Just after the meeting came to an end, Sylvan Vale forest.

In the dappled light of the forest, Robert, Kyla, and Shilia moved with practiced precision among the beehives, their movements fluid and synchronized.

Kyla carefully pried open a hive, her hands steady despite the buzzing of the bees. "Be gentle, Robert," she cautioned, glancing over at her son as he approached another hive.

Robert nodded, his expression focused as he worked alongside his mother. "I've got it, Mom," he replied, his voice filled with determination.

Shilia, her expertise evident, expertly collected honeycomb from a hive, her movements deft and efficient. "We're making good progress," she remarked, a smile tugging at the corners of her lips.

"This hive seems particularly active today," Shilia noted, her voice filled with admiration for the bustling colony.

Robert nodded in agreement, his eyes scanning the hive with fascination.

Kyla, her hands still gently working the hive, smiled at their enthusiasm. "Let's make sure we leave them plenty of honey for the winter," she reminded them, her voice tinged with maternal warmth.

As Shilia tended to the hives, her hand slipped, and the hive struck her foot. A sharp gasp escaped her lips as pain shot through her leg. The sudden impact agitated the bees, despite her protective gear. She winced as the aggressive insects began to swarm around her, their buzzing filling the air.

"Shilia, are you okay?" Kyla called out, concern etched in her voice as she rushed to her friend's side.

Robert's eyes widened with alarm as he saw the commotion. "We need to get her out of here!" he exclaimed, urgency lacing his tone as he moved to assist.

Despite the protective gear, the bees found gaps to exploit, their stings penetrating Shilia's defenses. She gritted her teeth against the pain, her breath coming in short gasps as she tried to remain calm amidst the chaos.

Robert carefully lifted Shilia onto his back, his muscles straining with the effort as he carried her away from the agitated bees to a safer distance. With his mother's assistance, they quickly removed Shilia's protective gear, revealing the angry welts left by the bee stings.

"Robert, you need to finish extracting the honey from the remaining hives," Kyla directed, urgency in her tone.

"Go, I'll stay here and take care of Shilia," Kyla instructed, her voice calm and reassuring as she began to tend to her friend's injuries. She applied bandages to Shilia's hurt leg, her movements gentle yet efficient.

"Got it, Mom," Robert replied, determination in his voice as he accepted the task.

"Just be gentle with the bees and handle the combs carefully," Kyla instructed, emphasizing the importance of caution.

"Don't worry, I'll take care of it," Robert assured her.

"Remember, use the tool to uncap the honeycomb cells," Kyla reminded him, offering a final piece of guidance before stepping back to tend to Shilia.

"Will do," Robert confirmed, his focus unwavering as he got to work.

Shilia winced as Kyla treated her wounds, but she felt a sense of comfort knowing that she was in good hands. The soothing scent of rosemary oil filled the air, easing some of the pain as Kyla carefully washed the bee bites with a damp cloth..

"Are you feeling any better, Shilia?" Kyla inquired, her voice gentle as she checked on her friend.

"A bit sore, but I'll survive," Shilia replied with a weak smile, appreciating Kyla's concern.

"Just rest for now, we'll take care of everything," Kyla reassured her, her tone comforting.

"I'm sorry for causing all this trouble," Shilia apologized, feeling guilty for disrupting their work.

"Don't worry about it, Shilia. We're in this together," Kyla replied reassuringly, her words reflecting the sense of solidarity among the trio.

"Thanks, Kyla. I'm lucky to have you both," Shilia expressed gratefully, feeling reassured by their presence.

"We're lucky to have you too, Shilia. Now just focus on resting," Kyla advised, her tone warm as she settled in beside her friend, the sense of calm and solidarity palpable in the air.

As Robert continued with efficient precision, he single-handedly extracted six bottles of honey, his focus unwavering despite the earlier interruption. However, his concentration was suddenly shattered by the sound of shouting emanating from the direction where he had left his mother and Shilia.

Robert's heart raced with concern as he heard the distant shouts. Fear gripped him, imagining the worst for his mother and Shilia. "What's happening?" he muttered to himself, his hands trembling slightly as he hurriedly set down the honey bottles and rushed towards the source of the commotion.

Robert's gaze fell upon two menacing figures, who appear to be mercenaries(ex-rebels of Jambodia): the first, a mid-aged man clad in black pants and a white T-shirt, his upper body adorned with a ponytail of long hair. A C-Gauntlet adorned one hand, a machete hanging from his belt. The second, sporting blue shorts and a tattoo on his right leg, exuded a sinister aura.

