Tecnomagic Engineer

Morning came again, and this time, I was already awake before Estalyrion shone with its full intensity. I was determined to finish my preparations and set off, carefully, for the center of Velanthar. So, I began the preparations.

The next step was to create a bag that, unlike the rather rudimentary Véskha, was more structured and functional. For this, I decided to look for the Thalvarýn plant, known for its leaves with sharp thorns at the tips. These thorns, when pressed or bitten, release fine and resistant threads, similar to natural sewing lines. This plant would be essential to create a durable bag capable of carrying everything I needed for the journey.

I walked through the forest near my shelter, and after a few minutes, I found the Thalvarýn, abundant in that region. I did exactly as I had learned from the books: I carefully bit the tip of each thorn and pulled it from the mother plant. Thus, I obtained the necessary threads, which could even be used for sutures in emergencies. After collecting enough, I returned to my base, passing through the defenses I had built, and approached the tree that served as my shelter.

I decided to make a sacrifice. I took my shirt, an item I had carried since the last day I saw my mother and father alive. With it, I started working. I used the Thalvarýn thorns as needles and its threads as sewing lines, turning the shirt into a small fabric bag. It wasn't very big, but it would serve to carry fruits, charcoal, and other essential items compactly.

- "...Well, it's a necessary sacrifice..." I murmured to myself, staring at the shirt with a whirlwind of memories.

After a few minutes of work, the bag was ready. It was simple but functional, with a strap to facilitate carrying and a mouth that could be tied with the same Thalvarýn threads.

Estalyrion already marked half the day when I finished. I decided it was time to leave because the longer I delayed, the greater the risk, as I would still have to make an improvised shelter to spend the night in the forest. I quickly prepared: I took some Fruvorras, put them in the new bag along with charcoal, equipped my dagger and canteen, and started my journey towards the center of Velanthar.

The first challenge arose right at the beginning: crossing the voluminous river near my base. I jumped into the water and started swimming, but the current in the middle of the river was strong, requiring much more effort to reach the other bank. When I finally got out of the water, I was exhausted. So, I lay on the bank, catching my breath. At that moment, memories of the swimming lessons I had with my father came to mind.

- "Huff... huff... haha, what a strong current... huff... this brought back memories..." I said, laughing alone while trying to regain my energy.

I remembered when I was only three years old, and my father took me with him to a place where he needed to collect wood. I was curious to know what his job was like, and I insisted on accompanying him, despite my mother's resistance.

- "Dad, I want to know what your job is like and where you work. Can I go with you today?" I asked eagerly.

- "Hahaha... Sure, son. Let's go! I'll show you how loggers work... Who knows, maybe you'll become like your father when you grow up, huh?" he replied proudly, letting out a laugh while drinking his morning citrus juice.

- "W-what ? D-Dravyn, no! You can't go, you're prohibited..." protested my mother, visibly worried.

- "But why, mom?" I asked, inconsolable.

- "Elaris, he will be with me. Don't worry, nothing bad will happen." my father tried to reassure her.

- "Even so, it's very dangerous..." she replied, still reluctant.

- "Mom, please, just this once..." I pleaded, looking at her with bright eyes.

- "Ugh... Sigh... Okay, you can go. But don't do anything dangerous! And you, Taryn, if anything happens to him, YOU WILL SLEEP OUTSIDE AND THERE WILL BE NO LUNCH OR DINNER. WAS I CLEAR?" she finished, casting a threatening look at my father.

- "...Ugh... O-Ok, dear, nothing will happen, I promise." he replied, visibly scared.

That morning, under Estalyrion's light, we set off for the forest. Throughout the day, I saw my father lead a group of loggers who worked tirelessly. It was impressive how, with so few people, they did the work of a team twice their size. Trees were constantly falling, and in cleared areas, young trees were already beginning to grow.

The loggers had a strict replanting practice: after cutting the trees, they returned days later to replant new saplings, ensuring that the region's forests remained alive. My father, responsible for organizing everything, gave the orders, dividing who would cut the trees and who would be responsible for replanting.

After some time, the team stopped to rest, and my father called me, asking me to follow him. He took me to a place that left me speechless: a large lake, surrounded by lush vegetation. It was a breathtaking spot where the loggers gathered to eat, chat, drink, and swim during breaks. At that moment, he asked me if I wanted to go into the lake, but I hesitated because I didn't know how to swim.

He noticed my apprehension, smiled, and said he knew that, adding that a man should be prepared for any situation and that, that day, he would teach me to swim.

- "Son, come with me..." he said confidently.

- "Okay, dad." I replied, following him.

...sounds of conversations and laughter in the background...

- "Wow, dad, what an incredible place! Has this lake always been here?" I asked, impressed.

- "Yes. This is where we gather during breaks to rest, chat, drink, and swim... So, do you want to go into the water?" he asked.

- "Well, I want to... but I don't know how to swim..." I replied, with a tone of sadness.

- "Haha, I know that. That's exactly why I brought you here. A man needs to be prepared for any situation, and knowing how to swim is one of them. Today, I will teach you to swim, son." he said, smiling confidently.

- "...D-dad, I don't know if this is a good idea..." I replied, hesitant.

- "Don't worry, son. Do you remember the promise I made to your mother? Well, if I don't keep it, you know what will happen... and you know that your mother angry is not something easy to deal with. So, trust me: nothing bad will happen to you." he assured, with a reassuring smile.

Those words convinced me, and then I gave in. He started teaching me the basics of swimming, with patience but also rigor. At the end of the day, when we returned home, I was exhausted. My father was a demanding teacher, and we spent hours repeating the exercises until I finally mastered the basics.

After that day, I felt confident enough to say that I already knew how to swim, and in the following days, I didn't feel the need to train more. Besides, the thought of facing my father's level of demand again made me reluctant.

Lying on the riverbank, those memories surfaced, and at some point, I found myself laughing.

- "Haha... If I had continued with those trainings, maybe crossing this river today wouldn't be so exhausting... Of course, that's if I hadn't died before..." I murmured, laughing to myself while preparing to get up.

Now rested, I dispelled the nostalgic thoughts and got up, resuming my walk into the forest.