The arrow in my hand was made out of finely carved tan wood, durable, yet flexible. The arrow point was cut to a honed edge, able to piece near anything that wasn't solid metal. I held it by the crest, examining the fletching. It seemed to be in good shape.

I docked it onto my short bow, the nock landing perfectly on the string. I pulled it back, steadying my breath.

Inhale, exhale.

I felt the cool air fill my lungs as I aimed toward the target, an old tree with a large target on it, set up a distance away. I focused on my form, ensuring that my elbow was straight and my hand was steady.

My heart was pounding in my chest, and my palms were slick with sweat. I closed my eyes for a moment, focusing only on my other senses.

I quickly opened my eyes, the arrow pointing directly at the target. In an instant, I released the pressure on the string, letting the arrow fly out. The air pushed away from it, shooting forward toward the target...

It fell to the ground a couple of meters to the left of the target, stuck in some snow. I let out a sigh. "Not even close..."

Valten walked up to me, patting me on the back, "Don't worry about it, Vale. It's your first time using a bow, after all. 'ell, the first time I used a bow, I nearly hit my master!" He laughed. I couldn't help but release one as well.

"... I suppose I just need more practice." I picked the arrow up out of the snow.

"I'm sure you'll progress just fine, Vale." He paused, "I'd like you to remember one thing, however. To hunt is not to just take, you must be one with the Allmother. She had granted us this land, and we must not be ungrateful."

I nodded, stopping for a moment. "I've heard this Allmother be mentioned a few times. Could I know... who exactly she is?"

"Ah, I suppose you wouldn't know, eh?" He continued, "She is, in a way, nature itself. She inhabits all we see, feel and hear. So, that means She is you, me, and everybody else you meet. Harming something with just ill intent is harming yourself, you see."

He scratched his beard, "Can't say I'm too religious myself, exactly, but I can't help having respect for her. After all, can't hunt without interacting with the Allmother... One last thing, though. I must urge you not to trifle with the Allmother. Heh, one time a rookie hunter took a little too much. We had a snowstorm for a week after that."

I shivered, though I'm not sure if it was because of the cold or his words. "I... understand. I'll show my respect to her."

I wasn't sure if Valten was actually telling the truth. Well, he wasn't actively lying, but was this 'Allmother' even a thing? Er... I wasn't about to find out. Not risking it.

"Good, you're smart. Now, let's have you try a few more shots."

Valten handed me back the bow and gestured for me to take aim once again. I hesitated for a moment, my mind still reeling from our previous conversation, but eventually, I took a deep breath and steadied myself.

This time, I was more focused, more determined. I drew the string back slowly, feeling the tension build in the bow as I aimed at the target. My eyes locked onto the center, and I released the arrow with a satisfying thwack.

I waited for less than a second for it to reach the target, but it hit just off, landing itself directly on the tree it hung on. At the very least, it didn't land in the snow this time.

"Hm," He smiled, "Not a bad shot, Vale."

I felt a small bit of pride from his words. "Few more and I might actually be able to hit the target." I joked.

Valten chuckled. "I have no doubt you'll get there eventually. It just takes patience."

We continued to practice for a while longer, and with each shot, I felt myself improving. Valten gave me pointers on my stance, my grip, and my aim, and I soaked it all in, determined to become better.

[You have acquired the skill Aim LV 1]

And then suddenly, I heard a voice in the back of my head. It sounded robotic, inhuman, almost. I was taken aback for a moment, a hint of confusion on my face.

Valten seemed to notice my confusion, "Everything all right there?" He raised an eyebrow.

"Yeah... I just, heard a voice after I released that last arrow."

"Mm, so your memory loss is that bad indeed...?" He let out a sigh, "You've heard the voice of the Allmother. Well, that's what we call it here, in other lands I've heard it be called the Voice of the ancients or divine. Though, in the more scientific communities, I believe they refer to it as... 'The System'. It's the same way you could see that information on yourself through the Appraisal stone."

