The night settled softly over the Luxro household, a quiet warmth drifting through the two-storied home tucked beside the wide open yard. The horses in the stable snorted lightly as the lamps flickered outside, casting long shadows across the wooden fence. Inside, Fark Luxro sat at the edge of the bed, his expression unusually tense. His calloused fingers fidgeted against his knee as he replayed the afternoon's scene over and over.
Ron's first biggining.
At that age.
Maria Luxro, finished with her evening chores, walked into the room and sat beside him on the bed. She gently placed a hand on his arm, sensing the storm in his mind.
"Fark… what are you thinking so deeply?" she asked softly. "Is it because of Ron?"
Fark exhaled slowly. "Yeah. Maria… in my entire journey as an instructor, I've seen hundreds of learners. Hundreds. But never—not even by mistake—have I seen a kid reach his first biggining this young." He shook his head, still unable to wrap his mind around it. "This isn't normal talent. This is… something else."
Maria smiled faintly. "Our boy has talent. I told you from the first day—he feels different. Maybe… he really did come from a royal family?"
Fark didn't answer immediately. He glanced toward the window, where faint slivers of moonlight touched the yard where Ron accidentally unleashed power strong enough to cut through a tree, a boulder, and burn the ground itself.
"I don't know," Fark said finally. "But Ron is a sensitive kid. He's suffered more than he deserves. Whatever his origins are… we need to guide him properly."
Maria leaned closer. "You promised to teach him spear fighting, remember?"
Fark let out a small chuckle. "Yeah. And if I teach him spear play, you'll teach him swordsmanship, right?"
Maria lifted her chin competitively. "Of course. Our son will learn both. Don't underestimate me, Fark."
He let out a hearty laugh this time. "Fine, fine."
Maria stretched and stood up. "For now, it's time to sleep. Tomorrow you're going to the forest hunt, right?"
"Yeah," Fark replied, rubbing the back of his neck. "Dangerous season… mutamal numbers are increasing."
Maria sighed. "I want to go with you, but I have to stay and look after Ron."
Fark shrugged lightly. "I understand. Besides… now we have a kid, huh?" He smiled playfully.
Maria nudged him. "Stop joking. I wonder how Sai is doing now."
Fark's grin faded a bit. "He's a group commander now. I hope he's doing well. He's our first son… but we couldn't raise him properly." There was a trace of regret in his voice.
Maria placed her hand on his. "He may be angry at us… but he knows we tried. He knows our life wasn't simple."
Fark sighed, then finally lied down. "Let's sleep. Tomorrow will be a long day."
"Goodnight," Maria whispered.
The lamp dimmed. The house settled into silence.
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The Next Morning
The sun rose over the small village, bathing the Luxro house and its large yard in warm yellow light. Horses grazed lazily while wind rustled through the trees. The air was fresh—the kind of morning that promised both beauty and danger.
At the entrance of the jungle, several mercenaries gathered, their weapons strapped tightly, expressions sharp. The forest ahead loomed dark and deep, its entrance like a mouth waiting to swallow anyone careless.
Fark arrived with confident steps, spear on his back, his aura calm but alert.
A mercenary waved. "Fark! Everyone ready?"
Fark nodded. "Yeah. But listen up—all of you must stay alert. Mutamal numbers have increased. Even one surprise attack could cost us."
The group murmured anxiously.
Fark continued, voice firm and commanding:
"Our mission today is simple:
Locate the maffle nests. Destroy their eggs. Burn the nest completely.
If you spot mutamal paw prints, RETREAT immediately and regroup at the safe point. Do not try to handle them alone."
Everyone nodded, gripping their weapons tightly.
Another mercenary asked, "Captain, do we expect any high-rank beasts today?"
"Not likely," Fark replied. "But this forest is unpredictable. Stick to the plan, and no heroics. Ready yourselves."
A collective, "Ready!" echoed through the trees.
Fark took a final deep breath, his expression hardening with the weight of responsibility.
"All right," he said.
"Let's move."
The mercenary group stepped into the forest, disappearing into the shadows of towering trees as their hunt began.
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Chapter end
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