The rebel with the dragon tattoo gripped Kyla's hair viciously, his voice dripping with malice as he demanded, "Give me that chain, you pathetic wench! Don't make this harder than it needs to be. Just hand it over and we'll be on our way. Or do you want things to get messy?"

With a cruel grasp, the rebel with the dragon tattoo yanked Kyla's hair, his tone dripping with contempt. "Hand over the damn chain, lady, unless you want me to tear it off you!"

Kyla winced in pain, her eyes darting to Shilia with worry etched on her face. "Shilia, stay back! Don't give them anything," she said urgently.

Meanwhile, the rebel with the C-gauntlet appeared lost in thought, his casual demeanor suggesting that looting was just another day's work for them.

"You think you're tough, huh?" the rebel with the tattoo sneered, delivering a brutal slap to Kyla's face.

Kyla, reeling from the blow, gasped in pain as she struggled to regain her composure. "Please, stop!" she pleaded, her voice trembling with fear and desperation.

Ignoring her pleas, the rebel seized her from behind, his grip like a vice around her neck. "Give me that chain, you worthless scum!" he growled, his fingers digging into her skin as he tore at the necklace.

As the chain snapped apart, Kyla cried out in agony, tears streaming down her cheeks. "No, please..." she whimpered, her spirit shattered by the sheer brutality of the attack.

Robert's body trembled with a mix of fear and rage as he watched the brutality unfold before him. His fists clenched tightly, his muscles tense with a primal urge to intervene. His eyes widened in disbelief and horror, his jaw set with determination.

Never before had Robert been faced with such a confrontation, the idea of fighting never having crossed his mind. Yet, in that moment, a newfound sense of courage surged within him. He knew he had to act, to protect his mother and Shilia from further harm.

Fortunate to approach from an unseen angle, Robert seized the opportunity to divide the attention of the rebels. Gripping a nearby rock, he hurled it in a different direction, hoping to draw one of the assailants away from his mother and Shilia's vicinity.

The rebel with the C-Gauntlet, his attention caught by the sound of the rumbling rock, bellowed into the forest, "Who goes there? Show yourself”

The rebel with the C-Gauntlet, drawn by the sound, hurried towards its origin. As he approached, the rebel with the tattoo found himself momentarily abandoned.

With a sense of urgency, the rebel with the tattoo glanced around, his senses on high alert as he realized he was separated from his companion. Uncertainty flickered in his eyes as he assessed the situation, unaware of the danger lurking nearby.

With a sudden burst of speed, Robert surged forward like a speeding bullet, his eyes burning with determination. Channeling all his pent-up anger and frustration, he unleashed a powerful right kick aimed squarely at the midsection of the tattooed rebel.

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The rebel, caught off guard by Robert's ferocity, attempted to block the blow with his hand. However, the force behind Robert's kick was unstoppable. Years of everyday training and running, fueled by a surge of adrenaline and raw emotion, culminated in a strike akin to being struck by a giant axe.

The force of Robert's kick was so immense that it shattered the rebel's arm upon impact, sending shockwaves of agony coursing through his body. With a cry of pain, he was flung backwards, propelled several meters away from the defenseless Shilia and Kyla. Robert stood firm, his fists clenched tightly as he prepared to face whatever came next.

As the rebel crumpled to the ground, writhing in agony, Robert stood over him, his chest heaving with exertion.

Trembling with fear, the rebel hastily retrieved the chain from his pocket and thrust it towards Robert. His eyes wide with terror, he pleaded, "Here, please... don't hurt me."

Robert, his expression hardened but his heart filled with compassion, took the chain and nodded firmly. "Get out of here," he ordered, his voice low and commanding.

As the rebel with the C-Gauntlet emerged from the shadows, he wasted no time in launching an energy ball from his C-Gauntlet towards Robert. However, Robert's reflexes were razor-sharp; with lightning speed, he evaded the attack, narrowly dodging the deadly projectile.

Frustration etched across his face, the rebel cursed under his breath. "Damn it, what's with this guy? How is he faster than my Gauntlet?" he growled, his voice tinged with disbelief and irritation.

As a barrage of energy balls hurtled towards him, Robert's movements became fluid and instinctual. With each evasive maneuver, he grew more confident, his mind clear and focused solely on the task at hand. The fear and doubt that had plagued him earlier were now replaced by a sense of calm determination.

