The night passed peacefully.
Apart from the occasional howl of distant Magical Beasts...
Nothing disturbed the fortified outpost.
At dawn...
The great wooden gates opened once more.
The Guild caravan resumed its journey.
---
Unlike the previous days...
The applicants had grown noticeably quieter.
Yesterday's encounter with the Earthshaker had humbled many of them.
Several who had loudly boasted about their strength now walked in thoughtful silence.
Even the arrogant noble youths kept their voices low.
Reality...
Was often the greatest teacher.
---
As the caravan continued southward...
The terrain gradually changed.
The dense forests gave way to vast grasslands dotted with clusters of ancient trees.
Herds of ordinary deer grazed peacefully.
Flocks of blue-feathered birds soared overhead.
Occasionally...
A Magical Beast could be seen in the distance.
Most simply observed the caravan before returning to their own affairs.
Kieran watched them with interest.
He noticed something.
"The stronger beasts..."
"...don't seem interested in attacking us."
Old Mountain, who was walking nearby, turned his head slightly as if he understood.
The elderly Beast Tamer overheard Kieran.
"You're observant."
Kieran looked toward him respectfully.
The old man smiled.
"Most people think Magical Beasts attack humans whenever they see them."
He shook his head.
"That's wrong."
---
Several nearby applicants began listening.
The old Beast Tamer continued.
"The wilderness has its own rules."
"Most beasts hunt because they're hungry."
"They defend territory because they must."
"They protect their young because that's their duty."
He looked toward the distant plains.
"Only a few truly enjoy killing."
Mira blinked.
"So..."
"They're not all monsters?"
The old man laughed warmly.
"Child..."
"I've met humans crueler than any beast."
Silence followed.
Even Darius nodded in agreement.
---
Kieran remembered the White Stag.
The Silver Eagle.
The Ancient Tortoise.
None had ever harmed him.
Instead...
They had each taught him something.
Perhaps...
The line between man and beast wasn't as simple as most believed.
---
As noon approached...
The caravan reached a wide river.
Its crystal-clear waters sparkled beneath the sunlight.
Stretching across it was a magnificent stone bridge nearly two hundred meters long.
At each end stood armored imperial soldiers.
Darius approached one of the officers and handed over several official documents.
After a brief inspection...
The officer saluted.
"You may pass."
---
Mira looked around curiously.
"There are so many soldiers."
Ronan answered before anyone else could.
"This is the Emerald River."
"It separates two provincial territories."
"Every caravan entering or leaving must be registered."
Selene looked at him with mild surprise.
"I didn't know you talked this much."
Ronan looked away.
"...You asked."
Mira burst into laughter.
Even Kieran smiled.
---
Halfway across the bridge...
Kieran paused.
He looked down into the river.
Beneath the surface...
Dozens of silver fish swam gracefully through the current.
Suddenly...
One of the larger fish leaped from the water.
Its scales shimmered with pale blue Magna before it splashed back into the river.
"What was that?"
Mira asked.
The old Beast Tamer smiled.
"A River Spirit Fish."
"They're harmless."
"They gather where water Magna is pure."
Kieran continued watching the river.
Everything in Melika...
Humans.
Beasts.
Even rivers...
Seemed connected by Magna.
---
By late afternoon...
The caravan arrived at a small frontier town called Stonebrook.
Unlike Ardent Crossing...
Stonebrook was simple.
Its streets were narrow.
Its buildings modest.
Yet the town bustled with life.
Farmers sold fresh produce.
Hunters returned carrying Magical Beast hides.
Children chased one another through the marketplace.
The Guild caravan would remain here until sunrise.
---
After everyone settled into the local inn...
Darius gathered all the Academy applicants in the courtyard.
"You've all seen enough to understand something."
He looked around slowly.
"The Academy isn't looking for the strongest."
Several applicants looked confused.
"It isn't?"
Darius shook his head.
"If strength alone mattered..."
"The old would always rule the young."
"The Academy seeks potential."
He pointed toward the surrounding wilderness.
"A sharp sword is valuable."
"But a fool holding that sword..."
"...is dangerous."
His gaze swept across every student.
"Remember that."
---
That evening...
Kieran sat alone beneath an old oak tree outside the inn.
In his hands rested the wooden pendant Crystal had carved.
He wasn't cultivating.
He simply watched the stars.
Listened to the wind.
Thought about everything he had seen.
The caravan.
The Earthshaker.
The old Beast Tamer's words.
The countless lives moving across Melika.
Without realizing it...
His understanding deepened.
Not of Magna.
Not yet.
But of the world itself.
Hidden deep within his body...
The Ancient Foundation Seal emitted the faintest ripple.
So subtle...
That not even Kieran noticed.
Far away...
Beyond mountains, forests, and cities...
Crystal suddenly looked toward the southern horizon.
A gentle smile appeared on her face.
"He has begun asking the right questions."
Kael, who was splitting firewood nearby, looked up.
"What happened?"
Crystal shook her head softly.
"Nothing."
"Not yet."
"But the day grows closer."
She returned to her work, her smile never fading.
For the first time in twelve years...
The Ancient Foundation Seal had responded.
Not because of power.
But because Kieran's understanding of the world had quietly taken another step forward.
End of Chapter 61