Time Progresses And So Does The Hidden Prince

Willow shade village, being on the very extremities of the Lyndell Empire, opposite to the conflict, has been extremely peaceful despite all the ensuing chaos.

The hanging sun was still shining with the same hue and the gentle breeze sung a tune putting those of tired bodies and exhausted minds to sleep.

Yet now, in addition to the beautiful companions of nature, a new one is added into the mix, dressing the earth in a white blanket of frost.

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Under a willow tree whose green dress has been stripped, a cabin lay free from the frosty environment taking over the land.

The wooden logs of the house seemed to emanate heat from a plethora of runes etched on its exterior, and perhaps some on its interior as well for warmth and comfort.

In one of the cozy cabin's rooms, Elias stood in front of his mirror with all his eight years of glory. The smooth surface of the mirror reflected a tanned body of a very tall child with short brown hair laying roughly atop his head as if cut by a complete amateur. His beautiful hazel eyes scanned his figure, not too thin or plump, just buff, an indication of great muscle and bone development. His canvas was now quite decorated with many marks of battle, the greatest of which lay on his right side and the middle of his chest. Like trophies, he wore them with pride, each of them carrying a lesson he learned or an adventurous tale to tell.

Turning to the side and laying his eyes on the ink marking his back, Elias noticed them fading. The color was no longer as vibrant and the area no longer as smooth. Instead the colors seemed to melt into his skin, and the outlines of the painting seemed to roughen turning into scar tissue.

'About time, we have been making a lot of progress unlocking more abilities, it would have been bazaar would it have taken any longer.'

Elias walked away from the mirror and put back on the tunic he took off. Sitting down on the bed, he picked up the book just an arm's length away and delved back into it, continuing his reading session.

Yeah you guessed it, a magic tome. Over the years, unbeknownst to Elias, he has become a creative and efficient magic caster. Were he in any empire the rulers would have coddled and nurtured him to success. Yet, his father only knew inklings about magic and its feats, rendering any comparison he could draw up, lacking.

But this does not mean that Isaac was completely clueless to his son's brilliance and hard work. No, far from that.

Isaac already deemed Elias a great warrior with a great mind, yet in order to keep him humble, a dire need for the eccentric young boy, Isaac hid some fragments of the truth. He only congratulated his son on his achievements and encouraged him upon failures. There was no over exaggeration with any of his display of acclimation, nor was there a disinterest to his accomplishments.

As for Elias's physical capabilities, well to sum it up they are beyond what a child whose age is not in the two digits should have. Even then, only prodigious teenagers in their late years might be on par with him in that field.

Elias finished his basic training but months ago, receiving a round edged staff from his father as a milestone. The staff was not formed out of branches, but the trunk of a thick sequoia tree compressed to fit the current function.

The weapon was heavy and hard to wield, but Elias was eager to master it.

The materials of the staff made it the perfect canvas for Elias to carve his runes upon. He carve…

[Come outside Elias. There's someone here to see you~]

Interrupting my narration and Elias's reading, but mostly my narration, a feminine voice sounded in Elias's mind. It was soft and easy on the ears, one would think it belonged to an adorable young child just breaking into the double digits of her age.

The voice was mischievous, as one would expect from a younger sister, an effort to tease Elias.

[Spare me your 'funny' humor. Who is it?] Elias replied tiredly.

The still little owl giggled impishly and quipped between broken laughter

[It's your friends Elias~]

Fed up with her games, Elias groaned and jumped out of his window an arm clutching at the roof's protruding wooden tiles, hoisting himself up in one smooth motion.

Stealthily peeking over the small chimney covered with snow he spotted a trio of young boys he had the unfortunate of recognizing.

'HAAAAH… Seriously these kids.'

Heaving another sigh, Elias jumped down and stood in front of them with his arms crossed only wearing a tunic as if mocking their figures wrapped in coats of fur.

A mocking grin stretched Elias's face as he leaned forward and spoke to them condescendingly.

"Well whad'ya know, it's dumb, dumber, and dumbest. What can I do for you gentlemen?"

Their reddened faces turned shades darker, and the leading boy stepped up and raised a wooden sword. His thin arms were wrapped in heaps of fur masking the structure beneath, but the size of the sword still drew a comedic comparison with his stature.

"Come here you hermit, I am going to defeat you today and become the hero of the village!"

The leader of this ragtag trio happened to be the one with truly heroic features. He had amber hair hidden beneath his ragi fur cap, sword like eyebrows and dazzling blue eyes.

"You heard him! Come here and face u-us… I mean Leo! Come here and face Leo!"

From behind him a tall chubby boy hid his figure behind Leo's, unsuccessfully might I add, and egged Elias on.

"Yeah! Face Leo"

And finally, to seal the deal the third goon of the menacing three made himself known from behind Patrick, the tall kid. In contrast to Patrick, this one was short and thin, even the fur could not hide that much.

'And I thought I was going to have a cool nickname.Hermit...What has my life come to?'

The villagers of Willow shade dubbed the little hunter as the hermit. Aside from wolves threatening his cattle, Elias would only hunt small game selling his loot in town for coin or more sheep. He would not show his face otherwise.

Thus 'The Hermit'

With much second hand embarrassment from his 'brave companions', Leo stepped forward and brandished his wooden sword- 'waved around clumsily' in challenge

Stifling a laugh Elias stepped forward, he extended his hand and curled his pointing forward at Leo in provocation.

[You're not seriously thinking of fighting them are you?]

[No of course not, I'll just give them a good scare that's all. While we're at it why don't you try that thing we talked about.]