On a day like this, with the perfect weather for hunting. I, Achrin Stessil, a thirteen-year-old boy from a well-known magus lineage, am in need of some Ironboar.

 Despite our noble lineage, we hunt and gather our own food. Occasionally, merchants pass by. But still, being in a remote area such as this can be inconvenient at times.

 I took a deep breath of fresh air. It smelled like bitter leaves… The sun was still high in the sky, and its rays pierced through the dense treetops. Birds chirped happily as I followed massive footprints for… how long? Hmm, well, it shouldn’t really matter!

 “Hehehe… I’m getting close to you, Mister Ironboar…”

Chirp?! Chirp?!

 “Mm? The birds are acting weird…”

Durun! Durun, Durun!

 “Hmm… that can’t be good.”

BOOM!

 A thunderous crash ruptured and resonated throughout the forest. I rushed toward the commotion and was presented with a golden plate. Two massive creatures coated in iron armour fought.

 Their horns radiated mana as they were enhanced to deal with the opponent quickly, and their scales shimmered with elemental energy—one light green, the other brown.

 I see! I was close all along! Two Ironboars were having a territorial feud. The one I followed seemed to have entered Green’s territory. Perfect! Now, I just need to wait… and wait, I did.

 “It’s going to take some time, isn’t it?”

—Some time later.

 Thud… 

 One of the giant beasts finally collapsed while the other one was vulnerable. They sure made a huge mess, didn’t they? I thought I would die when metallic shards accelerated by the wind-type Ironboar scattered everywhere…

 Hah. How ironic. I gathered mana at the tip of my finger, and a translucent shimmer hummed and whistled—Aerial Blade.

 As I released the spell, a high-pitched screech cried throughout the forest. The wind cleaved the ground and instantly beheaded the exhausted Ironboar. It was a perfect time to strike; it had run out of mana, and thus, its resistance was significantly lowered.

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 “Hehehe.”

 Now that there wasn’t a clear danger, I cautiously approached the dead Ironboars with light steps. One could be playing dead, so I made sure to behead it, too. Since the two are massive creatures, I needed some straightening and used body enhancement. As I set up a barrier and drained the blood, I cut a piece for myself.

 Then I stripped them out of all their precious elemental iron; it didn’t really matter if it was damaged during their fight—we could just melt them down as long as they had the right element. The mana core is also useful and relatively small for such a giant creature.

 Well, I suppose it’s the quality that counts. But I’m sure mine’s pretty large for a human. I think… I wouldn’t exactly want to dissect myself just to find out, so I can only assume… but I did dissect these boars.

Gulp

 As I stared at the dangling meat, saliva flooded my mouth. In the end, I cut another piece to grill. But as I was grilling the meat, I looked at the sky.

 “The sky was blue yesterday, too, wasn’t it?”

 I realised. But isn’t the sky always blue? Or… wait, didn’t it turn black and blue a few times…? Huh? My eyes widened as I looked at the almost charred meat. How many days have passed since I found the footprints? Now that I think about it…

 “Exactly where am I again?”

 Hmm… it happens occasionally. The last time I ventured out like this, I ended up in another kingdom. As a ten-year-old, I was traumatised. But. Well… it only took me two years to find my way back home. I just hope they don’t think I’ve died or something…

 “Aah… can I blame Mama and Papa? They get lost all the time, too…”

 I guess I’m their son…

  …

 ..

 And so. It has been a few days since I last thought that. Somehow, I’ve tunnel-visioned so hard on finding these boars that I don’t know where I am… I’m sorry, brother and sister. But your big brother failed to bring home some delicious Ironboar meat…

 As I lay on the uncomfortable rocks while listening to the stream of water, the wind gently caressed my skin as the sun cooked my back. I turned over.

Pat…pat…

 I patted my stomach, and a warm tear ran down my cheek. I’m really sorry, brother and sister... I could’ve hunted something to eat—but here I am, relaxing by the river. I was lazy… and it was the only food in my void gem…

 “I really should look for a way back home…”

 I got up and looked at the glittering river while putting on my cloak. If I follow this river, I’ll find a village, town, or city at one point, right? So, I packed my stuff—a small chair and some cooking equipment—while undoing the earth shelter. I puffed my chest proudly and followed the river. I mean, it worked before.

 “What could possibly go wrong—huh…?”

 I only took a few steps, but the rocks beneath me sunk all at once, and it seemed like I had fallen into a hole… as I fell, the walls seemed like they had been built by someone—it looked like the walls of a well.

 “Who in the world built a well by the river?!”

Splash!