Sleep was kind to Adrian, so he took his sweet time to open his eyes. The pleasant weight of the blanket pressed against him as he shifted around. Yet, when the boy flexed his fingers, he realized something crucial: Wait… I can actually feel my left arm again.

He pushed himself up and noticed how both arms moved fluidly, their coordination almost jarring after the days he’d spent compensating for his left arm’s uselessness. The strange black marks that had marred his skin after the last use of his spell were gone, leaving his arm unblemished. The marks dissipate as the paralysis fades, that much is obvious. But why?

He leaned forward, resting his left hand on his knee. The number "1" was etched onto the back of my left hand before. The fact it's gone must have meant that "1" implied a duration, perhaps one day. And if that's true, my guess is that the more I use my signature spell, the longer the paralysis will last.

Adrian rotated his shoulder experimentally, noting the ease of movement. If the spell exacted such a cost, he would need to understand its limits before he was forced to rely on it again. Just as I thought, my signature spell isn't one that can be used lightly.

Adrian stood from the bed and moved toward the door. He flexed his left hand once more, testing its range while stepping out of his room. In the future, I need to develop some new techniques so that I won't have to rely on my signature spell.

The faint aroma of something cooking drifted through the air, tugging Adrian from his thoughts as he descended the creaking wooden stairs. The scent of eggs mingled with earthy herbs curled around him, drawing him towards the kitchen.

Soft clatters and gentle scraping of metal against iron greeted him as he reached the doorway. Peeking around the corner, he found Anisa standing by the hearth. Her sleeves were rolled up to her elbows as she quickly set aside some utensils.

“Good morning,” Adrian said, stepping into the room.

Anisa glanced over her shoulder, her face breaking into a warm smile. “Good morning, Adrian. Did you sleep well?”

“Well enough, do you need help with anything?”

She tilted her head, the corners of her lips curving slightly as if weighing his offer. But as she turned fully to face him, her gaze dropped, landing on his left arm. “Your arm…”

“Oh, this?” He raised his left hand, flexing his fingers. “That curse from my last exploration finally burned itself out. Took long enough, didn’t it?”

Her eyes lingered on him, sharp and probing, their weight pressing down on his carefully composed calm. For a moment, he thought she might see through him entirely. Relax. She's just worried.

Then her expression softened as she set the spatula down. Anisa crossed the room, closing the distance between them in a few quick strides, and wrapped him in a brief but firm hug.

“I’m so glad, it’s good to see you back to normal.”

Adrian let out a small chuckle. “Just lucky, I guess,” he said as she released him.

Anisa stepped back, hands on her hips, and a playful grin spread across her face. “Well, since you’re fully functional again, how about you help me with breakfast? I could use an extra set of hands.”

Adrian raised an eyebrow, glancing at the neatly organized workspace behind her. “Are you sure? It looks like you’ve got it under control.”

“I did, but that was before I realized I had a perfectly capable assistant standing here.”

"Sure, what do you need me to do?”

She handed Adrian a small knife and a cutting board, then gestured toward a bowl of fresh vegetables waiting on the counter. “Chop these up for me. Not too small, though, I don’t want them turning to mush in the pan.”

“No problem.” Adrian stepped closer, rolling up his sleeves. He picked up a carrot, the knife cool and familiar in his hand, and began slicing.

While he was working, Adrian glanced over at Anisa. She stood by the hearth as she stirred the sizzling pan and sprinkled in a pinch of salt. “By the way, where’s Marcus? I didn’t see him upstairs.”

“Out hunting,” she replied without turning, her attention fixed on the pan. “He wanted to make sure we had something fresh for dinner."

Adrian nodded, his focus shifting back to the vegetables. He reached for a zucchini, his hands working almost automatically. “Then we’d better finish up before he gets back. Otherwise, he’ll be grumpy about missing breakfast.”

A bright laugh bubbled up from Anisa, filling the kitchen with warmth. “True, if he smells breakfast and finds it’s not ready, he’ll raid the pantry, and that’s always a disaster waiting to happen.”

Adrian chuckled, the sound breaking through the lingering tension he hadn’t quite shaken since morning. This… isn’t so bad. Feels normal, almost. He set the knife down and gathered the neatly chopped vegetables, holding the board out to her.

Anisa leaned closer to inspect his work, her eyebrows lifting in approval. “Not bad at all."

