[ Couple of days later ]

You and Chris face each other at a three meters distance. You both took your fighting stance, ready to duel, but none took the first strike until you decided to initiate.

You ran to him, holding your staff at your dominant side, and struck him in the arm, but Chris swiftly moved, dodging it. He took the opportunity and kicked the side of your waist. Fortunately, you maneuvered out of the way before you got hit and struck him fast when his back was facing you. He took the hit and took a step back as he tried to regain his footing but failed as he stumbled to the ground. 

Your duel ended quickly, earlier than you expected.

You blink your eyes rapidly, believing that this is a dream. Seeing your cousin groaning in pain with his face on the ground. "Wait... it's over?" You asked, still in doubt.

'Usually, this lasts almost an hour, and I'm the one groaning in pain after.'

Chris slowly stood up, still in pain. "I envy you for being a fast learner and also proud that you are my student. But you don't have to hit me that hard." He complained as some castle servants ran up to him. To check if there are any significant bruises or injuries, luckily, there aren't.

You guys ended your duel and walked back to the lounge area of the garden. The servants quickly treated your cousin first aid when he sat at the bench. "It hurts my pride just how fast you learned the things I've learned for the past years." He admitted, and you felt almost guilty for it. Almost.

"At least this means you taught me greatly. You gave specific points and pieces of advice even though I am just an amateur." You tried your best to cheer him up. 

It worked as you see him smile again, "Well, since I've taught you well." He says with pride. You roll your eyes at him. "I think it's time to meet the greatest heroes in Fairy Tale Island. They may teach you other things besides what I've taught you."

You nodded, completely missing the word of possibility. "Okay, cool... wait, what do you mean may teach me?" You raised your eyes in suspicion. Chris awkwardly laughs, "You see. I haven't contacted them for the past year." He sheepishly smiled and awkwardly rubbed the back of his neck.

You gave him a deadpanned look but shrugged your shoulders after. All you care about is getting out of this palace. "Fine, where is their place? What should I say if I meet them? Would they test me to see if I'm qualified to be their student? Moreover, teach me?" You anxiously paced back and forth in front of Chris.

"Hey!" He shouted, stopping you from pacing. "Sorry." You instinctively say.

"Relax, okay? If you go to Risky Rock, you will see a faux castle and say to them that you know me. I'm sure they'll give you training." He gives you an assuring smile, calming you down.

<><>

You wake up as dawn breaks, preparing for your journey to Risky Rock. You got dressed, the same one you wore on the first day of training with Chris. But this time, with knee-high boots. After that, you walk into the stable where Chris, Belle, Maurice, and a rare sleepy Adam are waiting for you.

You walked over to Belle and hugged her, "I'm gonna miss you." She whispered as she hugged you back. She broke the hug and gave you a satchel. Inside is money enough to last you a couple of weeks and a compass.

Chris came up, holding the reins of the horse and a folded map in his other hand. He lent you the reins, and you got on the horse's back, he gave you the map, and you took it then put it inside your satchel.

Before you could take off, Maurice called out your name. "I almost forgot to bring you this." He gave you a mechanic staff (?). You grew confused. 

"Press the red button, and it will shorten itself by 5 inches, press the blue one to expand to its original form. This invention will make your weapon portable for various occasions." He explained, and you nodded. You press the red button and put it in your satchel. 

"Thank you all for this." You let out a dramatic fake tear. Turning to face Adam and Belle, "I hope to be an auntie by the time I visit home." You laugh as Belle flushed red while Adam nodded. His brain is still asleep to comprehend what his sister just said. 

You gently use the rein, making your horse go and gallop past the castle gates. You were finally out, your eyes widened, and your mouth opened in ecstasy by the time you went out of the forest. You never felt so alive. You arrived at the foot of the kingdom. You slowed down your horse and brought out the map.

'If I go right across the plains then turn left to get to another forest and then the lone tower; enter King White's Kingdom; then I will be in Golden Goose Avenue at, I think, by noon??; then exit on the west way; by then go straight and see the Risky Rock.'

You sighed and folded back your map, putting it back in your satchel. You flicked the reins again to make the horse move too fast. But you don't mind. You enjoyed the wind in your hair.

Once you reached the east entrance of the GG Avenue, you hopped off your horse and guided him while holding the reins. You see the street is very crowded at noon. You walked over to a stall selling hay for horses. A young man smiled at your request and picked up what you wanted.

You gave, traded him the coins, and took the materials. You thanked him and left. You find it disgusted when a stranger winks at you and says suggestive names, but you find it weird when people stare at you as you walk through the streets.

You quickly ran into the west side of the avenue. You exited and released a sigh of relief. You guide your horse closer to you. You wanted to walk to your destination.

'I need to exercise my legs anyways.'

As you walk through the forest, you hear shouts of help in the near distance. You quickly ran to the source of that voice and saw an older adult. Her body was stuck between two big wooden planks. You quickly rush to her aid and lift the planks one by one. 

"Can you stand, miss?" You asked. The woman then tried to stand up but shrieked in pain. 

'Definitely not.' 

"I'm sorry, I have no practice in medical assistance." You apologized, but the woman remained quiet. Growing anxious and desperate, you quickly thought of a plan. And so, you asked your horse to sit down, which it did, you guide the woman to sit at the back of your horse.

"Don't worry, ma'am. I'm sure people at the avenue will help you with your injury." You assured her as your horse stood up. You then walked back to the avenue. You guided your horse by its reins while the older woman sat on its back. You then arrived not a couple of minutes later, finding someone to help the poor woman. Luckily, someone quickly came to you claiming that she's a medic, and you paid her in advance.

 "Are you sure about lending me your horse? Don't you need it, my dear?" She asked you once she was seated in a chair, feeling guilty. But you insisted that she keep your horse, saying it's easier for her to get home.

"It's okay, ma'am. It would be best if you had it more than I do. I'm sure my destination will be near if I set on foot." You reassured the woman and smiled at her.

She returned your smile gratefully and gave you a beautiful crystal necklace. "Then take this as a token of my gratitude," you accept it seeing that declining someone's offer is rude. "Oh, thank you, ma'am." You took the necklace from her as the woman smiled. 

You put the necklace inside your satchel and turn around, walking out of the avenue. And make your way to your designation.

<><>

You check the map, seeing as you are close to where you are now. You then hear a girl's voice screaming. You look up and see a girl riding a broom.

'It seems that she doesn't know how to control flying in a broom.'

You saw her flying is messy, you grew concerned that she may land horribly somewhere and injure herself. And so you followed her, quickly running after her but when you glance at the sky again. She was gone.

'She must have landed not far from here.'

You catch your breath as soon you reach the foot of a crazy-looking hill. You took your map and checked where you were. "I'm in Risky Rock?!" In disbelief, you said, but your mind quickly switched to finding that girl.

'She probably injured herself.'

You climbed up the hill and saw the fake castle. As well as a broom stuck on the tree's trunk and a silhouette of the girl on its leaves.

"Fràulein! I baked you some revenge!"

You heard someone cried out and a loud pang of a pan colliding with something, very hard. You flinched at this and took out your staff, pressing the extend button, and walked to the door of the façade castle.

edited