4 Chapter 4: Sword and Magic

Jorael had just turned three when his father, Roland, suggested they go hunting.

"Roland, he's just a child! What if something goes wrong?" Joanna, Jorael's mother, voiced her concern.

"My dear, he's got his father's blood running through his veins. Besides, who better to protect him than an old adventurer like me?" Roland tried to reassure Joanna.

"Promise me you'll stick close to your dad, alright?" Joanna told her son.

The duo then ventured out of their protected homestead, deep into the heart of the Dark Forest. As they navigated through the eerie canopy, Jorael inquired:

"How do we track the beasts, Dad?"

"Tracking Magic Beasts is a tricky job, Son. More often than not, they'll find you first."

"That's...comforting," Jorael responded nervously.

"Haha! Don't fret, I'm right here. Did you check your surroundings?"

"N-No, I didn't, Father..."

"Always be vigilant, Son, or you might end up like we are now..."

"Like how?!"

As if on cue, a series of chilling howls echoed through the dark woods.

"Wargs, Jorael. Stay close!" Roland exclaimed, a thrill in his voice.

"O-okay, Father!" Jorael stammered, his voice betraying his fear.

Emerging from the shadows, the Wargs made their grand entrance. Standing at 2 to 3 mels tall, these wolf-like creatures possessed fur as black as midnight, crimson eyes that glowed in the darkness, and razor-sharp fangs capable of shredding flesh and bone.

"D-Dad?!" Jorael squeaked as the pack advanced.

"Witness the might of an adventurer, Son!" Roland shouted, unsheathing his sword and starting an incantation: "In the name of the All-Creator, I summon Firebolt!"

A seven-pointed star materialized on his palm, followed by a fiery sphere.

Roland flung the flaming orb at an approaching Warg. The beast yelped as its fur singed, but it was far from defeated.

"Dad, I think it's angry now!" Jorael muttered nervously, observing that the magical assault did little harm.

"Brace yourself, they're charging!" Roland warned, readying his sword.

The singed Warg leaped at Roland, who managed to fend off the attack, leaving a deep gash on its side. The injured beast whimpered and crashed to the ground, triggering an uproar among its pack members.

"Now you see, Son, the adventurer's way!" Roland announced proudly.

"Can we please go home now?!" Jorael pleaded, fearfully huddling behind his father.

"Get ready, Jorael!" Roland commanded.

"Ready for what?!" Jorael yelped.

"My finishing move!" Roland declared, preparing to strike.

Despite its grievous injury, the Warg wasn't done. It charged once more, its eyes ablaze with murderous intent. Roland, however, stood his ground. As the Warg launched itself into the air, Roland deftly sidestepped, simultaneously pushing Jorael to safety.

With a swift, brutal swing, Roland severed the Warg's head, and its lifeless body collapsed, spewing blood.

Jorael was left in stunned silence.

"There we go!" Roland exclaimed. "Now what?" Jorael asked.

"Now comes the challenging part…GRAB THE WARG AND RUN!" Roland hollered, hoisting the slain Warg over his shoulder and sprinting towards their homestead.

"WHAT?!" Jorael screamed, running alongside his father.

"YOU SHOULD'VE TOLD ME THAT BEFORE!" he screeched as three remaining Wargs chased them.

"Welcome to the life of an adventurer, my boy!" Roland laughed, even as they continued their frantic escape. After a grueling chase, they finally reached the safety of their home.

"Are you out of your mind, Father?" Jorael gasped, panting heavily.

"Survival, Jorael, that's what matters in the wild. Kill or be killed. Run or be devoured..." Roland began, but his wife suddenly cut him off with a slap to the back of his head.

"Are you mad, Roland?! You took our three-year-old on a kill-and-run adventure!" Joanna scolded.

"Did you see that, Jorael? Your mom's a natural-born predator! We didn't see her coming!" Roland chuckled, ignoring Joanna's wrath.

"Are you okay, my dear?" Joanna asked Jorael.

"Yes, Mom..."

"From now on, you're not to leave the house with your dad," Joanna firmly decided.

"Yes, Mom. I agree with that decision," Jorael replied.

