A long sigh broke the silence beside me. I turned, already annoyed.

“Can you not breathe so loudly, Farel?”

He shrugged, eyes fixed on the large notice posted on the wall. The parchment flapped under the wind, bold letters burned across it:

ROYAL DECREE — ALL ABLE YOUTHS TO ENROLL IN THE MILITARY ACADEMY.

Farel groaned. “Has the kingdom run out of soldiers? Why send us to fight demons?”

I didn’t answer. My stomach twisted the same way his voice did.

He tore the notice from the wall, crumpled it, and tossed it aside. “This is insane.”

I caught his wrist. “Insane or not, it’s the king’s order.”

He yanked free, scowling. “We’re eighteen, Xanders. We’re supposed to be planning weddings, not wars.”

“Marriage was your goal, not mine.”

“Right. Easy for you to say.” He ruffled my hair hard enough to sting.

“Stop that, idiot.”

“You wouldn’t understand,” he muttered. “You don’t have someone waiting for you.”

I rolled my eyes. “Forget marriage. The demons won’t wait.”

He sighed, tossing another pebble into the river. “Then what do we do?”

“We go to the Ministry of Defense,” I said.

His eyes widened. “You’re serious?”

“Completely.” I pulled him along before he could protest.

—

The line outside the minister’s house stretched down the street. Farel complained the entire time.

“This is madness. We’re actually signing up for a demon war?”

“Name,” barked the guard at the desk.

“Xanders,” I said quietly. “I live with an old woman named Wilona, from Elf Village.”

The guard scribbled my details, then handed me a slip marked #100. “Don’t lose it. Be ready.”

Farel stared at my number. “A hundred? Guess we’re not the only idiots.”

I leaned closer. “I’m doing this for Nenek Wilona. She’s sick. The army pays in gold coins.”

He frowned. “You could’ve just asked me for help.”

I shook my head. “This is something I have to earn myself.”

Farel sighed, shoulders drooping. “Fine. For Grandma Wilona, then. I’ll join too. Even if it ruins my chance to get married.”

—

That night, I returned home. Our small wooden house sat alone, far from the city lights. Wilona lay resting on her mat, her breath shallow but steady.

“Nenek, I brought bread,” I said softly, kneeling beside her. Her eyes fluttered open, warm and weary.

“Ah, my child… you’re back.”

I handed her the bread and a few silver coins. “We sold the fish at the market today.”

She smiled weakly. “You shouldn’t worry about me. Go find your parents, live your own life.”

I shook my head. “You’re my only family, Nenek.”

Her hand trembled as she touched my cheek. “Then promise me one thing—be happy when I’m gone.”

“Don’t say that.” I helped her sit upright. “Eat first, then take your medicine.”

Her gaze drifted toward the window, the fading sunlight painting her face gold. “When I found you years ago, you were wrapped in this.”

She opened an old wooden box and lifted a crimson pendant shaped like a star. Its glow pulsed faintly, as if alive.

“This belonged to your parents,” she whispered. “Maybe someday it will guide you to them.”

I stared at the gem, anger flickering in my chest. “They abandoned me.”

“Don’t hate them, Xanders.”

I swallowed hard, unable to reply.

Her frail smile softened the air. “If I must leave soon, know that I’ve already been blessed—having you.”

“Nenek, please stop talking like that.” My voice cracked.

She only chuckled, light and tired. “You’ve grown strong. Promise me you’ll live.”

I held her hand until her breathing steadied, the crimson pendant heavy in my palm.

—

Hours later, I sat outside, staring at the dark sky. Clouds gathered thickly, but no rain fell. Something twisted in my gut. The pendant around my neck pulsed faintly—warm, alive.

“Why do I feel like this?” I muttered.

Inside, Wilona prepared breakfast. “Nenek,” I called, forcing a smile, “Farel and I are going to the forest today. Shasha will stay here with you.”

She frowned. “You’re leaving?”

I nodded hesitantly.

“Is that really Farel?” she asked, squinting at him when he appeared by the doorway.

“Yes, Nenek. We’ll hunt some deer. Might take a while.”

Shasha, her caretaker, touched Wilona’s shoulder. “Don’t worry, I’ll watch her.”

Wilona exhaled slowly. “Then return safely, both of you.”

Her words lit something inside me—determination, and a fear I couldn’t name.

—

Two hundred elves gathered at the edge of the forest, banners fluttering under the dawn light. The academy awaited beyond the mountains.

“Wait, he’s coming too?” someone scoffed.

I ignored the laughter, but Farel didn’t. “Got a problem with that?”

“Yeah. He’s not even a full elf. What’s he doing here?”

“Does it matter?” I replied calmly.

Apparently, it did. A boy named Micky grabbed my collar.

“Enough!” A gray-haired officer separated us. “Save your fights for the demons.”

Micky glared before backing off. I bowed slightly. “Thank you, sir.”

He waved it off. “My duty is to keep order. Now move.”

We marched through the dense woods for days. When night fell, we set camp beneath the towering trees.

—

The others slept quickly, but I couldn’t. My body felt heavy, my pulse racing.

“What’s happening to me?” I whispered.

Pain ripped through my chest. My skin burned. My breath came ragged. I stumbled toward the river, desperate for water.

“Please… help…” I plunged my hands into the stream—then froze.

The water wasn’t cold. It couldn’t touch me.

A red glow spread from my palms, crawling up my arms like living fire. My vision blurred. Shadows gathered in the darkness, whispering my name.

“No… stay away—”

Everything went black.

—

When I woke, sunlight blinded me. Farel stood over me, arms crossed.

“Sleeping by the river now? I thought you ran off.”

I sat up, dazed. “I… what happened?”

“You tell me.” He handed me my gear. “Everyone’s ready to move.”

I dipped my hand in the water again—still no cold. My heart pounded. I forced a smile. “Nothing happened. Let’s go.”

Farel frowned but didn’t push.

We marched on. The wind shifted, carrying the scent of danger.

“Watch out!” someone shouted.

A massive tree crashed down ahead, crushing two soldiers. Chaos erupted.

“Ambush!” the captain roared.

Arrows hissed through the air. We dove behind trees, returning fire where we could. The night flared with light and blood.

“Hold the line!” the captain bell

owed. “Feel the wind—listen for the source!”

I closed my eyes, hearing it—the faint hum beneath the storm, the whisper of the pendant against my skin.

Then everything erupted in flame.

Source: Webnovel.com, updated by NovelKeep