Chapter 1: Life as a Kid

It had been years since Ryuto had last worn diapers, and he couldn't have been happier about it. Now at age seven, he could finally enjoy some semblance of independence, even if it was still under the ever-watchful eyes of his overprotective family.

The Velclair estate, though grand and imposing, felt suffocating at times. Ryuto's true passion—the dream of becoming an adventurer—seemed a distant reality with the heavy expectations laid upon him. Edwin and Duke Alphonse were still away at war, leaving Ryuto feeling restless and confined.

His mornings were spent studying noble etiquette, history, and the usual lectures on how to manage the estate—none of which interested him. Ryuto wanted the thrill of adventure, the taste of danger, and the feeling of power that came with wielding his immense magical abilities. Instead, he was stuck memorizing family lineages.

In the sunlit courtyard, Ryuto practiced his magic, attempting to channel his overwhelming mana into something more precise. Sparks of light crackled around his fingertips as he conjured a small orb of flame. His control had improved over the years, but it was still far from perfect. The flame wavered, growing larger, and then—BOOM—it exploded into a shower of embers.

Ryuto groaned as smoke drifted through the air. "Not again..."

Behind him, Master Kaelin, his eccentric but brilliant magic tutor, chuckled. "You're trying too hard, boy. Magic isn't about brute force—it's about finesse."

Ryuto sighed, wiping soot from his face. "Easy for you to say. You're not dealing with this mana pool."

Master Kaelin shook his head, his long silver hair glinting in the sunlight. "You've been gifted with extraordinary power, Ryuto. But if you don't learn how to control it, you'll end up blowing yourself—or worse, your home—apart."

Ryuto muttered something under his breath about how a little explosion here and there wasn't so bad. What he really wanted was to be out there, adventuring, testing his magic in real-world scenarios, not just in controlled environments.

The adventurer's life—that was where the real fun was. The thought of monsters, quests, and the thrill of exploring unknown lands filled his mind constantly.

Master Kaelin noticed the faraway look in Ryuto's eyes. "Still dreaming of becoming an adventurer, I see?"

Ryuto looked up at him, excitement bubbling beneath the surface. "Of course! There's nothing else I want more."

Kaelin folded his arms, his expression thoughtful. "And your father? I assume he's still refusing to let you pursue that path?"

Ryuto scowled. "Yeah. He says I'm not ready. That I need to be stronger, more experienced, more 'noble-like.'" He waved his hand dismissively. "But how am I supposed to get stronger if I'm stuck here all day?"

Master Kaelin smiled knowingly. "Patience, Ryuto. Your time will come. But in the meantime, you must learn all you can. Power without discipline is chaos."

Ryuto rolled his eyes but couldn't deny the truth in his tutor's words. Still, it didn't change the fact that he was tired of waiting.

That afternoon, Ryuto sat on a bench in the gardens, idly tapping away at his smartphone while watching the clouds drift by. It was a rare moment of peace, and even though he was stuck on the estate, he could still use his phone to stay connected to the outside world. He'd been secretly watching adventurer guild activities and reading up on monster lore through the Flamefox App whenever he got the chance.

Beside him sat his best friend, Roland, a fellow noble boy with wild black hair and a mischievous grin. Roland was a bit taller and leaner than Ryuto, but his easygoing attitude made him a perfect companion for Ryuto's escapades.

"Still trying to figure out a way to escape and become a famous adventurer?" Roland asked, leaning back and stretching.

Ryuto smirked. "If I could, I'd be gone by now. But my mother and Celeste would have me chained to this estate forever if they could."

Roland laughed. "Yeah, I don't envy you. At least I get to sneak out and join a few hunts with my family's guards. But hey, don't worry. I've got a plan."

Ryuto raised an eyebrow, intrigued. "A plan?"

Roland nodded, his grin widening. "You know that local adventurer's guild in town? I overheard my father talking about how they're looking for new recruits. What if we—hypothetically, of course—found a way to sneak in and see what they're all about? We're old enough now to do something, right?"

The idea immediately sparked something in Ryuto. The chance to actually step foot in a real guild, to be around real adventurers—it was exactly what he needed. His eyes lit up with excitement.

"Are you serious?" Ryuto asked. "We could actually go there?"

"Sure," Roland said with a wink. "I mean, we'll have to be careful not to get caught, but yeah. It's not that far. We could sneak out one night, check it out, and come back before anyone notices."

