A Hunt (Pt.2)

Later that day.

'I'm finally done with etiquette, thank the lord.'

Lucian sits back down at his desk and opens the beast encyclopedia.

'E Class beast.'

'Hmm.'

Pages flip by one by one.

'This one looks good. "Northern Tusk Boar." Their hide isn't tough enough to stop my sword, and they're one of the more prominent animals in the area. Should be a piece of cake. The tough part will be getting out of the castle.'

Strategies fill his mind.

'I can't leave at night. It'll be too dark to hunt. Which means I have to leave during the daytime. But I'm always under the watchful eye of the Marquis or his minions. I'll have to disguise myself and sneak out after one of the lessons. They'll think I'm still in my room. Meanwhile, I'll be long gone.'

Lucian nods, reaching his decision.

'I'll do that tomorrow. I think I'll check up on Alaric and show him my progress. Maybe he'll start teaching me the 2nd Arc.'

...

Lucian and Alaric are in the garden. Lucian's sword arcs through the air as he performs the last step of the 1st Arc.

"You're a quick learner. When I first learned the dance, it took me 6 months to perfect the 1st Arc. You've done it in a little over a week." Alaric remarks with genuine surprise.

Lucian waves his hand.

"My movements are perfect, but I'm no genius. I still haven't made it my own. I doubt I could actually use these types of movements in a real fight." He says, humbling himself.

"Only experience will be able to give you that." Alaric responds.

Lucian nods.

'I'll be getting some of that pretty soon.'

"I asked you here because I wanted to show you my progress. But I also wanted to ask if you could teach me the 2nd Arc?"

Alaric looks Lucian up and down.

"I'm sorry, but I can't teach it to you. I wish I could, but it's impossible. The 2nd Arc requires much more than you currently possess in regards to strength. It also requires you to have the ability to create Aura."

"Aura? I've heard of it before and seen it, but I have no idea what it really means." Lucian questions.

Alaric strains himself for a moment, his eyes bulging as his muscles contract.

A grey mist begins to flow from his skin.

"This is called Aura." He says, motioning to the mist.

"It's an ability that is common with those gifted with strong dormant Mana Cores. I say dormant because there has not been a single awakened human in history whom has become an Aura user. This is because mana is secreted through the body itself, not Mana Circuits. Many Mages have attempted to use Aura. All have died due to high levels of Mana Poisoning. I'm sorry for this sad fact boy. If it were possible, I would love to pass on the dance to you." Alaric's voice comes out solemn, filled with disappointment.

Lucian goes white. Anger boils his blood.

'Just when I thought I was really getting somewhere, I get hit with another wall.'

"I understand." Lucian replies grimly.

"I will gladly teach you whatever else I can. I believe that you are a worthy successor to my knowledge."

"I will continue to assist you with your swordsmanship in any way I can. If you are interested, once you start your magical training, I will offer you lessons in Alchemy."

Alaric looks to Lucian with pity in his eyes.

'I guess there's a slight upside. He feels bad, so he's offering to teach me more. It seems so far away though. Harald is holding off on teaching me magic because of my screw-up in the carriage on the first day. I bet he thinks that when I get older, I'll be less curious and more careful.'

"Thank you, Alaric. I'll let you know once I get there. I appreciate you teaching me what you can."

Lucian bows.

Alaric responds with a bow of his own.

"I look forward to your future."

...

The next day.

Lucian's sparring lesson has just ended, and Harald has instructed him to continue his studies.

'Perfect. I'll just be studying outdoors today Harald' Lucian thinks, giving a mental wink.

Maintaining a casual pace, Lucian hurries back to his room and throws on a hooded cloak.

'This should be good enough. I can't have the guards seeing my face and reporting my whereabouts.'

Thoughts of what Harald might do if he's caught run through Lucian's mind as he leaves his quarters heading down the staircase.

...

'That was easier than I thought it would.'

Hunched low and close to a small row of bushes. Lucian stands a few hundred yards into the forest surrounding Faerdham.

'I've got several hours until Isla barges into my room for our lesson. It should be enough time, but I want to get this done quick.'

'Time to hunt.'

...

An hour has passed. Lucian is creeping low to the ground, his body hidden below a low ridgeline ahead. In front of him is a small Tusk Boar feeding upon a freshly killed Snow Rabbit. The rabbit's once white fur is stained with its own blood.

'Finally! Huh?'

Lucian's eyes focus on a small icon above the boar's head.

'Northern Tusk Boar: Lvl 5 (E)'

'It looks like some kind of game system. Why have I never seen this before?'

'This should be pretty helpful with hunting. Since I'll know how difficult my prey will be to kill. But it only works on beasts?'

A small twig cracks under Lucian's foot.

The boar's head jumps up, searching for where the sound came from.

'Shit. Less thinking. More hunting.'

Lucian lays still.

The boar takes a few moments to check its surroundings before continuing its feast.

Lucian creeps ever closer, now only a few meters away.

'This should be close enough. I'll kill it when it takes the next bite-'

The ground begins to shake as a massive beast rushes the boar at near lightning speed.

'What the fuck is-'

Lucian's heart drops in his chest as he sees the icon above the beast's head.

'Armoured Snow Bear: Lvl. "???" (B)'