Chapter 2: The First Battle

The sun had only just begun to brighten the sky, yet even at such an early hour, the village of Gignit was already bustling with life. People hurried back and forth, diving straight into their daily tasks.

But among all those who rushed to begin their work, there were two who walked at a calm, unhurried pace—a man and a young woman—taking in the sight of the village, its homes, and the small shops already displaying their goods.

“You’re absolutely right, Dad,” the woman said. “This village is beautiful.”

Her fair skin seemed to glow beneath the sunlight. Her sky-blue eyes looked as if they carried a fragment of the heavens themselves. And her golden hair shimmered each time a ray of sunlight touched it.

“So this is Gignit,” the beautiful young woman said, her gaze drifting toward a tray of tempting sandwiches being sold for ten Gold. “The village where your old adventuring companions live.”

“Yes,” her father replied.

His hair was golden as well, though dimmer than hers. His skin was lightly tanned, and his eyes were as blue as deep waters. His stern expression softened into one of nostalgia the moment he looked ahead—toward a massive tree rising proudly in the distance.

“This is the village founded by my party’s leader and her husband,” the man said with a small smile filled with memories and history.

“This place brings back so many good memories… You know, I helped clear the area of dangerous magical beasts.”

“You’ve told me that countless times,” the young woman said, now holding two sandwiches—one already half-eaten, the other waiting in her hand. “But I’m finally going to meet your leader… the Lady of Gignit. I’m so excited! Can’t we go see her now?”

“It wouldn’t be a good time,” the man replied. “It’s barely six in the morning. She’s probably with her family—maybe having breakfast or still resting. I don’t want to disturb her so early.”

“I understand,” the woman said after swallowing the bite she’d had in her mouth, continuing down the path. “This village isn’t like the other free towns we’ve visited. Here, everything starts moving from the very early hours of the morning.”

She let out a yawn, tilting her neck to one side.

“Why don’t you go get some rest?” the man suggested. “This mission kept us awake far too long—and you were injured by that bandit. I want you to rest, daughter.”

Anyone could tell they were adventurers. Their clothing, the sword strapped to their backs, the boots, the leather coat, the armor plates, the arm guards and shoulder guards—everything about them gave it away.

And of course, the chains with their identification plates showing they were part of the guild.

“Go on, get some rest,” her father insisted just as she yawned again, lowering her sandwich. “Here—take these 100 Gold. Five tens, two twenties, and two fives. Rent a room at an inn and get some proper sleep.”

“And where exactly do you think you’re going without me?”

His daughter’s gaze sharpened, as if fearing she’d be excluded from something important.

“I’m not going anywhere without you. I just want to take a little walk,” the man said, letting out another sigh. “There’s so much I’d like to see again—especially the park area. After that, I’ll head straight to the inn.”

“All right… but don’t take too long, Dad.”

The young adventurer handed him one of her sandwiches for him to eat. “You need to rest too—and here, eat this one. It’s really good.”

“Thank you, Emily. I’ll see you later.”

And for the moment, father and daughter went their separate ways.

✧ ✧ ✧

“All right! Look, sweetie—I’m ready!” Valentina exclaimed with a dazzling smile, one so radiant it made her seem even more beautiful than she already was. “What do you think? I know it looks great on me, but I want you to say it.”

Christopher beamed, utterly amazed—more by the outfit itself than anything else. Though he loved seeing his powerful mother dressed like a true elven explorer.

“Mom, it looks amazing on you! I love it! Don’t you have one for me? I want an explorer outfit too!”

Valentina wore the classic gear of an elven explorer: fitted clothing, several belts, and sturdy battle boots.

“You’re such a sweetheart!” Valentina wrapped Christopher in a tight hug. “How could I ever say no to my charming little boy? You always tell me how beautiful I am… I love you so much. I promise I’ll buy you all the elven explorer outfits you want—how does that sound?”

Christopher nodded almost desperately.

“Yes! Thank you, Mom!”

✧ ✧ ✧

At last, the cheerful mother and her eager son stepped outside, ready to head to the place where they would begin the practical part of their magic training.

To the side of the Hope family’s yard stood one of Valentina’s treasures: a beautiful three-meter garden filled with vibrant flowers and a carefully tended stretch of lush green grass.

Their home wasn’t a mansion, but it was still the largest in the village—and one of the few with two floors and a terrace, where they often rested while gazing out at their beloved home… the village they cherished so deeply.

