Alan's resolve.

Alan walked slowly towards his Grandmother and Uncle.

I am sorry Uncle John you had told me to hide my full strength in front of others until I join the Acadamy but I was not able to keep my words.... Alan hung his head down.

John who was in a dazed condition came back to his senses with a start and looked at Alan.

Are you hurt my boy? John asked.

"Alan, come here first let me tend to your wounds first. Everything else can wait." Helen snapped at Alan getting agitated.

"I am alright grandma. Don't worry, I am not injured. Alan looked towards his grandmother. " his face full of sadness.

Are you sure, you are covered in blood my dear. Don't try to hide anything from me. Let me check throughly once... Helen insisted.

Let me wash myself first grandma. I will be back in a few minutes. Alan started towards the rive to get himself rid of the wolf blood that was all over his body.

Helen turned towards John with a raised eyebrow. "What was that all about? Her expression seems to ask John".

John Sighed, " After watching his strength the day we came, I took him for a stroll and asked him not to use his full strength infront of othere. Atleast till he becomes strong enough to take care of himself or joins the acadamy.

I did not wanted him to draw unnecessary attention on himself. Even by accident.

Helen understood his intentions and noded with a smile on her face.

At that moment Captain Kevin came toward John with a solemn expression.

Is there anything wrong captain? John asked.

Kevin shook his head. "There.... There were...., He then cleared his throat, took a deep breath and said. "He slayed 23 Wolves in total including the Leader of the pack. And it... it took..... it took him less than ten breath" He then let out a long breath....

Once again there was a stunned silence in the camp. No one knew how to response.

The silence dragged on for a while this time....

Salvage whatever valuable items we can from Wolves and pile them up over there, John pointed his finger towards the river bank a few meters away from their camp. We will set the remains on fire before we leave.

Kevin nodded and instructed half of the guards to remove valuable items like the claws and wolves hide if found undamaged. Which can be exchanged for rewards in the Adventurer's guild . Then he stationed remaining guards around the camp for the night watch to be on the safer side.

Alan came back after cleaning himself. He had already wiped his sword clean and it was sheathed.

Helen held him by the shoulders and started inspecting him. She felt relieved when she found that he was almost unharmed.

Alan had a deep claw mark on his left forearm. Other than that, he was completly fine.

After checking around, John also joined them. He inspected Alan once and noded with satisfaction.

"Good that there is nothing major to worry about."... Helen both of you rest inside the tent today. I will be resting outside your tents. John comforted them.

He felt something was amiss in Alan's behavior and observed him while Helen was applying medicine and wrapping his left forearm with clothes with utmost care and concentration.

"What's the matter my boy? Is there something wrong?" John asked Alan.

Alan snapped back from his stooper and shook his head slightly. It's nothing Uncle John. It's just that.... I killed too many beasts today. I always feel sad and uncomfortable when I have to kill any beast. It might be a necessity but it still won't make me feel better. I am simply uncomfortable killing anythig unnecessarily.

Helen who knew Alan's nature patted his shoulders affectionately. John sat their quietly for a few moments. He formed his thoughts carefully before speaking to Alan.

"My dear boy, I know its wrong to take any life unnecessarily. Sometimes we have to take one or many life in order to save other innocent lives.

Sometimes showing mercy is never an option. Lets us take our own situation as an example. If you hadn't acted quickly can you imagin the outcome of the clash between the Wolves and our guards?

Even though our guards are seasoned Adventurers, can you imagin how many lives would have been lost today? How many horses would have been killed ?

Alan was silent, imagining the chaos. He shuddered slightly and noded his head solemnly to John.

My boy, if you want to be an Adventurer or a soldier, killing will be a part of your life. You will have to face this reality sooner or later. The way you handle it represents your nature.

We kill beasts or even other people sometimes only to save innocent lives or to avoid much more bloodshed in the future.

Remember this, you can consider youself a human till you feel the way you are feeling now. The day you started enjoying killing something or someone, you can consider yourself a madmen or a monster.

Have you ever seen a wild beast killing other animals for fun?

Alan shook his head for John's question.

Even wild beast only kill other animals or beasts to fill their stomach...

At that moment Alan realized what his Uncle told was true. On that day, he decided that he will never harm anyone unnecessarily.

He accepted the fact that the path he wanted to take will be filled with death and violence. And he wanted to make those deaths meaningful.

He had a resolute look in his eyes when he promised himself to use his strength and skills to create a peaceful life for others. Even if he had to make his had dirty.