze’s wing. Learning to count coins, manning the counter, arranging the items on the shelves, talking to customers, buying goods and supplies, using their Skills. Out of work, the two boys played within the streets. As time passed, they made friends with the other children in the streets.

Despite their past experiences, they lived like normal children.

The boy from another world got used to living here in the City of Currents. The boy from the slums got used to living within a decent home instead of beside the canals. They were both used to each other.

Eventually, they were brothers in the same home.

Lascze took care of them tirelessly. He treated them like they were the sons he never had, and his boys even requested that they should have his last name. But he was not perfect. The shop, which was now making more profits than ever, was taking most of his time. Well, it’s a good thing that their home was in the store itself.

Days became weeks.

Weeks became moons.

Moons became periods.

Periods became Trials.

And one day, the [Steward] of the [King] visited Lascze’s shop.

“Customer?” Vitelli, now a teenager, stared at the Seafolk Grouper with his golden eyes as he leaned on the wall beside the door. The sun contrasted against his dark skin and ponytailed hair.

“I’m here for Lascze.” The [Steward] answered. “Official summons from the [King].”

Vitelli knew a bit that their adoptive father. Famed Adventurer, a retired [Royal Champion] of Aquinox, and a close friend of the [King]. They even went to the palace occasionally. Knowing this, he let him in. With a creak of the door, he entered the shop. On the counter is Lewis, counting the coins for today.

“I’m here for Lascze Balenatte.” The [Steward] asked.

Lewis stared at him with his blue calculating eyes. His blond short ponytail shone from the rays of sunlight from the open shutters.

“Pops is-“

“Here.” Lascze walked out from the storeroom, his green hair and beard more disheveled than ever. “Bosco called?”

“The [King] has issued an emergency summons-“

“I know, I know.” Lascze sighed. “Lewis, man the shop for me, will ya?”

“Sure.” Lewis nodded.

Lascze left the shop to his boys, leaving them to manage it all by themselves. Proper fourteen-year-olds can do jobs as simple as maintaining the shop. Lascze knows that Lewis is extremely good at memorizing things and calculating costs, making him a greater [Shopkeeper] than him. As for Vitelli, he can decently do all these things too, but he’s much more proficient at protecting the store more than anything. Nowadays, [Burglars] frequently tried to rob the store, only to get beaten up by Vitelli. Quite strange, since almost none of the houses or stores are being robbed within their vicinity.

Lascze and the [Steward] rode on the gondola towards the Azure Palace.

After arriving on the marble steps of the Azure Palace, they directly go to the private quarters of the [King].

The [King] of Aquinox sat on the head table. There was no feast this time.

“Friend, Lascze.” He called him as he sat on the opposite side of the table. “We might be in danger.”

“We?” Lascze asked.

“Well, the faction that is against me is planning to mess with my friends, which is you and the others.” He informed. “Possibly, they will bribe them to turn against me, and at the worst, the faction will take their family members, hostage, forcing me to do something for them, which will be their advantageous at forcing me to do their bidding. And you know me when it comes to my friends.”

Lascze sighed, wiping his palm on his forehead. “So, what do I need to do?”

“You need to be my [Royal Champion] again.” He answered, pleading. “I can give you the Class. Since your retirement, the factions are getting bolder, as you have seen trials ago.”

“I need to get the boys-“

“I already made arrangements. Before the first bell of the morning of the Fifth Day, you will accompany them towards a galleon heading back to Lelurcir’s Landing, along with a Gold-rank team accompanying them until the end of the trip. You have relatives there in the Lainian Empire, right?” The [King] reassured.

“Last time I heard, it was only my cousin’s extended family living at Lentasso.”

“I’ll send a [Message] Spell under your name to the nearest Mage’s Guild, informing your family that your children seek refuge in their farm.”

“I thank you a thousand times.” Lascze bowed his head.

“Don’t be. I’ll give you the Class now.” He stood up and placed his head on Lascze’s head. A symbolic gesture more than anything.

He regained his [Royal Champion] Class.

Level 50 [Royal Champion] regained!

[Aspect of the Champion] regained!

[Champion’s Bolt] regained!

[Valor of Champions] regained!

[Champion’s Gear] regained!

[Shared Skill- Aura Manifestation: Ocean] regained!

After that headache from regaining a Class and five subsequent Skills, Lascze wobbled, but he stood up, taller than usual, and more regal too.