Ryuto's heart pounded with excitement. This was his chance—his chance to finally taste the adventurer's life, even if just for a night. But he also knew the risks. If his mother or Celeste found out, they'd never let him out of the estate again. Not to mention his father's stern warning about leaving the safety of the estate while war loomed on the horizon.

"Alright," Ryuto said after a moment's hesitation. "Let's do it. But we've got to be smart about this. We can't get caught."

Roland nodded, the thrill of adventure already shining in his eyes. "No problem. I've been sneaking out for years. Trust me, I've got this."

Ryuto couldn't help but smile. Finally, things were starting to move in the right direction.

That evening, back inside the estate, Ryuto sat at the dining table with his family, doing his best to suppress the excitement bubbling within him. His mother, Duchess Seraphina, sat at the head of the table, her regal presence filling the room as she gracefully picked at her meal.

Celeste, sitting across from Ryuto, was her usual doting self, casting soft glances his way every few moments. Though her obsessive affection had calmed down somewhat thanks to their father's intervention, she still hovered like a protective shadow.

As Ryuto forked his way through dinner, his mind was entirely focused on the adventure that awaited him. In just a few days, he would sneak out with Roland and finally get a taste of the life he had been dreaming of.

But as he glanced up, he noticed Seraphina watching him closely.

"Ryuto," his mother said softly, "you've been rather quiet today. Is something on your mind?"

Ryuto nearly choked on his food, quickly composing himself. "Uh, no, nothing. Just… thinking about my studies."

Seraphina smiled, her eyes filled with warmth. "Good. You have a bright future ahead of you, my son. One day, you'll be in charge of this estate, and perhaps even more. Your father and brother are doing their part in the war, but we need strong men here too, to keep everything running smoothly."

Ryuto forced a smile, nodding in agreement, though inwardly, he wanted to scream. The idea of being stuck here forever, managing estates and handling noble politics, was not what he envisioned for his future.

Not at all.

The evening wore on, and dinner ended with the usual formalities. Ryuto excused himself as soon as he could without raising suspicion, eager to retreat to his room and finalize the plans with Roland for their impending adventure. As he walked through the grand halls of the estate, his mind was already racing with excitement.

The adventurer's guild—just a few days away from sneaking in and finally seeing what a real guild was like. He had read about adventurer life in his Flamefox App, but nothing could compare to experiencing it firsthand. He would meet seasoned adventurers, learn about quests, maybe even hear stories about monsters and dungeons.

As he reached his bedroom, he barely noticed Celeste trailing behind him until her voice broke the silence.

"Ryuto," she called softly.

He turned, inwardly bracing himself. Celeste, for all her overprotectiveness, was still his beloved sister. But ever since she had hinted at her desire to "always be with him" and her fantasies of running away together, Ryuto couldn't help but feel uncomfortable around her at times.

Celeste smiled gently, her hands folded in front of her as she walked over to him. "You've been acting strange lately. You're distracted… distant. Is everything alright?"

Ryuto hesitated. "I'm fine, Celeste. Just... you know, a lot on my mind with Father and Edwin gone."

It wasn't entirely a lie. The war had been weighing on him, especially the most recent letter from Edwin, which had hinted at the deteriorating situation on the frontlines. His brother's words had been carefully chosen, but Ryuto could read between the lines—things weren't going well.

Celeste's expression softened as she reached out and gently placed her hand on his shoulder. "I know you miss them. I do too. But you shouldn't burden yourself with such worries. They'll be alright. You're safe here, with me, Mother, and the estate."

Ryuto offered her a tight smile. "I know. Thanks."

But inwardly, he sighed. Celeste's idea of "safety" was keeping him locked away like a fragile flower. She had always seen him as something precious, and while that was touching in some ways, it was also suffocating. He needed to be more than just the protected younger brother—he needed to prove himself.

As Ryuto opened the door to his room, Celeste followed, watching him intently. "You know… if there's anything you need, you can always come to me. I'll always be here for you, Ryuto. No matter what."

He nodded, his mind already wandering back to his plans with Roland. "Thanks, Celeste. I'll keep that in mind."

She lingered for a moment longer, then finally turned to leave, casting one last look over her shoulder before disappearing down the hallway.

With a relieved sigh, Ryuto closed the door behind him and immediately pulled out his smartphone. He opened the Giggle Maps app, scanning the estate's grounds and the nearby town, planning his route for when he and Roland snuck out. The guild wasn't far, but they'd have to be careful to avoid the guards.