I furrowed my brows in confusion, "The System?"

"Yes, it's a sort of... omnipresent entity that oversees the world and everything in it. I do not know much about the details, but it's been with everyone I've known since the day we were born. I suppose it's what lets us gain power in the first place." He explained, an almost, sense of nostalgia in his eyes.

I stared at him, still trying to process everything he just said. It was a lot to take in. "And everyone hears this... System voice?" I asked.

"Yes, though it's not always audible. Some people just receive a feeling or intuition instead of a voice. It's different for everyone. Congratulations, though, I assume you must have gotten the Aim skill? Most archers in training get it eventually."

I nodded, though couldn't exactly find the words to reply.

Valten looked up to the sky, "It's going to become dark soon. Let's return to the village to rest, we can train more tomorrow."

I agreed, feeling a sense of relief wash over me. As much as I enjoyed the training, I was exhausted, physically and mentally. "... That sounds good to me."

I followed behind Valten as he began to leave...

I've been in the village for around four days now, not including the day I was rescued by Valten. I've been training with him ever since. For the first couple of days, he simply explained to me the basics of hunting. How to sneak up on animals, set up traps if needed, and stalk my prey. On the third day, he tested out my physicality... Turns out I'm not strong at all. I'm a bit more agile than the typical person, though. He said it was better to be fast than strong, however. Means it's easier to run away if needed.

I believe I feel a certain bit of comfort near him. I cannot remember whoever my father was, or if I even had one, so he is... What am I saying, I met the man mere days ago. Even still, I suppose he is a bit of a father figure to me.

We entered the village, my eyes landing upon the children playing in the streets. I was starting to get used to being here and how things went. In the morning, everyone woke up at around similar times and ate together. It was usually whatever the hunters caught yesterday that was smoked overnight. After breakfast, the hunters go out to find whatever they can, while the rest of the villagers work on their respective tasks. Every single person had their role to play.

We arrived at a small hut on the outskirts of the village. It was modest, made of wood and thatched with straw. Valten opened the door and motioned for me to enter.

"Here we are."

I stepped inside and looked around. This small hut was what the Chief kindly gave me to stay in. Valten's been helping me get used to my new living situation.

"I'll go and see if I can find us something to eat for dinner."

I nodded and took a seat on the bed. It was surprisingly comfortable, and I felt myself sinking into it.

As I sat there lost in thought, Valten returned with some cooked meat and some vegetables.

"Looks like we'll be having a feast tonight," He said with a grin.

We sat down to eat, and as we did, Valten began to tell me more about the village and its inhabitants. He spoke of the history of the land and the various factions that existed.

"There's the Dragon Knights in the east," He said, "They're known for their strong cavalry. The madmen over there managed to even tame some frost wyrms. Then, there's the Order of the White Phoenix in the west. They're a group of religious folk who worship the White Pheonix. Don't know much about its legends myself, but I do know it's supposed to be mighty powerful.

I listened intently, fascinated by his stories.

"And where do we fit in?" I asked.

"We're not truly a part of all these orders and whatnot. We're much too small to be recognized by any of them. Besides, they're too used to their temperatures to even reach here!" He laughed. "Even so... we are all one with the Allmother, which means we are together. That's more important than anything they could have."

I understood what he meant, there was, after all, a sense of unity here. Everyone worked together towards a common goal of survival. With difficulties come community, a sense of belonging. I started to feel a part of it.

"Ah, it's getting late. Head to sleep soon, alright? It'll be another day of training for you in the morning."

I nodded, I was starting to get tired, after all. The warmth of the fire and the sound of the wind outside were soothing, and I soon drifted off into a deep sleep.

Four more days went by in what felt like no time at all. I was starting to get used to holding a bow and even learnt a few things about wielding a sword.

The system had talked to me a few other times, telling me I acquired the 'Swordsmanship' and 'Archery' skills respectfully. Valten said I was gaining skills faster than most others did... Even still, I had to wonder what the Progression ability I started off with truly did.

