The beast had enormous tusks, as jagged and rugged as its unkempt fur. It was a Wild Boarwolf—a rare and formidable creature that moved on four legs. Its front legs resembled those of a wolf, while the hind legs were thick and powerful, like those of a boar, complete with muscular calves. With the face of a wolf and two lethal tusks capable of toppling trees, it was the apex predator of the northern wilderness, far beyond the reach of the Order's hunting grounds.
This beast was exceedingly dangerous, a threat even to Green Garment students. Its massive size, nearly as tall as Drazel himself, was enough to make anyone tremble. Holding his breath, the boy stood frozen, his heart pounding wildly. The creature sniffed the air, searching for something unseen, seemingly oblivious to Drazel's presence.
Suddenly, its muscles coiled like a spring, and with a single powerful leap, it vanished into the dense forest. Moments later, the distant cries of what sounded like a deer echoed through the trees, confirming that the predator had found its prey.
Drazel exhaled slowly, relief and unease washing over him. Without hesitation, he turned back toward the Temple. This close encounter with the Boarwolf was a humbling experience, one he fervently hoped never to repeat.
During his White training, Drazel practiced tirelessly, repeating each spear movement over a thousand times—thrusting, sweeping, defending, countering, and feinting. When he wasn’t honing his spear techniques, he was immersed in learning about nature: tending to plants, hunting, gathering water, and boiling it to prevent poisoning. These lessons sharpened his survival skills. He particularly enjoyed using a bow and a handmade harpoon for fishing, finding brief moments of peace in these tasks.
At night, his dedication didn’t wane. He would climb the Dragon’s Tail, an imposing structure towering over 15 meters high. There, under the stars, he continued practicing with his spear, repeating his movements until exhaustion claimed him. Though his masters often reprimanded him for overexerting himself, his stubborn resolve always won out.
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After a year of relentless training, Drazel felt as if the spear had become an extension of his body. He had mastered the “Void” form—a state that required holding the weapon in a relaxed yet alert stance, ready to transition from calm stillness to explosive action. This newfound ability marked a turning point in his journey.
His training wasn’t limited to physical prowess. The art of war required equal mastery of the mind. Drazel studied positioning, anatomy, and breathing techniques, all essential for building the ultimate warrior. The program was rigorous and complete, designed to forge individuals capable of thriving in any situation.
Occasionally, Drazel managed to steal time with his stepfather, who juggled teaching students and undertaking missions for the Order. Their moments together were brief but meaningful, grounding Drazel in his purpose.
When loneliness crept in, Drazel would visit the Dragon’s Wing building, where Brystan, a blonde young man with glasses, handled the Order’s administrative duties. Brystan meticulously tracked tools, food, water, and wood—counting, cataloging, and ensuring the Order’s supplies were in order. Despite his busy schedule, Brystan made time to teach Drazel basic arithmetic: addition, subtraction, and multiplication. In return, Drazel helped with menial tasks, fostering a camaraderie that felt genuine, even if it wasn’t quite a friendship.
Brystan was also one of the few to congratulate Drazel when he officially joined the Order. He gifted him a book filled with poems and romance stories.
Brystan:
“This will help you with the ladies,” Brystan said with a sly grin. “You’ll thank me later.”
Drazel wasn’t picky about gifts and gladly accepted the book. To his surprise, he enjoyed it so much that he often returned to Brystan, asking for more tomes to read.
The final test to ascend from a White to a Red Garment was grueling: five one-on-one duels against other White students. To pass, he needed to win at least three matches. After months of preparation and perfecting the “Void” form, Drazel not only passed but triumphed in all five duels.
Out of more than 50 students who participated, only 30 succeeded. Drazel’s flawless performance earned him the coveted Red Garments, a testament to his determination and skill.