They crossed the stone path in front of their house and made their way toward the village’s central park.

The central park was the gathering place for everyone in Gignit. There, people enjoyed outdoor lunches, children played, and small festivals were held with singing and dancing competitions.

The park was filled with trees of many colors, creating a breathtaking landscape—some with green leaves, others red, and a few golden yellow.

And at the heart of the park—and the village itself—rose a titanic and majestic tree, towering above all others in height and width. It reached fifty meters into the sky, its trunk a massive twenty meters in diameter.

From a distance, the great tree offered a magical, almost sacred presence. Anyone who entered Gignit felt a strange, pleasant tingle the moment their eyes fell upon it.

Behind the gigantic tree, flowing gently through the center of the park, was a crystal-clear stream that only enhanced the beauty of the place. In its waters, one could easily spot colorful fish of all kinds, as well as small aquatic creatures and magical beasts swimming along the current.

Around the edges of the central park stood at least ten wooden signs welcoming travelers to the Village of Gignit.

Suddenly, a gust of wind descended from the sky, sending countless leaves of various colors swirling through the air before scattering them across the village. Moments like this gave Gignit an almost enchanted atmosphere—made even more striking by how impeccably clean the village was.

The houses, built from both wood and stone, looked as if they belonged in a true fantasy world—straight out of a fairy tale.

And at that moment, mother and son walked right through the middle of the park.

They crossed paths with many of the villagers, all of whom greeted them with cheerful smiles, sending warm and positive energy their way.

“Good morning, Lady Valentina. And to you as well, young Lord Christopher.”

The first to greet them was a lively elderly woman who offered them a small bow. She carried a basket filled with what looked like fruit and sandwiches.

“Good morning.”

“Very good morning!”

They returned the greeting with equal formality, though with different levels of enthusiasm. Christopher bowed politely but with plenty of energy, while Valentina’s response was calmer and more composed.

Encounters like this continued as they walked through the village, greeting every resident of Gignit who crossed their path.

“There are so many,” Christopher remarked. “It feels like I’ve already greeted the entire village.”

“Don’t say that, Christopher,” Valentina replied in a serious tone. “These are our people—our village. And one day, you will be their leader. You need to grow used to this.”

One remarkable trait of Gignit’s residents was how visually striking they were, a result of the many races that peacefully coexisted in the village.

Many humans could be seen living in complete harmony with the beastmen. As their name suggested, they were humanoid creatures—like an armored wolfman walking upright on his hind legs.

Gignit was also home to those belonging to the demi-human race. These individuals appeared to be a blend between beastmen and humans, as they possessed traits from both.

Demi-humans were a distinct race known for their striking features: animal ears and tails, as well as characteristic fangs. For example, a man or woman with cat-like ears, tail, and fangs.

There was even a rabbit demi-human, with long ears atop his head, a fluffy tail, and his distinctive incisors, which were visible whenever he spoke or smiled—just like a real rabbit.

A curious detail about demi-humans is that they sometimes display instinctive behaviors without realizing it. For example, rabbit demi-humans tend to make small involuntary hops, a reflex born from their natural instincts.

There was also a wolf-type demi-human woman: a fluffy tail, feral eyes, pronounced fangs, and pointed ears.

Of all the races, demi-humans were the most diverse internally, due to the many clans that made up their people.

In this village, it was perfectly normal to see a human woman chatting warmly with her best friend—a cat demi-human—without there being any sort of mistress-servant or slave relationship between them.

It was also common to see a fierce yet calm wolfman leading a small group of three—one human and one demi-human among them—as they headed out to hunt a beast that might be threatening the village’s safety.

Christopher heard someone call out to them again. He turned to his right and saw a group of forest elves—skin pale as porcelain, pointed ears, and light-colored hair: some blond, others white, greenish, or other soft tones.

Beside them stood several dark elves, with tan or brown skin and hair in darker shades such as black, chestnut, or deep brown.

Among them were both men and women.

The elven women wore light, graceful dresses and the characteristic elven tiaras, each adorned at the center with a gem matching the color of their hair.

Some had their hair braided—a detail that could easily steal the heart, and the sanity, of anyone who looked at them.

Their dresses revealed glimpses of their beautifully shaped legs. They wore sandals consisting of simple soles held by a strap between the big toe and the second, tied around the ankle and winding upward along the leg—a style that made them even more enchanting.