Either way, I was grateful for the new skills and knowledge I was acquiring. Valten was a great teacher, patient and understanding. He didn't mind repeating himself when I didn't understand something, and he always made sure to answer any questions I had.

Valten is currently bringing me to meet with the Chief. He wants me to do my first actual hunt today, but we need her approval. She's currently attending a mock battle in the town square, though I don't know the details.

As we approached the town square, I could hear the sounds of metal clashing against metal. We made our way through the crowd until we reached the center of the square where two hunters were engaged in a mock battle.

The Chief was standing on the sidelines, watching the battle with a stern expression. She noticed our approach and turned to face us.

"Valten, what brings you here with our new arrival?" She questioned

"We were hoping to get your approval for his first hunt today," Valten replied, gesturing toward me.

"Ah, then I assume Vale's training has gone well?" She stared at us for a moment, though I was a bit distracted by the current battle looming to the left of us.

Two people were fighting, one a tall woman with long, braided, blonde hair, and another, a shorter man with a scar across his cheek. They both wielded swords, and the sound of metal hitting metal echoed throughout the square. The woman seemed to be holding the upper hand, her strikes more precise and powerful.

"Yes, it is," Valten replied, snapping me out of my trance. "They've learned a lot in just a few days."

The Chief nodded, then turned her attention back to the mock battle. The woman had just disarmed the man, and he fell to the ground in defeat.

"Well done, Kaida," The Chief called out, applauding. "A fine battle indeed. Just what I expect from my daughter."

Kaida sheathed her sword and approached us, a small smile on her face. She stood out quite a bit, her features quite sharp, with strong cheekbones. Her eyes were green, just like the chief's.

"Thank you, mother. I am unworthy of your praise." She bowed to her.

"Nonsense, despite your young age, you're one of our most talented hunters already. You should have a bit of pride in that."

"Of course, yes, mother." She stayed bowing.

The Chief turned her attention back to us. "So, Valten, what was it that you wanted my approval for again?"

"Vale's first hunt, Chief. They've been progressing quite well in their training and I believe they're ready for the real thing."

The Chief looked at me, assessing me. "And what do you think, Vale? Are you ready for a real hunt?"

I took a deep breath and looked her in the eyes. "Yes, Chief. I'm ready."

The Chief nodded, seemingly satisfied with my answer. "Very well then. But know that we have a tradition here. Before one can join a hunt, they must prove their worth by defeating one of our own in a mock battle."

My heart sank a little at the thought of having to fight someone, but I knew it was part of the process. I've been getting better, anyways. I'm sure it'd be fine. "Who do I have to fight?"

She stared down at the one Kaida had won against, a frown upon his face. "You shall fight against Soren. He is the boy with the scar on his face, currently whining about his loss, I assume."

I turned to look at Soren and saw him glaring back at me. He seemed to be the same age as me, maybe a small bit taller. His eyes were a deep blue, though there seemed to be a small bit of green in them.

"You shall fight in a few moments. Soren is a hardy one, he'll be fine by then."

I nodded in understanding. I took a few deep breaths, trying to calm my nerves as I watched Soren storm off to the side of the field.

As I waited for the fight to begin, I focused on getting myself into the right mindset. I've slowly started to become more confident in myself, at least enough so to know what I'm doing. Besides, this guy doesn't look... too intimidating. I'm sure it'll be fine

When the time came, Soren and I stepped into the center of the field, facing each other. The Chief stood off to the side, watching us intently. Valten was there as well, a slight bit of worry in his eye.

"Remember, this is a mock battle," she reminded us. "No real weapons or injuries allowed. The first one to be disarmed or knocked to the ground will be declared the loser."

"Yeah, yeah," Sorren scoffed, changing his attention to me, "You're the one everyone's been talking about, huh? You sure don't look like much."

I didn't say anything in response, he was just taunting anyways.

"Now, begin!"

"Surging Fire!" Sorren suddenly screamed, and what looked to be a large ball of fire shot toward me.

