The sun hung gently in the late morning sky, casting golden rays over the sleepy village of Colva. It had been a few days since that encounter — the wounded, desperate man who wielded aura and collapsed near their resting spot in the forest. Though the Arbiters had handled the situation, the memory lingered like smoke after a fire. Their bruises had faded, the cuts scabbed and healed, but something in the air between them had shifted.
"Are you sure about this?" Elda asked, arms folded as she stood by the old fence outside their home, watching the group prepare.
Aisu gave his sister a wry grin, a wooden practice blade slung across his back. "It's just a pig."
Theo adjusted the straps of his travel pack. "It's a monster boar, Aisu. You say 'pig' like it's some lazy barn animal, not a thing that weighs as much as a wagon and charges like a bull with anger issues."
"Exactly," Aya chimed in, braiding her hair with practiced swiftness. "That's why we're going. Might as well leave a good memory before we all get dragged into academy life."
Kaela smirked. "Speak for yourself. I'm looking forward to it. Real training, real instructors... and real cafeteria food."
"I'm just here for the roast meat," said Hiro, half-serious, adjusting the worn cloak slung over his shoulders. His laid-back posture contrasted with the quiet alertness in his eyes. Hiro rarely said much, but he never missed a beat.
"You're all underestimating me," Renji added with exaggerated flair, spinning his twin daggers like a performer. "This monster boar will fall before my unmatched agility and devilish charm."
"You tripped over your own boots yesterday," Kaela deadpanned.
"Exactly," Renji replied, grinning. "I've learned from it. I'm better now."
They all laughed—an easy, welcome sound. Even Aisu joined in, though his eyes lingered a bit longer on Theo.
Next month, Theo would be gone again, returning to the academy where he had already spent two years. Aya and Kaela would be entering for the first time, eager and anxious. Hiro and Renji were still undecided. That left Aisu behind—unchanged, unawakened, and still without even a hint of aura or mana. Just a boy who woke up late, played the fool, and loved his family too much to admit how much he feared being left behind.
The forest that bordered Colva greeted them like an old friend—dappled light through wide branches, birdsong echoing above. They moved with more caution than usual now. What happened with the wanted man left them more aware. More careful.
"There," Theo said, pointing through the underbrush. A heavy grunt rolled through the clearing like distant thunder. A monster boar — thick hide, curved tusks, and eyes that glowed faintly with latent energy — rooted at the base of a tree.
Aisu's heart raced.
Kaela crouched beside him. "You alright?"
"I've never... fought something real," he admitted. "I mean, outside of getting knocked down by chickens."
Kaela snorted. "Stay behind us, then. Just shout heroic stuff to inspire us."
Aya motioned for silence and drew a short blade, its edge dull but reliable. Theo knelt, eyes narrowed, body still.
Renji leaned toward Hiro and whispered, "Ten chips says Theo handles it alone again."
Hiro didn't smile, but his eyes flicked with humor. "You'll lose those chips."
The plan was simple: Theo would draw its attention, Kaela and Aya would flank, Hiro would back them with ranged cover—stones and quick footwork—and Renji would move in with precise jabs. Aisu would—well, not die. It wasn't much of a plan, but it had heart.
Theo stepped out first. The boar lifted its head, nostrils flaring. Its bulk shifted—then charged.
"Now!" Theo barked, his aura flaring briefly—not for attack, just enough to bait it. He dodged cleanly. Aya darted in, slashing at the side. Kaela followed, jabbing low at its legs. Renji leapt onto a rock and sliced with practiced speed. Hiro, further back, hurled a heavy stone at the boar's flank, knocking it slightly off balance.
The boar turned, tusks swinging. It roared, pawed the ground.
Aisu froze. It was huge. It was fast.
The boar lunged toward Kaela—and without thinking, Aisu moved.
A yell tore from his throat as he swung his wooden blade.
Crack.
The blade splintered. The blow barely dented the boar's hide, but it was enough to startle it—enough for Theo to slam a fist, aura-infused, into the creature's side. The boar collapsed with a groan, twitching once before falling still.
Silence.
"Did... did we kill it?" Aya asked, panting.
Theo wiped his brow. "Stunned. I finished it. But—Aisu, that was reckless."
Aisu stood there, trembling, holding the broken hilt. "I... I didn't even think."
Kaela grinned. "You were heroic. Dumb, but heroic."
"Surprisingly heroic," Renji added with a wide grin. "We're rubbing off on you."
They all burst into laughter again, louder this time.
They dragged the boar back to Colva—slowly, painfully, and with more bickering than efficiency. But when the sun began to set, and the scent of roasting meat filled the air, all was worth it.
That night, the group sat beneath the stars just outside the village, full bellies and sore bodies leaning against one another.
"Next month," Theo said softly, "we'll all be on different paths. But... this right here—this will always be ours."
Aisu looked around at his friends, his siblings. Aya, Kaela, Theo. Renji, who couldn't sit still. Hiro, quietly sipping from a cup.
He smiled.
Even if he had no power yet... he had something worth holding onto.