Volume 1 Chapter 29 - Road to Aelbourne
The road stretched out beneath a boundless sky — a ribbon of earth winding through golden fields and whispering meadows.
Cindy walked quietly, her tiny humanoid form perched on Puff's shoulder as they moved along the path leading east.
The morning air smelled of dew and wildflowers, and a gentle wind — her constant companion — followed them, brushing through the grass as if guiding their way.
Puff stretched his small wings lazily. "Finally! Open roads, no bandits, no walls. Just freedom!"
Cindy smiled softly. "You say that now, but I give it an hour before you start complaining about your feet."
"Hey, I evolved! I can walk longer now!" he protested.
She giggled. "We'll see."
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The Plains of Kirel
By midday, they reached the Kirel Plains, an endless expanse of tall grass swaying like waves.
Butterflies — normal ones, this time — danced in the wind, and distant flocks of birds traced patterns in the sky.
Cindy felt her heart lift. The world was alive here — unscarred and pure.
She spread her delicate wings, fluttering up for a better view.
From above, she could see distant ruins peeking through the grass and the shimmer of a stream cutting across the horizon.
"Puff!" she called from above. "There's water nearby! We can rest there."
He squinted up, shading his eyes dramatically. "Lead the way, oh mighty butterfly scout."
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At the Stream
The stream glistened under the afternoon sun.
Cindy dipped her hands in the water, cool and clear, and sighed contentedly.
Puff lay on his back on the grass, arms behind his head. "You know... I kinda miss Velna's bread already."
Cindy smiled. "Good thing I saved this."
She unwrapped the honey bread the baker's wife had given her. The scent of sweet dough and warm honey filled the air.
Puff's eyes sparkled. "You're an angel."
"More like a butterfly," she teased.
They shared the bread — half each — and for a moment, the world felt perfectly at peace.
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Sudden Trouble
That peace didn't last long.
The grass around them rustled — once, twice — then violently.
Puff jumped to his feet. "That's not the wind."
From the tall grass emerged three squat creatures with moss-covered skin and glowing red eyes. Their jaws snapped open, drooling thick green saliva.
Cindy's eyes widened. "Plains Gremlins."
Puff grimaced. "They look hungry."
The gremlins hissed and began circling.
[System Alert: Hostile Presence Detected – Plains Gremlin x3 | Level 18]
"Guess we're skipping dessert," Puff muttered.
Cindy raised her hand, the air shifting around her. "Gentle Breeze — repel!"
A swirl of wind burst outward, knocking the gremlins back several steps. One tumbled into the stream, shrieking.
"Nice shot!" Puff yelled, charging forward.
His hands glowed faintly blue — the mark of his newly learned Mana Pulse attack. He slammed his palms into the ground, and a shockwave of light erupted, staggering the second gremlin.
The third lunged at Cindy — fast, desperate.
But she met its eyes calmly, wings glowing with faint azure light.
"Wind Arrow."
A sharp gust shot forward, slicing the creature's chest. It fell with a thud.
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After the Battle
The air stilled. The remaining gremlins fled into the grass, screeching.
Puff collapsed onto the ground. "Okay... maybe I'm not that used to traveling yet."
Cindy laughed softly and knelt beside him. "You did great."
[System Notice: Enemy Defeated – EXP Gained: 1200]
[Level Up! – Cindy: 31 | Puff: 32]
A faint glow enveloped them both before fading.
Cindy stretched her arms, feeling the mana pulse through her veins. "Another level. We're getting stronger."
Puff grinned weakly. "And hungrier."
She chuckled. "Let's make camp before sunset."
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Campfire under the Stars
That evening, they sat beside a small campfire. Cindy's wings glowed faintly, illuminating the grass around them in gentle colors — blue, green, gold.
Puff roasted a handful of nuts they'd found earlier. "So... how far is Aelbourne again?"
"Two more days if we follow the road," Cindy replied. "Maybe less if we fly part of the way."
He nodded slowly. "Think we'll meet more adventurers?"
"Probably," she said, looking toward the horizon. "And maybe answers too."
The stars shimmered above, countless and bright. The wind brushed against them softly — familiar, almost affectionate.
For the first time since leaving Velna, Cindy didn't feel like an outsider anymore.
She felt like part of the world — walking, laughing, fighting, living.
[Passive Triggered: Spirit Bond – Companionship Strengthens Magic by 10%.]
She smiled at Puff. "Thank you for staying with me."
He blinked, then grinned. "Of course. Someone's gotta keep you out of trouble."
They both laughed quietly, and the night passed in peace — two travelers sharing warmth beneath the endless sky.