The next day, Jorael's training began in earnest. With wooden swords crafted by Roland, they practiced in the mornings, while Joanna taught him magic after lunch.

…

A year passed, and Jorael felt stronger. He was now 1.2 mels tall, and he had a newfound confidence in his ability to wield magic and sword.

Having practiced rigorously under his mother's tutelage, Jorael was finally able to execute the Fireball spell using both Demon and Human formulas. Joanna's heart filled with pride as her son honed his magical abilities.

As the family sat down for dinner, engaged in a lively conversation, Joanna turned to her son, asking, "Darling, what kind of Magic are you interested in learning next?"

Jorael considered it for a moment before answering, "I think I'd like to try healing Magic."

With a sigh, Joanna admitted, "I won't be much help with that...Your father should be the one to guide you... if he's capable."

Roland was taken aback by his wife's comment, immediately protesting, "What?! Not this again! I can certainly teach him Heal! My boy, we'll begin your healing magic lessons tomorrow! Ha!" he declared, addressing his son.

The following morning, father and son convened outside their house. This time, however, they were not there for the usual sword training.

Roland asked, excitement bubbling in his voice, "Are you ready, my boy?"

"Yes, Father."

"Now, close your eyes and concentrate...Visualize a pure white light that radiates warmth and well-being... Can you see it?"

"Yes..."

"Excellent. Now, try to shape the magic within you to resemble the light you are visualizing...Can you feel it inside you?"

"Yes, Father..."

"Great job! Now, try to cast the spell using the formula I gave you."

Jorael concentrated, "In the honor of the Creator of all, I cast Heal!"

As soon as he finished speaking, red sparks and smoke began emanating from his palm.

Roland sighed, "I had a feeling this would happen..."

Jorael shot back, frustration evident in his voice, "This isn't helping! How can I make it work without any books to study?"

Roland explained, "Unfortunately, my son, we don't possess any books on Red Magic, only Arcane Magic. You'll have to adjust and find a way to succeed."

"That's easier said than done..." grumbled Jorael.

Roland reassured his son, "Don't worry, you are extraordinarily talented! You've delved into the world of Magic at such a young age, it's genuinely impressive! Don't let this initial setback discourage you."

"Thank you, Father," Jorael replied, gratitude apparent in his voice.

"Alright, let's give it another try!"

…

A year passed and Jorael, now five years old, had mastered the Heal spell with Red Magic. He now knew two spells. His parents were amazed that he had managed to master two spells at such a tender age.

After finishing their dinner, the family was huddled in front of the fireplace, basking in its warmth.

"Mother, Father, I've never asked this before, but why do we live here?"

A silence fell over them, the only sound was the crackling of the fire. Joanna and Roland exchanged a long look before Joanna began to speak.

"Because we love each other, and that's considered a sin by both Demons and Humans..."

Joanna's voice cracked as she held back tears before continuing, "It's not just us. You know I'm from the Succubus Clan. Over 200 years ago, we were expelled from the Demon Kingdom."

"But why were you banished?" Jorael interrupted.

"I'd rather not go into the details. It's a dark and grim story, and I don't want you to view your ancestors, or worse, your mother as a monster... even though I wasn't even born then..." Joanna responded, her voice filled with sorrow.

"Why would I ever think that about you? You're the best mother anyone could ask for!" Jorael earnestly assured his mother.

Joanna beamed at her son, "Thank you, darling! You are the best thing that's ever happened to me!"

Roland then took over the storytelling, "Your mother and I met in this forest a decade ago. The moment I saw her, I was completely mesmerized. I wasn't afraid or alarmed as a Human should be. I was simply awestruck by your stunning mother..."

Joanna chimed in, "Thank you, darling. I was taken aback by this man, who could express such deep feelings through his gaze. The instant our eyes locked, we knew something profound was happening...We were falling in love. We left my Clan and made our home here. And five years later, you were born."

Jorael, intrigued, asked, "Wait, Mother, did you leave the Clan because of Father?"

"In part, yes... but also because dealing with your grandmother is quite challenging," Joanna replied.

"Wait, I have a grandmother?! Why hasn't anyone mentioned this before?" Jorael exclaimed, shocked by this revelation.

"Yes, you do. And let's hope you never encounter her," Joanna replied.