Her Graceful War Song

After Elise's coming-of-age ceremony in the capital, another was held at the Pathfinders Guild.

This was the reason Adrian had not come to the capital for the first ceremony. His exact words had been: "Can't we hold a coming-of-age ceremony at Meadow Ridge? Why must we go all the way to the capital and deal with so many strangers?"

It had been some time since the guild had seen such excitement. Adrian was dressed in red formal wear, standing out in such a bright color. He sat at the head of the hall, smiling as he watched Everett greet the guests.

Adrian rarely socialized, especially as he grew older. The thought of mingling made him uneasy, but there were times when he found joy in observing others enjoy themselves. Today, watching the guests gather around his little apprentice, a sense of pride and satisfaction filled his heart.

Yet, there was also a feeling of wistfulness growing inside him. He couldn't help but feel sorry for Carissa, who had experienced the turning point of her life when she was fifteen. From a carefree girl, she had become a quiet and sorrowful young woman. However, it was a comfort to see how well she was doing now.

Also, it brought him peace to know that Elise would live a life full of freedom and joy. Where her mother had not ventured, she would go. The paths her mother had not walked, she would try.

During the feast, Adrian drank quite a bit, growing more relaxed as he spoke with the leaders of various guilds, exchanging idle conversation. As he aged, he found himself less interested in the affairs of the world. Now, he preferred to discuss the upbringing of his apprentices instead.

The apprentices at Meadow Ridge grew like wild grass-one season after another. When they came of age, they left the mountain to make their way in the world, and new ones soon arrived to take their place.

The methods of teaching among the mentors were not always the same. As time passed and their experience grew, their approaches changed.

Carissa's generation, now older and more experienced, had become the elders in the Meadow Ridge community. Some of them remained there and attended the coming-of-age celebration. As they watched Elise, they couldn't help but feel how quickly time had passed. It seemed like only yesterday that her mother had been the same age.

Elise enjoyed her time at Meadow Ridge. She had no need to follow rigid rules and played freely with the others, carefree and full of joy. As for what the elders said, she paid little attention. After all, she was too young to have a say in their conversations.

Though she belonged to the Pathfinders Guild, she had no official mentor as Adrian had not assigned her one. If anyone could be considered her mentor, it would be her parents.

After the coming-of-age ceremony, Elise spent a month with Adrian at the Pathfinders Guild before she began her journey to Victory Pass. She had planned to ride alone, but Adrian insisted that a young apprentice, Selene, accompany her.

Selene had only joined the

Pathfinders Guild a little over a year ago and was three months younger than Elise. A lonely orphan who had once lived on the streets, she was now Kyle's only apprentice. Back when she was a petty thief, she had even stolen from Kyle himself. When he caught her, he didn't scold her immediately, and instead asked about her life.

It turned out that her mother had once been a well-born lady, but her family had fallen on hard times. The woman had married a farmer, who died young, leaving her to care for Selene. To make ends meet, Selene's mother did laundry for others. When she had time, she would teach her daughter to read and write.

Paper, ink, and books were beyond their means, so Selene's mother taught her by drawing letters in the sand with a stick. Selene, clever and eager to learn, picked

it up quickly. Within a few years, she had learned much.

They had relatives, but those people could only offer a meal now and then. No one was willing to care for them long-term. At the age of nine, Selene found herself alone on the streets.

At first, she begged for food, never thinking of stealing. But one day, she became

a thief by necessity. It was her first time stealing, and she had the misfortune of running into Kyle. But truly, she had no other choice.

There was an old woman living in a

ruined temple-no children, no family to speak of-who had fallen ill. They had shared that shelter for some time, leaning on each other to get by. The old woman had no money for a physician, and it was clear she wouldn't last long.

Selene couldn't bear to watch her die like that. So, she went out to steal.

Kyle saw that she could barely feed herself, yet still had the heart to worry over someone else. And since it was her first offence, he chose not to hold it against her. Instead, he even sent someone to fetch a physician to tend to the old woman.

Sadly, her illness was too advanced, and the medicine did no good. When she passed away soon after, Selene buried the old woman herself. She needed no help, saying she was quite used to it.

Only then did Kyle learn that Selene had buried her own mother as well.

He saw in her a young girl who had been mistreated by life but still held onto a kind and determined heart. He admired her resilience, and for the first time, thought of taking on an apprentice.

So, he brought her back to Meadow Ridge with him.noveldrama

Now, Adrian had sent Selene along with Elise because of her tough upbringing. She had seen the darker side of people, something Elise might not yet understand, and could offer wise advice when needed.