Grabbing Klyran’s hand, Aldryn nearly ran toward his destination. It was as if he feared that the Kenman would disappear. If it was any other situation, the Ryan would have snapped. But not this time, as he himself was rather excited to meet the renown Kenman.

They arrived in a remote part of the mountain. It made Klyran’s mouth fall open as his eyes looked all over the scene. They were still under the ground, but there was a small field with grass and trees. A small park, his blonde friend mentioned. It was not something that he would expect to see in the mines. From what he read, plants needed light to grow and survive.

As the two of them walked, Klyran quickly noticed that all the trees seemed young, unlike those in the forests that he previously saw. There were also a sort of lamps hanging from the celling, making him wonder if their light is what allowed them to grow. He also had no doubt that were it a human’s eyes, they would be unable to even see the lamps. A few of them were placed in the stone and were surrounded by precious gems and other sparkling stones, making them glow. Even to the Ryan, it seemed magical.

“The Kenman built all of this by himself” Aldryn carefully commented, looking around and noticing the various Monias enjoying what should have been the Kenman’s private garden.

At the end of it, Klyran felt stunned. There, a waterfall fell between the stones and into a lake, too carefully carved to be natural. There were even some fish swimming in the water, all of them glowing a gentle colour.

There were also a few rocks creating a path to cross the small lake, with a few wide stones in the middle. Upon one of them sat a man. At Aldryn’s excitement, the raven-haired serpent quickly understood who it was.

The blonde jumped around the rocks and sat near the man, trying to get his attention, only to be ignored. It seemed that he was ignorant to all that surrounded him. Looking around, at the various children running around and yelling, hearing the sound of hammers on rocks and metal, Klyran had no doubt that Aldryn seemed a small disturbance in comparison.

After a few minutes, it seemed like the oracle gave up. He puffed his cheeks and pouted like a small child at being ignored. He stuck out his tongue at the man and then stood up, leaving the lake.

“I will go speak with Ylvis. There are a few thing I wish to discus with him”, the blonde said, trying to appear easy-going, despite being obviously bothered by the Kenman ignoring him.

“You go ahead. I remember the way” Klyran nodded and looked back at the man.

Aldryn glanced at both of them and left with a shrug.

Once alone, the Ryan approached the lake and sat down. He did not wish to disturb the man, rather, he wished to wait for him to finish whatever it was that he was doing before speaking to him. As he waited, he looked around himself, looking at the waterfall, at the fishes swimming around the water and then back at the man.

He was handsome, he could not help deny. He had long hair, reminding him of his brother. Only the Kenman’s hair was thicker. His hair was pulled up in a simple ponytail, with some shorter strands falling on his face. His clothes seemed elegant, more so than those he saw around the city. His black pants were made out of the same material that was used by people in the South, but they were sewn to fit him perfectly. His feet were bare and had a few scars on them, making Klyran wonder about their source. While on top, he wore a black shirt that looked more like a vest buttoned up to his breastbone. The Ryan’s eyes were also draw to the thick belt around his waist that he didn’t doubt contained weapons and God-knows what.

Remembering all the praises that the man received. Klyran didn’t hesitate to observe him and was astonished. In place of the usual window, a message that he never saw before appeared.

[Error: Character Information Cannot Be Displayed] [Error: Skill Level Too Low To Display Character Information] [Character Information Will Be Displayed Based On Comprehension]

The messages confused Klyran, but then, something more amazing happened. He finally managed to see the Character Window, and it was unlike any that he saw before.

If you come across this story on Amazon, be aware that it has been stolen from Royal Road. Please report it.

[Character Information] Name: ?? Race: ?? Occupation: ?? Strength ?? Vitality ?? Magic ?? Agility ?? Physical Defence ?? Accuracy ?? Magical Defence ?? Luck ??

“Hello little fawn... What an interesting skill you have there”, the Kenman suddenly said, causing Klyran to nearly jump out of his skin.

“You certainty have more manners that you friend”, his voice was deep, the Ryan noticed while calming his racing hear.

Then, when the words finally registered in his mind, the Ryan was unsure what was happening. He wondered if the Kenman could somehow see his skill. If maybe he also had it.

Not sure what to reply, the Ryan remained quiet. A few more minutes passed before the Kenman sighed and looked at his new companion.

“The noise does not bother me at all, yet the burning sensation of your eyes irks me” he said in a calm voice, but for some reason, it still seemed threatening to the younger man.

