Elric and Gideon were outside the city walls, the sun’s light had just peeked over the horizon - a thin fog in the air as they went along the southern road. Gideon was so excited, that the moment he woke sprung out of his bed and made Elric pick up his pace to see the dew-covered grasses.

It was a chilly morning, Gideon wasn’t prepared, but Elric glossed over the scene as he made him face the tall walls that surround the city.

“What do you think of those?” Elric pointed to the sight.

“Walls?” Gideon replied as Elric listened carefully, “It has guards on them, and helps protect the people within.”

Elric bobbed his head, trying to decide. “You're not entirely wrong, but- I asked you what those are, for you.”

Gideon was stumped. “I, don’t get it?”

“The basics of what you said were true, but the walls are the last line of defense of the forest. But not from within, they lead to false security as those bound to make this their home have to pay to the nobles of this city. The guards are no better, only serve basic order but are loyal to the Nobles and the Founding Family.” Elric said the last sarcastically - Gideon hesitant to be hung on these words. His thoughts showed on his face, as Elric smirked. “You need to get better at hiding those expressions.”

Gideon caught himself as he was told.

Elric continued, “An Adventurer isn’t made to be confined. No matter how long you sit in one spot you have to be ready to take up another leg on the journey.”

“But I already know that… I don’t want to be like that anyway.”

Elric reinforced his voice, “What we think and how life leads us is not always the same path we wish. You have not experienced enough of your choices being taken away. And your natural character doesn’t seem to be defined to challenge these choices.”

Feeling his life was worth more than Elric’s words, his face scrunched.

Elric gently patted his back, “You're doing it again… Gideon, I know how the past few months have been difficult for you but a few months doesn’t make a character - especially when you are just looking for your next meal.”

“What are you trying to say?”

“You have lived a leisurely life, but now more than a few things seek your end. By combat or a few well-placed words, here- danger is born and you must build your will to be ready for the hard choices ahead.” Gideon caught the inkling of his meaning as he dropped his face, understanding this was all for him. Elric brought him in - shoulder to shoulder. “You might not think it after all of what has happened so far but you’re a good kid. Let no one trample on you and do all you can to prepare to make your own way.”

They left the far field, the purpose made, as they walked their way to a fairly sparse road along the walls, leading to the far bank of the Dewes river.

“This is a favorite spot of some strong fishermen during the turn of spring.” Gideon wanted to get a better look at the bank of the river but was held back by Elric. “Don’t get this close when you are alone, there are dangerous lurkers in the shallows- But we are not here for the water, we are here to begin training.”

Gideon’s eyes shimmered, as he tried his best to hold his excitement.

“We’ll begin with the basics, do as I do.” Elric began to stretch out for the better part of the hour.

Gideon did his best as Elric help him where he could to make sure his body was prepared.

“Alright you should be good enough, we’ll follow this trail around the city to the other bank.” Elric said Gideon thought he misheard. “Run.”

Elric gave him a little punt to bruise his behind, laughing as he charged ahead on his own. A vein on Gideon’s head protruded as he pushed himself to look at the back of Elric, but it was gone after another minute went.

Passed the first long wall around the southern gate and through the outgoing roads. Gideon was exhausted, hunched over as he caught his breath - 30 minutes had gone, but not even half of the run was completed. He continued, to the longest wall, around the corner to just in sight of another protruding segment of the gate and another section of outgoing roads. The forest was encroaching the last section of the encompassed path, seeing Elric on a large stone waiting for him to arrive. He collapsed with his face to the sky as he tried to catch a breath.

Elric was looking down, “And I thought you wouldn’t finish for another hour.”

Gideon felt his lungs on fire, legs scorching. “Screw… you…”

“My that's harsh,” He jumped down and sat beside Gideon. “You know this is just the beginning - En is about the body, so what do you need to train?”

Between breaths, he spoke, “The body?”

