Humble beginings

[Year-7867 of the Protector Calendar]

Wahhhh Wahhhhh

The cries of a baby rang through a small wooden house in a small village. 

"M-my son. Let me see him." A shivering voice of a woman lying on a bed sounded, asking another woman for a violet-haired baby.

The woman ,holding the baby, hands it over to the mother.

"Violet hair, green eyes, what wonderful features! I am sure my son will be someone extraordinary and strong!" The woman's face brightened up as her lips curved upwards gently as soon as she laid her hand on her child.

A man came running into the room looking at the bedridden woman, "Anna! Are you fine? Is the child fine?" 

"Don't scream dear, our son will start crying again. I am fine too." The woman smiled looking at the tall man.

The man released a sigh of relief."Hahaha, My son won't cry! Just look at how he looks! The protectors themselves must have blessed my son! I am sure he will grow to be a strong man with the blessing of the protectors!" 

It was unsurprising for the man to be so happy because first of all who wouldn't be happy at the birth of their son secondly, the violet-colored hair and green eyes of his son were something very rare in their village which had only 31 houses and other neighboring villages. Most people had black or brown hair and eyes!

The man reached to hug the woman and his son but was stopped by the woman who was nursing the mother. "Don't go to hug him! Anna is still weak and your son has just been born. He might get injured!"

"Oh, Luna! Thank you so much too! I was just too excited to see my child and forgot!" The man turned his head back towards his wife. "Just wait till night Anna. I have to go hunting. I will be sure to bring you meat! That way you and my son can get stronger! Also, be sure to eat food made by Luna!"

With that, the man went running out of the room with a huge grin on his face.

Luna sighed looking at the Man." Honestly sis! Couldn't he stay for a bit longer? I am sure he can go hunting later right?". Luna looked at Anna, who replied, " You don't know how much he loves me, sister."

"Huh? What do you mean I don't know? I mean he just ran away right after seeing you and his son?!"

"You will know once you get married."

"Not this again!"

***

[Year-7872 PC]

A small boy could be seen brawling with another small child, both with a stick sword. A skilled swordsman would laugh at how they were continually and intentionally locking each other's swords to appear cool.

"Take this, Oh demon sect member! Protector's Slash!" The violet-haired kid—Ivar— said while swinging the stick towards the other normal-looking child.

"Ho ho. Protector. I shall slay you and eat those puny villagers! Take this! Demonic Slash!" After that both the kids kept interlocking their "swords" while menacingly staring at each other's eyes.

After a while, both kids were full of sweat and they both threw their swords to the ground.

The other kid said "Hahh.Hahhh. Ivar, You be the bad guy next time."

Ivar similarly was tired and replied," Alright, Next time you be 'John, the protector' and I will be 'Ivar, the demon'."

John was looking towards Ivar while they were talking and suddenly said "IVAR! Your mom is here!"

"Huh? My mo- Ouch! Ouch! Mom, I was just playing good guy, bad guy with John!"

"You promised to Study first, Ivar! Your teacher costs us a lot of money, he was someone who studied at an academy in the capital. Also, did you finish your homework?"

"Uh, Y-yes mom!"

"Ivar!"

"N-no, I didn't. But Mom, When will Dad take me hunting with him? I am sure I will kill all animals and become the strongest hunter in this village!"

"He will take you when you turn 9."

"9?! That's like 4 years away! I want to be the strongest and join the Protectors and protect everyone, Mom!"

Ivar's mom sighed. "Well, at least you do know maths. Anyway, Ivar you are going to be studying for just this year and other things will be taught by me and Dad. Also, you need to be 15 to get tested Ivar. But I am sure my son will make me proud right?"

"Yes, I will! But 15 Mom? This is 9 years later! I won't be able to wait-"

Ivar was cut off by his mom as she glared at him." I know you just started learning maths 5 days ago but 9?! You won't become the strongest without being smart! You need to study harder! The teacher will leave this village after this year!"

"T-ten, I mean ten!" Ivar clenched his fists and pumped them up. " But no matter, I will become the strongest and protect everyone, Mom."

"Sure, you will."

***

[7877 PC]

A 10-year-old, youthful boy with long violet hair was standing outside his house with a long sword and an arrow.

"Dad! Come out fast! We are going to be late to join in hunting!"

"Coming! Just wait a while."

His dad came out with a large spear and a long spear in his hand. "Oh, so that's where my long sword was. No wonder I couldn't find it. But you aren't going to use that long sword yet. Use this spear made for your height."

"Huhhh? I still can't use it?" Ivar was winced.

"Yes. Although you are good with almost every weapon you pick up, this long sword is too big for your height." Ivar's father started giving Ivar a lesson instead.

Ivar replied haughtily."I know that father. It's just that the future protector and the strongest should be able to use every weapon regardless of its size."

Ivar's father laughed lightly at the joke.

"Anyways, today is the first day you are going to use a spear so be careful. I would have just let you use the bow and arrow from far away but you insisted. So anyway, If you mess up back to using a bow and arrow only!"

"Yes!"

"Now let's go! Today is your friend John's first day too!"

"Heh, I will teach that guy how it's done out there!"

After a bit of walking on the dirt road, they crossed the last house of the village and beyond which was a forest. Ivar could see John's father teaching John what to do and what not to do.

As they reached closer, John's father looked at Ivar's father and waved.

"Ay, Ivan! I thought you were not gonna come! You had a twin recently, right? A pair of sons?"

"Yo Johan, glad you waited for us bastard! And it wasn't recently! It was a whole two years ago and that too a son and a daughter."

"Ohh, I forgot. Y'know how we don't usually get assigned to hunting duty at the same time!"

"Yeah, Let's go now! Let's go EVERYONE!"

With that, the group of about 10 started heading towards the forest.

On the way, the group started chattering about a few rumors.

"Ya know, Ivan. I heard from a merchant that the demon sect has been attacking many villages recently and kidnapping the children. Ya think we will encounter them?"

"No, I also heard the news and the attacks happened to the villages far away, we don't need to worry." Johan sighed."You are no fun man! I thought that was gonna scare the kids! Hahaha"

"That's why I said what I said." Ivan made a thumbs-up gesture with his hand.

"But on a serious note, there have been Rhino and tiger sightings by the previous hunting party so keep alert!"

"Kids! You heard Johan right?" Both the kids nodded.

"Alright then! Keep alert, but I am sure we won't encounter them so don't be too afraid!"