The clearing fell quiet once the wooden blade left Teclos's throat.
Dust still hung faintly in the air, disturbed by their spar. Teclos lay on his back, chest rising and falling, staring up at the pale sky as if measuring the distance between where he stood now and where he wanted to be.
Tolk stepped back, lowering his sword.
The match was over.
From the sidelines, Ralph let out a breath he hadn't realized he'd been holding.
'So he lost…'
But that wasn't what unsettled him.
Ralph had watched Teclos close the distance—watched him force Tolk to adapt, watched that easy confidence change into a serious fight.
He thought he had been close behind or equal to Teclos, but he wasn't.
Ralph felt something twist uncomfortably in his chest.
'He's running ahead. All of them are running ahead of me.'
His fingers curled slowly at his sides.
Ralph had always laughed things off. Joked around. He pushed himself somewhat when no one was looking and It had worked—atleast he thought it did.
Until today made it painfully clear that the effort he put in wasn't enough.
'If this keeps up… I'll be the weak link, I'll be left behind.'
The thought hurt him more than the hit to his head did, earlier.
He glanced at Gillard, then at Teclos on the ground, then at Tolk standing tall and breathing hard.
'I have to step it up....i gave to get better, fast...'
Ralph exhaled slowly.
Talmir was right. He need to work on himself. Stamina and Control.
Ofcourse the easy going side of him didn't dissapear and the jokes would stay too, but a new resolve hardened in his heart.
Beside Ralph, Gillard watched in silence, hands resting loosely at his sides.
Where Ralph saw a widening gap, Gillard saw a future taking shape.
Three hunters.
Different strengths. Different paths.
But together…
His gaze drifted from Teclos to Tolk, then to Ralph rubbing his temple and Kosak standing with arms crossed. In his mind, the wooden swords faded—replaced by steel. Balanced blades, that were tempered just right.
'I will be the one to make them,' he thought.
Armor too. Not just borrowed scraps or hand-me-downs, but full sets. Etched. Reinforced. Gear worthy of his friends, of people the world would remember.
He imagined them standing at the gates in full hunter armor. Maybe even knighted one day. Not just surviving hunts—but leading expeditions… maybe, just maybe, even an army one day.
'The best knights of the region, no the world,' Gillard thought quietly. 'Why not us?'
His fingers twitched as if already gripping a hammer.
He would need to work harder to stay side by side with his friends, but he welcomed that challenge.
Meanwhile, Kosak scratched his beard thoughtfully, eyes never leaving Teclos.
The boy had spirit. Too much sometimes. But there was something steady beneath it—a kind of stubborn resolve that didn't break even when the ground was kicked out from under him.
Persistence that withstood everything life throwed at him.
Kosak's thoughts drifted, to his daughter.
She was still a loud and reckless child. Still an everyday headache for him.
He snorted softly.
She'll need someone who can keep up with her… or rein her in.
Teclos wasn't there yet. Still too rough around the edges. But given time? Training? A few pointers on romance?
A capable hunter didn't just bring protection, but also brought stability to the household, like food and money.
'A cozy life for her, and finally off my hands,' Kosak mused. 'A safe home, Full pantry. That's more than most get.'
He crossed his arms again mumbled outloud.
"Maybe I should introduce them…"
Talmir watched it all with a keen eye.
The match between them and the reactions.
He had thaught hundreds of young fighters stand where Teclos stood now. Most burned out before reaching their potential. A rare few endured like Tolk.
Teclos… Talmir believed that Teclos was one who endured—that he had what it took to be great.
A faint smirk tugged at the corner of Talmir's mouth before he could stop it.
'You're not there yet,' he thought. 'Not even close.'
But the path was there.
And Talmir allowed himself to dream—
'One day… he will surpass me and achieve something great.'
The smirk lasted a second longer, then faded just as quickly. He turned back toward the clearing, with a commanding voice ordered for the next excersise.
"Alright, that's enough resting," he said. "Let's move on to the next exercise."
The group stood up and formed a line infront of talmir.
"Three versus one," Talmir continued. "Order goes from last to first based on today's performance."