“Fewer Skills than normal.” He commented.

“You said you have levels in the [Shopkeeper] Class, remember?” [King] Bosco reminded. “Combine that with your [Leviathanslayer Grandarbalest] Class and you’ll get fewer Levels and Skills from your [Royal Champion], but I think that your Skills and skill alone is enough to deter them.”

“Right.” He sighed.

“To celebrate, let’s toast.” From one of the hidden wine racks, which popped up from the stone walls, he brought out a bottle of brilliant blue wine, aged for many decades.

The two raised their glass and sipped wine. And talking of old times.

Lascze went home in the afternoon. His boys were already cleaning up the store, preparing to close as soon as the sunsets.

“Boys.” Lascze sternly called them.

Vitelli and Lewis looked at each other and faced him, clearly nervous.

“We’re closing the shop in three days.” He announced.

“Why?” Vitelli asked.

“What exactly happened?” Lewis asked.

“I suppose you two are old enough to know about court politics.”

Then Lascze told them about the whole thing. About their lives in danger because of the political faction against the [King] of Aquinox plotting against him. He told them that they must travel towards Lelurcir’s Landing and to the city of Lentasso, accompanied by Gold-rank adventurers. He also told them that he will return as a [Royal Champion] again.

“And I will be staying here,” Lascze informed them. “Is that clear?”

“Yes.” They both agreed, understanding the situation, despite being shocked by the turn of events.

“And don’t tell a word to anyone about this.”

Later, they went back to their room, blowing the candle at the nightstand between their beds. The two boys lie down on their beds.

“I was thinking,” Lewis uttered.

“About?” Vitelli asked.

“We got too comfortable here.”

“Comfortable?”

“We never thought that something like this will happen. It doesn’t help that this state is one of the ‘paradises’ of this world.”

“Paradises?”

“Yeah. I heard from a customer a year ago. He was an [Traveler] of sorts. Apparently, there are places in this world that are as great or greater than this place.”

“If this is a paradise of this world, it means that the world outside Aquinox is dangerous.”

“Yeah. He told me that outside, there are great dangers. Monsters and bad people.”

“Heh, I can’t imagine how scary the vast world is outside Aquinox.”

“Well, he said not to worry. According to him, mortalkind triumphed over the monsters and the wilds with Skills and Spells that had built civilizations. So, we’re probably alright when we travel three days from now.”

“That’s good to know. I’m more worried about travel by sea. Sea Serpents and other monsters at sea that eat ships.”

“Is it weird that I’m excited about traveling, even in our situation?”

“I don’t know. But staying positive is always good.”

“Thanks.”

“I wonder what does a farm looks like?”

“I don’t know either.”

“Well, let’s just wait for tomorrow.”

The next day comes. The first bell of the morning rang as the sun rose.

As instructed, a [Amanuensis] and an [Mage] in the palace were assigned to write Lascze’s letter to his relatives in the Lainian Empire. The message was written by the [Amanuensis], with careful maneuvering of the quill, coupled with a Skill that copies Lascze’s handwriting and manner of speech that is transcribed within the letter.

Dear Latrino Balenatte

This is your second cousin. I apologize for writing so little for the past five years, due to some circumstances on my end. Our family’s whale-hunting business is doing good. I own a shop now, and I adopted two children, now fourteen of age.

Due to my circumstance regarding political intrigue, I returned to my post as a [Royal Champion]. I request that you shall keep my sons, Lewis and Vitelli Balenatte under your care. Lewis has a knack for numbers, so he can help you in selling crops, while Vitelli is a [Bodyguard] that you can rely on.

By now, I have already sent a Gold-rank adventuring party to travel with them back to Leuclir’s Landing. I estimate that they will arrive two weeks at the most. I apologize if this is a bother for you.

Sincerely,

Lascze Balenatte

The message itself was transmitted by the [Mage] to Aquinox’s Mage Guild building. Not an ordinary [Mage], but a [Message Mage], a [Mage] Class that specializes in transmitting [Message] Spells. For some, it is one of the most important Classes in the world. From peacetime to wartime, they have facilitated magical communication networks timelessly. Before the [Message] Spell proper, the [Message Mage] communicated with the Mage Guild with a series of preliminary [Messages].

Palace to Mage Guild. Requesting [Message]. Transmission is encrypted. Callsign, Lascze.