“Precisely, see Gideon. Adventurers, here- really anywhere sparsely train before taking an Assignment. Most I find is that they just go off into the forests or wherever, just to wage battles, get lucky, or earn some coin. Most of them die because they didn’t take proper care.”

Gideon nodded, “I… don't think my legs are going to work if we have to run back.”

“Well, it’s a good thing we aren’t doing anything with your legs for a while.”

Elric got up and went around the rock to pick up some heavy iron cuffs with long-thick chains.

Gideon tried to joke, “Did you get those from prison?”

Elric flitched slightly as he shook his head, “Sure...”

Gideon couldn’t bother another word, as Elric made him raise his hands, clamping the heavy rings around his wrists.

“Now they are going to hurt if you whip them too quickly but we’ll take things slow for now.”

Gideon stood to run through multiple exercises of raising, controlling the chains above and around his body. Shoulders, arms, and back burning as he complied through his gritting teeth and shaking body until he could do no more.

The sun was to the morning breakfast time, Gideon fully drenched in sweat.

“Better than I hoped.” Elric brought out the key to release the cuffs, Gideon massaging his wrists.

“Is this how it is always going to be?” Gideon asked.

“I should hope not,” Gideon almost made a weak smile. “It can only get more difficult as you improve.” Returning to a tired frown.

Elric brought out a sack for the chains and made Gideon carry it as they went back to the inn to place it within his chest - the chains were his responsibility now. Elric went to bathe - soon after, but when he returned Elric had already gone to the diner next to the inn. A few new pairs of clothes; plain, long, while being different off brown color mostly, were waiting on his bed.

After getting changed he made his way and found few people this early in the morning, but Elric in the corner table already gathered a good portion of food for himself and Gideon.

“How’d they fit?” Elric asked.

“They're pretty good, but they feel a little off compared to the other clothes.” Gideon adjusted the collar on his neck.

Elric huffed a bit, “Those- what you got before are fine goods as the inner city shops. Better get used to ones that will get wasted and torn most, we're not that wealthy.”

Gideon ate, speaking quietly but openly. “I know I only just started today but what is my future looking like with all this training, and En?”

Elric nodded along as he cleared his mouth with water, “I was going to speak about that after the meal, but we can talk a bit now. What do you want to know?”

“Well… when am I able to do that blue—”

Before Gideon could finish, Elric shook his head and made him stop. “Don’t think about manifesting En. It isn’t something that will come easily, without a great deal of work. Rather it'll be better if you give up on where I am and focus on your current step rather - especially for you.”

“Why?”

Elric looked around, “I can’t explain much here, but we are going to build your body and reflexes as fast as we can.”

“How long will that take?”

Elric shrugged, “That depends on how much you can take and push yourself.”

“Then what is the quickest way?”

Elric smiled, as he got out a potion from his bag - handing it off to Gideon. Showing a murky brown color, and larger than the Health potions he saw before.

“What’s this?”

“It’s a Tonic Potion. Take that after every large meal and your stamina will quickly return.”

“Will it fix my sore muscles?”

“No,” Gideon didn’t know the point otherwise. “And before you ask, Health Potions won't do any good. You would need a dedicated Healer there to supervise your training if you want the soreness to go away, but even then it has diminishing effects.”

“So I keep training while becoming sorer… that seems like a terrible plan,” Gideon said as he looked at the potion.

Elric just smirked, “Finish your breakfast, but hold off on the potion till we finish a talk in our room.”

They cleaned their plates and moved to their room, sitting on opposing beds.

Elric raised his senses, his heart beat with excitement as he noticed a change. It's getting clearer to see these things again.

Nothing was monitoring the room, “To your question. Yes- it would be counterproductive to do as I said… if you were Aether focused or just getting into a good physique.”

Elric went on to explain, En is a consequence of the Life Force all living beings have. Only by going through intense regiments does one even have a chance to manifest the result. The fight between the body’s own development and exceeding stress would set the stage for En to Awaken.

