The Blessings

Chapter 35: Beyond the Forest

The morning sun slowly rose above the endless sea of trees.

Golden rays slipped through the branches, warming the old training ground where Dorothy's students had spent countless days learning, failing, and growing.

The campfire from the previous night had long since died out.

Only faint wisps of smoke lingered in the crisp morning air.

Echo stretched his arms with a groan.

"I never thought sleeping on the ground could become... comfortable."

Mira smiled while packing her satchel.

"I think you've just become used to it."

"That's even worse."

Kodie walked past them, carrying a bucket of water from the nearby stream.

"You complained yesterday."

"You complained today."

"I predict you'll complain tomorrow."

Echo placed a hand dramatically over his heart.

"...I'm being bullied."

Mira laughed.

"No..."

"...you're simply predictable."

Even Dorothy chuckled softly.

Watching the three of them teasing one another, she couldn't help but think back to the timid children who had first arrived at her secluded training grounds.

Back then...

Echo rushed into everything without thinking.

Kodie preferred silence over conversation.

Mira constantly doubted herself, afraid of making mistakes.

Now...

Echo thought before acting.

Kodie had begun speaking without being asked.

Mira carried herself with quiet confidence.

They had changed.

More than they realized.

Dorothy closed the notebook resting on her lap.

"Gather around."

The cheerful atmosphere immediately settled into respectful silence.

The three students stood before her.

Dorothy slowly looked at each of them.

Her eyes carried both pride...

...and expectation.

"For many months..."

"...this forest has been your classroom."

She glanced toward the weathered training posts.

"You have learned discipline."

She looked at Mira.

"You have learned compassion."

She turned to Kodie.

"You have learned patience."

Finally...

She faced Echo.

"And you..."

"...have begun learning how to listen."

Echo instinctively lowered his head.

Those words carried more weight than any praise.

Dorothy continued.

"But every classroom has walls."

She slowly turned toward the distant mountains visible beyond the trees.

"And every student..."

"...must one day step beyond them."

Silence filled the clearing.

Echo quietly asked,

"...Master..."

"...does this mean our training is over?"

Dorothy smiled gently.

"No."

She shook her head.

"It means..."

"...it is finally beginning."

Before anyone could ask another question—

Knock. Knock.

A firm sound echoed from the wooden gate leading into the training grounds.

Echo frowned.

"...We have a gate?"

Kodie sighed.

"...We've always had one."

"I've never noticed."

"I know."

Dorothy simply smiled.

"I'll get it."

As she opened the gate...

A familiar young man stood waiting on the other side.

His clothes, though practical for travel, were clearly made from expensive fabric.

A silver emblem shaped like a blooming herb was embroidered onto his dark green cloak.

Echo's eyes widened.

"...Edric?"

Edric smiled warmly.

"It has been a while."

Mira bowed politely.

"It's good to see you again."

Kodie gave a small nod.

Edric returned the greeting before turning to Dorothy.

"Master Dorothy."

She smiled.

"You've grown busier since Greenhollow."

Edric gave a tired laugh.

"I wish I could say that wasn't true."

His smile slowly disappeared.

"I've come to ask for your help."

The atmosphere immediately changed.

Dorothy's expression grew serious.

"What happened?"

Edric reached into his satchel and unfolded a detailed map.

Several towns had been marked with red ink.

"Over the past month..."

"Our guild has received reports from across the kingdom."

He pointed toward the first location.

"Rare medicinal herbs are disappearing."

Another mark.

"Merchant caravans have begun avoiding certain roads."

Another.

"And monsters..."

He paused.

"...are behaving unlike anything recorded before."

Echo exchanged a glance with Mira.

Greenhollow.

So it wasn't an isolated incident.

Edric continued.

"My family's guild supplies healing potions to nearly every province."

"If this continues..."

"Hospitals, villages..."

"...even the Royal Knights..."

"...will begin facing shortages."

Dorothy quietly studied the map.

"What does your guild believe is causing it?"

Edric slowly shook his head.

"We don't know."

"And that..."

"...is exactly what worries us."

For several moments...

Only the sound of the wind filled the clearing.

Finally...

Dorothy rolled the map closed.

"I'll help."

Relief washed across Edric's face.

"Thank you."

"But..."

She looked back toward her students.

"...I won't be travelling alone."

Echo blinked.

"...Master?"

Dorothy's smile returned.

"The three of you are coming with me."

Silence.

Echo pointed at himself.

"...Us?"

"You'll leave the forest."

"You'll meet people whose lives are nothing like yours."

"You'll discover magic you've never imagined."

"You'll make mistakes."

"You'll succeed."

"And you'll learn."

She looked at all three of them.

"The world is the greatest teacher any mage will ever have."

Mira felt excitement mixed with nervousness.

Kodie quietly folded the map, already planning the journey in his mind.

Echo...

Could barely contain himself.

"We're... actually travelling?"

Dorothy nodded.

"Yes."

Echo suddenly looked around the training ground.

The weathered posts.

The old oak tree.

The stream where they fetched water every morning.

It had become home.

He smiled.

"...I guess..."

"...it's time."

Dorothy stepped beside him.

"Echo."

He turned.

"Are we finally becoming real mages?"

Dorothy was silent for a long moment.

Then...

She smiled.

"No."

Echo tilted his head.

"You've become students who know how to cast spells."

She looked toward the endless mountains beyond the forest.

"A real mage..."

"...isn't measured by the strength of their magic."

"It's measured by the number of lives that become brighter because they existed."

Those words settled deeply into the hearts of all three students.

Dorothy adjusted her travelling cloak.

"Pack only what you truly need."

"We leave tomorrow at sunrise."

Edric smiled.

"I'll prepare horses and supplies."

As he turned to leave, he paused for a moment.

"Oh..."

"I almost forgot."

He looked back at the students.

"The capital is currently holding its Annual Mage Festival."

Echo's eyes sparkled.

"...Mage Festival?"

Edric laughed.

"I had a feeling that would get your attention."

Dorothy couldn't help smiling.

"You'll see mages from every corner of the kingdom."

"Some will inspire you."

"Some will humble you."

"And some..."

She looked directly at Echo.

"...may change the course of your life forever."

That night...

The old training ground felt different.

Not because it had changed...

But because tomorrow...

For the first time...

They would leave it behind.

Far beyond the forest...

Lights from distant cities shimmered beneath the night sky.

A world filled with mysteries...

Waiting patiently...

For four travellers to take their first step.

---

End of Chapter 35

«Every journey begins with a single step.

But the greatest journeys begin when someone finds the courage to leave the place they once called home.»