The initial message was heavily encrypted and hidden from prying [Mages]. To avoid suspicion, the encryption was minimized after.

Mage Guild to Lascze. Contents of the [Message]?

Lascze to Mage Guild. Written letter. From Aquinox to Lentasso, Lainian Empire. Civilian mundane purpose. Service Gold. ASAP.

Mage Guild to Lascze. Acknowledged. Available [Courier] within specifications has been notified. Fantalo Revian. Heading back to Lainia tomorrow on the Kraken’s Snack at the Alofonis Port.

Lascze to Mage Guild. Sending [Message] proper.

The [Message] proper was received by the [Mage] at the Mage’s Guild and had it copied by a [Scribe]. The fee was paid later in the day.

Lascze to Mage Guild. Confirm.

Mage Guild to Lascze. Confirmed.

Lascze to Mage Guild. Ending.

Mage Guild to Lascze. End.

After writing that letter as the transmission ended, a [Runner] delivered this letter towards the Messenger’s Guild nearby the ports. After analyzing the letter by a specialized [Mail Reader] Class with Skills that determine its intent, they seal the letter with a wax seal of the Messenger’s Guild, after determining the contents to be legal and mundane.

Soon, the letter was received by an Antelope Beastkin, who visited the Messenger’s Guild building.

Lascze’s day was spent at the Withering Fish restaurant, drinking beer. Gemmeni brought him a sizzling plate of Tuna Steak, drizzled in a flavor strength potion.

“You’re going out of retirement?” Gemmeni asked.

“I have to.” Lascze sighed. “I don’t want to leave my boys behind.”

“Well, just think that if you deal with them as soon as possible, you can fetch them in Lainia or visit them,” Gemmeni advised.

“These things rarely finish quickly.” He sighed.

“True.”

Meanwhile, after Lascze let the boys do whatever they want as they finished up cleaning the shelves in the store and selling excess goods, they went outside.

“So, what are we going to do?” Vitelli asked.

“Dunno, just roam around Aquinox? One last time.” Lewis shrugged.

“Sounds good with me.”

They walked among the stone buildings on the cobblestone streets. Two brothers walking side by side. Similar, yet different from each other. The smarter of the two is pale-skinned and blond, with brilliant blue eyes looking forward, always grinning. The other one is also smart, but he is street-smart more than anything. Black-haired and dim-skinned, with golden eyes passively looking around for threats that might harm them. Yet both of them had a love for adventures, stories and both have matching ponytails.

They walked two steps forwards before getting interrupted by two girls, well, mainly around Vitelli. Human girls that they met long ago, completely infatuated by Vitelli.

“Are you going somewhere?” Noa, a red-haired girl from the other district asked, who is also the daughter of a [Merchant]. Notably has a penchant for attracting trouble.

“Yeah, we’re going to roam around,” Vitelli asked awkwardly.

“Can I can with you?” Aerelin, one of the apprentices of the nearby bakery is practically wrapped around Vitelli’s arm. A gentle blonde girl at a first glance, but very aggressive when it comes to romance.

“Alright, alright, my brother isn’t a doll.” Lewis, even without [Dangersense] stopped them before it gets any worse, forcing them to release their grip with his glare alone.

“Thanks.” Vitelli silently mouthed.

“I got you.” Lewis soundlessly mouthed back. At this point, they can communicate even without voices.

“So, what are you girls doing here?” He asked them.

“Finding you guys if you’re free,” Noa asked them.

“Free-“

“What’s up!” A voice called before Aerelin can say anything. Two people of their age, but different species. A grey Gnoll and a Seahorse Coastwalker, one of the Seafolk.

“Abzarr!” Vitelli and the grey Gnoll bumped their fists together. “How’s training? Learned some new Skills?”

“So far, I learned [Repel Point]! A Skill that repels stabbing attacks. Pretty useful, isn’t it?” The Gnoll bragged. The juvenile Gnoll is actually an apprentice of an [Swordsmaster] in the next district.

“That’s cool!” Vitelli’s eyes widened.

“Let’s duel next time! On the seventh-“

“Ah,” Vitelli interrupted him. “I and my brother are visiting family in Lainia.”

“Yeah, it would take moons before we get home.” Lewis continued to say the half-truth. “Anyways, Bwer, teach me a cantrip before I leave tomorrow.”

