The silver blur of the moon lingered in Aidan's mind long after he'd stepped away from the balcony.
Even after he lay in bed, sleep didn't come easy. He tossed and turned, caught between fragments of restless dreams and the heavy weight of the days to come.
The permission had been granted. He was going. And yet… something gnawed at him. A quiet, persistent anxiety that refused to let go.
By the time his eyes opened, dawn had broken. The sky outside his window remained a deep shade of orange and indigo, touched only faintly by the breath of morning.
The unease hadn't left—it had merely settled lower, heavier, like a stone lodged deep in his chest.
The day after tomorrow, he was going to step into the Dark Forest. It was heavy to even think.
Those words echoed like a countdown, ticking slowly toward a point of no return. There was no turning back now.
Not that he truly wanted to. But wanting something and being ready for it—those were two different things. And today, the weight of that difference pressed down harder than ever.
A knock sounded at his door, soft but sudden enough to cut through his thoughts.
"Young Master?" came the muffled voice of a servant. "Captain Matthew said your training for today has been cancelled. He'll be waiting for you in the living hall after breakfast."
Aidan sat up. So, his father and Matthew had already spoken.
Things were moving. Faster than expected.
"Let him know I'll be there," he replied, his voice calmer than the storm brewing within.
He moved toward the window, eyes fixed on the faint light gathering along the edge of the sky.
One full day.
One day before he stepped into a Dark Forest—a place which was recorded as dangerous even for Rank-Fourth beings.
One day to prepare.
Not just in strength, but in resolve.
Because deep down, Aidan already knew—there was no guarantee he'd come back.
Aidan exhaled slowly, a quiet sigh slipping from his lips.
As time passed, an unfamiliar tension crept over him—heavy and persistent.
A wave of anxiety began to build in his chest.
Back on Earth, it was one thing to sit in meetings with people twice his age, but this... this felt different.
It was one thing to fight a group of people you could see.
It was one thing to endure pain, even torture to kill someone.
But stepping into a land where the trees whispered and your own mind turned against you—that was something else entirely.
No matter how much Aidan tried to steady himself, the fear clung to him.
But even then, Aidan decided to move forward.
He remembered what made an ordinary person—an extraordinary.
To feel fear was normal. To be unsure was human.
But to let that fear paralyze you—that was failure, this here was a difference between someone who remain ordinary or become extraordinary.
A man must act even when he is afraid.
That, in the end, is what sets the ordinary apart from the extraordinary.
Courage wasn't the absence of fear—it was moving forward despite it.
Aidan stood still near the window as the faint light of morning touched him. His eyes shut as the breeze tugged gently at his hair. His chest rose with a slow breath, trembling just slightly before it stilled.
When his eyes opened, the hesitation was gone.
Something new burned there—quiet but unyielding resolve similar to his earth self that made him who he was in three years.
Aidan pushed open the door. Stepping out without a word, he moved toward the washroom as two servants followed him.
Each step he took was steady, purposeful.
Soon, he'd be standing before Matthew. And with that meeting, the next step in his journey would begin.
Aidan descended the stairs, his hand brushing the polished railing as his boots tapped lightly against each step.
The morning sun spilled through the high windows, casting golden patches across the stone floor of the living hall.
There, seated with calm composure, was Matthew—and beside him sat his mother, with Uncle Erwin.
Matthew had a cup of tea in his hand, while Lord Erwin leaned on the couch, giving input from time to time.
As Aidan stepped down the final stair, three pairs of eyes turned toward him—his mother, his uncle, and Matthew. The room fell briefly silent under their gaze before Aidan offered a polite nod and a calm smile.
"Good morning, Mom. Uncle. Teacher Matthew," he greeted, his voice steady despite the weight in his chest.
The three of them nodded in acknowledgment, and it was Erwin who spoke first. "So, Aidan," he said, stroking his beard thoughtfully, "I heard you'll be representing Wilson at the festival in the Lizardman Empire."
His tone held a hint of curiosity, edged with mild surprise. "To be honest, I wasn't expecting you to take an interest in administrative affairs this early."
"Uncle, this isn't just about politics or duty," Aidan said, his voice calm but firm. "I want to see the world for myself."
He glanced toward his mother before continuing, "I want to see what the other races look like—how they live, what their cultures are like... There's so much I've only read about.
And if, in between, I can represent our family, then I'll do everything I can to make sure I don't bring shame to the Wilson name."
Erwin chuckled. "There's no need to be so tense, Aidan. In the future, you'll be handling many things like this," he said, his tone relaxed but instructive.
"So take this one as a chance to learn—treat it as experience for what's ahead."
He added with a firm nod, "And I'm fully aware of your capabilities, Aidan. With Matthew by your side, there's even more reason to be at ease.
You're in good hands—more than most could ask for."
Aidan nodded, his gaze shifting briefly to Matthew.
For just a moment, he noticed Matthew's hand tremble slightly as he brought the teacup to his lips.
It was a barely noticeable shake—gone as quickly as it came.
Aidan's eyes lingered on the faint tremble of Matthew's hand.
He said nothing, but a thought settled in Aidan's mind—it seemed Matthew was nervous too.
Sophia handed Aidan the paper with a steady hand, her gaze unwavering as she spoke. "These are the guards and the captain who will accompany you," she said, her voice firm but laced with concern.
"The resources listed are for your journey—provisions, weapons, and a few extra contingencies. If there is any change that you want to be made, let me know."
Aidan glanced at the paper, scanning the names and details, his fingers tracing over the ink.
His mother's words carried a weight, but her expression was a mixture of care and worry.
Sophia reached into the folds of her dress, pulling off a delicate ring from her finger.
She placed it gently on the table.
Matthew and Erwin exchanged a brief glance, surprise flickering in their eyes—but it was quickly masked by the knowing look they shared, as if they had anticipated this gesture.