As Carlos listened to the innkeeper, Mixarnt was busy eating a hearty meal prepared by the innkeeper’s wife. "That Kaelzar—I fought him a month ago. He’s strong," Mixarnt said between bites.

Carlos was stunned. How could an 11-year-old boy have gone toe-to-toe with Kaelzar? His skepticism clear. Carlos had been Kaelzar’s close friend and knew exactly how powerful he was, even though their paths had diverged over time, "You fought Kaelzar? Alone? You, an eleven years old!?" His voice was filled with disbelief, mixed with a hint of awe.

He leaned back in his chair, studying Mixarnt with a new sense of respect. "Tell me, kid, what makes you think you can stand a chance against someone like Kaelzar? He’s a force to be reckoned with, and you’re... well, you’re just a child." Carlos’ tone wasn’t harsh, but it reflected his doubts and the harsh realities of their world. Still, beneath his skepticism, a spark of curiosity and admiration for Mixarnt’s boldness and courage began to grow.

"Well, last time we fought, I was careless and exhausted myself too quickly. I learned from it, and I think I can take him on now... I mean, you’ll be there if I get defeated or if I need someone to step in," Mixarnt said with a grin. He wasn’t planning on a long one-on-one fight with Kaelzar—instead, he wanted someone ready to interfere if things went wrong.

Carlos’ expression softened, a faint smile forming. "You’ve got a sharp mind, kid. Knowing your limits and when to rely on others—that’s wisdom beyond your years."

He took a sip of ale, his eyes staying on Mixarnt’s confident face. "I have to admit, I’m impressed by your determination. And I’ll tell you this—if anyone can take down Kaelzar, it might just be you. With your quick thinking and my experience, we could make a strong team."

Carlos held out his hand, his grip firm as he sealed their agreement. "Alright, Mixarnt. Let’s do this. Together, we’ll put an end to Kaelzar’s reign of terror and bring peace back to these lands."

"Right! ... To be honest, I’m not sure I can take your words seriously," Mixarnt said, looking at Carlos, who was still wearing the overly tight shirt. He burst out laughing.

The innkeeper handed Carlos a set of clothes.

Carlos’ face turned red at Mixarnt’s comment, but his annoyance quickly turned into a sheepish laugh. "Fair enough, kid. I guess my... fashion sense isn’t exactly inspiring confidence." He took the clothes from the innkeeper, giving him a grateful nod before turning back to Mixarnt. "Here, let me get dressed properly. Can’t have the villagers thinking we’re a pair of troublemakers." Carlos stepped behind a curtain to change. A few moments later, he reappeared wearing sturdy traveler’s clothes. The fit was better than before, though it still showed off his broad shoulders and chest. Returning to the table, Carlos cleared his throat, trying to sound serious again. "There. Now, where were we? Ah, yes—our plan to take down Kaelzar..."

"Well, he’s certainly active. What do you think?" Mixarnt asked innocently. Carlos thought for a moment.

"Kaelzar is my friend. His goal is to destroy the Naeva Kingdom... I can’t go into details, but we have a history. It’s just that I chose a different path. Anyway, he’ll probably infiltrate the kingdom and try to bring it down from within," Carlos explained. His words hung in the air, heavy with the complexity of his relationship with Kaelzar. Their bond was a mix of loyalty, friendship, and betrayal—a story filled with moral gray areas and difficult choices.

Mixarnt listened carefully, his young mind trying to understand how a "friend" could want to destroy an entire kingdom. "A powerful ally turned dangerous enemy," Carlos continued, his voice weighed down by their shared past. "We’ll need to be smart and strategic if we want to stop him." He leaned forward, his gaze intense as he looked at Mixarnt. "Your unique skills and perspective will be crucial in this fight. Together, we can find a way to confront Kaelzar without using the same destructive methods he does."

As they finished talking, screams erupted outside the inn. Two men were causing chaos in the village.

"Hahaha! We’re back to have some fun with the locals!" shouted Kurimaw and Kalisto. Carlos quickly recognized them as escaped prisoners from the continental prison—Kaelzar’s men. Kalisto spotted Carlos.

"Oh! If it isn’t the most notorious inmate! So you finally decided to leave that prison and start terrorizing people too?" Kalisto said with a grin.

Carlos was furious. He had accepted his imprisonment, even though he was innocent, to honor the promise he made to his late fiancée, Mikaela. But now, he had left the prison with Mixarnt’s help, resolved to stop Kaelzar, Mikaela’s brother. "Bastard..." Carlos muttered as Mixarnt tossed him a short iron sword.

Carlos’ hand gripped the hilt of the short iron sword, his fingers tightening as anger surged through him. Kalisto’s insult had hit a nerve, reigniting the resentment and frustration Carlos had buried for so long.

With a fierce snarl, Carlos leaped to his feet, the sword gleaming in the dim light as he faced his accusers. "You know nothing about my life or the promises I’ve kept," he growled, his voice cold and dangerous. "But tonight, you’ll learn a lesson you won’t forget."

Mixarnt watched, his eyes wide with a mix of fear and awe as Carlos transformed before him. The man’s demeanor shifted, hardened by years of imprisonment and driven by a fierce determination to protect what mattered to him.

As the confrontation heated up, the village inn descended into chaos, with patrons scrambling to escape to safety.

Carlos and Kalisto clashed blades in the center of the plaza, the sound of steel ringing through the air. Carlos moved with precision, his movements sharp and calculated. He swung his sword in a wide arc, unleashing his signature technique—Wind Blade. A razor-sharp gust of wind erupted from his sword, slicing through the air toward Kalisto.

Kalisto barely managed to dodge, the wind grazing his arm and leaving a shallow cut. He smirked, but his confidence wavered as Carlos followed up with another attack. This time, Carlos channeled his magic, his sword glowing with a faint blue light. With a swift motion, he sent multiple Razor Wind Slashes hurtling toward Kalisto.

The wind blades cut through the air like invisible knives, forcing Kalisto to retreat. He parried one, but another grazed his shoulder, drawing blood. Carlos pressed the advantage, his movements fluid and relentless. Each strike was precise, each step calculated to keep Kalisto on the defensive.

Kalisto gritted his teeth, his smirk fading as he struggled to keep up. "You’ve gotten stronger, Carlos!" he spat, swinging his blade wildly in an attempt to counter. But Carlos was relentless, his Wind Blade technique and wind magic combining to create a storm of slashes that left Kalisto scrambling.

Carlos’ eyes burned with determination. "This ends now, Kalisto!" he shouted, launching a final, powerful Wind Blade. The attack struck true, sending Kalisto stumbling backward, his sword slipping from his grasp.

Breathing heavily, Carlos stood tall, his sword still glowing with residual magic. "You’re done," he said coldly, his gaze locked on his defeated foe.

"Hey, Carlos! If you move, I’ll kill this girl!" Carlos froze, and Kalisto took the chance to slash him. Pain shot through his side as Kalisto’s blade struck, leaving a shallow but stinging wound. Carlos clenched his teeth, his eyes locked on Kurimaw and the terrified girl. He couldn’t let his anger take over—not with innocent lives at stake.