Spectral Regalia Resurgence

The next day, Avrin woke up bright and early as usual. He would first exercise before going down to eat, then assist his mother with the heavy chores, so her work could be easier.

"You know those creatures in the forest are a bit rowdy lately. Saw some heavy blood trails leading into the deeper parts," his father spoke before stuffing his mouth a bit. Avrin was interested, though he listened as his mum spoke.

"Melissa from next door told me her husband saw a few large shadows at the outskirts. Do you think whatever it is will push closer to the village?" A bit of worry was in her tone.

Her husband laughed for a few moments after swallowing. "Not a chance. No magic beast has the guts these days to try their luck at a human village. Sure, on its turf we don't have a chance, but we can put up a good fight. Besides, last time that happened 20 years ago, when a few razed the village south of us, a large hunting force with mages gathered up and wiped them out. I like to think they've learned their lesson," he proudly spoke.

Avrin chewed a bit, not interrupting. This was daily life; usually, he spent his time thinking and planning. When they finished breakfast, Avrin went to train with his father. Carefully aiming the wooden bow in hand, taking a position like a straightened line, he pulled back the string after nocking an arrow, then released it. His breath released at a slow, steady rate as the arrow flung past and hit a target in the distance, at least 20 meters away. He repeated this several times while his father quietly watched.

Avrin and his father then went down to look over the results. Nodding in satisfaction, a wide smile adorned his father's face. "You know, I'm almost regretting pushing you to be a scholar. You would make a fine hunter." Out of the 15 arrows Avrin had fired off, 12 had hit the dead center, while 3 were off the mark, but not by much.

"So it's either a scholar or hunter?" Avrin rolled his eyes; his father surely seemed to think so.

"What else can you be? The world is tough out there. I certainly wouldn't let you join the army and throw your life away," his father replied. They began some extra small talk, from reading to herbalism, all whilst using wooden swords against each other for the next leg of the training.

This had been Avrin and his father's routine for the past 3 years. As a 13-year-old, Avrin had amazed the villagers. Despite obviously being a half-breed, he had done his best to fit in and had won a place in their hearts. Though there would still be issues with the boys causing problems for him—after all, other than jealousy, he was simply the odd one out in the village. This wasn't even race coming into play; he simply kept to himself too much. The other half was their parents constantly comparing Avrin to them, which made life difficult for them, as it forced them to try harder..

When Avrin and his father finished training, he then handled some basic chores for his mother, chopping firewood again and getting some water. Avrin looked up at the blue sky with clouds. Despite being an orphan in his past life, he was lucky enough to be born on Earth. The sky here reminded him of back home, the difference being there was more than just one celestial body visible during the day.

Going upstairs, Avrin took out Rumi's book. The old herbalist was busy with his own tasks today, so Avrin had more free time. Avrin looked at the cover of the book. He had long since finished it, and despite memorizing its contents, he found it oddly exciting to reread it often. It was also where he got more inspiration for his own situation. When he shut his eyes, he could barely see an outline of his heart, yet the book in his mind seemed to tease him, begging to be opened but refusing the prodigy.

"I'm wasting a lot of time. I need a solution," Avrin racked his brain. He understood his younger years were a good time to learn the best, but right now, he was stuck here and needed an out. From Rumi's book, he learned that those who practiced magic here would use symbols akin to letters, then link them like chains along their spirit veins. From there, they would be able to instantly call upon that symbol to either enhance a spell or instantly cast it, based on the number of symbols required. Rumi also went into other things, such as those who used magic in close combat, but to Rumi, this was commonly seen, and he didn't go into detail.

Avrin sighed a little reluctantly. The thought of adventure to explore this world lingered in his mind. What could he achieve, he who came from a place with different fundamental laws? Though as Avrin pondered this, a commotion outside could be heard—the large ringing of the town bell, and then shouting.

His pointed ears perked up immediately. He then heard stomping and running. He quickly headed downstairs, grabbing his sword and bow, thinking someone was attacking. It was only during emergencies that this bell would be rung.

His father had returned, his face pale and rushed. He was quickly going to his storage rack, getting his hunting gear. His wife looked shocked. "Himon! What's going on?" Audrene was drying her hands quickly in a panic. Avrin had also rushed down, just in time to hear his answer.

"A group of kids were playing on the forest outskirts but wandered off deeper. They're missing, and we can't find them. A hunter said he heard the sound of wolves and then screams of children. We're sending a search party." He told the names of the kids, then finished equipping his gear. He began to rush out.

"Father, I can help!" Himon blinked, looking at Avrin and shaking his head. He wouldn't put his only son in danger. "No, it's too dangerous!" he firmly spoke.

Avrin gritted his teeth. "For 3 years, I've trained and proved to you that I can listen. I've the stamina, the accuracy, and my body's stronger than the kids my age, let alone my bloodline. Please! I'm still part of this village. If anything happens to them, I won't forget it."

Of the names his father called out, there were three girls that would give Avrin birthday gifts every year and invite him to their birthdays. He didn't go, but at least they tried, unlike the other children.

His father looked reluctant. He then gazed at Audrene, who looked at Avrin, who gazed back at her. "I promise if it's dangerous, I'll rush back," Avrin spoke firmly, almost giving them puppy dog eyes, knowing his mum loved that.

Audrene sighed and nodded with her lips pursed, gazing at her husband Himon who also sighed. "Fine, but you have to listen to every word!"

Avrin excitedly nodded, then rushed out with his father, just in time to see over 20 hunters rushing over to group up at the edge of the forest. The village leader was present, organizing things. When he saw Himon, he nodded, as he had become the lead hunter, though when he saw Avrin, his brows furrowed along with several other hunters. Himon was not a fool; he knew to expect this and spoke. "He's with me, and he's proven himself to me." The others didn't say anything; they understood Himon and his ability. If someone proved themselves to him, then it was good enough for them too.

The village leader and Himon then began to assign the hunters in groups of 5 before Himon, with 4 others including Avrin, headed into the forest. They would fan out and alert the others with a horn when they found signs.

Before they left, he saw the mothers of the lost children, crying as if their children were already gone. They screamed at their husbands to bring their children back or not to come back at all. The love of a parent was a powerful thing.

With the 4 separate groups fanning out, this became serious. Thankfully it was the afternoon, though the vegetation and tree line were thick at this time of year, so they had to pay attention, mostly using their ears.

Himon's group of 6 continued for some time. The hunters would often look at trees, broken twigs, and other signs. One of the men, called Auron, knelt down, and his brows furrowed as he looked at the ground and touched it. "Wolf prints. The depth tells me they were in a rush. They're still fresh."

Himon then walked over and saw some footprints nearby. "This way!" he called out. The 6 of them headed deeper, Avrin keeping a steady ear out, also paying attention to the methods they used.

It was then that his ears twitched a bit. "Father, I hear barking and screams to the west of us!" The other hunters looked at Avrin, then Himon. Avrin's ears were obviously better than theirs. With Himon looking at his son, he nodded. They rushed over, hoping it wouldn't be too late to save the children.

When they arrived in an expanse near a large hillside with a tree having fallen, they saw a pack of 5 wolves, fanned out and surrounding a group of children who were barely clinging to a crevice at the side of the hill to not fall down to the hungry jaws of the wolves.