Chapter 4 – The First Step, The First Book
The morning sun had climbed fully into the sky.
The heavens were a clear blue, veiled with a thin layer of light clouds.
Warmth had begun to spread on the breeze, yet the cold gusts rolling down from the mountains still brushed against the skin. The dense shade of the forest was thinning. Sunbeams filtered through the trees, scattering golden patches across the ground.
In that golden light, Alaric Thorne walked steadily toward the outer edge of the forest.
He had been traveling on foot for the past two days. Fatigue was beginning to set in, so he stopped beneath a massive banyan tree. Its raised roots formed a natural seat, and the shade was deep and cool.
He lowered the portion of deer meat from his shoulder, sliced off a small piece with his dagger, and kindled a small fire.
The flames danced softly. Alaric Thorne roasted the meat and ate in silence. He had learned to cook since childhood under his master's guidance, so his skill had grown sharp. The taste was different from forest fruits—salty, warm, and satisfying.
While eating, his master's words echoed in his mind:
"The book and the map will prove useful on the road."
He touched the storage ring on his finger. A faint blue glow appeared, and the black book materialized in his hand.
The book was ancient. Black leather cover, no markings on the surface—only the faint scent of old ink.
Alaric Thorne opened it slowly.
He was stunned the moment he turned the first page. Important information greeted him immediately.
First Page:
"The Secret of Power in Kaelthorn"
Power is divided into many major realms.
Each realm contains nine sub-phases.
Zero Realm: Void
Nine phases. In each phase, the body is strengthened for awakening.
First Realm: Awakened
Awakening and strengthening the body. From First Awakened to Ninth Awakened.
Second Realm: Prana Warrior
Awakening of primal energy. From First Prana Warrior to Ninth Prana Warrior.
Third Realm: Energy Bearer
Holding and storing energy. From First Energy Bearer to Ninth Energy Bearer.
Fourth Realm: Elemental Warrior
Mastery over the five elements. From First Elemental Warrior to Ninth Elemental Warrior.
Fifth Realm: Aura Bearer
Manifesting aura. From First Aura Bearer to Ninth Aura Bearer.
Higher realms will reveal themselves as your power grows.
Alaric Thorne's breathing quickened.
"So… I am currently at the eighth phase of the Zero Realm… almost at the ninth."
He closed the black book, stored it back in the ring, finished the last piece of meat, extinguished the fire, drank some water from the ring, and prepared to continue when—
Suddenly, sounds reached him from a distance.
At first only faint rustling.
Then screams, the clash of swords, and the roars of beasts.
Alaric Thorne instantly became alert.
He silently slipped behind the tree roots and peered through the bushes.
In an open clearing ahead, several young men and women—aged sixteen to eighteen—were fighting desperately.
Their clothes looked luxurious. They wore sturdy leather armor, carried swords and spears, and some emitted faint energy glows.
This was the first time Alaric Thorne had seen other humans besides his master. He was stunned, yet his caution did not waver. He remained perfectly hidden behind the leaves.
He watched carefully.
A pack of wolves faced them—Flame Wolves.
Though not individually very strong, their numbers overwhelmed the group.
The wolves were black-brown, eyes glowing red, mouths spitting tongues of fire. They circled rapidly, tightening their formation.
From the fight, Alaric Thorne realized that if the group did nothing soon, they would become the wolves' meal.
One girl thrust her spear at a wolf. The spear pierced its chest, but the beast howled and spat flames. The girl staggered back.
A boy shouted, "Careful! Samara! These Flame Wolves are surrounding us from every side! We must break the encirclement or none of us will survive!"
The others noticed the tightening circle.
On the other side, Alaric Thorne watched in amazement. He was torn—should he help or stay hidden? His master had always taught him to protect himself first. Yet time was running out, and the group's situation grew worse by the second.
The boy who seemed to be the leader (probably at the seventh phase of the Zero Realm) pulled a small, yellowed aura scroll from his pocket. The scroll was tiny, but complex blue runes glowed faintly on its surface, as if living energy slept within.
Garrick took a deep breath, fingers trembling.
"The elders said… this scroll can be used only once. Today I have no choice."
He waved it in the air. The runes ignited in a flash. Blue light burst forth. The scroll burned to ash, which scattered on the wind.
Garrick roared:
"Water Vortex!"
Huge waves of water erupted from his body, glowing pale blue. They spun rapidly, forming a massive swirling vortex. The vortex was so powerful that the surrounding air was sucked in.
The Flame Wolves froze. Their fire breath was trapped and extinguished inside the vortex. Water currents pushed them back. Some wolves yelped and retreated.
But the scroll's energy was limited.
The vortex slowly weakened. The water waves thinned.