Ralph's brow furrowed.
Talmir pointed.
"Kosak. Teclos. Gillard."
Then his finger shifted.
"Against Ralph."
Ralph blinked, and then got ready
"Allright...I'll show you who's the best!"
The moment Talmir gave the signal, Ralph spun and ran.
"Hey—!" Gillard said, baffled.
While running, Ralph scooped three small stones from the ground and whipped them back without even slowing down.
One stone flew toward Gillard.
He barely had time to raise his sword. The stone cracked against the flat of the wooden blade, rattling his arms and forcing him to stumble back a step.
Another stone came for Teclos.
He ducked quickly, the stone whistling over his head, and surged forward immediately, boots pounding dirt as he closed the distance.
The third stone flew toward Kosak.
Kosak didn't dodge.
His sword flashed.
The stone struck the flat of the blade—and Kosak twisted his wrist, catching it cleanly before snapping his arm forward.
The stone flew back towards Ralph, twice as fast.
It smashed into Ralph's leg just above the knee.
"Shit—!"
His run broke. He stumbled, momentum carrying him forward and barrel rolled on to his feet, but teclos used that oportunity to catch up to him.
Ralph spun, bringing his sword up—
Teclos ducked under the swing, stepped in close, and drove forward. His shoulder slammed into Ralph's chest, knocking him down. Before Ralph could react, Teclos's forearm pressed across his throat, pinning him to the dirt.
Ralph froze.
"…I yield," he rasped.
Talmir didn't even nod.
"Next."
Ralph lay there for a second, staring at the sky, then let out a short, frustrated laugh.
"Gillard," Talmir said. "You're up."
This time, the teams shifted quickly.
"Kosak. Tolk. Ralph."
His eyes settled on Gillard.
"Against you."
Gillard tightened his grip. A man shouldn't run.
So he stepped forward, stance solid, blade centered.
The moment the signal was given,Talmir shook his head.
Kosak and Tolk moved together.
Slowly circling. No rush, as their prey stood still.
Tolk pressed from the left, blade probing and testing. Kosak moved from the right, cutting off retreat.
Gillard blocked Tolk's first strike cleanly—
But Ralph appeared behind him suddenly.
He didn't even see it coming.
"Sorry," Ralph muttered.
The wooden blade tapped sharply against Gillard's back.
The match was over almost before it had begun.
Gillard lowered his sword slowly, jaw tight.
Talmir's voice cut in.
"Head-on bravery is admirable," he said. "But stupidity is still stupidity."
Gillard swallowed and nodded.
"Next."
Talmir's gaze shifted.
"Teclos."
Teclos straightened.
His stomach sank when Talmir continued.
"Tolk. Kosak."
Then, without hesitation—
"And me."
Teclos stared.
"…Oi! That isn't fair at all!"
Kosak chuckled. Tolk smiled. Even Talmir's lips twitched.
"Begin," Talmir said.
Teclos didn't have time to argue and ran away.
'There's no way I fight that head-on,' he thought.
He bolted into the trees, weaving between trunks, breath steady but fast. He grabbed stones as he ran, flinging them backward blindly, copying Ralph.
Talmir laughed. "Throwing rocks now? Son, I know you aren't smart, but at least be more original. Besides your aim is awfull."
Teclos spotted a split in a large rock—just enough to hide behind.
"You know, hiding's kind of pointless," Kosak called casually. "We already saw where you hid."
Teclos ran again, cursing in his mind.
He darted left, weaving behind trees.
"Really?" Tolk's voice came calmly from somewhere to his right. "All that zigzagging did was slow you down and help us catch you."
Teclos swore under his breath and sprinted onwards. 'Those assholes just keep herrasing me...where was this during Ralph's and Gillard's escape huh?!'
Footsteps and pressure was closing in from every direction.
He burst into a small clearing—and nearly collided with Tolk.
He barely twisted aside, sword flashing up as Tolk's blade came down. The impact rattled his arms. Kosak was already there, swinging low.
Teclos jumped back, rolled, scrambled up—
And ran again.
He bought himself seconds just a few seconds more.