Just as he was about to message Roland with a final confirmation, the door to his room creaked open.

"Are you kidding me?" Ryuto muttered under his breath, quickly tucking the phone under his pillow.

But instead of Celeste, it was Seraphina who entered, her elegant presence commanding the room.

"Ryuto," she said softly, her voice carrying the same warmth as earlier. "I wanted to speak with you before you went to bed."

Ryuto's heart raced. He wasn't sure what this was about, but he didn't want to get caught with his sneaky plans still fresh in his mind.

"Of course, Mother," Ryuto replied, trying to remain calm. "What's on your mind?"

Seraphina moved closer and sat on the edge of his bed, smoothing her gown as she did so. Her gaze was soft, but there was a seriousness behind it. "You've grown a lot this past year. I've noticed how much more confident you've become with your magic. You've taken on more responsibilities around the estate, and I can see how much you care about this family."

Ryuto blinked, unsure where this was going.

"Your father and brother are still fighting on the frontlines, and I know that weighs heavily on you," she continued. "But you're still so young, Ryuto. I don't want you to feel like the burden of this estate or the future rests entirely on your shoulders. You'll have plenty of time to grow into your role."

Ryuto nodded, though inwardly he groaned. Everyone saw him as this young, delicate boy who needed to be nurtured and protected. But that wasn't how he saw himself. He wanted more. I want adventure. I want to prove myself.

"Thank you, Mother," Ryuto said, his tone respectful but distant.

Seraphina smiled gently and placed her hand on his cheek. "You remind me so much of your father when he was younger. Always wanting to take on more, to face the world head-on. But remember, it's okay to enjoy your childhood. Don't rush into adulthood too quickly."

Her words hung in the air as she stood and kissed him on the forehead. "Goodnight, my son. Rest well."

As she left the room, Ryuto sat there in silence for a moment, his mind buzzing with conflicting emotions. Part of him understood his mother's concern—he was still young, after all—but the other part of him was desperate to break free of the expectations and restrictions that came with his age.

Later that night, after making sure the estate was quiet, Ryuto sneaked out of his room and met up with Roland in the gardens.

"Ready for this?" Roland whispered with a grin.

Ryuto nodded, his excitement bubbling beneath the surface. "Let's go."

Using the Giggle Maps app to avoid the estate's guards, the two boys slipped out of the mansion grounds and into the cool night air. The town was only a short distance away, and soon they were standing in front of the adventurer's guild.

The building was modest but full of life. Through the windows, they could see adventurers talking, drinking, and planning their next quests. The sight of it made Ryuto's heart race. This is it. My first step toward the life I've always wanted.

"Come on," Roland whispered, nudging him. "Let's see what we can find out."

They slipped inside the guild, trying to stay as inconspicuous as possible. The air was thick with the scent of ale and roasted meat, and the sound of clinking glasses filled the room. Adventurers of all kinds—hardened warriors, skilled archers, powerful mages—filled the space, laughing and sharing tales of their latest conquests.

For Ryuto, it was heaven.

They edged closer to the quest board, where guild members posted bounties and requests for help. Ryuto's eyes scanned the parchment, reading through the details of each quest with growing excitement. This was what he had been dreaming of—real quests, real danger, real adventure.

Roland grinned beside him. "We're gonna be doing this for real one day, you know."

Ryuto smirked. "One day? Try soon."

But before they could plan their next move, a grizzled adventurer at the bar turned his head and noticed the two boys. His eyes narrowed suspiciously. "You two... don't look like you belong here. Too young to be guild members, aren't ya?"

Ryuto's heart skipped a beat, and he exchanged a nervous glance with Roland.

"Uh… we're just, uh, looking around," Roland said quickly, trying to play it off.

The adventurer grunted, giving them a long, hard stare. "Better be careful. This ain't a place for kids to be messing around."

As the man turned back to his drink, Ryuto felt a rush of relief. They had nearly been caught, but they had gotten away with it—for now.

The night passed in a blur as they continued to explore the guild, listening in on conversations and learning what they could. Ryuto felt a fire igniting inside him. This was the world he wanted to be a part of. This was the life he had always dreamed of.

But for now, he would have to settle for sneaking in.

As the night drew to a close, Ryuto and Roland slipped back out of the guild and made their way home, their heads filled with visions of adventure.

"This is just the beginning," Ryuto whispered, his heart pounding with excitement. "Soon, we'll be out there for real."

Roland nodded, grinning ear to ear. "And when we are, the world won't know what hit it."