Chapter 10 : The Path He Chose

  A towering creature loomed over Aspen.

  The orb in his hand flickered orange.

  “Mantis, huh?”

  He tightened his grip on the dagger and lunged.

  Its blades sliced at him like sparks of steel, but Aspen slipped through every gap.

  With one clean swing, its head thudded onto the ground.

  A hiss followed as its body degenerated, leaving a scatter of metallic fragments.

  Not far from him, Ryl faced a Redwood Bear.

  [ REDWOOD BEAR : Mid-rank beast. Heavy paw attacks, sharp teeth. ]

  “Another ant for me…” Ryl muttered, spinning his dagger like he was performing for an audience.

  “It’ll be over in a blink.”

  He strutted forward dramatically, dagger pointed at the bear.

  “Surrender to me, you furry thing, and I shall-”

  He didn’t even finish his sentence. The bear swung its massive claws.

  Ryl yelped, dove aside, and rolled down the dirt like a dropped potato.

  His arm had a fresh red scratch, dripping.

  “You…” he gritted, wobbling to his feet.

  The bear puffed and tilted its head in a very insulting way.

  Aspen watched from afar and sighed as he walked away, muttering,

  “He really never learns…”

  Ryl's eyes sharpened and anger flared,

  “You furry sack… I swear I’ll finish you!!”

  He dashed forward, lightning-fast.

  The bear roared and threw another heavy paw.

  Ryl slipped under it and sliced its arm clean off. “Heh. That’s what you get for mocking me.”

  This tale has been pilfered from Royal Road. If found on Amazon, kindly file a report.

  Without slowing, he spun and slid behind it and drove his dagger into its back.

  A long, echoing howl split through the forest.

  Aspen heard the echo and rushed over.

  “Ryl! Are you…”

  He slowed down as he found Ryl standing in a heroic pose like he just won a war.

  “…Alright,” Aspen finished, blinking.

  “That was a tough battle,” Ryl said, flicking his hair.

  “And I survived single-handed.”

  Aspen just stared at him - half exhausted, half resigned.

  Ryl waved him over.

  “Hey Aspen, look!” He held up the bear’s claws proudly, as he smirked. “One stroke.”

  Aspen sighed and handed him a healing potion.

  “Yes, yes. Drink first. Your arm’s leaking.”

  Ryl blinked at his own wound. “I didn’t even see that!”

  He drank the potion, and the wound sealed up fast.

  “It healed quickly!”

  “Because that potion cost me ten silver coins.”

  “Aspen, you still haven’t changed,” Ryl said, nudging him.

  “Neither have you,” Aspen chuckled.

  They collected their drops, sold everything in the square, and walked while munching snacks.

  “Hey Ryl,” Aspen called, “Are you applying for the hunter test?”

  “Of course. You know my parents.”

  “Then I’m going too.”

  Ryl stopped mid-chew. “And your father?”

  “I’m not ready to tell him yet… I plan to take it secretly.”

  Ryl nearly choked on his cookie.

  “Are you SERIOUS?!! What if he finds out?!!”

  “I’ve thought about it. And I'm not going to change it.”

  Ryl sighed.

  “Fine, fine. I’ll already be going. You can tag along. But what’ll you tell your father?”

  After thinking, Aspen decided to ask his uncle.

  Ryl agreed.

  They went straight to Odin.

  Odin heard them out quietly, then nodded as if he had expected this moment.

  “I knew this day would come,” he said. “I already have a plan.”

  Both boys brightened.

  “Tell your father you want to be a merchant.”

  “Merchant…?” Aspen tilted his head.

  “You can select the travelling merchant and it gives you a reason to travel around.”

  Aspen’s eyes lit up. “Uncle, you’re the best!”

  They left, not noticing the shadow in Odin’s eyes as he watched them go.

  The sun dipped low, as the birds flew home. The gentle cold breeze made the plants sway.

  Aspen stood still, thinking.

  “One week left…

  I have to convince Father.

  And I will.”

  He walked home with determined steps.

  His father was on the balcony, watching the sky.

  “Father… Can we talk?”

  Morwen didn't move.

  “I want to talk about my future,” Aspen said softly. “I want to… be a merchant.”

  “Merchant…” He repeated, turning towards him. “Why?”

  Aspen hesitated.

  “I can earn money easily. And it’s not as dangerous as other jobs…”

  He paused, unsure if it sounded convincing.

  “May I?”

  Morwen walked to him, placed a hand on his shoulder.

  “It’s good that you’ve started thinking about your future.” His voice was calm, gentle.

  “If this is your decision, I’ll respect it.”

  “So… it’s a yes?”

  Morwen nodded. “But be careful.”

  Aspen whispered thanks, and went to his room.

  The door closed behind him.

  He slid down and hugged his knees.

  “I’m… sorry, Father…”

  Tears spilled silently, rolling down his cheeks.

  _ _ _

  The next day, he packed and said goodbye to his family.

  Mia and Elis cried and clung to him. Aspen hugged them tightly, wiping their tears.

  Then he reached Odin’s house next.

  The old man was already waiting outside, a small box tucked under his arm.

  “You’re early,” Odin said with that soft, warm voice of his. “Here. Take this.”

  Aspen took and lifted the lid.

  Inside laid a dark leather wrist brace, neatly stitched, with two adjustable straps.

  Sturdy. Thoughtful. Exactly what he needed.

  His throat tightened. “...Thank you, Uncle.”

  Odin’s smile deepened, gentle and proud.

  Clutching the brace, Aspen turned and started toward Ryl’s house, his steps a little lighter than before.

  Before he reached the door, he heard crying and panicked as he rushed over - only to find Ryl being suffocated in a dramatic goodbye hug by his mother.

  Seeing it, Aspen sighed in relief.

  “IF YOU’RE THAT WORRIED,” Ryl barked, “THEN DON'T SEND ME!! I CAN WORK AT OLD BARMS’S STORE AND-”

  Bonk!

  His father ramped his head. “Keep walking.”

  Aspen couldn't stop himself as he snorted a laugh.

  Ryl noticed him and shot him a glare as Aspen looked away quickly, pretending innocence.

  “Oh, Aspen!” Dorian said. “You’re also taking the test?”

  He shook his head. “No, Uncle Dorian. I’m… becoming a merchant.”

  “A merchant, huh? That’s a good path.” Giving Aspen a supportive pat he continued,

  “And it suits you. You’re smarter than some people.”

  Then his father let out a low sigh.

  “I thought he might learn something from you.”

  At that, Ryl clenched his teeth, huffing in offended silence.

  Ryl’s mother hugged Aspen next. “You work so hard, dear Aspen. Good luck!”

  As his cheeks turned pink.

  Ryl glanced at him and smirked as Aspen avoided eye contact.

  After all the send-off, the boys left together and found a carriage to the capital.

  As the wheels clattered along the cobblestone road, Aspen stared out the window.

  His heart raced faster than the carriage.

  “Finally… the day is here,"

  *****

  Chapter 11 : His First Step

  twice a week.

  Spirit Wielders!