Elric, “Does that make sense?”

“I guess, but why would it concern me more than others?”

Taking a breath, “There are many Gideon, but I think it would serve you better to hear one now and not be down on yourself.”

“...that just sounds like more bad news.” Gideon felt gloomy.

Elric gauged the moments when Gideon settled to discuss further, “You know Awakening Aether before adulthood is almost certainly detrimental to a person… but with Eh, there is no such comparable downfall.”

Gideon didn’t even blink as he processed the information before a sudden, “What?!”

Elric winced at the shout, “If you do that again we will get kicked out of the inn.”

Gideon sipped shut but his eyes said it all, of how late he would start.

He sighed, “Cultivators can start at any age even Awakening is said to be easier when young. But that doesn’t mean that a child would be willing to train peerlessly for gains that would be more pronounced when they reached adulthood.”

“Why are you telling me this?”

“Gideon, the biggest mistake that I’ve seen countless times over is when Adventurers begin to ask themselves just one question - ‘What could have been?’ They keep themselves in the past as they halt their growth for the future - I want you to throw away this thought.”

“But I don’t think like —”

Elric halted, “No. You are just lying to yourself, I’ve heard you speak. After everything that has happened and the chance that we have right now - we are at our most vulnerable because this luxury has given us time to rest on faults that we cannot change… I am telling you this because a good mindset is the only thing that will allow you to keep pushing yourself.”

Gideon didn’t like the pauses, the heaviness of the conversations - he just wanted to be an Adventurer. Maybe… This is what I need to have a fresh start…

Elric continued, “But do you know why a Cultivator is still rare even with the extra time? Besides, if they know the existence of En outside of the Guild.”

Gideon gave a guess with open hands, “Is the progress really that bad?”

Chuckling, “It's not that horrendous, but once you Awaken one of the energies then it becomes near impossible to Awaken the other.”

“But didn’t you?”

Elric closed his eyes for a moment to himself, “It doesn’t stop there - the body can only contain so much energy.” He raised both hands, one in Arcana the other in En. “I can never match the capacities of a pure Cultivator or Weaver with my own… As it is also dangerous for someone like me.”

A small particle of each energy came off the palms, colliding in mid-air with a sizzling as they pressed up against each other before sizzling and disappearing to nothing.

Elric put his energies away, “My own energies can ruin me if I am not careful.”

“What can you do? How can you even do anything like that?”

He thought to a dreary recollection, “I have only seen one other like me. There are many downsides, but you won’t find me complaining about them with my experience.”

“Then… Why did you choose this for yourself?”

His figure dropped a bit, as he slowly motioned away from the question. “We have become closer- but not that close. Besides, we need to speak about your own En properties.”

Other than his own experience, Elric knew little about the nature of En. With such few Cultivators and even fewer records, there wasn’t much to say other than what was spoken.

The leeches themselves showed En as its properties, Rel, Flum, and Bir. Rel; was the intensity, Flum; the rhythm, and Bir; the weight. By the records, they created a spectrum of Forms to En.

For Gideon’s own En; Rel: 7, Flum: 2, and Bir: 6 - initially the significance didn’t matter to him, but Elric emphasized the strange distribution. While making it clear due to the circumstance of Cultivators, that one should ever card possible hidden - even their properties, and certainly Gideon’s case.

Though it didn’t stop him from asking about Elric’s, he answered honestly, “My Rel is 5, Flum 5, and Bir 4.”

Gideon laughed and pointed, “I beat you on two of them.”

Elric tried to say a word between the laughter but the overacting laugh was getting annoying. A little En to his finger as a small ball burst out and hit Gideon square in the head - making him fall back hard to the bed.

Massaging the bruised area, a thin veil of water in his eyes as he got up. “What was that for?”

“If you would let me finish, properties are not a measure of talent - they are only a measure of how your En is.” Prompting Gideon to shut it entirely.

