The sun was high overhead, its warm rays filtering through the canopy. The morning's training session had been productive, but Rian felt it was time to shift their focus. He looked at his two students, who were resting after the intense breathing exercises.
"So," Rian said, a challenging glint in his eye. "Are we ready to continue?"
"Yes, sir! I'm ready," Livi announced, standing up eagerly. "My legs feel completely recovered, and my whole body feels great."
"I'm ready too, Rian," Catty confirmed, her own energy restored.
"Good. I'm getting hungry," Rian said. "Before we continue, how about we hunt for our dinner while we're still in the forest?"
"I agree, Rian!" Catty exclaimed, her ears perking up at the mention of food.
"There are usually many giant boars in this part of the forest, sir," Livi offered. "But they are very difficult to take down. Their hides are so thick that even arrows can't pierce them."
"Leave that to me," Rian said with a confident smirk. "Your only job is to watch how I take one down. Consider it an extra lesson."
"I doubt the boars here are as dangerous as the ones in Gramps' forest," Rian thought to himself. "Those things were practically immune to my fire magic."
"I can lead the way, sir!" Livi said, his spirit high. He was eager to see Rian's power in action against a beast he himself considered a great challenge. "I know their habits and how to spot their dens."
They set off, with Livi in the lead. They leaped from branch to branch, moving deeper into the woods until Livi spotted the tell-tale signs of a boar's lair. As he had predicted, it was active.
"Sir, look over there," Livi whispered, pointing. "The bushes are moving. I think a boar is making its nest in there."
"Alright," Rian said. "Watch me from here. I'll show you how to catch one of these things easily."
Rian moved closer, perching on a thick branch not far from the nest. He could see it clearly now—a massive boar with coarse, tough-looking hide. Livi was right; a normal arrow wouldn't stand a chance.
Rian pulled a bow and arrow from his Storage. He drew the string back taut, aiming at the beast. As he took aim, he channeled wind magic into the arrow. A soft green aura enveloped the arrowhead. He released the string.
The arrow shot through the air with incredible speed and precision, striking the boar directly in its eye. "If an arrow can't pierce its hide," he mused, "then just aim for the eyes."
The beast shrieked in pain, thrashing wildly and crashing blindly into its surroundings. Rian pursued it, leaping from his perch and plunging down. He drew a dagger, coating it in a thin, sharp layer of wind magic. The spell would make the dagger's edge razor-sharp, allowing it to pierce the boar's tough neck hide.
He landed on the beast's back and drove the enchanted dagger deep into its neck. The boar collapsed.
Rian looked over at his students, who were watching in stunned silence. "Come on over!" he shouted. "I've taken it down. Did you see how I did it?"
They rushed to his side. "Sir, how could you aim so precisely at its eye from that distance?" Livi asked in awe.
"You were amazing, Rian! That dagger looked so sharp when it hit its neck," Catty added, equally impressed.
"Why was it so accurate? Because I channeled wind magic into the arrow," Rian explained patiently. "Once the arrow was infused, I could guide it with my magic and direct it straight to the eye. For the dagger, I did the same. The wind magic created a razor-thin, vibrating edge that could easily slice through the tough hide."
"Oh, I see," Catty said, her eyes sparkling with excitement. "Can you teach us how to do that, too?"
"Of course, I'll teach you right now," Rian agreed. "But since your mana control isn't stable yet, I'll only let you try it once in a while."
"I want to try, sir!" Livi said, his enthusiasm matching Catty's.
"Alright. Take these," Rian said, handing his bow and a few arrows to Livi, and the enchanted dagger to Catty.
Rian then heaved the giant boar onto his shoulders. Catty looked at him, confused. "Rian, why don't you put it in your Storage?"
"Because after cleaning out five hundred wolf carcasses, my Storage needs a little extra time to process new items," Rian lied smoothly. The truth was, he could easily store it, but this was another part of their training.
Hearing his explanation, Catty simply nodded. With Livi leading again, they moved deeper into the forest to hunt once more. Soon, they found another boar, this one foraging for food.
"Sir, there's one over there," Livi pointed.
"Okay, Livi. Aim for its eye," Rian instructed softly. "Nock an arrow, draw the string with all your might, and hold your breath. Picture the mana flowing from your hand into the arrow, infusing it with your wind magic. When it is infused, the arrow becomes a part of you. Focus on the boar's eye, and when you release, guide the magic to keep it on target."
"Yes, sir," Livi said, following the instructions. The arrow flew, but it missed the eye, striking the boar's neck instead. It pierced the hide but not deeply, only wounding the beast slightly.
"Quick, do it again before it gets away!" Rian urged.
The boar squealed and began to run frantically. Livi quickly nocked another arrow, and this time, it flew true, striking the boar's other eye. As it did, Rian turned to Catty.
"Focus your mana into the dagger," he commanded. "Picture hundreds of tiny, sharp blades of wind vibrating along its edge. When the boar charges this way, you will leap and stab its neck."
The blinded boar, in its panic, charged directly toward them. "Now!" Rian shouted.
Catty instantly sprang into action. She leaped high and plunged the enchanted dagger deep into the beast's neck. The blade slid through the tough hide with ease, killing the creature instantly.
"Congratulations. Your first successful giant boar hunt," Rian said, smiling.
Not far from them, another boar, disturbed by the commotion, began to run. "Go get that one," Rian instructed. Eagerly, Livi and Catty worked together, and soon, they had taken down their second boar.
"I think three boars are enough to add to the village's food supply. Let's take them back," Rian said. He then ordered Livi and Catty to each carry one.
"Sir… this is pretty heavy, isn't it?" Livi grunted, struggling to lift the massive carcass onto his shoulders. He and Catty watched as Rian shouldered his own boar as if it weighed nothing. Gritting their teeth, they both managed to lift their burdens, Livi's legs trembling slightly under the weight.
"Can you carry that all the way to the village, Livi?" Rian asked.
"I have to, sir! I saw how easily you did it, but this feels so heavy," Livi said. Nearby, Catty was also struggling under the weight.
"What about you, Catty?" Rian asked.
"I can do it, Rian. Don't worry," she answered, though her voice trembled slightly.
"This isn't any heavier than the rock Gramps used to put on my back," Rian thought with a nostalgic smile. "Make sure you both keep your breathing stable as you walk and jump, understand? It will keep you from getting tired too quickly!" he shouted, leading the way.
Step by step, leap by leap, they made their way back. As the exit of the forest came into view, Rian glanced back. Catty's legs were shaking, and Livi had lost his balance and fallen. Rian went to them, placing a hand on each and channeling his healing magic to soothe their exhausted muscles.
"Can you still go on? We're almost there," he asked.
"I can do it, Rian. I have to," Catty insisted.
"I can walk again too, sir, thanks to your healing magic."
A few moments later, they arrived at the village and laid the three giant boars in front of the chief's house. The Chieftain himself was standing outside and saw them approach.
"Whoa! Are we having a feast tonight that you've hunted so much food?" the chief said with a happy smile.
"Yes, sir," Rian replied. "Could you help us prepare this meat and share it with the other villagers?"
The chief gladly took charge of the boars, and with the help of his wife and RQ, they began to prepare a village-wide feast.