The men wore typical elven trousers, light boots, and loose long-sleeved garments that gave off an air of comfort and coolness.

One trait that stood out among the elves was the extraordinary beauty displayed equally by both men and women.

Christopher knew this physiological trait of the elven race very well—after all, his mother was one of them. He had long grown accustomed to the unmatched beauty Valentina could proudly display.

Because of that, he was no longer easily overwhelmed whenever he spoke with the other elves in the village.

All the elves greeted them warmly and enthusiastically as they passed—especially Valentina, who seemed to be loved by every one of them.

Christopher noticed it too, and when he saw his mother sighing, he offered her a few words of encouragement.

“Mom, everyone loves you so much.”

Valentina felt her heart melt as her son looked at her with those eyes full of admiration—admiration directed entirely at her.

“But… it must be really hard for you and Dad to be the leaders of Gignit, right? Everyone stops you when you walk.”

“You know… you probably won’t fully understand this yet, since you’re still so little… my little one.”
Valentina’s expression softened for a moment. Her gentle features adorned that beautiful face as she perhaps recalled memories from the past.

“Even though it can be difficult, since it comes with great responsibility… I love Gignit. Your father and I love this village with all our hearts. This place is our home… it’s your home… and we will protect it from anything.”

Christopher was captivated by Valentina’s gaze—so beautiful, so full of confidence, overflowing with love and warmth directed entirely at him.

“You’re amazing,” he said aloud. “I admire you, Mom.”

Valentina’s rosy lips curved into a tender smile. Her son was capable of saying such beautiful things that they completely disarmed her. She would always be at his mercy—and she would always protect him.

“Christopher, tell me… do you like living here? Are you happy with us?”

“Yes!” the boy replied with genuine joy. “I love living here! I have lots of friends, and I’m really happy with you and Dad.”

Valentina hugged him again, knowing how deeply her son loved Gignit.

“Then… promise me something, sweetheart.” For a moment, her cheerful, gentle lips curved once more—but this time into something else. “Never stray far from us… from me… please.”

And that curve was not a smile, but a gesture filled with sadness and melancholy.

✧ ✧ ✧

After walking through the central park and entering a small extension of the forest within the village, they finally reached their destination.

“We’re here!” Valentina announced with vibrant energy. “And this looks like a perfect spot.”

With his hands clenched into excited little fists, Christopher watched his mother, utterly enchanted—eager to begin the training as soon as possible.

“Let’s start already!” Christopher’s eyes burned like twin bonfires blazing against the darkest night.

“Show me everything you know!”

“That impatience… you definitely inherited that from me,” Valentina said as she stood beside her son. The two of them stood in the middle of a clearing within that small portion of the forest.

The beautiful and formidable leader of Gignit glanced around several times, as if making sure no one was nearby. Then, she snapped her fingers.

Christopher, who had been bubbling with enthusiasm, fell instantly silent. He turned his head sharply toward his mother, staring without blinking—as if doing so might cause her to slip away.

“What did you do?” he asked, visibly perplexed. Something had happened the moment Valentina snapped her fingers.

It was as if an invisible wave had passed right through his body. Now, staring at her, he demanded answers.

“I know you did something, Mom. I felt it!”

He definitely noticed, Valentina thought, satisfied. With a soft sigh of approval, she explained what she had done.

“I used Sound Magic—specifically the Detection spell. Do you know why I used it?”

She gave him a playful wink, expecting him to understand her reasoning.

“Of course I know!” the boy answered with a hint of superiority. “With Sound Magic, you check whether anyone’s around, right?”

Valentina rewarded his good reasoning by pinching his cheeks—her son’s cheeks—gently but firmly.

“That’s my little one,” the beautiful elf said. “And this is your reward.”

“What a terrible reward…” Christopher complained, rubbing his reddened cheeks. “So? Is anyone nearby, or can we finally start training?”

Valentina brought a hand to her chin—a clear sign she was assessing the situation. She looked toward a cluster of bushes, and even from afar she could already hear someone approaching.

“Well, I can confirm we’re not alone. A few people are heading this way—and fast. I wonder… who could they be?”

Copying his mother, Christopher placed a hand on his own chin, also pretending to analyze the situation.

“Do you think it’s Dad? Maybe he already came back from patrolling the forest.”

“I doubt it. He’s outside the village,” Valentina replied. “And like I said, it’s several people.”

