The forest was quiet in its own way.
You know, in a jungle, the humming and buzzing of insects isn’t considered noise.
In the quietness of the forest, a caterpillar was making its way to the other side of the road.
Suddenly, the path beneath the caterpillar shook.
The vibration grew heavier and heavier until a shadow enveloped it.
Just as quickly as the shadow arrived, it vanished.
The caterpillar continued on its way.
On the other hand, Ren was skillfully riding the horse as if he had been doing it for a long time.
Ren glanced back at the path behind him—or more precisely, toward the tiny life they had almost claimed beneath their feet.
“…Slow down.”
Frrrrr.
The horse let out an unsatisfied sound.
“…Don’t want to.”
Hmmmrrr.
“Fine.”
Ren turned his gaze back toward the road.
With that, they continued their journey.
Soon, two giant gates appeared in front of them.
“ALREN.”
At the gate, two guards stopped them.
“How can we help you?”
One guard asked while the other simply scanned Ren from head to toe before ignoring him.
Ren pulled out his ID from his pocket.
“I’m a freshman at Orun Academy,” Ren said while handing over his ID.
At that, the second guard, who had been ignoring Ren a moment ago, looked at him.
Sigh~
“Kid…
if it’s about lodging, you should head toward the outskirts of Alren.
On the left, you’ll find a forest.
The townspeople have specifically prepared a camping site over there.”
“Thanks…
but I’m here for groceries, not lodging.”
“That’s good.”
With that, the guard shifted his attention back to his post.
“Safe travels,” the other guard replied while handing his ID back to him.
“There will be a mall on your right.
Follow this road and turn left.”
With that, Ren climbed down from Tom and began walking into the town.
As they entered, Ren saw two women sitting across from each other in a café.
The blonde woman was saying something while the other covered her face with a fan and smiled.
Two men dressed in formal attire were discussing something at another table.
As Ren and Tom passed the café, a group of teenagers came out.
They didn’t bump into each other.
Rather, the group simply maintained a little distance from Ren.
Ren looked at the group walking in front of him, then at the people sitting inside the café.
Kai…
was right.
It really is “student season.”
But the true reason for the increase in lodging prices is…
…
…
Nobles.
Ren calmly lifted his head and gazed at the quiet streets of Alren.
Then he looked back at the reins in his hand.
After a pause, he began walking in the direction the guard had told him about.
“…This is the reason Kai emphasized the word ‘commoners’ at the orphanage.”
The distinction wasn’t loud.
Nor was it unfair.
It was just…
visible.
Fairly visible.
Soon, a crossroads appeared.
Ren turned left, just as the guard had told him.
And, sure enough…
After a little searching, Ren found the mall.
Ren finally went inside after tying the horse at the stable.
All kinds of daily necessities, utensils, clothes, and other goods were arranged in their designated sections.
Seeing this, Ren began searching for the vegetable section.
When he found it, he selected a head of lettuce, a few loaves of bread, and some potatoes, which he weighed with the help of the woman at the counter.
On his way back, Ren bought a pack of meat from another counter.
“This should be enough.”
With that, Ren began walking toward the payment counter.
While waiting, Ren noticed a commotion at a nearby counter.
A gray-haired boy was surrounded by a group of people.
Ren looked at the commotion.
As if sensing Ren’s drift, a voice rang out from behind him.
A hand landed on his shoulder.
Then—
“Come on, young man.
Don’t block the path.”
Ren retracted his gaze and gave the man behind him a slight nod.
“You seem like a student too.”
“I am,” Ren replied in a calm tone.
However, his calmness was mistaken for a mental breakdown in the old man’s eyes.
“Ha…
don’t feel down.
That’s a Vestige Holder.”
“He is bound to attract attention.”
“Work hard.
Improve your Creed.
Maybe someday, you’ll have a chance to stand beside him…
or make a name for yourself.”
“Vestige?” Ren muttered.
Just as he was lost in thought, the soft call of the counter lady brought him back to reality.
“The total is around 5 copper coins, sir.”
Ren handed over 5 copper coins to the clerk and headed toward the exit.
Watching Ren leave just like that, the old man couldn’t help but ask,
“Hey, what’s your name, young man?”
“…Ren.”
Then he left without glancing back.
Staring at his departing figure, the man repeated his name.
“Ren…?”
A pause.
“Isn’t that the name of that commoner?”
Is the world truly that small?
“Ha~ha.”
“No…
can’t be.”
“There are plenty of people named Ren.
Someone having the same name is nothing unusual.”