Years passed.
The helpless toddler became something else. A hardworking teenager with calloused hands and purpose in his stride.
Leo pulled the leather tie from his wrist and gathered his hair behind his neck and twisted them into place. He then scanned the field ahead, checking the day's remaining work.
Across the field, Amanda watched him work. Eighteen years she had raised him, and still, there were moments he felt like a stranger. It was in the focus of his dark brown eyes, an intensity that didn't belong to the boy she remembered. Or had it always been, she wondered.
But she knew the truth of her connection to him, a promise made to his parents, her former party members, but the boy himself remained an enigma.
Her forehead knitted for a moment before she pushed the thought away.
"Leo, could you assist me in carrying these?!" Amanda called.
"Coming!" Leo replied.
"You sure are dependable as ever," Markus said, tapping Leo's shoulder heavy enough to sway him slightly.
"I just wanted to keep up with everyone else." Leo smiled wider than usual as he glanced at Amanda. He grabbed the towel from his shoulders and wiped sweat from his face.
Clean.
Fresh.
Ready.
He looked back at Markus. "This is good here, right?"
"That's great. Go help Amanda."
She waved when she saw him approaching. Several people surrounded Amanda, chatting happily. The soft glow of the descending sun reflected off their faces and mildly sweaty figures.
Leo slid his belt bag forward and pulled out a large towel. After giving it a shake, he opened it and wrapped it around Amanda's shoulders.
"Thank you," she said, sweeping her hair on top of the towel.
Leo sighed. "How many times do I have to keep telling you to cover yourself with a towel?" He tilted his head back slightly.
"Just look at Old Grunter over there, drooling like a fool!"
They turned to Grunter and laughed as his wife scolded him.
A gentle tug pulled Amanda's focus forward. A small girl held a basket of fruits. Amanda bent down until they were the same height. "What brings you here, little one?"
The little girl stretched out her arms. "For you!" She smiled. "Mom said it's the sweetest harvest of the year!"
Amanda took the basket and patted her head. "Thank you. How kind of you and your mother."
She turned and looked up at Leo. "I suppose we shall be baking sweetened bread, after all."
"Wow, what's the occasion?" another worker asked.
Amanda stood up, still smiling at the girl. "It's Leo's eighteenth birthday."
The group erupted in lively discussion. Congratulations flew from every direction.
"That's amazing. Are you going to register at the capital?" Markus asked as he made his way to the crowd.
But a man scoffed opposite them. Almost the same age as Leo. He stood with his back to them, arms slightly raised. Two rakes floated in front of him, magically leveling the soil without his touch.
"He doesn't have any skills for an adventurer."
A pause.
Sharp.
Cutting.
"He'll die instantly in the field."
"Hey, watch your mouth!" Markus shouted.
Leo grabbed Markus' shoulder and shook his head.
"Suit yourselves. Don't say I didn't warn you." The man replied and continued working away from them.
"Cris is not wrong either," Leo started. "All of the kids I grew up with here already got their powers." His gaze scanned the expanse, checking how other workers used their skills. Some planted seeds throughout the farm in an instant. Others used superhuman strength to plow soil with bare hands. The really gifted ones could use magic and plant seeds with just a flick of their hands.
"To be honest, I wanted to be an adventurer like my parents." The words felt foreign on his tongue, claiming a family and a history that weren't his. Still, looking at Amanda, it didn't feel like a complete lie. The desire felt real enough.
His eyes dimmed.
"But being an ordinary citizen has its merits too." Leo concluded, bowing slightly.
Amanda pushed the basket she was holding to Leo, startling him. She grinned. "Even those who have attained their skills may face dire consequences if they're not prepared."
"Once you get your adventurer card, you can level up and start from there."
"And there exist the guilds as well, helping new adventurers like you." Amanda stroked the little girl's head.
Boom!
Boom!
Boom!
"Clear the area!" Markus exclaimed, signaling everyone to move behind him.
Trees splintered and crashed down not far from where they stood. Multiple black apparitions emerged from the forest.
Shadows with teeth.
A nameplate, stark and red, materialized above their heads in his vision.
[Level 10: Black Wolves]
"Black Wolves!"
"They might have slipped through the adventurers' hunting party!"
Their inky fur danced in the air, almost ethereal, until their glowing eyes locked onto the farm workers.
Panic erupted.
Everywhere.
The sound of stomping on farm soil echoed through the air, blending with frenzied shouts as workers scattered in all directions. A sharp cry from a girl halted everyone's movement.
"Mika!" An old woman shrieked and tried to run back, but several people grabbed her.
"Let go of me!"
"Mika!"
A man ran past them.
Leo.
He held the basket tighter and leaned forward as he ran faster. But the wolves proved quicker. One already jumped into the air, fangs wide open, ready to devour its prey.
He stopped abruptly, clenching the basket. About to throw it.
Until he saw someone blur past him.
The three Black Wolves wailed as they dropped to the ground in a satisfying thud. The hissing sword sang a fleeting crescendo as the figure slowly sheathed her blade.
"The farm owner is here!"
"We're safe!"
Hurried footsteps and heavy breathing approached Leo and the owner. The old lady burst toward the little girl. She slowed down and picked up the child before thanking them, weeping as she cradled the little girl on the ground.
Four people jumped out of the forest and frantically ran to them. A man, seeing the disappearing slain wolves, scratched his head as he approached the owner.
"We're sorry, boss. We were outnumbered and some of the monsters reached here."
The man put away his sword and continued talking to the farm owner. A woman from his party saw the old lady and little girl on the ground. She went to them and bent down, placed her hands on the little girl's scratched knees.
Heal
Golden light manifested between her hands and rained down multiple sparkling dust-like particles. Each one that touched a bruise mended the skin. The little girl immediately stood up. She and her grandmother bowed before running back with the other farm workers.
Leo slowly straightened up as he looked at the adventuring party in front of him.
He watched the adventurers, the memory of his first time seeing such a party still vivid. Amanda had given up that life for him, a boy who wasn't even her own race, let alone her son. He clenched his fist, a silent vow taking shape.
I will give her back the life she deserves. I promise—
Zap—Zit—Zit!
A sudden flash of light flickered before his eyes, leaving him stunned.
Blinded.
What was that?!