Elric stressed that Gideon’s properties might be a hindrance to Awakening, due to the great imbalance.

“Doesn't that mean I would need a lot more work than anyone else?” Gideon scrunched up his face with an open thought.

Elric shrugged, “I'm not sure, but neither of us can do anything that other than training and Tonics.”

“But- isn’t there something else for—”

Another En ball shot with greater force, hitting Gideon in the head.

“Ow!” He massaged nearly the same spot, “What was that for now?!”

Elric got up to leave, “Quit being down before you even try to Awaken En. And don’t forget, drink all of the Tonic.”

Gideon quickly drank the disgusting potion, to follow Elric for the rest of their time.

***

A large cauldron set on blue fire brewed in the dark, a covered figure stirred the pot with a giant ladle. Bubbles rose to the surface giving an almost faint scream as they popped. The old hand rose out of the cloak - fingernails were with the bone as it formed long, rotting claws. Within a gentle grasp of a bottle of Ixir, just half was poured - sizzling on the surface, before turning the brew black.

The figure left to gather a few materials on the dusty shelves, the room was fairly small, made of a mixture of mud and grasses.

There was a knock at the door, “A bottle was lost, and another has come.”

“Give them one…” A raspy said, returning to their own practices. The old hand gently petted the cauldron. “We will gain all that we want soon…”

***

Elric taught Gideon how Assessments worked at the Guild Hall, off to one of the sides to avoid interruption.

Adventures are ranked accordingly; Cane, Stone, Iron, Obsidian, and Bronze within Fretic City. Each Assignment has its own classification based on purpose and assessed specifics. The common ones would be Missions, Hunts, and Research - though Elric restricted him to Missions; a general classification for common tasks or assignments that don’t warrant the need for an alternate assessment.

“So I have to look for a job?”

Elric agreed, “No Awakened Missions, details of combat, escort, or standby - find something that will allow you to work your body. And would keep you decently safe, the pay might be very poor but you're not looking for that anyway.”

“And where are you going?”

“Me? I need to make as much coin as possible with the boards upstairs… and I don’t know how long I will be gone if I take on a Hunt.”

Elric affirmed to Gideon that all he needed to complete his time at the Guild, and that everything he could find was back in his own chest. A parting gift he gave a sheathed dagger to hang on his belt should he have no other choice - he hoped that Gideon wouldn’t use it too soon as he disappeared.

Gideon was left alone - with the crowd, a clear distinction in their wares and Cane board separated in two. One group wore a few bits of armor while the other had nothing but their weapons, the two boards were distinguished for those Awakened and not.

Along he searched until he came upon:

{

Clear The Grass

Code: C.L.104

Type: Mission

Rank: Unawakend-Cane

Challenge Rating: ~ 0

Party Requirement: None

Specific Requirements: -

Employer: Southern Gate Guard Station

Description: Cut the grass near the edge of the Wilken Woodland and bundle it to a clearing cart.

Dangers: (Guild Notice) - Grass only needs to be cut to the clear line, if danger arises from the forest it would be best to retreat to the Gate as quickly as possible

Yield: A Farmer Scythe and Sacks would be provided if in need

Pay: 11 Copper for Every Full Cart of Grass

}

He thought it was alright, as he had to wait in long lines to meet a receptionist.

“Tag please,” He asked as it was recorded in a large book. “And what assignment would you be taking?”

“CL104, Clear The Grass.”

The receptionist looked through a chart and shook his head as he wrote a slip to hand Gideon, “Take this to the Guards at the southern gate, and ask for them to stamp the confirmed amount. Otherwise, you're not getting anything.”

Gideon received his tag and slip and made his way the short distance - the Guild was near the southern gate. Scores of people in armor moved through, some alone, others in parties - wagons with large tarps along with many sacks came with the smell of kill and strange aromas of different plants.