The bushes suddenly shook wildly, branches whipping and colliding with each other. Then, five shadows burst out from behind them. The sunlight revealed their identities in an instant.

A heavy bead of sweat slid down Christopher’s forehead. He swallowed hard—after all, those people were glaring at him as if ready to deliver a severe scolding.

“You guys… what are you doing here?”

With furrowed brows, crossed arms, and the unfriendly demeanor of someone robbed of their morning peace, five children stared Christopher down with blades for eyes—so sharp he felt like his skin was being sliced open.

Their gazes were intense, almost piercing straight into his soul, as if judging sins, he didn’t even know he had. Meanwhile, Valentina couldn’t help glancing aside with a soft, amused breath.

“What do you mean, what are we doing here?” asked the first of them—though it sounded far more like a complaint than a question.

This child had hair as black as the deepest night, equally dark eyebrows, and eyes the color of shadows. His skin was pale, and he was roughly the same height and age as Christopher—five years old.

The boy wore a green shirt, a black belt, and knee-length shorts. His shoes were slip-ons in dark tones.

“You always try to get ahead of us! That’s not fair!”

He pointed at Christopher accusingly, and the other children backed him up with a loud:

“THAT’S RIGHT!”

The first boy—Sebastián León, one of Christopher’s closest friends—continued complaining.

“Lady Valentina, we want to learn magic too! It’s unfair that you only teach Christopher! You have to teach us as well!”

“Yeah!” the others echoed in perfect agreement.

At that moment, carried by the momentum of their indignation, a girl stepped forward with determined strides, her gaze confident and her expression clearly annoyed. She positioned herself right beside the Lady of Gignit.

“Lady Valentina, it’s not fair that you only teach Christopher,” she said, shooting the boy a merciless glare. “We want to learn too.”

She was one of the three girls who formed part of their inseparable group of friends. One charming detail about the group was how diverse it was—its members came from different races. And this sweet girl was no human; just like Valentina, she was an elf.

She had long, beautifully kept hair the color of sunlight; those golden strands gleamed under the morning rays. Her skin was pale as snow, and her eyes were a deep, vivid blue. It was almost amusing: every boy in the village seemed to be locked in a ferocious rivalry to win the heart of this enchanting girl.

“Please, Lady Valentina! Teach us your magic! You’re the greatest mage in our village—and probably in all of Kosmos!”

She said that last part in a tone so full of towering admiration that it was impossible to miss.

The charming young elf was Selestia Salesian, daughter of one of Valentina’s closest friends. Because the two families were so close, Selestia had grown up listening to story after story about Valentina’s past achievements—and she had come to adore her. Truly adore her.

“APPROVED!” Valentina declared with exaggerated delight, lifting her arm to her waist and flashing a proud thumbs-up.

“Selestia, that is exactly how you treat an elven maiden like me… no—like us!”

Christopher pressed a hand to his forehead, sighing in embarrassment. He had momentarily forgotten how weak his mother was to compliments. He often relied on them himself—either to get what he wanted or to dodge a scolding.

“And why only her?” protested the second girl, the smallest and most delicate of the group.

No sooner had she spoken than she darted straight into Christopher’s arms, and he returned the hug with genuine affection.

The little girl wore a black jumper over a buttoned white shirt, the colors matching her fair skin. Her long night-black hair fell all the way to her waist, and her eyes resembled a deep, shadowed cave.

This was Diana León, Sebastián’s younger sister—only three years old, and absolutely attached to Christopher.

“Well then, I suppose all of you want to learn magic, right?” Valentina asked.

The children nodded in perfect unison.

“I don’t mind teaching you at all—in fact, I’d love to!”

She couldn’t help but smile as she looked at them. After all, she adored these children. They were her son’s closest friends.

“But what do you think, Christopher? Would you mind if I taught everyone instead of only you?”

Christopher immediately shook his head. How could he possibly object?
These kids were his friends—his companions in countless little adventures throughout the village—and they filled his life with joy.

“Of course I don’t!” Christopher exclaimed, thrilled.

“I’ll show all of them what I can do!”

“Then, Lady Valentina—let’s get started already!”

The second-to-last child spoke up, grinning with a tight, toothy smile that revealed both his upper and lower fangs—the lower ones noticeably smaller than the top pair.

At the same time, he rubbed his fists together with barely contained excitement.