“Don’t get used to it,” Adrian replied, a wry grin tugging at his lips.

“Oh, I won’t,” she teased, scooping the vegetables into the pan. The soft hiss of contact and the wafting aroma of cooking filled the air as she worked. “But for now, you’re stuck helping me until Marcus comes back. Deal?”

“Deal."

***

The small table in the kitchen was now laden with a hearty breakfast. A platter of golden-brown scrambled eggs sat in the center, flecked with green herbs and a hint of pepper. Beside it rested a wooden bowl brimming with roasted vegetables, alongside a plate with freshly sliced bread, accompanied by a jar of honey and a small dish of butter.

Adrian stepped back, wiping his hands on a kitchen towel. “Looks like we’re done with breakfast."

Anisa nodded, placing the final plate on the table with a smile. “Perfect timing, Marcus should be back any minute now. Let’s just hope he—”

The front door swung open with a loud creak, cutting her off mid-sentence. Adrian turned toward the doorway just as Marcus entered.

Slung effortlessly over his shoulder was a massive boar, its lifeless body limp but striking in size. The animal’s coarse fur bristled under the faint morning light, and its tusks glinted ominously as Marcus shifted his grip. He held it with one hand, the other casually brushing stray dirt from his shirt.

Adrian’s eyes flicked to the boar, then to Marcus’s unruffled expression. He's… stronger than I thought, huh.

“Morning,” Marcus said. He dropped the boar onto the ground with a dull thud that made the floor tremble slightly. “Figured this would make a decent dinner.”

Anisa crossed her arms, raising an eyebrow as she gave the animal a quick once-over. “A boar? Marcus, how far out did you go to find this thing?”

“Got lucky out in the woods. Spotted it while it was grazing, and didn't even put up much of a fight.”

“Lucky for you. Poor thing never stood a chance.”

Marcus snorted, rolling his shoulders to loosen them. “Dinner doesn’t catch itself. Figured we’d all appreciate something hearty tonight.”

Adrian leaned back against the counter, arms folded, his gaze flicking between the boar and Marcus. There's some residual energy coming from Marcus.

"Oh yeah, I meant to ask, but did you use any magic to help hunt the boar?" Adrian asked.

Marcus raised an eyebrow, looking as if he had been asked a question with an obvious answer. "Why wouldn't I?"

"Right, right, and what kind of magic did you use?"

"Just some basic augmentation, you know, to help me run faster, get stronger, the whole deal. Anyway, what's up with suddenly asking me all this stuff?"

"I-it's nothing, I was just curious." Adrian said. Judging by how Marcus answered me, it's very likely that every adventurer knows at least some basic magic.

Reading on this site? This novel is published elsewhere. Support the author by seeking out the original.

“Anyway, breakfast is ready,” Anisa said, gesturing toward the table. “Go wash up first, though. You’re not sitting down like that.”

"Right on." Marcus said, chuckling slightly before heading toward the back door to clean his hands. And by the time he returned, the three of them were seated at the dining table.

While they ate, Marcus glanced at Adrian. “So, looks like your arm’s working again.”

“Yeah, woke up and it was back to normal.”

“Just like that?”

Adrian shrugged, keeping his face neutral. “Just like that. Whatever curse I picked up must have run its course.”

“Lucky,” Marcus said, his tone half-skeptical but not pressing the issue further.

“Speaking of lucky,” Anisa interjected, her voice playful as she leaned forward, “are we going to see your little fox today? It’s been a while since Mimi joined us."

Adrian’s lips twitched into a small smile. “She’s around.” He set his fork down and turned his head slightly. “Mimi. Come here.”

With a soft, almost musical trill, Mimi materialized from thin air, her emerald-green flames flickering softly as she padded toward them. The fox's luminous eyes locked onto Adrian before she turned her attention to Anisa.

“Mimi!” Anisa exclaimed as she pushed her chair back and crouched to greet the fox. “There you are, you beautiful thing!”

Mimi’s tails swished in contentment as Anisa reached out to pet her. Anisa’s hands ran over Mimi’s fur-like flames, and the fox leaned into the affection, eyes half-closing as if savoring the attention.

“You spoil her,” Marcus muttered, though there was a faint grin tugging at the corner of his mouth as he watched.

“She deserves it,” Anisa shot back, not looking up as she scratched under Mimi’s chin. “Don’t you, Mimi? You’re such a good girl.”

