Lucius was now eight years old. His body had slimmed down, his muscles had developed a bit more, but his features were still those of a child. However, his gaze was anything but childish. He had become more mature than ever, focused on his goals. If he wanted to master magic, he knew he would also need physical strength beyond measure. He couldn't rely solely on his magical abilities. No, he needed the whole package.
That morning, Leonard entered the house with his bow slung over his shoulder and his quiver filled.
— "Get ready, Lucius. Today, you're coming with me."
Lucius looked up, excited at the idea of going on his first real hunt.
— "A hunt? Really?" he asked, his eyes shining with curiosity.
— "Yes, but you'll watch at first. We'll start slow, but you need to be ready for the real challenges," Leonard explained.
Lucius nodded. It was a moment he had been waiting for. He wanted to prove to his father that he was ready, that he could be more than just an observer.
They set off early, before dawn. Elenya waved them off from the edge of the elven village. Lucius discreetly waved back, then focused on what lay ahead in the forest.
— "Look closely," Leonard said, crouching beside a footprint. "The boar passed here about an hour ago."
Lucius studied the tracks carefully, but his heart was beating faster than usual. This wasn't training, this wasn't just a walk in the woods—this was real. Hunting, nature, instinct… everything was new to him. Everything he had learned about weapons and survival now took on a whole new dimension.
They followed the tracks for a long while, silently slipping through the trees. Then, suddenly, they spotted the boar. It was grazing peacefully, unaware of the hunters' presence.
Leonard took a shot, perfectly placed, but the boar didn't fall. It growled furiously, enraged, and turned sharply toward them, ready to attack. Lucius felt a surge of adrenaline, but panic set in almost immediately. He wasn't ready to face such a danger.
The boar charged at him, its hooves pounding the ground with devastating force. The sound of wind in his ears, Lucius felt his throat tighten. His survival instincts kicked in, and in a desperate reflex, he tried to stop the animal with his magic. He concentrated the magical energy he had learned to summon, trying to create a barrier of air to push the boar away, but he only produced a weak gust that had no effect. The creature did not stop. It charged straight at him. Lucius felt his heart race.
He closed his eyes, panicked, and narrowly dodged as the animal leapt over him, its head poised to strike. The impact was violent. Lucius rolled across the ground, struggling to catch his breath. He knew he didn't have time to think. He had to act.
It was now or never.
He quickly got to his feet, his heart pounding in his chest. His hands were shaking, but he didn't have time to let fear take over. He grabbed the bow his father had given him and, in one swift motion, drew the string back. The boar was coming for him again. Lucius shut his eyes for a moment, refocusing on his thoughts, on what he had learned. He remembered the hours spent training, mastering his body, becoming one with the bow.
He opened his eyes and released the arrow. It flew straight, cutting through the air, and struck the boar squarely in its flank. It fell to the ground with a heavy thud.
Lucius stood still, his gaze fixed on the fallen beast. He hadn't won without effort. He knew he had just crossed an important threshold.
— "Well done," Leonard said as he approached. "You almost lost your composure, but you pulled through. That's hunting. It's not just about strength, but about self-control."
Lucius exhaled, exhausted but proud. He had proven himself.
As they made their way back to the village, Lucius reflected on the experience. The fear he had felt, the instinct he had followed, the magic that had slipped through his grasp. He now understood that to survive in this world, he needed to be stronger. Not just physically, but mentally. It would take more than strength to overcome what awaited him.
In the distance, the sky turned pink, as the first rays of sunlight pierced the horizon.
Lucius looked up at the sky, his eyes filled with determination.