The wolves advanced again.
Garrick's breathing grew heavy.
"This… won't last much longer! Take Anika and run!"
Anika's eyes filled with tears. She cried, "No, Brother Garrick! I won't leave without you!"
Suddenly the leader of the Flame Wolves—the largest, seventh-phase beast—roared. Cruelty burned in its eyes.
It sensed Garrick's weakening power and his soft spot: Anika.
It lunged straight at the girl.
Green light burst from Anika's body, forming a faint defensive shield. The wolf's paw struck the shield. The impact pushed the beast back, but Anika was also thrown sideways. A deep gash appeared on her arm. Blood flowed.
Garrick screamed, "Anika!"
Watching all this, Alaric Thorne gripped his dagger tightly. He had made his decision.
He would save them.
He moved forward silently, step by careful step.
At that exact moment, the leader wolf roared again. Its flames engulfed one boy, who screamed and fell.
While the leader's attention was diverted, Alaric Thorne exploded forward like a bullet from a gun—his speed far surpassing even the wolf's.
In the blink of an eye he stood before the beast.
Before anyone could react, he slashed his dagger in one clean motion.
The wolf's head separated from its body and rolled across the ground. The heavy corpse crashed down with a thud. Hot blood sprayed across the earth.
For one instant, silence blanketed the clearing.
The entire pack froze. The remaining wolves backed away. Fear replaced cruelty in their red eyes—the fear of a predator far stronger than them.
Within one minute, every wolf fled in panic, kicking up clouds of dust behind them.
All eyes—human and wolf—now turned to Alaric Thorne.
Garrick's hand tightened on his sword. His breathing was ragged. He was stunned. A boy who looked even younger than him had slain the dangerous leader wolf in a single strike.
Though he had seen the surprise attack, killing that beast so easily was impossible for him. He felt a trace of wariness.
In that tension, Garrick asked the stranger standing before them:
"Who are you?"
His voice carried both awe and caution.
Alaric Thorne stood motionless, blood dripping from his dagger. He calmly wiped it clean and sheathed it.
In a steady voice he answered,
"My name is Alaric Thorne. I was simply passing through when I saw the wolves about to kill you. So I ended the leader."
Though his voice was calm, inside Alaric Thorne's heart raced with excitement. This was the first time he had stood so close to other humans besides his master.
Samara, still wounded, lifted her head. Her eyes widened in astonishment.
"How did you kill the leader in one strike?"
Alaric Thorne glanced at her but gave no reply.
Samara was stunned by the cold dismissal. She was beautiful and powerful—people usually fought for a chance to speak with her.
But because he had saved their lives, she said nothing.
Then Garrick stepped forward.
"Alaric Thorne, thank you from the bottom of our hearts. You saved our lives today. We owe you a great debt."
Alaric Thorne gave no answer. It wasn't arrogance—he simply didn't know what to say. This was his first conversation with so many people. Yet he kept his face calm.
His gaze shifted to Anika. He had seen the green light shield emerge from her body. The small girl was still frightened, but wonder now shone in her eyes.
When Garrick noticed the stranger staring at his sister, he grew slightly uneasy. He lowered his sword and stepped closer.
"Thank you… You saved us. If you hadn't been here…"
Alaric Thorne shook his head.
"It was nothing. I just… wanted to help." This time he replied.
Anika rose slowly, her arm being bandaged. She looked at Alaric Thorne and said softly,
"Big brother… you are very strong."
At her words, the first faint smile appeared on Alaric Thorne's face.
"I… am still learning a lot."
Garrick spoke to the group, "These Flame Wolves never used to appear in this area. I don't know why they came today." His friends also expressed surprise.
Then Garrick turned to Alaric Thorne.
"Brother Alaric, we are heading to Horizon City—for the entrance examination of the Sapphire Pavilion. Are you going there too?"
Alaric Thorne's eyes lit up.
"Yes. That is exactly where I am going."
Samara smiled.
"Then let's travel together. The road is long. It's safer in a group."
Alaric Thorne thought for a moment.
His master's words echoed: "You cannot trust everyone in this world, but that does not mean the entire world is evil."
He nodded.
"Alright. Let's go together."
The group breathed a sigh of relief. Introductions followed.
Anika said softly, "Brother… your name is Alaric Thorne, right? It's a very nice name."
Alaric Thorne smiled faintly.
"And yours?"
"Anika."
In his heart Alaric Thorne thought,
"These people… might be my first friends."
From the conversation he learned they belonged to a group called the Fire Division and were heading to the outer division entrance test of the Sapphire Pavilion.
They had only walked a short distance when—
Suddenly a thunderous roar echoed through the forest.
And...….