Adrian chuckled softly, watching the scene. “She’s going to get used to this treatment, you know. You’ll have to keep it up every time she shows up.”

“Worth it,” Anisa said without hesitation, planting a kiss on Mimi’s head. “She’s too precious not to spoil.”

Marcus polished off his plate and leaned back in his chair, giving Adrian a pointed look. “You’re lucky she listens to you so well."

Adrian smirked, reaching down to scratch behind Mimi’s ears. “Guess I just know how to stay in her good graces.”

Anisa rolled her eyes, still smiling as she stood. “Well, now that breakfast is done, Marcus, you can deal with that boar. Adrian and I will clean up here. And don’t leave it out too long. I don’t want the smell sticking to the house.

Adrian’s shoulders sagged slightly as he looked between the empty plates and the stack of dishes. Cleaning up wasn’t exactly what I had in mind for the morning. He turned to Anisa, tilting his head. “Do I really have to help with cleaning? You’ve got this down to a science.”

Anisa shot him a look, her hands on her hips. “Absolutely, you do. If you’re going to enjoy breakfast, you can help make sure we’re ready for the next meal.”

Marcus chuckled from the doorway, his broad grin making his voice lighter. “She’s got you there, kid.” He adjusted the straps of the game bag slung over his shoulder, its weight shifting as he moved toward the door. “I’ll get to work on that boar. Adrian, find me outside when you’re done here if you want to help.”

Adrian blinked, the faintest trace of alarm flashing across his face. “Help? I have no idea how to do anything with a boar.” And I’m not sure I want to learn.

“That,” Marcus said with a knowing smirk, “is exactly why you should join me. It’s an important skill to have, and you won’t learn it sitting in here avoiding dishes.” He clapped Adrian on the shoulder, his tone more encouraging now. “Trust me, it’s not as bad as it sounds.”

***

Outside, the crisp morning air carried the earthy scent of fallen leaves, mingling with the tang of fresh game. The boar was sprawled across a sturdy wooden workbench near the shed. Beside it, a set of carving knives rested in a neat row.

Adrian approached the table, his eyes sweeping over the boar’s hulking frame. “It’s a lot bigger up close,” he said, tilting his head as if the angle might make it look less intimidating. How do you even deal with something this size?

Marcus smirked, wiping his hands on a cloth before resting them on his hips. “I’ve handled bigger, but this one’s not bad, should keep us fed for a while.”

Adrian squinted at the boar. “How long’s this going to take?”

Marcus rolled his shoulders and glanced at the knives. “Couple of hours, give or take. But, we’ll be done faster if we start now.”

Adrian nodded, stepping closer to the workbench. “Alright. I’m ready.”

Marcus let out a low chuckle, shaking his head. “Not so fast. Watch me first."

Grabbing the largest knife, Marcus leaned over the boar and made the first incision. As he cut, he spoke in a calm, measured tone, explaining the process step by step. “You want to start here,” he said, pointing just below the boar’s sternum. “Keeps the cuts clean and avoids hitting anything messy. Wasted meat’s no good to anyone.”

Adrian stood beside him, watching intently. He cataloged the angle of the blade, the slight pressure needed to ease the knife through the thick hide, the careful way Marcus avoided damaging the meat. This is honestly rather impressive.

After a while, Marcus paused and handed him a smaller knife. “Your turn."

Adrian adjusted his hold, testing the knife’s balance before placing the blade against the boar’s hide. The smooth texture of the fur gave way to firmer resistance beneath. He exhaled slowly, recalling Marcus’s demonstration, and drew the knife in a steady line.

“Slow and steady,” Marcus said. “No need to rush.”

Adrian nodded as he guided the blade along the animal’s side. The first cut wasn’t as clean as Marcus’s, but it was serviceable. He adjusted his angle slightly on the next pass, the motion smoother this time. Could be better, but my cut doesn't look too bad.

“You’re picking it up quicker than I expected,” Marcus remarked. “Most people butcher their first try, literally.”

"Really? Thanks, I uh, thought I just did kind of alright."

“Cut yourself some slack kid, you're doing great for a first timer."

"Then, should I keep going?"

"Sure, I'll still help out too of course."