His skin had a lightly tanned tone, and like the rest of the group, he was five years old. His hair was a vivid, fiery orange with streaks of black. He wore a yellowish V-neck top and black pants.

Around his neck hung a handmade chain, decorated with a pendant shaped like an animal’s fang.

This boy—Mathias Taigiur—was the last of Christopher’s friends who wasn’t human, and the feline traits covering his entire appearance made it obvious.

His eyes were a tawny amber-brown, the pupils slit vertically like those of a predator.

Two feline ears rose from his head, twitching subtly.

And behind him, swaying back and forth with excitement, was a long tail patterned in stripes of black, orange, and white.

With all those features, it was clear he was a tiger-type Beastkin, a member of the Feline Clan.

The last child finally approached Valentina while the others—including Christopher—were already starting to squabble playfully.

“Thank you very much, Lady Valentina.”

She was the calmest of the group, the one who always stepped in to stop Christopher, Sebastián, Mathias, and Selestia from fighting whenever their competitive spirits flared.

Her soft brown hair reached her shoulders, and her gentle hazel eyes suited her perfectly. Like her friends, she was five years old.

She wore a bluish jumper, and her lightly tanned skin seemed to warm further under the sun.

One thing that stood out about this little girl was that, despite her young age, she had already begun working alongside her father.

“Anita, I’m really happy you have time to study magic with us. But… won’t it be difficult for you if you also have to work? I’d love for you to come and practice with everyone.”

Valentina stretched out her arms and gently pulled the girl close, pinching her cheeks with a soft, affectionate gesture.

She often did the same with Christopher whenever he hesitated to answer a question—her way of helping a child feel safe and encouraged.

The girl’s situation was, in truth, a little sad.

“You mean because of my dad’s bakery?” asked Ana Valencia—better known as Anita—her voice carrying a clear hint of melancholy.

There was something about her demeanor that revealed she had experienced more than most children her age.

“Well… since my mom died when I was born, my dad has taken care of my sister, of me, and of the bakery. But… ever since Lucía—my older sister—turned fifteen and left the village to pursue her dream of becoming an adventurer, it’s just been the two of us.
So now I help him at the bakery.”

Anita lowered her gaze, remembering the times she had found her father asleep on the floor from pure exhaustion—and the many days when, even sick, he forced himself to keep working.

“My dad is really tired, so I want to help him. I take care of the customers while he handles the orders and the payments.”

It was fair to say that Anita was the most mature member of the group, shaped by her circumstances… yet none of that ever dimmed the brightness in her eyes.

Smiling, Valentina ruffled the girl’s hair.

She was remarkable—she had lost her mother, had never even met her—
and still, she smiled for her father’s sake.

“And does your dad know you’re here? Did you tell him?”

“Ah, that… don’t worry, Lady Valentina.”

A sweet smile returned to little Anita’s face.

“My dad says he’s happy I can help him, but he also wants me to have fun with my friends and study… And something I really want”—she looked shyly at her friends, who were busy arguing about who would be the strongest—“is to learn magic with them… and with you.”

“Just tell me one thing—are you sleeping well?”

“What? Ah—yes, I sleep very well,” Anita replied quickly.

Valentina gently ruffled her hair.

“Good. Then it’s decided.”

She hugged her young student once more before calling out to the rest.

“Kids, come here! We’ve wasted enough time—it’s time for today’s magic lesson to begin.”

She lifted her right leg and brought it down firmly. As her foot struck the ground, a faint pulse of magical energy rippled through the area—at least, Christopher and Selestia were able to feel it.

“Earth Elemental Magic: Rock Control”

With that single motion, Valentina activated Earth Magic, and from the soil rose six stones arranged neatly in a row.

“Everyone, take a seat. I’m about to begin today’s lesson.”

The children obeyed without complaint, sitting down eagerly, eyes sparkling with anticipation as they waited for their teacher to reveal everything she knew.

“First of all—does anyone know what kind of magic I just used?” she asked, fully embracing her role as instructor.

As expected, Christopher was the first to answer. Compared to his friends, he was far more familiar with magical topics.

“You used Earth Elemental Magic.”

“Correct!” Valentina exclaimed, delighted by her son’s answer. “This is the most basic method for learning to control Earth Elemental Magic—Rock Control.”

“And what’s the point of learning to make stone seats?”