My reflexes kicked in, and I quickly jumped to the side, dodging the attack. My heart pounded, what in the world was that?!

"I said no injuries, Sorren!" The chief yelled out, an annoyed expression on her face.

"Come on, it didn't hit 'em!" Sorren smirked.

I took a deep breath and focused, not wanting to be caught off guard again. I knew I had to be careful, Sorren seemed like the type to play dirty, the type to fight like a wild beast. I guess that's perfect for a hunter.

I lunged forward, aiming a punch at his face, but he was quick to dodge it. He stared at me closely, suddenly charging at me, attempting to tackle me to the ground.

I sidestepped him, and he stumbled past me, giving me an opening. I quickly grabbed his arm and used his momentum to flip him over my shoulder, causing him to crash onto the ground. I nearly went with him, though, barely staying on my feet.

Sorren groaned, but quickly got up, a grimace on his face. "Bastard..."

Sorren charged at me once again, but I was prepared. I dodged his attack and aimed a kick at his side, causing him to stumble to the side.

He was slower than me, but I feel like one hit and I'd be out. For some reason... that excited me. I shook the thought out of my head.

Sorren clenched his fist, dashing forward with his hands ready to tear me to pieces. However, I managed to take a deep breath and steady my eyes.

I caught him in a lock, twisting his arm behind his back. I learned this move by Valten firsthand. He grunted in pain but didn't give up.

"Come, Flame!" He yelled out. I immediately flinched, expecting him to do a similar thing he did earlier. However... nothing happened. I saw perhaps a small spark from his hands, that was all.

"I've seen enough." The Chief spoke up, interrupting the fight. "Vale, you have proven your worth. You may join the hunt. And, Sorren, I'm quite disappointed today. To think you would use your magic in a mere mock fight."

I released Sorren from the lock, a scowl on his face.

The Chief turned to Sorren. "As punishment, you shall be assigned extra training sessions for the next two weeks. And if I catch you using magic in a mock battle again, you will be forced to sleep upon the cold hard ground amongst the Blood Ravens."

Sorren grudgingly nodded, not looking too pleased about his punishment. The Chief then turned back to me. "As for you, Vale, congratulations. You'll be joining the hunt for today. We leave in an hour, I urge you to rest until then.

I couldn't help but smile at her words.

As we left the field, Valten clapped me on the back. "Well done, Vale. You did great out there."

I thanked him, though I needed to ask, "What exactly was that thing he was doing in our fight?"

"Magic. Your amnesia erased even that memory, eh? Well, he's a talented fire mage, though, as you can see, he's a bit hot-headed." Valten chuckled to himself at his joke.

I nodded, keeping a mental note of the idea. "Do you think there's any way I could learn to use magic too?"

"Magic is a gift from the Allmother, Vale. We all have mana in our bones, the energy source of magic. All one needs to do is learn how to channel that mana into their own attribute. Once you've learned what attribute you have access to, magic should begin to come naturally to you, just like moving a third arm.."

Valten looked at me thoughtfully. "If you're curious in learning, I could introduce you to Alisa, a mage. She's one of the best, and she might be able to help you get started."

I nodded eagerly. "That would be great."

"Heh, but let's wait until after the hunt. We'll get our fill before all that. After all, we don't wanna get hungry while we're out there."

I agreed, and we soon ate together. A simple stew, but it was quite filling. I was quite surprised by the flavour. It looked like it would taste just of meat, but it had an almost refreshing aftertaste. I asked after and it turned out they used a herb they cultivate here. Apparently, it improves digestion.

Though, while we were eating, I couldn't help but notice Sorren staring at me. He was... slightly menacing, despite his more adolescent appearance. Either way, it didn't affect me. Perhaps I needed a distraction...

I took out the training book Valten gave me. I'll read up again on the basics in the meantime. Valten did tell me there's no issue in being over-prepared.

