The decision was made, Li was determined. She was going to bee an advehere was no stopping her now, no matter how much Zora tried. She had always been stubborn, but this time, her resolve was strohao officially bee an adventurer, she o join a guild and to do that she o pass the required trials. Their small, peaceful vilge didn't have a guild, so she had to travel to aown which did. The m of their departure was bittersweet for Zora. He watched Li excitedly pack her things, her eyes glowing with anticipation. She didn't eveo notice his quiet sighs or the worry etched into his face.

  "You don't have to e with me, Papa," Li teased as they set out on the road.

  "You know I 't let you go alone," Zora replied firmly.

  Li rolled her eyes but smiled. "Fine, but you'll see, I'll be just fine! I'll pass the trials and bee a great adventurer, just like iories!"

  ---

  The jouro the town was long but not unpleasant. The road went through huge forests and rolling hills, and the weather was great. Zora, however, couldn't shake his unease. He tried, once again, to vince Li to resider. "Are you sure about this, Li? The life of an adventurer isn't as gmorous as the stories make it seem. It's dangerous, uable... not the kind of life I wanted for you." ."You know the life of an adventurer isn't all glory. People don't tell the stories about the ones who don't e back. "Then I'll make sure they tell my story, Papa. You'll see." Li says with a fident smile. Li turo him, her face lit up with excitement. "I know it's dangerous, Papa, but that's what makes it worth it! Imagihe pces I'll see, the monsters I'll fight, the stories I'll get to tell! Don't you think I do it?" ."It's not about whether you ," Zora said, his voice low. "It's about whether you should".

  But Li wasn't listening. Her mind was already rag with possibilities. "What do you think the trials will be like? Will I have to fight someone? Maybe solve a puzzle? Oh, what if there's a moo defeat? That would be so cool!" .

  Zora sighed, knowing it was futile tue. Her enthusiasm was unshakable, and a small part of him admired her for it, even as he worried.

  ---

  As Li excitedly talked about the trials ahead, Zora's mind drifted back to when she was just a small girl. She had always been fearless, even back then. He could still see her tiny hands holding bugs she'd proudly caught, her ughter ringing through the air as she chased chis and rabbits around the vilge. But it was that one day that stayed with him most vividly.

  Li had run into the juer a rabbit, pletely unafraid, as always. When her friends brought her back, her knees were scraped and bleeding, her face streaked with tears. She had been g nonstop, clutg his shirt as he ed and bandaged her wounds. "It hurts, Papa," she had whimpered, her tiny voice breaking his heart. He had held her until she finally fell asleep, still hiccupping softly. Later, when he asked her friends what had happehey told him about the rabbit, about how she tripped and hurt herself. But what stuck with him most were her words to them: "My dad would be sad seeing me in this situation. What should I do?"

  Even now, those words brought a tighto his chest. She had been so little, sile, a even theubbornness had shohrough. It had takehing in him not to break down as he id her in her bed, brushing her hair away from her tear-streaked face. That night, he had stayed beside her, listening to her soft breathing, praying she'd stay safe.

  The memory was bittersweet now. It reminded him of her unwaveriermination, but also of how much he had to lose.

  What if the world wasn't kind to her this time???

  ---

  By midday, they reached the town. It was much rger than their quiet vilge, bustling with life and energy. Merts lihe streets he entrance, calling out to passersby and showg their goods. The air was filled with the smells of fresh bread, roasted meat, aic spices. Li's eyes widened as she took it all in. "Wow! Look at all this, Papa! It's amazing!". Zora couldn't help but smile at her wonder. "Do you want to stop a something? Or look around a bit?"

  But Li shook her head, her excitement undiminished. "No time for that! Where's the guild? I o find the guild!". Unwillingly, Zora followed her through the streets, goiween merts, travelers, and townsfolk. It wasn't long before they reached the guild, a grand building that stood out among the others, with its rge wooden doors and a huge sign board illustrated with the guild's crest. Li practically sprinted inside, leaving Zora to catch up. The interior was lively, filled with adventurers of all kinds, some ughing and chatting, others studying maps otiating tracts.

  At the front desk, a beautiful young dy greeted them. "How I help you?". Li stepped forward, her voice filled with excitement. "I want to bee an adventurer!". The woman raised an eyebrow, looking at Zora before turning back to Li. "You'll o pass the trials first. Are you prepared for that?". "Yes!" Li said without hesitation. The woman handed her a form. "Fill this out. The trials will be held tomorrow m. Be here by sunrise."

  Li quickly filled out the form, her hands trembling slightly with anticipation. When she was dohe woman nodded. "You're all set. Rest well tonight, you'll need your energy."

  ---

  With the formalities plete, Li and Zora spent the rest of the day expl the town. They tried local delicacies, admired the crafts in the market, and even watched a street perfgle fming torches. Li was lively as ever, asking Zora endless questions about the guild and what tomorrow might bring. As night fell, they rented a room at a small lodge. It was cozy, with a warm fire crag in the hearth and soft beds that promised a good night's rest. But Li couldn't sleep. She id in bed, staring at the ceiling, her mind rag with thoughts of the trials.

  "What if I mess up? What if I'm not good enough?" she whispered, her voiusually quiet. Zora sat beside her, pg a hand on her shoulder. "Li, listen to me. You've trained hard, and you're more capable than you realize. The trials won't be easy, but I believe in you. Whatever happens, I'm proud of you." She turo him, her eyes glistening. "Really?". "Really," Zora said with a small smile. "Now get some rest. Tomorrow's a big day."

  Li nodded, her worries easing as she closed her eyes. Within minutes, she was fast asleep. Zora stayed up a little longer, watg over her. Despite his lingering doubts, he couldn't deny how proud he was of her determination. He only hoped that the world would be kind to her, and that she would return to him safely. With a heavy sigh, he y down and closed his eyes, and he went to sleep...