Lana's cabin sits on the southern edge of the orphanage, a little less than a kilometer (0.62 miles) apart from the great woods known as Hausen.
The people who lived in the city depended on the forest as their primary source of timber for their everyday life.
Hausen was also abundant in wildlife, so those bold and lucky enough would go hunting all year round, searching for precious meat, warm fur, or both.
The most recognized and trustworthy hunter here, of course, was Lana, titled the huntress because of how much game she could gain despite the thinning of prey during the winter; her reserves seemed endless, and she also was the best meat carver, surpassing even the city's butcher and deboning master who worked in high-end inns.
It was impossible to meet monsters in the forest unless one went several kilometers deep. Since there was no need for exploring Trawn in detail, the inner areas were still uncharted territory for the common folk.
Yurshel was already at a bottleneck to what he could achieve without proper guidance, whether training or hunting or any other trade; he needed a real instructor, one that could help him adapt in this environment without depending on others to succeed in his path. Time waits for no one, and that was why he was headed for the house of Lana.
Lana's cabin was a two-story wooden house, bigger and larger than buildings in the city, about 680 square feet large.
"I guess the shed next to the house should be where she stores the meat." As Yurshel got closer, he noticed the shed was actually larger than the house itself.
Yurshel knocked onto the door; its frame was about twice as big as him. The door opened after the wind carried the sound of steps to his ears.
"Uhm, yes? Uh, it's you? Are you lost, little boy?"
Lana is a woman in her late twenties, 1.9 meters tall, with short brown hair and sun-kissed skin. She resembles a dark elf in beauty and stature, though she lacks the long ears. Her allure rivals the depictions he's seen in books about the wonders of the universe.
She could be said to be the most beautiful girl I've seen as of now. She wore a leather hunting jacket over a khaki shirt, brown cargo pants, and boots.
"Good morning, Miss Lana. I came today to ask something of you—a favor, if I must be honest."
"Go on, don't stop now. What do you need?"
"Could you please teach me your trade?"
A tinge of surprise overtook her, and she raised an eyebrow and asked,
"Why?"
"Because I know your reputation as the best and the most beautiful huntress, and it would be an honor to learn under you," Yurshel admitted in full confidence.
"Oh, are we resorting to flattery now? I may accept you at my discretion, but tell me exactly why you wish to learn my trade, but the flattery was a good shot—one point for you."
"And come on in; I hate standing for no reason. Would you like some tea, milk, or water?" Gesturing to Yurshel to come in and take a seat in the guest room.
"Water, if I may." Looking around, he removed his boots and directed himself to a seat close to the window.
Putting himself at ease as he sat, he examined the guest room and thought, "I guess she must really be well-off; this furniture is similar to what you can find in those rich homes."
Returning from the kitchen, she carries two glasses. He can't quite tell what's in each but assumes the one she hands him is water.
"Here's your glass of water; now are you ready to answer?"
She sits on the couch directly across from him and crosses her long legs.
"To answer your question: I want to learn your trade to become independent. Even though we get free meals at the orphanage, I'm tired of following their rules. Their rhythm is too slow for me. I want to adventure, see the world for what it is, and learn on my own. I know others see me as strange because I don't fit in with kids my age."
"Hah, discover the world for what it is."
She scoffs. Her tone deepens, growing somber.
"Let me tell you something, since you're such a mature twat: the world is bloody. You haven't even seen the atrocities of monsters or even the dark heart of people. How can you say you are ready? Do you know what could happen if you travel by yourself?"
"NO, I bet not, so listen to me very clearly. You could get kidnapped, sold by a slave trader, or even worse, eaten by a cannibal or animals. What can you even DO? Get out of my face."
Yurshel didn't expect such a strong reaction from her; this was unexpected, intense, and frightening.
She stands and turns away.
"Leave now. I won't be part of your wishful thinking."
"I—"
"Get out of my house. No, go die somewhere else."
She stormed out of the guest room and went deeper in the house."
Yurshel gets up, leaving the untouched glass on the table. As he walks out, he glances back, eyes filled with confusion, unable to grasp what went wrong. Not even having an inkling of what could have caused such a botched situation.
Standing before the closed door, he lets the snow fall on him.
"I do not know what I could have done to offend you, but I really wish to learn. Maybe my goal was offensive to you, but I meant no such thing. All I want is to know what it means to live. I have no expectations of what kids my age do. I tried it and got bored. I'm sure you must know by now that I sometimes leave the orphanage to go hunt in the woods and come back selling some parts to the inns or butcher in the city. I do not do it because I have fun killing or because I do not fear death. It's just that when I learn new things, I am expectant of what more is to come. I want to repay the orphanage for all it's done for me by hunting or even fixing what needs fixing for free. The moment I do that, I can go freely. I know you said I could be kidnapped, but I thought of that too. That's why I will join the academy when I turn eight. I think I'm already awakened, but I have no inkling of what I have; I can only wait for when the academy comes over to test us. Please, I need your help, Miss."
After saying all that, he kneels in the snow, unmoving, bowing toward the door.
Up in the window of one of the rooms, Lana watches silently through a small gap in the curtains.