As I flipped through the pages of the book, I felt someone nearby. I looked up to see Sorren standing there, his arms crossed and a scowl on his face.

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"Yes...?" I cautiously spoke, trying not to anger him further.

Sorren sneered at me. "You think you're so great, don't you? The Chief might have let you join the hunt, but that doesn't mean you're one of us."

I raised an eyebrow at him, sighing. "I am simply trying to help."

Sorren laughed derisively. "You don't even remember your own past. How can you expect to understand our ways? You don't belong here! Plain and simple."

I was irritated at his words, though I did not know what to say. Before anything further could occur, Valten stepped in between us. "That's enough, Sorren. Vale is here to learn and help us. We're a community, we work together. You know that."

Sorren glared at Valten before storming off, muttering under his breath. I sighed, feeling a mix of frustration and confusion. Why exactly was Sorren so hostile towards me? I suppose he might still be irritated at his loss...

Valten placed a hand on my shoulder, bringing me out of my thoughts. "Don't worry about him, Vale. He's always been like that... but he'll come around eventually. Focus on the hunt for now, the time has nearly come."

In a few more minutes, we gathered to the outskirts of the village. There seemed to be six hunters, including me. Kaida was among us, the chief's daughter. I wasn't quite sure who the other four were, however.

Valten wasn't able to come, he said he was too old to partake in an actual hunt now. Though I wasn't too worried. If anything, all I was anxious about is if I would be able to pull my own weight.

Kaida spoke up, "Boars have been in excess lately, which means they've been eating too much. Try and aim for the bigger ones, they'll have more meat on them."

I nodded, feeling a little more confident after her words of advice. We continued on, quietly making our way through the forest. I tried to listen for any sounds that might give away the boars' location but couldn't hear anything over the rustling of leaves and twigs under our feet.

After a while, Kaida held up her hand, signalling us to stop. I could see her peering ahead, scanning the area. Suddenly, she pointed to a patch of bushes a little ways ahead of us, whispering, "There. I see movement."

I took a deep breath, my hand firmly placed on my bow. There were a group of boars in front of us, more than enough for each of us to take back.

Kaida gestured for us to split up. I was slightly nervous to be alone, but I knew what to do.

As each boar went their separate ways, we did as well, following, and stalking each one. In a matter of minutes, we were alone.

I pulled out an arrow, carefully placing the nock upon the string. I pulled back slowly, my aim firmly on the boar in front of me.

Inhale, exhale.

I released the arrow, time feeling as if stopped for a moment. The arrow flew in a straight line... but landed just a few inches away from the target.

The boar immediately flinched, turning around to face us. I tensed up, my mistake hitting me like a punch to the gut. The boar scratched at the floor, its eyes a black abyss about to consume me.

I quickly readied another arrow despite my apprehensions, my hands trembling ever so slightly. Before I could realize it, the boar was already dashing at me with impressive speed. My eyes stayed open, pulling back the string as fast as I could. I had to make this hit count.

I released the arrow with all my might, watching as it soared toward my prey. It was a clean shot, a blow straight to the chest.

It let out a heartwrenching squeal, but it soon collapsed onto the ground, motionless. I let out a sigh of relief. Even such a small encounter exhausted me.

The boar, now dead, was a far distance away from me still. I'll have to carry it to the village once everyone else has finished up. At the very least, I could relax for a little while...

... However, that thought was a mistake.

An ear-piercing snarl resonated from the trees. My head immediately turned up to see what was making the horrendous noise, my eyes meeting another pair of piercing eyes.

I recognized what the beast was immediately from an illustration Valten showed me. A Frost Jaguar.

Its powerful muscles rippled beneath its thick fur as it landed on the ground. It was a massive animal, its body easily reaching seven feet in length, and tall enough to nearly reach my chest.

Its fur was a beautiful mix of white and silver, which would most definitely help in camouflaging itself among the snow-covered landscape. It had a long, muscular and slim tail that twitched with anticipation, and its sharp teeth were bared in a menacing snarl. Its paws were large, with razor-sharp claws that dug deep into the ground as it advanced toward the boar's corpse.