With precise timing and nimble footwork, Robert dodged each energy ball with ease, his movements almost graceful in their efficiency. Meanwhile, the rebel with the C-Gauntlet's confidence began to wane, his attacks becoming more erratic as he realized he was unable to land a single blow on his agile opponent.

A flicker of panic crossed the rebel's face as he watched Robert's unwavering resolve. In contrast to his own faltering composure, Robert's confidence seemed to grow with each passing moment, leaving the rebel with the C-Gauntlet feeling increasingly helpless and vulnerable.

As the rebel with the C-Gauntlet realized his own energy was running low, desperation fueled his next move. With a vengeful cry, he launched a final energy ball towards the defenseless Kyla and Shilia, who stood trembling in the background.

Robert's composed demeanor shattered in an instant as he watched the deadly projectile hurtling towards his loved ones. With adrenaline coursing through his veins, he knew he had to act fast to protect them.

He grabbed a rock near him, and in a moment. It seemed as if time stopped, and Robert was teleported, to space where he could not feel anything, one thought only on his mind. The rock morphing and shaping into a small wall. Flashes of his mother, and her smiles came before his eyes.

With a primal roar of determination, Robert hurled the rock with all his might. In a breathtaking display of power and precision, the rock morphed and twisted in mid-air, transforming into a slender but sturdy wall. Though thin, it served its purpose, intercepting the energy ball and slowing its trajectory towards Kyla and Shilia.

As the energy dissipated harmlessly against the makeshift barrier, relief flooded through Robert. Though the wall may have been small, its impact was monumental, providing precious seconds of protection for his beloved mother and companion.

As the rebel crumpled to the ground before him, Robert's vision blurred with rage, his eyes ablaze with fury. Without a moment's hesitation, he unleashed a relentless barrage of leg kicks upon the fallen assailant. Each strike landed with bone-crushing force, eliciting agonized cries and spurts of blood from the rebel's lips.

Desperate pleas for forgiveness fell from the rebel's lips, but they were drowned out by the onslaught of blows raining down upon him. With each kick, Robert's rage burned hotter, fueled by the memory of his mother's pain.

Unable to utter a single word amidst the torrent of violence, the rebel could only writhe in agony, his body battered and broken by Robert's relentless assault. In that moment of primal fury, Robert's wrath knew no bounds.

"Stoop!"

As Kyla's voice pierced through the haze of rage, Robert's frenzied assault ground to a sudden halt. The intensity of his fury ebbed away, replaced by a flood of emotions as he turned to face his mother.

With a deep breath, Robert forced himself to calm down, his chest heaving with exertion. He met Kyla's gaze, her eyes filled with concern and compassion, and he knew he had gone too far in his fury.

Without a word, he stepped back from the fallen rebel, his fists unclenching as he sought to regain his composure.

In that moment, Kyla's gentle intervention served as a beacon of reason amidst the storm of rage.

Moments after the intense altercation, the tranquility of the forest was shattered by the arrival of elite troops from Eldoria. Clad in their formidable armor, they swiftly descended upon the scene, their presence a beacon of authority and security amidst the chaos.

"Secure the area! What happened here?" commanded the leader of the elite troupe, his voice ringing out with authority as his gaze swept over the scene.

Kyla stepped forward, her voice trembling slightly as she recounted the harrowing ordeal. "These men... they attacked us, tried to steal from us," she explained, her words punctuated by a shiver of fear.

The elite troops sprang into action, surrounding the fallen assailants with practiced efficiency. As they assessed the situation, murmurs of awe rippled through their ranks at the sight of Robert's valorous defense.

"Remarkable... this young man single-handedly thwarted the assailants," one of the troops marveled, admiration coloring his tone as he turned to Robert.

With gentle care, the elite troops attended to Kyla and Shilia, ensuring their safety and offering words of reassurance.

After his first skirmish, with his mother’s fate hanging precariously, Robert's inner world spiraled into disarray. The cave's haunting visions, the savage attackers, Alistar's stern scrutiny, and his fervent aspiration to become a scout, all coalesced within his mind, crafting a cacophony of anguish. Paradoxically, this turmoil bestowed upon Robert a newfound wisdom.

The scouts and elite troops dispatched by the Ministry of Defense established a compact headquarters in a pivotal forest location. It served as a vital intelligence center to thwart the impending assaults from the Jambodian mercenaries, former rebels turned hired swords. Amidst this setting, Robert found himself seated on a simple wooden chair, slipping into a quasi-meditative state.