A handful of guards stood waiting, they had patched metal and leather woven together. Marked with the same symbol Gideon saw the first day he came to the city. Standing at attention, chatting a bit, they kept the order of movement. Gideon approached one as she looked down with an almost annoyed expression.

Before anything was said he quickly got out the slip and handed it to the guard - prompting a surprised but bewildered expression.

She looked to the gullible boy returning the slip, “Are you certain? The Station will not pay more nor skim anything be a cartful. We are not responsible for your safety in the field.”

“I mean that is fine, though I need the sacks and Scythe.”

“Follow me.” She led Gideon out to a small shed by the wall, unlocking the door to some spare scythes, sacks, and other tools. “A cart will be brought out by the small path, though I suggest to not get too close to the woods and work your way from the main road in.”

“Thanks,” he got what he needed - she locked the shed and returned to her post.

Gideon looked at the grass. It seems taller than this morning…

Some Adventurers were in the field, practicing their own - clearing out their own spaces. The grass passing the encompassing circle nearly came to his knees, the scythe’s edge was a bit dull as he looked to the land, while the gloves were worn thin. He took the warning to heart as he only found the confidence to reach halfway.

Wielding the scythe was its own trouble, taking a while to find a good form as many passing stares focused on his work. Though the unnecessary noises were filtered out as he continued his work.

By the time he was near a quarter of the way down a single line the empty cart was in sight.

No wonder no one does this crap. The size of a larger wagon than what he rode to reach Fretic almost made him quit as he saw the many sacks it would take to fill it to level.

Though through the hot day he poured sweat, sacks filled to the brim as he carried them by his shoulders.

I should have brought a canteen, feeling the dryness of his mouth and sun passing overhead.

The cart was nearing full, as a wide area had been cleared as he was near the farthest he’d been from the walls. A scuttle through the grass broke him out of thought as he swiped his scythe to cut down to show the sight.

The bug rushed out, dodging the edge, Gideon stared at the all too familiar Wulu Scout that chased him down that first night. Its back arched as its pointy tail protruded over - the screeching continued, drawing the attention of people on the road who watched.

The Wulu saw its prey didn’t falter, swiftly dashing towards Gideon - as he brought down the scythe in a quick motion. He missed, impaling the ground as it went around - it jumped to strike, Gideon let go of the scythe, dodging the attack. Moving to the side - where its eyes were fewer, he pulled his dagger and plunged it forward, piercing the bug to the ground. Wriggling itself, screeching, the pitter of its legs - it struggled with all it had, as Gideon put all his strength to keep it down until only silence was heard.

Gideon fell to his butt, exhausted, though from his ear he heard some flamboyant cheers. A handful of Adventurers watched the sight and victory, but quickly returned to their own trail.

The bug was tossed aside, scores of rodents - some as large as the Wulu ran deeper to the grass but thankfully Gideon had no more complications. He returned the supplies, three carts full were written and stamped by the attending guard - Gideon kept the corpse of the bug by its tail as he went but he didn’t know what to do with it, so he stopped at the only other person he knew.

Appearing just in sight of the light as he came down from the stairs, “Minerva, what do I do with this?”

Gideon hung the dead bug over the balcony, as Minerva turned from brewing to make sure of what she saw.

“Put that down!” Minerva yelled, the bug dropped, while plants above took him down as she checked at his hand, “Do you touch the tail?”

“How else am I supposed to carry it?”

Minerva made him do some hand gestures and movements to see if everything was fine. She then went to pick the bug up by its legs and slightly grazed the tail with her finger - feeling there were still traces of its noxious poisons.

She took his hand, lecturing him of the dangers of its poison as she felt it make its way through his body… but to no effect. Intrigued she donned her illusion, showing Gideon to a good meal, slipping surprises into his drinks.

***

Elric was deep into the Wilken Woodland, a camping pack and sack, filled with some materials to cut down on the cost of treatment for the following month. The fire burned bright by the camp to take a break, to prepare for his own Hunt from the Makers.