“Would you like to join me?” he then offered and gestured to the spot near him.

With hesitation, Klyran approached him, being ready to bolt at any sign of danger. He gently sat down and was unsure as to what to do next. He tried closing his eyes, but felt restless. He tried concentrating on his breathing, but only became aware of how his own chest rose and fell, making him frustrated. He then tried to concentrate on a single noise, but as he tried to listen to it, it only seemed to become louder and gave him a headache.

“You are trying too hard”, the Kenman said, making Klyran slightly jump again.

“You are too tense. Relax. Do not try to force yourself. Just sit down and feel your body. Ignore the sounds around you and feel your own heartbeat. Feel where your muscles are tense and ease the pressure off of them”, the older man guided.

The Ryan tried to follow his advice, he calmed his heart down and then noticed the aches in his body. His back itched in pain, while his legs started to feel boneless. Klyran wasn’t sure that he liked the feeling.

“Would you teach me to fight?” Klyran asked, gathering all his courage.

“No” was the blunt reply that he got.

The single word startled him. Of course the young man knew from what he heard that it would be difficult. But to be rejected that harshly made him angry. He knew that he was weak, but to be refused like that made him feel worthless.

Then, the Kenman finally looked at him and frowned.

“You are not supposed to be here” he suddenly said and closed his eyes as if in pain.

Unsure of what was happening, the Ryan stood on his knees and extended his arms a bit, as if he expected the other man to collapse.

“Yet you warned Ylvis about my arrival”, Klyran could not help but say back.

“Did I?”, he asked and titled his head. What the Ryan did not expect was for his hollowed laughter.

“Little Fawn. Little Fawn. Where did you go?” he started singing, while looking at Klyran, “Away from home. Away from home. Why did you hopped?” he laughed again, as if he made a funny joke.

“Turn away. Turn away. Go back home”, the Kenman continued to sing, while the younger man frowned and then grew somewhat fearful, “But then again. Then again. You cannot”, after he finished his little song, the Kenman grabbed Klyran’s head and examined it.

“Poor little fawn. Your antlers were ripped off and you do not even know it. But you notice their lack when you try to butt your head with other deer”, the older man stated while petting the Ryan’s head.

“I see” he then said before Klyran could ask him what was happening, “The little fawn doesn’t have its antlers, so it decided to sharpen its teeth.”

After those words, the Kenman stood up disinterested, while the young serpent tried to make some sense of his words.

“He did not sent you to me”, he brunet started speaking again, flicking some of his long hair that fell on his shoulder, “Or maybe he did. He hardly tells me anything anymore”, he said with a frown.

Then, he looked at the young man, a mere child in his eyes. At the same time, Klyran could not tear his eyes away. He firstly noticed the metal that seemed to surround one of his arms, just now understanding that is was not an armour, as he originally thought. Then there were the Kenman’s eyes. They were of a silver colour, unlike any that the Ryan has seen during his time in this world. They seemed to be seizing him up. With one last look, the older man turned around and left. Only when he was no longer under his gaze did Klyran found his feet and stood up. He quickly went after him.

“If you do not wish to teach me”, the young Ryan suddenly spoke, “Then I challenge you to a match”, he shouted in a last attempt to gain the Kenman’s attention.

If they fought and he could prove himself to the older man, maybe then he would agree to teach him, or at least give him a few tips. At that point, Klyran would agree to anything from that man, if even half of what he heard about him was true.

What he did not expect though, was for the other to begin laughing. It was different from the last time, it seemed as if now, the man was truly amused.

“Oh I didn’t know I needed that” he said between laughs. He then looked at Klyran and frowned.

“You are serious” he stated, with a disinterested expression, “I can see it in your eyes. You do not expect to win against me.”

“If what I heard from Ildurin was true then no”, Klyran agreed with a sharp nod.

The Kenman then looked at him again. He saw the fire burning in the Ryan’s eyes, along with many other things. He glanced into the hardships that he has yet to face. He looked into his past and saw the mockery and beat-downs that he had. Yet it did not break his spirit, but made it burn with desire. A dangerous flame, if not properly managed.

“Alright” the older man suddenly said, surprising Klyran.

He then spread his arms and beckoned the serpent to attack him.

“Put even a scratch on me and I will think about it”, he said in a serious tone, making sure that it would not be misunderstood as mockery.