Born in Another World With Two E Rank Skills!?

Kael blinked at the man and woman standing before him. Both had the lean muscle and graceful bearing of veteran adventurers. The man had short brown hair streaked with gray and a confident smile. The woman had warm eyes, a bow strapped across her back, and a quiet calm that reminded Kael of Mira.

"May we see the quest?" the man asked politely.

Kael narrowed his eyes. "Do I... know you?"

The two exchanged a glance, then the woman shook her head. "I don't think so. Should we?"

Before Kael could respond, the guild hall door opened.

"Mom!? Dad!?" Mira called out, rushing over.

Kael's eyes widened as he took another look. Now that he saw them through Mira's excitement, the resemblance was unmistakable.

Mira threw her arms around her parents, and her father chuckled. "Well, if it isn't our little spell-blade."

"You said you wouldn't be back for another week," Mira said, beaming.

"Took a faster route," her mother said. Then her eyes drifted toward Kael. "And who's this?"

Mira grinned. "This is Kael. The boy I mentioned in my letters."

Kael's ears burned. "You… mentioned me?"

Her father raised an eyebrow, a teasing glint in his eye. "Oh, several times."

Mira elbowed him. "Dad!"

Kael cleared his throat awkwardly. "I—uh—I'm honored. Really."

Her parents smiled warmly. "You must be special to her," Mira's mother said gently.

Before Kael could recover, Mira redirected the conversation. "He posted the quest. Shadow corruption near the ley lines. We were just about to leave."

Her father nodded. "Then we're in. We'll take the quest."

As they began to gather their things, a familiar voice interrupted.

"Wait. I'm coming too."

Kael turned to see Headmaster Dalen approaching, his long coat rippling behind him.

"Headmaster?" Kael asked, surprised.

"If the Lord is making moves near Wrenvale, I want to see it firsthand."

With that, their party was complete.

---

Outside the city gates, Kael found himself staring in disbelief.

"That's... our transport?"

Standing before them was a creature that looked like a cross between a giant bat and a bird of prey. Its wings were feathered, pristine white, but its body was sinewy and leathery, with taloned feet and a hooked beak. Nearly twenty feet tall, the beast was fitted with a saddle large enough to carry all six passengers.

"Meet Velra," Mira's father said. "Sky-roosting crested windbeast. Rarest of their kind. She's been with us for twenty years."

Kael took a cautious step forward, and Velra turned her head, her piercing blue eyes meeting his. There was no aggression—just an eerie, intelligent curiosity.

Mira climbed up easily and patted the saddle beside her. "Come on. First time flying?"

Kael swallowed and climbed aboard. As soon as everyone was settled, Velra spread her massive wings.

With a single leap, they were airborne.

The city shrank below them as the wind roared past. Mountains, rivers, and forests rolled beneath their feet like a painted map. Kael looked ahead, heart pounding, eyes fixed on the distant horizon.

They were heading toward Wrenvale. Toward whatever darkness waited there.

He wouldn't let it win.