“Seems like fortune has favored me once more, how fortunate I am," Robert mused inwardly. "I heeded the whispers in the cave, guiding me to Alistar. And once more, I followed his counsel, rescuing my mother from a savage onslaught. Yet, in my current state, I find myself lacking. My initial pursuit was not merely to become a scout, but rather to improve, to grow wiser, and to acknowledge the importance of gratitude. Thank you, everyone.”

Medics and healers attended to Kyla and Shilia with care.

"Thank you," Kyla expressed with a grateful smile as Helena cast a mending spell upon her.

Helena returned the smile. "Always a pleasure. You're incredibly resilient. I must say, I'm impressed by how quickly you're recovering."

Kyla nodded thoughtfully, her mind drifting to her son's recent courageous act in protecting her. Chuckling softly, she remarked, "Well, my dear, it seems the seed I've been nurturing for years has finally begun to bloom. Its fragrance is aiding in my recovery."

As soon as Helena stepped outside, Robert immediately rose to his feet, concern etched across his face. "Is my mother okay?" he blurted out, gripping her shoulder tightly. "Please, you have to help her. She's the only family I have left!"

Helena smiled reassuringly and placed a calming hand on Robert's arm. "Relax and rest assured, your mother is fine and doing well. But I must congratulate you; it was truly impressive how you defeated those mercenaries."

Robert breathed a sigh of relief upon hearing Helena's words. Then, Samuel, who had been occupied with paperwork in a nearby office, chimed in, "Indeed." Rising from his chair, he made his way over to Robert and added, "Well done, Robert."

He then added, "However, I must ask, I checked our records, and it appears you don't possess any skills or knowledge in xeno-arcanery. How did you manage to defeat those two?" His gaze was relaxed yet discerning.

"Well... I train hard every day, and when I saw those attackers threatening my mother, I just couldn't stand by. She's sacrificed so much for me," Robert explained earnestly. "And yesterday, I met Alistar. He showed me a bit about morphing a rock into a cube. Energy manipulation he said, I don't fully understand it, but in the heat of the moment, I managed to morph a rock into a wall," he confessed.

"Ohh! So he even captured Alistar's interest," Samuel mused, "And it appears he's a quick learner indeed. Given his robust physique, if he masters energy manipulation, he'll undoubtedly soar to greater heights. This kid got potentiel, I have keen eye for quality," he thought to himself with a confident smile.

"Impressive indeed," Samuel acknowledged, his tone thoughtful. "However, if I understand correctly, you're not entirely clear on how energy manipulation works?"

Robert lowered his head slightly. "I'm trying to learn," he admitted, "but no, I don't quite understand it yet."

Samuel placed a reassuring hand on Robert's back and began to walk alongside him. "Well, well, I have a proposition for you," he began. "We're currently short on troops. How about you join us for the time being and serve as an intelligence provider? While you may not have mastered energy manipulation, your sturdy physique could be quite useful. We need you to traverse the forest, patrol the area, and report any suspicious activity back to us," he suggested, all the while pondering to himself.

Robert paused, considering Samuel's proposition carefully.

"This opportunity will provide you with valuable experience," Samuel continued, his tone encouraging. "You may even have the chance to witness our elite troops utilizing energy manipulation or advanced xeno-arcanery. I'm confident it will aid in your development," he added, offering further assurance.

"Okay," Robert agreed, his expression determined. "But I need you to take care of my mother and Shilia," he insisted, concern for their well-being evident in his voice.

Samuel smiled reassuringly. "Don't worry about it," he assured Robert.

"Come with me," Samuel instructed, leading Robert into a room stocked with military attire. "You'll need to dress like a scout so our troops can recognize you. And take this piece of paper with you," he added, handing Robert a document.

Together, they prepared Robert for his new role amidst the scouts, ensuring he looked the part and had the necessary identification.

Robert donned the scout attire and examined himself in the mirror. A sense of excitement and pride washed over him as he saw his reflection. The uniform made him feel as though he had already achieved his goal of becoming a scout.

Samuel handed Robert a bracelet with a pin attached to it, along with a map. "Wear this bracelet," Samuel instructed. "I've channeled my energy into it using my xeno-arcanery-telepathy abilities. This allows me to sense the location of every person in the forest. If you notice anything suspicious, unlock the pin and wait for reinforcements. Otherwise, return after four hours."

He then pointed to the map. "Although the forest is your familiar territory, I'd like you to patrol the areas marked with the red crosses," he clarified, pointing to specific locations on the map.

"Sure thing! I'm on it!" responded Robert eagerly, before venturing back into the forest once more.