The jaguar's eyes were the most striking feature of it, a fierce shade of ice-like blue that glowed with an almost supernatural intensity. They were fixated on me as if sizing me up.

I felt a wave of fear wash over me, my heart racing and the palms of my hands growing covered in sweat. Even still... I couldn't help but admire the beauty of the jaguar.

I suddenly heard a voice to the left of me, "Vale!" It was Kaida, the other four hunters who accompanied us. There was a look of worry on each of their faces.

The Frost Jaguar noticed them immediately, an aggravated expression growing across it. For some peculiar reason, it lightly stomped its foot on the ground repetitively as it stared me dead in the eyes.

"It's... challenging you..." Kaida spoke low, a shiver running down my spine.

I swallowed hard, feeling a lump form in my throat. "What do I do?" I whispered back, barely able to find my voice.

"Fight it," Kaida spoke firmly. "Or it won't give you the chance to fight back."

I knew what I had to do, but I couldn't move. My legs felt like they were made of stone, and my mind was racing. How was I supposed to fight a beast even larger than me?

The jaguar let out a low growl, its eyes still fixed on me. It was like it was staring straight into my mind, knowing what I'll do before I even do.

However, in an instant, it pounced.

Instinct took over, and I managed to dodge its claws, rolling out of the way just in time. I scrambled to my feet, turning to face the jaguar. It let out a ferocious roar, and I knew that I had to fight back.

I drew my sword, feeling its weight in my hand. I took a deep breath, trying to calm my nerves, and waited for it to come at me again.

It ran at me once again, the sound of snow crunching under its feet filling my ears. I blocked its blow with the edge of my blade at the perfect time

I could feel the jaguar's strength, its powerful claws slashing at me, but I managed to hold my ground, pushing it off of me. I fell to the ground, however, trying to get up but the ground fought me on that regard.

With the Jaguar regaining its composure, it went to bite through my neck. Its teeth mere inches away from my face, I roll out of the way, its momentum causing it to crash into the hard ground below.

I took that chance to approach it from behind, my breathing heavy and hard and my sword drawn towards it. Before it could fully defend itself, I thrust my sword further toward the jaguar's flank, stabbing into its flesh.

It let out a pained roar, flailing for a moment before stopping and shaking my blade out of its body. It staggered back, its eyes still firmly placed on me. Frosty breath came out of its mouth, blood staining the pure snow below.

That was when it slowly laid down in front of me, its head low, almost bowing.

The voice of the system spoke out to me.

[Frost Jaguar has admitted defeat.]

[It wishes to form a contract with you.]

I was confused by the words of the system, my eyes darting back and forth between the jaguar and the rest of the hunters. They had their weapons drawn, though had an expression of admiration in their eyes.

"It... says it wants to form a contract with me." I spoke out, hoping for some sort of advice on the manner.

"Incredible..." Kaida lowered her weapon, her eyes almost sparkling, "I have heard of lone Frost Jaguars entering into contracts with people before, but to see it here..."

I tilted my head, not exactly understanding her words, "And...?"

"It wishes to become your familiar, to serve you as a partner in battle. If you accept... Its loyalty will be forever with you until the contract is broken."

I took a moment to process the information.

"Can I trust it?" I asked, my eyes still fixed on the jaguar.

"It has admitted defeat, which is a sign of honor among the Frost Jaguars," Kaida explained. "If it wishes to form a contract with you, it means that it recognizes your strength and sees potential in you as a partner."

I took a deep breath, trying to fully realize the importance of this...

"I accept."

[Contract with Frost Jaguar has been formed.]

[Ability "Progression" has been linked to this contract.]

[Progession will allow you to harness Frost Jaguar's power as your own. Note, there is a limitation to this. Check status for further information.]