“Cantrip?” The teenage Seahorse Coastwalker blurted, with his minimal knowledge of magic from his apprenticeship from an [Enchanter]. “I got one. [Flashbang].”

“Sounds cool. How do you do it?”

“Condense your mana in your finger and let it pop when you are imagining making your mana suddenly go bright.”

“That’s pretty easy,” Lewis commented.

“We’re here you know?” Noa cut them off. “Let’s go to that gambling tavern or something since you two are leaving tomorrow.”

“Did someone say gambling?” Lewis asked excitedly, with a thrill in his eyes. Vitelli sighed in distress, knowing his brother is a gambling addict; even gaining the Class, [Gambler].

“Why did you mention gambling to him…” Vitelli exasperated clasping his hands on his face.

After all of that, they waltz in towards a tavern. The Drunken Roulette, an infamous tavern that also serves as a gambling den. They waltzed inside the stone building. Despite the humble size of the building from the outside, it is actually larger, due to the odd shape of the building, and the [Tavernkeeper]’s Skills. They were fewer people than normal because this place is more active in the nighttime. Today, they were only a few patrons, some around their age, but most are adults. Among the regular tables with cushioned seats, there are card tables that also accommodate food and drink. There are even tables with mini-roulettes, for games that require them. Music filled an open area, where many people danced amongst upbeat tunes.

And they spent the morning and afternoon making merry, dancing, feasting, and most of all gambling. Lewis, with his incredible luck, won most of his games, gaining more money than losing it. The group of friends feasted on food that pairs well with beer and danced after. Lewis stayed sober even after a couple of mugs, while his brother was wasted after a few.

As the final bell rang, signaling the coming of night, the group of friends decided that they were done with merrymaking for today, before they could get in any trouble. The apprentices were in trouble already, not showing up to their apprenticeships today.

“Stay safe.” Abzarr tightly hugged Vitelli and Lewis. “Don’t get killed. Especially you, Vitelli. We have yet to see who is stronger.”

“I mean, I already won 6 out of 10 matches.” Vitelli chuckled.

“Well, let’s leave it at that for now.” Bwer interrupted. “Safe sailings, you two. We will miss you.”

“Softie.” Noa chuckled silently.

“Don’t forget to bring us souvenirs!” Aerelin jester.

They went their own separate ways. Vitelli found himself leaning and wrapping around his arms on Lewis’ shoulder, being too drunk to stand and walk properly.

“Feels weird…lying to them.” Vitelli slurred, struggling not to puke.

“We’re technically telling the truth.” Lewis corrected. “But only half of it.”

“Yeah…” Vitelli closed his eyes.

“Oi! Don’t sleep just yet!” Lewis pinched Vitelli’s cheek.

“Heh.”Vitelli chuckled.

Without further ado, they went home, smelling of alcohol. As they pushed the door slowly, they saw Lascze sitting on the wooden counter, looking disappointed, and stared at them with a stern gaze, tapping his feet on the wooden floor methodically. Instantly, they were sobered up like they have [Alcohol Immunity].

“Uh-“

“Don’t worry, I won't reprimand you.” Lascze laughed at his prank before they can say anything. “I understand since this is your last day home.” He smiled.

“Thank-“

Vitelli was interrupted by puking a bit of his lunch on the floor.

“I’ll get the hangover potions.” Lascze hurried to the storeroom.

After they drank the potions stored in clay jars, Lascze wiped their mouths with a handkerchief.

“It feels like yesterday when I adopted you, two little boys.” Lascze reminisced.

The two remembered the past. A hectic past that turned out well in the end.

“Yeah.” They both agreed.

“Thanks, for “

“Taking care of us.” Lewis completed Vitelli’s sentence.

Lascze smiled. “There are important things that I need to tell you before you travel. The world outside of Aquinox is dangerous. At sea, there are Sea Serpents and other sea monsters that ships are wary of. But don’t worry, most ships only sail on safe routes they know. On land, however, outside settlements, monsters and [Bandits] roam the wilds. Criminals roam the streets of most settlements. Always stay with the Gold-rank team protecting you. In the extremely low possibility that the Gold-rank team failed to protect you, just run and hide. Understood?”

“Yes.” They both agreed.

Later that night, they went to their respective rooms. Before the boys knew it, they fell asleep from fatigue as soon as they lie down.

While Lascze sat on his bed, worried about the future.