Beneath the Same Sky, We Meet Again

The sound of exploding firecrackers echoed in the night sky. Colourful flashes of light exploded over Philin City, blanketing the sky in glowing gold, red, and blue. Crowds filled the city's cobbled streets. Food stalls were lined up, vendors shouted out their wares, and festival music played in the background.

Naturally, it was a special day. The 1,550th Anniversary Festival of the Milintium Kingdom was the biggest event held only once every few decades. Everyone came to the capital to celebrate. Adventurers, merchants, and even nobles from other lands.

In the centre of the crowd, a man wrapped in a brown robe walked quietly. The hood of his robe was pulled low, partially hiding his face from view. However, his steps were steady, unlike the tourists who were busy gawking at the atmosphere.

He wasn't a tourist. He just happened to be here.

After passing through the crowd, the man finally arrived in front of a large building that stood majestically in the town square.

Adventurer’s Guild Headquarters

When he entered, the atmosphere inside was equally busy. Dozens of adventurers were gathered in front of the information board, talking to each other or queuing at the counter. Some had just returned from a mission, some were looking for teammates, and some were simply drinking in a corner of the room while laughing.

The man walked straight to one of the counters without hesitation.

“Good evening, sir. Can you show me your traveller's identity card?” said a lady at the counter with a professional smile.

Without saying much, the man took out a card and handed it over.

The woman's eyes widened slightly as she read the name on it.

Ikuro Hikaru, tier A adventurer, sword and magic expert, 20 years old.

“Okay, it's confirmed... Oh, welcome back, Mr. Ikuro,” she said in a slightly friendlier tone. “How can we help you?”

Ikuro glanced at the information board, his eyes stopping on a single paper pasted there. He picked it up and handed it to the woman.

“I'll take this mission.”

The woman looked at it for a moment, then frowned.

“This... is a tier S monster hunting mission for one million Siara.” Her gaze was slightly doubtful. “Are you sure you want to take it?”

Ikuro simply nodded.

The woman didn't say much more. She stamped the paper and handed it back. “Okay. Mission confirmed. Good luck, and be careful out there.”

Ikuro took the paper back, stuffing it into the robe pocket. “Thank you.”

After that, he exited the building, returning to the festival that was still in full swing.

As he walked towards the city gates, a loud voice suddenly rang out in the distance.

“Visitors, please step aside!”

Reflexively, Ikuro turned his head and saw several royal soldiers opening the way. Soon, the royal family's parade passed by.

An open horse-drawn carriage decorated with the royal coat of arms moved slowly along the main street. The nobles inside waved to the people, while the spectators cheered enthusiastically.

However, Ikuro's attention was not on the nobles, but on someone who was riding a horse beside them.

A young female knight in white armour and a dark blue coat. Her silver hair was neatly tied back, and her gaze was sharp like a newly sharpened sword. There was no gap in her vigilance, she was a true warrior.

Upon seeing her, Ikuro fell silent. In his opinion, the female knight did not look unfamiliar to his eyes.

“Look! That's the Miss Ephilia I told you about yesterday!” a nearby child exclaimed.

The name took his breath away. Ephilia Fangelica.

He stared at her for a while longer, confirming what he was seeing. But it was true, it was his old best friend.

Old memories flowed back into his mind, from the first time they met...

“Hey... I just saw you here, can we get to know each other?” asked little Ephilia while holding her favourite doll that looked shabby.

“Hey... why are you imagining a things? I want to meet you!” Ephilia said as she waved her hand in front of the face of Ikuro, who was sitting in a corner at the edge of the room.

Ikuro looked towards Ephilia. “Sorry...” replied little Ikuro. “I just came in here, I... felt scared,” said Ikuro.

“Ohh... I see,” Ephilia replied. “That's how it was the first time. I was scared at the first time too.”

“Then...” Ephilia said, “I'm Ephilia, Ephilia Fangelica,” she continued, extending her hand.

Ikuro took Ephilia's hand and stood up. “My name is... Ikuro, Ikuro Hikaru,” he replied.

Ephilia nodded her head. “Hmm... Nice to meet you, Ikuro. I hope we can become good friends,” she said with a smile.

Grow together and share their dreams.

The wind blew very gently, as the two of them were looking up at the sky and lying on the grounds of Milintium Academy where they were studying.

“Hey Ikuro, what do you want to be?” Ephilia asked.

“Hmm, I don't know... I haven't thought about it yet,” Ikuro replied.

“Ehh... really? You should have decided by now! We will graduate from the academy next year,” Ephilia replied.

Ephilia took a long breath. “You know, you've never changed, since we first met,” she continued.

She paused for a moment. “I really want to be a knight, because it looks really cool! So that I can protect the people I care about,” Ephilia said.

Ikuro stood up and dusted off his clothes. “Hmm... whatever your dream is, I hope you can get it,” Ikuro replied.

The bell rang, signalling that the next class would begin. “Let's go back to class,” Ikuro said as he offered his hand.

“Hmm... let's go,” Ephilia replied, holding Ikuro’s hand so that she could stand up immediately.

And the two of them ran together to class.

Until... the time came when they went their separate ways to pursue their respective dreams.

And now, he sees her achieving that dream.

Ikuro sighed softly, smiling slightly.

“It’s been a while...”

He didn't wave. Didn't try to come closer. Didn't call her name.

Ephilia was already on her own path.
And Ikuro? He too had his own path.

Without saying anything, he walked back towards the city's border gate.

And, when he reached the city's border gate, he looked for his acquaintance who usually drove him to go on missions.

Suddenly an old man called out from a distance, “Yo Ikuro!” while waving his hand.

Ikuro, who heard the voice, searched for the source of the voice and finally met his acquaintance.

“Mr. Garel is here...” said Ikuro.
“So, where do you want to be taken?” asked the old man.

“Can you take me to Tem Village? I have a mission to fulfil there,” Ikuro replied.

“Hmm... Tem Village, right? It's quite far. It takes two days and one night to get there,” replied the old man.

“I see... Can we leave tonight Mr. Garel?” asked Ikuro.

“Tonight? Are you sure?”
“Yes, sure,” Ikuro replied.

“Okay then, I'll get ready first... We leave in eight minutes,” said Garel.

Ikuro simply nodded and looked for a suitable place to wait for Mr. Garel to prepare his carriage.

As he waited, he saw that the royal entourage had reached the intersection not far from where he was waiting and turned towards their residence.

He also saw Ephilia again in the group.

“I wish... we could meet again.” he muttered to himself.

Soon, the group began to move away and disappeared as it was covered by nearby buildings.

Ikuro let out a long breath, and Garel called out to him from afar.

“Yo kid, let's go!” he shouted from afar.

“Yes! Please be patient!” Ikuro replied.

He ran to Garel's carriage and got on. Soon, the carriage slowly began to move past the city's border gate.

As the festival continued, the sound of firecrackers once again lit up the night sky.

From the bottom of Ikuro's heart, he felt that there was something that made him different.

Different... than usual.