Ninir hadn't slept a wink all night. His exhausted eyes carried a trace of resolve as the first rays of sunlight pierced through the morning mist, casting a golden hue over the land. His hurried figure darted through the light.
"Mom, I'm heading out!" he shouted hastily, dashing out the door and leaping onto his steed, Lym. The creature's coat shimmered faintly under the dawn, and as if sensing its rider's urgency, Lym broke into a swift gallop toward Dr. Paitro's house.
Sliding off Lym's back, Ninir hurried to the door, ignoring the sweat dripping down his brow. Without hesitation, he pushed it open and called out loudly, "Dr. Paitro, has he woken up yet?"
The house was silent. After a brief pause, a familiar voice came from within, "Ninir, why are you here so early? Come in."
Ninir followed Dr. Paitro into the room. Morning sunlight streamed through sheer curtains, casting a warm glow over the bed where Mugi lay, motionless and unaware.
"He's still asleep…" Ninir's voice held a note of disappointment as his brows furrowed slightly.
Leaning against the wall, Dr. Paitro looked tired but spoke with his usual calmness. "He had a fever last night. It finally broke, but he needs more rest."
Ninir's concern deepened. "He'll be okay, right? I looked at the notebook you gave me yesterday. The text inside… except for the stone tablet pages written in our language, the rest doesn't seem connected at all. Maybe when he wakes up, he can help me make sense of it."
Dr. Paitro nodded thoughtfully. "That notebook has been in my family for generations. My father passed it on to me before he died. Those symbols look like an ancient form of writing."
"But the styles of writing are so different. I haven't found any connection," Ninir sighed. "I just hope he can give me some clues… Thank you, Doctor. I'll come back in a few days."
Dr. Paitro smiled faintly, an enigmatic look in his eyes. "Actually, I haven't entirely figured out what he is. But there's one interesting thing: he's quite similar to you."
Ninir blinked in surprise, raising his head. "Similar?"
"Yes!" Dr. Paitro's tone turned mysterious. "I took off what he was wearing on his head and found that, like you, he has two ears on top. Perhaps you're of the same species."
Ninir's expression darkened, and he lowered his head without a word.
"Sorry, I didn't mean to bring this up. But your family really is different from the townsfolk. Maybe there's a connection," Dr. Paitro added gently.
"Hmm…" Ninir's lashes lowered as if he had fallen into deep thought.
Dr. Paitro suddenly shifted his tone, adding a playful note. "Don't be so glum! I've got another discovery that'll make you laugh."
"What is it?" Ninir raised an eyebrow.
Dr. Paitro tried to hold back a grin. "That thing on his head… it's not a hat."
Ninir froze. "Then what is it?"
Dr. Paitro finally burst out laughing. "It's pants! Haha! Just two pant legs tied together and worn on his head!"
"Pants…?" Ninir's mouth twitched as an awkward look spread across his face.
"Exactly! Isn't that hilarious?" Dr. Paitro clutched his stomach, shaking with laughter.
"Uh… I think I should go. I'll come back another day. Bye." Ninir forced a smile, then quickly left the house.
As he walked down the street, he muttered to himself, "Author, your sense of humor is seriously weird…"
Suddenly, a commotion caught his attention ahead.
Ninir's slight figure wove deftly through the crowd, his sharp eyes locking onto the wooden platform where a royal messenger stood. He hesitated, his steps faltering as curiosity and unease welled up within him.
"Brave adventurers, hear this decree from His Majesty the King!" The messenger's deep, commanding voice echoed across the square. Ninir's ears twitched, the sound tugging at dormant memories.
"The kingdom faces an unprecedented crisis!" The messenger unrolled a scroll and continued, "Plague ravages the land, fields lie barren, and the people suffer from despair and disease. Yet in the midst of this darkness, an ancient prophecy lights our way!"
Ninir's brow furrowed as the words stirred images of the stone tablet's inscriptions in his mind. Could those cryptic symbols, and Dr. Paitro's notebook, be connected to this prophecy?
"When the pure-hearted reaches the tower's summit, the tower shall cast forth its silver light, revealing the world's imperfections and mending its wounds."
Each word struck Ninir like a hammer. His heartbeat quickened, and his fingers instinctively brushed against the pendant at his waist. Deep down, he had always felt an unshakable bond to something larger than himself—perhaps even to this prophecy.
"We seek true warriors!" the messenger proclaimed, his voice growing stronger. "Scholars, fighters, explorers, healers… and the one known as the pure-hearted! If you believe in your courage and conviction, and if you are willing to fight for the kingdom and its people, step forward in three days! The selection will be held in the castle square!"
Ninir's gaze drifted toward a recruiting tent in the corner of the square. The flag above it fluttered in the wind, almost beckoning him. He looked down at his hands, clenching and unclenching them. He understood that this might be his chance to find answers.
Taking a deep breath, Ninir stepped forward, his resolve unwavering as he approached the tent. The crowd swallowed his figure, but he carried with him a sense of purpose and determination. The scattered pieces of his life seemed ready to fall into place, waiting for him to uncover the truth.
Later, as Ninir returned home, his steps were heavy with thought.
"My child, what's wrong? You look troubled," his mother asked, peeking out from the kitchen with concern in her eyes.
"Mom, it's nothing," Ninir replied, though his voice was distant. "I was just thinking about the king's decree today."
"That's wonderful! Why the long face?" she asked, smiling gently, though her eyes quickly noticed his unease.
"There are conditions for the selection," Ninir admitted, his voice low. "Scholars, fighters, explorers, healers… and the pure-hearted. I don't know how any of it connects to me. And there are only three days—I have no idea where to start."
His mother approached, placing a reassuring hand on his shoulder. Her voice was warm but firm. "My dear, don't worry. You need to try. Until you do, all this anxiety is useless. Don't be afraid—everyone is unique. If you wish to try, you must first take that step forward. Only then will you know if this path is meant for you."
She paused, her gaze steady. "The kingdom needs to determine if you are suitable, but you also need to decide if this is what you truly want. These answers won't come from overthinking—they can only come from action. Instead of drowning in your worries, think about what you can achieve in these three days to prepare yourself."
"I understand, Mom…" Ninir muttered, bowing his head thoughtfully. "I'll head to my room now. You should rest early."
Alone at his desk, moonlight poured over the aged pages of the notebook. He ran his hand gently over its cover, his eyes narrowing with determination.
"Maybe," Ninir whispered to himself, "the only advantage I have is this book."