From Blade To Spell

Inside a lavish carriage, a fat young man dressed in golden robes lounged comfortably. Each of his fingers bore heavy gold rings, and a thick gold necklace hung around his neck. One glance was enough to know, he was rich, and he flaunted it.

Seated on his lap was a maid, delicately feeding him slices of fruit. As he chewed lazily, one of his hands roamed beneath her clothes, fondling her breasts with increasing pressure.

Suddenly, he asked,

"When will we reach the castle?"

His grip tightened, making the maid flinch and moan softly in pain. But she gritted her teeth and replied,

"Lord Gloden, we'll arrive within the time it takes to burn an incense stick."

Gloden, the only son of Lord Theodore, had been spoiled since birth. Arrogant, indulgent, and unchecked, his behavior was tolerated, if not feared. The maid, like many in his service, had no choice but to endure his whims.

Behind his carriage, two more followed closely, flanked by knights on horseback, their armor gleaming in the afternoon light. The procession moved steadily toward Starfall Castle, drawing curious glances from townsfolk as it passed.

Although Gloden was the only son of Duke Theodore and had been spoiled since childhood, it didn't mean he was uneducated.

His father had hired renowned tutors to teach him art, mathematics, and various disciplines.

While his physical strength was average, his intellect was exceptional.

Gloden understood perfectly why he had been sent to Starfall City, to impress Miss Alice and win her hand in marriage.

If he succeeded, it would be a monumental achievement.

In time, Duke Alaric's territories could fall under his influence.

As the thought settled in, a smile crept across his face, unbidden.

Miss Alice… already within my grasp.

He had heard the rumors, Alice admired intelligence.

And in that domain, Gloden felt untouchable.

With the knowledge he had accumulated over the years, he believed no one his age could rival him.

This marriage proposal event… it's mine to win.

.....

The outskirts of Starfall City were blanketed in forest. Though large predators were rare, small animals still scurried through the underbrush, rustling leaves and darting between trees.

By the roadside, a heavily armed man crouched near a modest fire, bloodstains smeared across his armor. He turned a spit slowly, roasting a rabbit with practiced care.

His name was Dominoz.

Few knew his name, but in Verdia City, the capital of the kingdom, he was whispered about as the Uncrowned Genius.

The youngest knight in the Kingdom of Verdia, Dominoz was exceptionally powerful for his age. But that wasn't his only secret, he was also the second prince of the Verdia Empire.

Despite his royal blood, Dominoz preferred solitude. He often ventured alone, training in the wild to sharpen his skills and temper his spirit.

Now, he had come to Starfall City with a singular goal:

To win the hand of Miss Alice.

As the second son, his future in the empire was uncertain, overshadowed by his elder brother. But Dominoz was unwilling to accept his fate.

If he could win Alice's heart, he might gain the political leverage and influence needed to challenge the throne itself.

Green Fort. Starfall Castle. Alice… they were all pieces on the board.

.....

Aaron wandered through Starfall City, his steps aimless, his thoughts tangled.

The afternoon light shimmered off rooftops as he drifted toward the port, drawn by the sound of waves and the scent of salt.

When he arrived, he stood still, staring at the vast stretch of water before him.

The cool sea breeze brushed against his face, calming his restless mind.

He closed his eyes briefly, letting the wind carry away the noise in his head.

So much had happened, the territory, Miss Alice's upcoming ceremony, and the looming challenges ahead.

One thing was clear:

He needed strength.

Not just to survive Green Fort, but to stand tall among nobles, warriors, and rivals.

If I want to protect what's mine… I have to grow stronger.

After a long pause, Aaron opened his eyes and muttered to himself,

"In the next few days… I'll fish, kill, and level up. That's the only way forward."

Just as Aaron stood by the port, letting the cool sea breeze calm his thoughts, he spotted a familiar figure in the distance.

His eyes lit up.

"Edrin!"

The man turned, surprised.

"Aaron? What are you doing here?"

Aaron walked over, shrugging.

"Honestly, I don't know many places in Starfall City. The dock's the only spot I'm familiar with… so I came here to relax."

He paused, then added,

"By the way, Edrin, do you know anyone who can take me out to sea for fishing?"

Edrin gave him a curious look, then chuckled.

"Well, I don't own a boat like Garric, but that doesn't mean I lack connections. I know a guy who rents out his skiff, 10 silver coins a day. Want me to set it up?"

Aaron nodded without hesitation.

"Of course, Edrin."

As they walked along the port, Aaron turned to Edrin and asked,

"Edrin, do you know anything about Green Fort?"

Edrin stopped mid-step, looking at Aaron with surprise.

"Aaron… you're asking about the Forbidden Zone already?"

He studied Aaron's calm expression, then sighed and continued,

"Most people in the Verdia Kingdom know about the three Forbidden Zones. Each one borders a Fort, and Green Fort is no exception."

He pointed toward the distant mountains.

"Green Fort lies beside the Savannah Mountain Range. It's crawling with monsters and considered the most dangerous of the three."

Edrin's tone grew more serious.

"To make things worse, Green Fort sits at the very edge of the kingdom. There are no nearby territories. The closest is Cotton Town, two weeks' walk from the fort, and it's under Viscount Rudolf's rule."

Aaron's expression remained calm, even as Edrin spoke. He already knew, Green Fort would soon be under his rule. That truth anchored him.

So he pressed on,

"Edrin, do you know anything about Viscount Rudolf?"

Edrin's face lit up with a knowing smile.

"Of course! Who doesn't know the famous Viscount Rudolf?"

He leaned in slightly, his voice dropping into storyteller mode.

"Rudolf was a businessman before Lord Alaric granted him territory. In fact, he discovered Cotton Town himself, fifty years ago. Built it from scratch."