[You have acquired the skill Taming LV 1]

The Frost Jaguar looked at me with a new sense of intelligence in their eyes. I, myself couldn't help but feel a sense of reverence for them. In a way... I almost felt their emotions as I felt mine. Perhaps this was an effect of the contract.

I offered my hand out to them, it sniffed it, gently nuzzling its head against my palm. Their fur was notably soft, a slight layer of snow covering it.

I eyed the wound I caused it, a slight twinge of guilt building up in me.

"I have to say, Vale... I'm quite impressed," Kaida approached, a smile on her face. "We should bring it back to the village soon. I wouldn't want its wounds to grow worse."

I agreed, patting the jaguar on the head. With that thought, I should come up with a name for them once we're back.

We picked up the boars we each individually hunted and set out. With little time at all, we reached the village.

Many of the villagers were obviously quite surprised by us being accompanied by a Frost Jaguar, I was still getting used to it myself. Both Valten and the Chief were nearby, Valten's eyes widening while the Chief simply gained a look of intrigue in her eyes.

Valten stepped forward, "By the grace of the Allmother... Vale, have you truly tamed this beast?"

I nodded, my eyes firmly placed on him. I suppose this was something to be proud of.

The Chief approached us, her eyes studying the Frost Jaguar carefully. "This is indeed an impressive feat, young one," she said, addressing me, "Tell me, however, do you have a name for this creature? Naming shall further your bond, allowing you to truly become one with another."

I stayed quiet for a moment, my mind at work. I was brainstorming certain ideas while we were walking back, but one name stood out to me more than any other.

"Chione." I spoke softly, my eyes on them.

[Familar name set as "Chione".]

Chione seemed to like that name. They stared back up at me as I said it.

"A beautiful and fierce name indeed..." The Chief smiled ever so slightly, continuing. "However... Vale, may I speak with you in private? I believe there are now things I must discuss with you."

I nodded, feeling a little uneasy. I was a bit concerned about the matter... though she obviously has the village's best intentions in mind.

Kaida gave me an encouraging smile before turning to Valten. "We'll take care of the boars and bring Chione to the healer's hut. We'll see you both later."

Valten nodded, his eyes still fixed on Chione. I followed the Chief as she led me to her hut.

Once inside, she gestured for me to sit down. "Vale, I must congratulate you on taming Chione. It is not an easy feat, even for experienced hunters."

I couldn't help but feel a sense of pride at her words. "Thank you, Chief."

"That being said... there is something I have not told most of the village as of yet, something only I and a few of our elders know of." She stared at me with a serious expression.

My curiosity was peaked as I leaned in forward to hear better.

"The Frost Jaguars have been becoming increasingly close to our village, as you know. But what you do not know is that we have reason to believe that they are being driven closer by something... or someone.

My eyes widened at her words. "Someone?"

"Yes. I have to believe that there is a group of hunters from the nearby village of Iskan who have been hunting the Frost Jaguars for their fur and other valuable resources. They have been doing so for years, but recently they have become more aggressive and have been driving the jaguars closer to our village in their desperation to catch them. It seems that I was wrong about them simply expanding their hunting grounds..." Her expression was filled with solemn disgust. "The Iskand hunters step upon the Land of the Allmother, the land we have been protecting for generations. They attack and kill not to survive, but to profit. It sickens me to my core."

My mind was racing with the implications of what she was saying. "What can we do to stop them?"

"That is why I brought you here, Vale. I desire to help the Frost Jaguars... to keep them away from extirpation. With Chione, you should be able to communicate with their fellow Jaguars, to allow us to cooperate with them."

"... You wish for me to... have Chione speak to the Frost Jaguars?" I tilted my head, a brow raised.

"Yes. If we can bring them to our village, we can protect them from the Iskan hunters. The Frost Jaguars may trust one of their own, which is why I have entrusted this information onto you." A flame burned in her eyes, metaphorically, of course.

"Are you sure they will listen?"

"While they may be beasts, they are intelligent, perhaps just as intelligent as us. You have seen how Chione stares, have you not? Those eyes of wisdom."

