Despite the limitations Joel still had regarding the size and weight of the objects he could conjure, he decided to update his personal arsenal. Specifically, the pair of pistols, which seemed to have reached the limits of their usefulness for him.

  Over the years, he had dreamed of multiple lives linked to members of the armed forces and weapons collectors. Some of those memories even reached the year 2010, a strange limit that seemed to mark the boundary of his dreams: in none of them did he manage to live beyond that date. He was already beginning to suspect that the planet Earth somehow exists and that this is the current date, or something similar.

  He often found himself delirious with the idea of ??bringing some of the best weapons he had ever handled on Earth to reality. However, his enthusiasm was slowed by the physical barrier that accompanied him: almost all of those weapons were too heavy for his current conjuring abilities.

  Even so, he found a worthy replacement for his two old pistols. After years of service, they gave way to two Smith & Wesson Model 29 revolvers, caliber .44 Magnum. With their eight-inch barrels, they offered superior range, and their ammunition had more than three times the energy of his previous firearms. They weren't the pinnacle of military engineering he knew, but in his hands, they represented a huge leap in lethal power.

  As he handled the first of the new pistols, almost unconsciously, he couldn't help but mutter, ".44 Magnum, the most powerful handgun in the world."

  Then, while pointing it at an imaginary enemy, he added with a sly smile, "Do you feel lucky, punk?"

  Only later did he realize that these were lines from a famous movie, and he couldn't help but laugh at himself.

  Beyond revolvers, Joel also expanded his grenade repertoire with two new models: a smoke grenade and a flashbang grenade. The latter theoretically had the potential to be devastating against unsuspecting enemies and, unlike conventional explosives, could be used even in the midst of combat without risking collateral damage. Of course, his first test attempt at close range ended up blinding him for several seconds, an experience he didn't want to repeat at a crucial moment.

  Also, digging deeper into his memories, he found other practical items he had previously overlooked: long-range binoculars, night vision goggles, compasses, lighters, and even field rations, also known as MREs.

  These latter items proved invaluable. More than once, he had had to improvise in inhospitable places where a hot meal would have made all the difference. Those rations included an ingenious automatic heating system: a chemical reaction that only required water to generate heat and warm the food. Joel, delighted with this practicality, decided to stock up on a good supply for future trips.

  Having renewed his arsenal, Joel decided to give his old pistols to Ariel and Liam. Both siblings, thanks to Nana's potions, had already reached level 2 magical potential, allowing them to handle these weapons without major complications. It wasn't difficult for them to learn to use them effectively; the only thing Joel insisted on stressing was the importance of care in handling them and the golden rule: always keep the safety on.

  Regarding magic, there was another promising discovery. Nana's keen senses detected that two of the children Joel had taken in showed signs of developing magical abilities in the future. They were a boy and a girl. Although they didn't yet possess enough mana to project it outside their bodies, Nana assured them that their reserves were slowly increasing over time.

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  Joel was particularly interested in the discovery and asked Nana to investigate the possibility of creating special potions for them. His reasoning was simple: he had read that the younger a person's magical affinity was discovered—and if it was reinforced with constant training and proper supplementation—the higher the maximum level they could reach in their lifetime.

  The boy's name is Jared, he's 8 years old, and he displays an insatiable curiosity, although he was still somewhat clumsy in his studies. The girl, on the other hand, is named Abigail, and at 9 years old, she had become the brightest student Joel had ever had: she excelled in math and logical reasoning, but she had a terrible affinity for physical activities. Joel, with the memories of several teachers within him, saw in her enormous potential for the future, which brought a smile to his face every time he watched her solve problems with coolness and speed.

  Starting in the second year, Joel decided that all the children would begin a fitness regimen. The responsibility fell entirely on the shoulders of Liam and Ariel, as Joel's time was already occupied with too many things. He gave the siblings complete freedom to train the children as they saw fit.

  Liam was in charge of the boys' group. His approach was more combat-oriented: he encouraged competition among them and taught the basic principles of the swordsmanship he had learned from Joel. His method was demanding but also inspiring, and the boys responded enthusiastically to the challenge.

  Ariel, on the other hand, took the girls under her wing. At Joel's suggestion, she prioritized agility and speed over brute strength. Thus, their training consisted of running, jumping, and exercises very similar to athletics on Earth. Under her guidance, the girls learned to enjoy physical exercise more than the direct confrontation that boys practice.

  It was still too early to see truly significant results, but the progress was evident: all the children's health had improved noticeably since their arrival, and their bodies were beginning to show the vitality they had previously been denied.

  Also during their second year, Joel made an express trip to the nearby kingdoms, with the goal of contacting the Cult of Dawn again. Taking advantage of his ability to remain undetectable to wizards and his aura that kept animals away, he crossed forests and mountains at a speed many times greater than that of a horse, taking full advantage of his vitality and physical endurance, covering in days what would take others weeks.

  The result, however, was a complete failure. In the five locations he searched, where the cult's agents were supposed to be, he found no one. The houses were empty, the hideouts abandoned, and all signs of activity had completely disappeared. Joel, frustrated, had to accept that he wouldn't be able to reconnect with the organization in the near future. At least he had the consolation that they already knew he was still alive; and Liria was most likely aware of his situation as well. He truly missed her.

  On the way back, Joel discovered a possible explanation for the agents' exodus: in the Duchy of Bresmitz, the Church had begun construction of a colossal cathedral and, next to it, a new headquarters of great importance. It was rumored that several archbishops would settle there permanently, and even that a Supreme would reside there.

  The news sent shivers down his spine when he first heard it. Still, he was relieved to confirm that all this deployment was at the eastern end of the Duchy, a considerable distance from his refuge.

  But the news that most disturbed Joel was what he found while passing through Maroth County, a place he hadn't visited in years. There, he learned that the baron had fallen on very difficult times, and upon inquiring among the local population, he discovered the cause: the Empire had subjected him to a brutal investigation, related to the deaths of two influential mages within its domains.

  However, what truly shook Joel was learning that Alicia, to escape imperial scrutiny, had apparently joined the Church. An extreme decision that very few nobles took, as it involved a radical life change: renouncing all titles and privileges to serve ecclesiastical interests for life.

  Joel immediately understood that everything was connected to the death of those mages at Nana's hands and their subsequent escape into the forest. That certainty struck him with the force of a condemnation. From then on, a deep sense of guilt accompanied him back to his refuge and clung to him for months, like a shadow impossible to dispel.

  Joel knew Alicia well. She was someone who greatly enjoyed her noble status and all the privileges it afforded her. At times, she could seem spoiled, even frivolous, but deep down, she had a good heart and had been a sincere and pleasant companion during her time as his apprentice. Precisely for this reason, Joel knew that life within the Church must be a living hell for her, a place that would suffocate everything that made her unique. And that thought tore him apart, because he couldn't help but feel responsible for her ending up trapped in that cage of faith and discipline.

  He pondered it for a couple of months, unable to get the matter out of his mind. He knew well that confronting the Church was an absurd risk, something far beyond his capabilities, but even so, the idea of ??leaving Alicia to her fate was unbearable. In the end, he decided he should at least make sure she was okay. He prepared his gear for a long journey, determined to scour the Duchy for her whereabouts. And if he truly discovered that Alicia needed help… he would find a way to provide it, even if it meant taking some risks.