Theo entered the house, called Sera, leading the young girl to market. Tonight's dinner would be Theo's final instruction and Sera's practical training in cooking, an essential skill Theo wanted his sister to master.

  When passing by a small roadside jewelry shop, Theo noticed Sera glancing inside. The little girl's eyes fixed on a bracelet woven from colorful fabric threads forming brilliant patterns, eyes lighting with secret admiration.

  Theo said nothing. He still led his sister onward, striding to the ingredient stall for dinner.

  While shopping, Theo introduced Sera to standard components needed in a main meal. Of course, she wouldn't be able to understand all complex nutrition concepts, but he just needed her to understand basic coordination principles in a meal.

  "A meal needs vegetables, meat, and provisions, sometimes supplemented with fruit," Theo explained, pointing at each item in the basket.

  He was quite fortunate because Oakhaven had abundant forest resources. Theo took this opportunity to show Sera some usable wild fruits, emphasizing which were vitamin-rich. This way, he ensured that even in his absence, his sister still had the ability to autonomously maintain the family's health. Theo didn't doubt the little girl's aptitude; some simple dishes Sera would be able to prepare them with ease.

  Dinner was Sera's joint effort with Theo's close supervision. It was the first time she officially cooked, and Theo had chosen a simple, easy-to-execute dish: meat stew with vegetables, served with sliced dark rye bread.

  In the kitchen, Theo directed each step, from how to prepare vegetables, measure seasonings, to controlling the stew pot's temperature. Sera concentrated intensely, trying to remember all her brother's final instructions.

  The final stew was served: simple, easy to cook, and sufficiently nutritious. The gentle fragrance of the stew spread through the house, bringing peaceful feeling in the evening.

  The novelty of being head chef for the first time made Sera very excited. His sister continuously invited everyone in the house to have more food and watched everyone eat each bite attentively.

  Sincere praise from parents and both little brothers Finn and Ben—especially after a day full of sweat and tears—made Sera's face flush pink with pride.

  The little girl turned to look at Theo with attentive eyes. He nodded slightly, not praising, but his eyes softened one beat. Big brother's affirmation made Sera, always in the role of little sister, suddenly become different—she had matured, able to shoulder new responsibilities, though very small.

  Dinner returned to the previous joyful and warm scene, the somber atmosphere of the morning.

  It was a peaceful and memorable moment, laughter echoing in Theo's family's oak wood house.

  Chillday

  Today, Theo decided to devote full time to final preparations. He reorganized his luggage once more. Medicine, weapons, tools, armor, and clothes... everything was taken out for careful inspection and maintenance, then neatly packed into the sturdy bear leather travel bag. Theo worked in silence and absolute focus.

  Shortly it was noon. The four siblings ate through a simple meal hastily.

  That afternoon, Theo once again led Sera to town center, where the region's only church stood. He wanted to introduce Sera to Pastor Bartholomew—the person who once taught him writing. He should have been the one to teach Sera letters, but now there was no time.

  After clearly stating his intention, Theo bowed slightly, then discreetly placed a small cloth pouch containing 150 copper coins on the Pastor's desk, the soft clink gentle yet full of weight.

  "Reverend Pastor, this is a small sincere contribution for church roof repairs," Theo said, words polite but eyes straightforward, frank. "Your time is precious, and I don't want the teaching given to Sera to be a free burden."

  Taken from Royal Road, this narrative should be reported if found on Amazon.

  Pastor Bartholomew looked at the money pouch, then looked at the boy before him. He understood immediately: Theo wasn't begging; he was executing an equal exchange to purchase knowledge.

  "You worry beyond your age, Theo," he smiled lightly, storing the money pouch away. "Rest assured. With Sera's intelligence, I won't let the girl waste time."

  Theo had solved the biggest problem between him and his family: communication during months of separation. More importantly, this also helped Sera see the world through another method—knowledge.

  This was truly a killing two birds with one stone that Theo was extremely satisfied with. He'd ensured both information security and knowledge development for his sister, all with just a brief visit and a calculated contribution.

  Theo gave Sera a few final instructions, then let the little girl return home alone. He fully utilized this final afternoon to stop by Liam's house, agreeing on tomorrow morning's departure time.

  Theo found Liam at his family's forge. Liam was helping his father and older brother expand the forge, moving large stone slabs and rearranging heavy tools.

  Liam's sturdy yet still naive-featured body was smeared with coal dust and sweat. Nevertheless, he worked without rest. His face glowed with joy at contributing to the family's stability—a responsibility he knew he soon couldn't shoulder. Liam wanted to compress all his future sweat and passion into these final hours.

  Theo approached, leather shoe sounds crunching on gravel ground. He stood watching a while, then spoke:

  "Liam."

  Liam wasn't surprised at all at his best friend's appearance. Before a long journey, if Theo didn't give instructions or recheck the plan then that wasn't Theo—he knew that too well.

  Still keeping a bright smile on his lips, Liam approached Theo but maintained a certain distance. He knew if he took one more step, he'd certainly receive a kick from this friend. Right now he was too dirty and sweat smell too heavy; with his discipline, Theo would never accept that.

  "What's up, Theo? Last-minute plan again?" Liam laughed, leaning against a nearby clean stone slab.

  The cold from the stone slab made Liam's tense muscles comfortably relax. He squinted slightly, enjoying the brief rest moment after hours of exhausting labor.

  Theo quickly assessed the forge project Liam was working on. He asked a curt question:

  "Will it be ready in time?"

  Liam understood his friend's meaning. He eagerly introduced, enthusiastically pointing toward the unfinished construction:

  "All good! We've reinforced the main anvil base deeper into the ground... and added another stone layer to increase stability. The outer canopy has also been expanded to add space for storing reserve coal and various molds. Now I just need to rearrange items once more while waiting for Roric to buy additional new tools."

  Theo looked at his friend absorbed in recounting the process of how he'd proposed ideas contributing to the construction then worked hard with family to complete it. Theo only listened silently; he knew this was Liam's way—the Oakhaven blacksmith's son—of enjoying his final time with family.

  After Liam finished the story, Theo said softly:

  "Check your items once more. Tonight will be a long night."

  Theo paused one beat.

  Liam's cheerful face also softened. That's right, tomorrow he would leave.

  Theo continued, voice decisive:

  "Tomorrow will depart early. Meet me at the crossroads."

  Then, not minding the sour sweat smell, Theo lightly punched his friend's shoulder once, substituting for encouragement and farewell. He immediately turned and left.