I nodded slowly, recalling the piercing gaze of Chione's icy blue eyes.

"Use that connection to your advantage. Show them that we do not mean harm to them, that we wish to help. But, for now, I believe you deserve to rest, along with Chione. It had been a long day for you both, I am sure."

I let out a sigh, not being able to argue with that. Both physically and emotionally, I was completely exhausted. My eyes were heavy, and my leg muscles strained.

"I shall give you a day to prepare, and then I will lead you to the den of the Frost Jaguars."

She soon led me out, and I alone walked to my place of residence. I stepped inside, my vision immediately met with Chione... along with someone I didn't quite recognize.

They both were upon the ground, the person's hand gracefully rubbing the fur of Chione. She was wearing a long dress, her hair short and pointed down.

What's more, a faint golden shine emanated from her hands as they caressed Chione's wound, a kind smile on her face.

She finally noticed me, her eyes slowly looking up at mine.

"My apologies for intruding, Vale. I am called Opheil. I was... called to help, as I am adept in healing incantations." She spoke softly, barely above a whisper.

I knelt down beside Chione, my hand resting upon their soft fur. Chione seemed to almost purr in response, their eyes mostly closed. "Chione seems... soothed." I spoke in response, somewhat in awe at whatever this Opheil was doing.

She mentioned 'healing incantations', a word unknown to me. I was growing more and more curious as she spoke

"Mm, I have been blessed with the ability to channel the magic of the Allmother to heal and soothe the wounded." Opheil smiled warmly at me, her hand still resting on Chione's fur. "Chione's wound isn't too severe, but it's still best to treat it as soon as possible. I'm glad I arrived in time... I must tell you, however, I did not come here in order to just heal Chione."

I was confused by her statement, waiting for her to continue.

"I wanted to meet you, Vale." She looked me dead in the eyes, her movement stopping. "To tell the truth, my father knew Valten. In a way, I've always considered him an uncle to me. … and, since you are his lost child and all…”

I blankly stared at her, completely… I don’t even know what to say—lost… child? What kind of rumours have spread about me?

“I am not related to Valten… in any biological sense.” This was all I could muster, my exasperation at its peak.

“You.. aren’t? That... does make more sense considering your appearances.. Oh dear, my apologies… I heard that you were by a friend of mine, and assumed they were telling the truth…” She seemed quite flustered, an uncomfortable look on her face.

“No, it’s fine…” I let out a small smile to comfort her, “I’m interested to know if there’s any other rumours circlating about me, though…”

“Ah, well… I have heard of a couple,” She swallowed, regaining her calm composure. “I believe I overheard the baker’s son saying that you were probably royalty from the eastern continent… Aria, the town’s blacksmith said to me that you were an exiled mage from the scholar town of Dalewise… I even heard a few people talking about how you are a criminal who escaped… though, I doubt that last one is true.”

I listened on, a… difficult to explain feeling consuming me… Royalty.. exiled mage, criminal…? I suppose I cannot truly know if any of those are true… but I truly hope they are all not. They all sound incredibly troublesome.

“I… see. They are quite creative, then…”

“Boredom does generate ideas…” She sighed.

Her hands suddenly stop glowing, them lifting from the body of Chione. The injury seemed to be completely gone now,

“While the wound itself is healed, it may still be slightly uncomfortable.” She pulled a small vial from her bag, giving it to me. “Rub this liquid around where the wound was daily, and it should prevent any irritation.”

“.. Thank you very much. Is there something I can do to repay you?” I didn’t exactly have much, but I still wanted to show my gratitude.

“My life is dedicated to the Allmother, as such, I do not need anything. Helping the hurt is the only payment I need.” She stood up, stretching. “Though, I would apprciate it if you told Valten hello for me. I am soon to leave the village, and may not get the chance to see him again.”

I nodded, and quickly left…

I stared at Chione, their eyes closed. Their breath was light, probably asleep at this point.

I couldn’t help but want to join them in rest.