From a general standpoint, it was actually a very good question from Mathias. The Beastkin boy continued:

“If an enemy attacks us, I don’t think this ‘Rock Control’ would help if all we can do is make seats.”

All the other children—except Christopher and Selestia—nodded in agreement.

Valentina couldn’t help but smile.

Not because Mathias was wrong, but because all of them were genuinely engaged.
Learning always had—and would always have—room for questions, doubts, and mistakes.

“Now then, I want everyone to pay close attention. As its name suggests…” Valentina rose to her feet and repeated the same spell. “Earth Elemental Magic; Rock Control is based precisely on manipulating stones drawn from the ground. And tell me—did you know that no type of magic is useless?”

The children gasped—everyone except Christopher and Selestia.

“So then…” Sebastián spoke up after a moment of silence. “Could you show us a good example of how to use it?”

“Of course! I love teaching!” Valentina’s face lit up with joy, delighted to see how eager her young students were to learn. “So—who wants to volunteer to face me?”

Every one of them wanted the chance to challenge Gignit’s admirable leader.

But Valentina hesitated. She wasn’t sure how far along each child was in magic or martial arts.
Mathias and Anita were behind the others; Selestia probably knew a little magic, but nothing beyond the basics.

Which meant her son was the safest option. Just as she opened her mouth to call on him, Mathias stepped boldly in front of her.

“Lady Valentina, please choose me! I learn best by practicing!”

She hesitated at first, but Mathias, being a Beastkin, had far greater strength and endurance than his friends.

He was a good candidate.

“All right. I want all of you to watch closely—this magic you think is useless can be applied in many different ways.”

The children nodded, eyes fixed on her, not daring to blink, fully invested in the coming match.

Meanwhile, Mathias prepared to launch the first attack, taking his own fighting stance. It seemed he had been practicing martial arts in secret.

Valentina was almost certain Christopher had something to do with that—
most likely he and Sebastián had been training with him.

But from the boy’s posture alone, she could tell he had only been learning for a short time.

“Get ready, Lady Valentina! Heeere I go…!”

Just as he took his first step forward, ready to charge at Valentina, a stone suddenly rose from the ground beneath his foot, throwing Mathias off balance for a moment.

Unfortunately for the Beastkin boy, Valentina’s attack wasn’t over. Another stone shot up under his other leg—this time clamping around it like a pair of pincers.

A third stone followed immediately, gripping his remaining leg and leaving him completely immobilized.

Mathias tried to think fast, searching for a way to break free. But Valentina wasn’t planning to give him the chance. Using Rock Control once more, she shifted the stone holding his right leg to the side, forcing it to stretch painfully outward.

Mathias had no choice but to place both hands on the ground to keep himself from falling face-first.

Valentina acted again.

Two new stones snapped up around his arms like restraints.

Now he couldn’t move at all. He lay flat on his stomach, limbs stretched wide in the shape of an X.

“That was incredible.”

The children were mesmerized—even Mathias, despite having been used as a test subject.

“So, kids, do you understand now?” Valentina asked. “Every type of magic can be useful depending on how you apply it—whether for offense, defense, chores, or even basic daily life.”

Their reaction was pure awe. They all knew Gignit’s leader was powerful… but what they had just witnessed was on an entirely different level.

And she had done it all with a spell they had considered completely useless.

Meanwhile, Christopher—analyzing every detail—found himself both frustrated and intrigued, imagining himself caught in that same trap, mentally searching for ways to escape such a simple yet brilliantly executed technique.

“I get it…” he murmured to himself as he stood and walked toward his mother. “Mom, I think it’s my turn to practice now.”

Valentina nodded.

She was excited to teach her beloved son a thing or two… though deep down, she wouldn’t have been surprised if he ended up teaching her something instead.

“I’ll be right here, sweetheart. Show Mama everything you’ve got!”

Come on, Christopher, you can do it!” Sebastián cheered.

“Don’t give up,” Diana added, her eyes shining with affection.

“You’d better not lose,” Mathias said with a confident grin.

“Lady Valentina, please teach him some manners,” Selestia huffed.

Meanwhile, Anita simply smiled, too enchanted by the moment to comment.

And so, his precious friends cheered him on.

“Let’s see what you can do, my son.”

Valentina gave him a smile overflowing with absolute confidence.

Christopher, on the other hand, didn’t take his eyes off his opponent for even a second.
He let out a quiet breath and mentally prepared himself for the fight.