Aldoria: Am I a hero...or not?

{{Valor Manor – Morning}}

As the sun climbed over the horizon, its golden rays bathed the grand Valor Manor in warm light.

The once-chaotic atmosphere, thick with the tension of the recent monster attack, had given way to a renewed sense of peace and celebration.

The noble guests, who had gathered in the wake of the battle, were now preparing to depart, their carriages lining the grand courtyard.

The Valor Family stood near the entrance, bidding their guests farewell. Nobles in embroidered coats and flowing gowns exchanged pleasantries, their words laced with underlying curiosity about the family's growing influence.

"This has been a wonderful homecoming for young Kyle," a baron remarked, shaking Cassian's hand. "You have a strong brother."

Cassian nodded, his expression unreadable. "He is."

A countess, dressed in regal violet, smiled at Elysia. "Your sons and daughters have truly grown into remarkable warriors. I look forward to hearing more of their accomplishments in the future."

Elysia returned the smile, though it felt forced. Her sons had indeed grown strong, but at what cost? Strength invited conflict, and conflict was something a mother could never be at peace with.

As the last carriage rolled away, the sound of hooves fading into the distance, a knight in silver armor approached Cassian and handed him a sealed letter.

"A message from the Lord," the knight announced, bowing respectfully.

Cassian broke the wax seal and scanned the parchment, his brows furrowing as he read.

"It's from Father," he muttered.

The siblings instinctively gathered closer, awaiting his next words.

"He's still occupied with urgent matters and won't be returning home anytime soon," Cassian said. "However, he's relieved to hear that we're safe." He paused, eyes flickering toward Kael. "He also mentioned... that he's impressed with Kael's growth."

Kael's eyes widened slightly. "He… acknowledged me?"

Cassian gave a small nod. "He also credits Lucien, your master, for your strength."

Kael stood still, the words sinking deep into his mind. His father, a man who had barely regarded his existence before, had finally taken notice.

His heart should have swelled with pride, but instead, a strange hollowness lingered.

He wasn't sure.

{{Valor Manor – Afternoon}}

As the day progressed, the manor settled back into its familiar rhythm.

Garrett took charge of training the knights, his sharp commands echoing across the training grounds.

Freya was buried in stacks of parchment, handling family affairs with quiet determination.

Selene and Kyle continued their sparring sessions, their blades clashing in a symphony of ambition and rivalry.

Elysia, ever the watchful mother, kept her eyes on all of them. Her worries had not lessened, only shifted.

And as for Kael..

He was in the library.

Sitting at a large oak table, surrounded by towering stacks of books, he skimmed through pages at an alarming rate.

His system's scanning ability allowed him to absorb information instantly, storing every battle strategy, every historical account, and every map of Aldoria into his mind like a vast archive.

Yet, despite the endless knowledge he consumed, a restless feeling gnawed at him.

No book could answer that question.

He shut the book in front of him with a quiet thud and exhaled.

Then, an idea struck him.

Something stirred within him.. an urge, an impulse he could not ignore.

{{Valor Manor – Woodshop}}

Kael found himself in a secluded corner of the manor grounds, where an old woodworking shop stood untouched by time.

The scent of aged timber filled the air, and a thin layer of dust covered the tables, remnants of a place once used by craftsmen to shape wood into art.

He ran his fingers over a workbench, brushing off the dust.

"If I want to be a true adventurer... I need a new identity," he murmured to himself.

Picking up a chisel and a block of wood, he began carving.

At first, the movements were slow, unrefined..

But as the hours passed, his strokes became sharper, more precise.

His breathing synced with the steady rhythm of the blade against the wood.

Chip by chip, the shape took form.

By nightfall, a mask sat before him.

It was black, sleek, and featureless, except for a single white crack-like design running down the right side, a symbol of his desire to grow stronger, to break past his limits.

He held it in his hands, staring at it as if it held the answers he sought.

"A name," he whispered.

A name that would define him outside of the Valor Family. A name for the adventurer he would become.

"…Jin."

{{Valor Manor – Dinner}}

The dining hall was filled with the quiet hum of conversation as the family sat around the grand table, plates adorned with a feast of roasted meats, fresh bread, and fine wine. Yet, Kael's presence at the table carried a weight that had not been there before.

"I've decided," he said, his voice calm but firm. "I want to become an adventurer."

The room fell into silence.

Kyle raised an eyebrow, setting down his fork. "That confident, huh?"

Kael smirked. "I just know I still have a long way to go."

Cassian leaned back slightly, studying him. "Why?"

Kael's gaze didn't waver. "Because I need real experience. I've become stronger, but I know I'm still not strong enough. There are warriors out there far beyond my level."

Kyle chuckled, shaking his head. "My brother really has started to believe in his own strength."

Kael met his gaze evenly. "Not believe. Just acknowledge reality."

Kyle grinned. "That's a first."

Cassian exhaled, crossing his arms. "Very well."

Elysia, however, frowned."Then at least take a knight with you."

She said with a worried voice.

Selene nodded in agreement. "Mother's right. It's dangerous to go alone."

Kael shook his head. "I have to do this on my own. If I go alone, I can find true allies. Friends. A team."

Elysia's lips pressed into a thin line. She wanted to protest, to tell him that it was reckless, but the look in his eyes made her pause.

She saw it.

Determination.

"…Then promise me you'll come back," she finally said, her voice softer now.

Kael nodded. "I will."

{{Valor Manor – Morning}}

The first light of dawn painted the sky in shades of orange and gold.

Kael stood at the manor gates, his bladeless sword, sheathed and strapped to his side, his infinite storage pouch secured at his waist. Tucked inside was the black mask he had crafted.

Jin's mask.

He took a deep breath.

This was it.

The first step into the world, not as a member of the Valor Family, but as an adventurer carving his own path.

A crisp wind swept through the estate, rustling his cloak.

He didn't look back.

With steady steps, he walked forward.

Toward the unknown.