CHAPTER 13

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The morning mist clung to the trees as I stood by the edge of the clearing, the air cool and still. Today felt different. For the first time in a long while, there was no immediate urgency, no pressing need to train or push myself to exhaustion. It felt almost… quiet. But that didn’t stop the questions from swirling in my mind—questions about the hermit.

I realized that, despite everything I had learned from him, I still didn’t know much about who he really was. He had never shared much of his past with me, and until now, I hadn’t cared. But as my need for power began to settle, replaced by a growing sense of control, I couldn’t help but wonder. Who was he?

The hermit sat near the fire, his back slightly hunched as he poked at the flames with a long stick. His movements were steady, deliberate, as always, but I could sense a certain weight behind them today. He had been quiet since our training the day before, his usual calm demeanor unchanged, but something felt different in the air between us.

I took a step toward him, my boots crunching lightly on the leaves beneath me. “I just realized something,” I said, keeping my voice casual.

The hermit glanced up from the fire, his gaze calm but curious. “And what’s that?”

“I’ve known you for months now, but I don’t even know your name.”

The hermit raised an eyebrow, the faintest hint of a smile tugging at his lips. “My name?”

“Yeah,” I said, crossing my arms. “You never told me. I’ve just been calling you ‘hermit’ in my head.”

He chuckled softly, shaking his head. “I suppose that’s true. I’ve never introduced myself, have I?”

“No, you haven’t,” I replied, feeling a strange sense of curiosity growing inside me. I had always thought of the hermit as a simple, solitary teacher, but the way he carried himself—the control he had over everything—made me think there was more to him than he let on.

The hermit poked at the fire again, his expression thoughtful. “Names can be powerful things, you know. Sometimes it’s better to let them be forgotten.”

I frowned, unsure of what he meant by that. “What’s that supposed to mean?”

He paused, glancing at me with a knowing look. “In time, Niv, you’ll understand. But for now, you can call me… Alric.”

“Alric,” I repeated, testing the name on my tongue. It felt strange, like it didn’t quite fit the man in front of me. “That’s it?”

He smiled faintly. “That’s all you need to know for now.”

I frowned, frustration bubbling up inside me, but I quickly swallowed it down. The hermit—Alric—always spoke in these cryptic half-answers, and I was learning not to push for more than he was willing to give.

Still, something about his tone, the way he said his name, made me wonder. There was more to this man than he was letting on. I could feel it.

“So,” I said, trying to push a little further without being too obvious, “you’ve taught me a lot, but I get the feeling you’ve taught others before me. You’re not just some random hermit, are you?”

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Alric’s eyes flickered toward me, a brief flash of amusement crossing his face. “I’ve taught a lot of people, yes. Some turned out well. Some… didn’t.”

I leaned forward slightly, intrigued by the way he spoke. “What do you mean?”

Alric chuckled softly but didn’t meet my gaze. His eyes remained focused on the fire, watching the flames dance. “I’ve been a teacher, a traveler, and a mentor to many over the years. Some of those I’ve taught went on to do great things. Others… well, they didn’t listen quite as well as you do.”

The words hung in the air between us, and I found myself leaning closer, curiosity flaring inside me. “Who? What happened to them?”

Alric’s smile faded, his expression growing more distant. “You’ll meet some of them someday, I’m sure.”

I was about to press further, but Alric’s gaze shifted, cutting me off before I could ask more. There was a subtle firmness in his eyes, a silent warning not to dig too deep. I could tell that whatever his past was, he wasn’t ready to share it with me—not yet.

“Why won’t you tell me more?” I asked, keeping my tone as neutral as I could.

“Because you’re not ready,” Alric said simply. “There’s a time for everything, Niv. But for now, you need to focus on yourself, not on others.”

I wanted to argue, to push for answers, but something in his voice made me stop. I had learned by now that Alric wasn’t someone you could press for information. He gave what he was willing to give, and no more.

I sighed, letting the conversation drop. “Fine. For now.”

The morning passed quietly after that, the tension from our brief conversation still lingering in the air. But as the sun climbed higher, Alric stood from his place by the fire, brushing the dirt from his cloak.

“We’ve been training hard for months,” he said, stretching his arms above his head. “I think it’s time for a break.”

“A break?” I echoed, surprised by the sudden shift in tone. Alric rarely ever mentioned anything outside of training.

He nodded, glancing toward the trees. “Yes. Sometimes, you need to give yourself a little space. A ‘me time,’ as they call it. It’s not just about training and power. You need balance.”

I blinked, not sure I understood. “What do you mean by ‘me time’? Meditation?”

Alric chuckled, shaking his head. “No, not meditation. We’re going to the city.”

I stared at him, taken aback. “The city?”

“Yes,” he said simply, as if it were the most natural thing in the world. “We’ve been out here in the forest long enough. It’s time to get some fresh air, see other people, enjoy the world beyond our little clearing.”

I frowned, still unsure. “And… why would we do that?”

“Because,” Alric said with a small smile, “sometimes, stepping away from constant practice can give you clarity. You’ve worked hard, Niv. You’ve made progress. But now, you need to let your mind rest. Otherwise, you’ll burn out.”

I opened my mouth to argue but stopped myself. He was right. I had been so focused on training, on getting stronger, that I hadn’t even considered the idea of taking a break. But now that he mentioned it, I could feel the weariness in my bones, the mental fatigue from months of pushing myself.

I hesitated for a moment longer, then nodded. “Alright. I guess we could use a break.”

Alric smiled, the warmth in his expression catching me off guard. “Good. It’ll be a change of pace. And who knows? You might learn something new in the city.”

The journey to the city was quieter than I expected. Alric led the way, his steps light and sure as we moved through the dense forest. I followed behind, still mulling over our earlier conversation. Who was this man? He had hinted at a past filled with students and travels, but he had kept me at arm’s length, never revealing too much.

But one thing was certain: Alric was more than just a hermit living alone in the woods. He was someone who had seen the world, someone who had shaped it in ways I couldn’t yet understand. And I had a feeling that, whatever his past was, it was tied to the power I was seeking.

As the city gates came into view, I pushed the questions aside. For now, it didn’t matter. Alric had taught me to focus on the present, on what was right in front of me. And right now, the city was in front of me, filled with possibilities I hadn’t even considered.

Maybe this break would be more important than I realized.