The two worked in companionable silence for a while, punctuated by the occasional scrape of the knife. Adrian found himself falling into the flow of the task, becoming more confident as he carved through the boar’s thick hide and into the layers of meat beneath.

Marcus occasionally offered tips or corrections, but for the most part, he let Adrian handle the work on his own. There was something oddly grounding about the process, a tangible sense of accomplishment that came with each cleanly cut piece of meat.

When they finished separating the usable cuts from the rest, Marcus leaned back and stretched, wiping his hands on a rag. “Not bad, Adrian. You might just make a decent hunter’s apprentice in the future.”

Adrian chuckled, setting his knife down and flexing his fingers to shake off the stiffness. “I’ll keep that in mind for the future.”

Marcus gestured toward the shed, where hooks hung from sturdy beams. “Help me hang these up. They’ll keep better in the cool air until we’re ready to cook them.”

Adrian followed him, carrying several neatly wrapped bundles of meat to the hooks. As he worked, he glanced at Marcus, who was already tying up the last of the cuts.

“You’ve been doing this a long time, haven’t you?” Adrian asked.

“Since I was younger than you. Hunting, carving, cooking was how I made my due back in the day.”

Adrian hung the last bundle of meat on the hook,brushing against the surface of the beam as he adjusted the twine. He glanced over at Marcus, who was meticulously checking the knots securing the heavier cuts. The man’s movements were efficient, almost instinctual, as if this routine had been ingrained in him over decades.

“Did you always live like this?”

“Not always. I grew up in a small village. My parents were farmers, and they worked hard to keep food on the table. We weren’t poor, but we weren’t much more than that.” Marcus finished tying the last knot and leaned against the beam, his expression thoughtful.

Adrian leaned against the opposite wall, arms crossed. “What made you leave and go out adventuring? Farming life not exciting enough for you?”

“Excitement had nothing to do with it, it was a necessity. My father got injured, couldn’t work the fields anymore. My mother tried to keep things running, but it wasn’t enough. I was the oldest, so I had to step up.”

"That's admirable, Marcus, and completely understandable."

"At first. I hunted, sold pelts, traded meat. It kept us afloat for a while, but it wasn’t sustainable. I realized pretty quick that if I wanted to really make a difference, I’d have to do more. That’s when I turned to adventuring.”

“That's… impressive, did anyone teach you?"

“No, but it wasn't like I needed much help. I just switched from killing boars to fighting slimes and goblins, not the hardest switch."

Adrian studied Marcus for a moment, his respect for the man deepening. He’s made himself into more than just a hunter or a farmer.

“Why didn’t you go back to your village once you made enough to help?” Adrian asked.

Marcus’s expression softened, a trace of melancholy flickering in his eyes. “I did, for a while. Sent money back regularly, too. But after a few years, things changed. My siblings grew up, took over the farm, and didn’t need my help anymore. By then, adventuring had become my life. I was too far gone to return to farming.”

He straightened, his posture relaxed but resolute. “Still, it’s not something I regret. The life I’ve lived since has taught me more than I could’ve ever learned behind a plow.”

Adrian nodded thoughtfully, processing Marcus’s words. Learning some more practical fighting skills from Marcus could be useful. Who knows, could come in handy sometime in the future.

“Marcus, would you teach me?”

“Teach you what?”

“If possible, I want you to teach me how to fight the way you do: swords and all."

A grin spread across Marcus’s face. He crossed his arms, regarding Adrian with a glint of approval. “You’re serious about this?”

Adrian nodded. “Completely.”

“It won’t be easy. I’ll push you hard, and I won’t let you slack off. You’ve got to put in the effort, every step of the way.”

“Of course, I wouldn’t have asked if I wasn’t ready for that."

Marcus chuckled. “All right, then. We’ll start tomorrow. But don’t say I didn’t warn you."

Adrian smiled faintly. “I’ll take my chances.”

The swordsman clapped Adrian on the back. “If nothing else, I like your spirit, kid."

Adrian chuckled for a moment, until his thoughts suddenly drifted, darkening the faint smile on his lips. Marcus and Anisa have been kind to me, and I do enjoy their company. But… I still want to figure out what happened to Seven and Sister Selena. Don't think there will ever be a "perfect" time to bring something like that up, so I might as well try my luck now.

Adrian straightened, his expression growing more serious. “Um, Marcus, I know this is a bit sudden, but can I ask you and Anisa for a favor?”