The Makers; a group of skilled artisans that pushed through materials and goods, doing everything from Health Potions to reconstructing buildings - they did well, save for a few outliers. Mystical weapons were one, not being able to produce anything reliable to match the exorbitant wares of the Lost Emporium within Fretic.

His own assignment, hunting down a Feather Crown Panther; a great feline, taller than any human if it were to stand on its hind legs. Having a dark green coat, it would dance from tree to tree to catch its prey. The only notable mark about it was its neck of feathers that extended past its front legs along the body. Known for its speed and acute senses, it was difficult to find through the forest just only by foot.

Whether it be Mages, Bards, Sorcerers, or Weavers, they all had the potential to sense the Aether and for the most talented - even see. But Aether in the world isn’t so fine, as they would experience a confusing mix of raw Aether, densities, and flux. Near never holding the truth of what they sought, save for the exceptional individuals and well-experienced Adventurers.

Though Elric would not fall behind, Cultivators who trained their sense of En could trace the Life Force that was shed by all living beings. He surmised without exemplary control of En, or having a creature that could naturally dominate their own energies - it would not be without a presence. With practice, these ever so faint traces could determine the creature; mortal, insect, monster, demon, ooze, beast, etc. Further along, the thought that he could one day even tell the type of family the creature was from, but that day would be far along his mind.

Having tracked a medium-sized beast, Elric had followed its trail - paying mind to the added signs of dark fur, claw marks, and fecal matter, that was found in the trees.

His luck was looking good, the object of this commission was to bring it back to the Guild whole. Having stood for a long time, the deadline for the job was nearing - making the adequate price rise to 3 and a half gold.

Now, if he could find it he could breathe a bit more with the coin.

Though the forest wasn’t so kind, the sight of fire would fend off the small creatures but not the rest - Elric sensed a thump through the ground.

Be it through En or Aether senses, beasts that fought their days in this forest would have keener instincts in knowing when they are being watched. Elric gave strength to himself and quickly climbed a nearby tree - hidden by the leaves as his other belongings were by the fire.

The creature appeared in the light, a Mudle Pud; one of the largest variants of beaver, its fur was thick, sprinkled in between were solid bits of mud and rock. Its tail was large, nearly doubled its main body, the most prominent feature was its teeth, as were the legs - its claws; shaped like shoveled hooks to dig dirt.

It feared no fire, instead, it rested by it - digging into the sack to eat what Elric had foraged.

Why is a Mudle Pud here? They were one of the prime targets for Iron ranks to pursue because of their low power, high defense, and fur that fetched a good deal.

Though they would be more by the riverside, burrowing deep in the mud and making a home. While the rest of the time was left to bask in the sun, so they could dry their armor. Having one all the way here in the forest, was as out of place as it could be.

Elric readied his sword, pouncing from the tree in force as he cycled Arcana to his sword and reinforcing his body with En. The Mudle Pud heard the sound of the attack and raises its tail to block as a very subtle-murky yellow brightened. Elric made contact tossing the beast over to a tumble but being unable to cut its tail. The attacks didn’t let up, but it just kept turning to block and rolling away.

They were just meters away from the last blow, Elric went slower - gave time to sense the beast. Its body - power became clear, as he rushed forward. The Mudle Pud did as before, but he knew the flow of Aether and where it would brace. A confident stride to change the flow of his sword and body shifted - landing right in its sight and metal through its eye.

It dropped to the ground like a bag of sand, Elric wiped his brow as he looked closer to the creature. Parts of the mud mixed stone were still very fresh, wiping it off it revealed a bludgeoned wound - something hit it hard, very hard.

Perhaps in fear, It abandoned the river shore to make it to the forest until its armor dried.

His luck would turn as he kept his senses - a dash through the trees alerted to him to the sight of deep green eyes through a small shadow in the dark.

This forest really never sleeps… Were his last thoughts before he released the sword on his back and meet the beast in the dark with fury.