Then they caught him again.
This time, he couldn't flee.
Teclos planted his feet and fought.
His blade moved fast—parries, short counters, quick footwork. He slipped past Kosak once, ducked under Tolk's swing, even forced Talmir to step back half a pace.
Thirty seconds.
That was all he got.
Kosak hooked his leg. Tolk struck his guard aside. Talmir stepped in and drove him to the ground.
Teclos hit the dirt hard, breath knocked from his lungs.
A wooden blade rested at his throat.
He laughed weakly.
"…shit..."
Talmir stepped back.
"That was a good attempt," he said. "But not a passing grade."
Tolk smirked—until Talmir's eyes slid to him.
"You're done for today," Talmir said. "Next time, we'll bring Obin just for you."
The smirk vanished.
"…You're joking," Tolk said slowly.
"I never joke about training."
Then he clapped his hands once more.
"Gather up," he ordered. "Ten minutes rest. It's late—we're returning after that."
The group obeyed without complaint.
Teclos layed back in to the dirt, chest heaving, staring at the darkening sky.
He was exhausted.
Bruised.
But smiling.
The rest sat down, scattered across the clearing while the last warmth of the day bled slowly from the air.
Ralph laid down near Teclos, with his arms behing his head.
"I swear," he groaned, "I'm going to die during your father's training. Not a glorious fight agains monsters. Just… Talmir."
Gillard sat across from them, wiping sweat from his brow.
"You'll survive," he said huffing. "Don't worry."
Ralph turned his head toward Teclos. "Alright man, since when were you this strong huh?"
Teclos cracked one eye open. "What do you mean?"
"The way you moved," Ralph said immediately. "You didn't move like that before..."
Gillard nodded. "Yeah somewhere along the road you became stronger than me...don't think its gonna stay that way though.
Teclos exhaled and smiled. "I welcome the challenge, and well i guess being at deaths door does that to you."
They both nodded and then Teclos continued.
"Besides i'm almost at my second circle in my heart. Five in total."
Both of them were stunned.
"…what?" Ralph repeated.
Gillard's eyes widened slightly. "That's… faster than we expected."
Ralph let out a low whistle. "Damn. Guess you really are trying to leave everyone in the dust."
"I'm not," Teclos said flatly.
"Uh-huh," Ralph replied. "Sure."
A short silence followed as they drank water and let their fatigue recover.
Eventually, Gillard spoke again.
"After the coming-of-age ceremony," he said thoughtfully, "what will you two go for?"
Ralph didn't hesitate. "A hunter. No question."
Gillard nodded. "Same. I want to smash monsters. Have a place of my own one day. Forge armor worthy of real knights for us. And let our names be heard across the kingdom."
Ralph grinned. "Knights, huh? Fancy dream there pal...sounds nice though."
Gillard's eyes lit slightly. "We will rise high enough, so ofcourse we'll need proper gear. Weapons forged by my own hands. Armor handmade by yours truly."
Teclos listened quietly, a small smirk forming. 'It does sound nice.' He thought.
"And you?" Gillard asked. "You'll be a hunter with us too, right?"
Teclos nodded. "Yeah, don't worry. I am going nowhere."
Ralph stretched and smirked. "Well, you technicaly had no choice eitherway because of your father. Besides you have the talent for it."
Then his grin turned mischievous.
"By the way, speaking of the ceremony…" he said. "You two noticed the girls lately? I mean wow, some of them are real beautys now."
Gillard sighed, and rolled his eyes. "Here we go again."
"There are options now man!" Ralph continued proudly. "The ugly ducklings finally turned into swans, haha. And I bet they can't resist my charm."
Teclos rolled his eyes but didn't comment.
"…Teclos?" Ralph leaned closer. "Which one do you fancy? We need to know so we don't steal her from you."
"I don't care," Teclos said.
Ralph tilted his head. "What do you mean, you don't care?"
Teclos stayed silent.
"That confirms it," Ralph said. "I knew it. You swing the other way, don't you?"
Teclos's head snapped toward him. "What? No."
"Uh-huh," Ralph grinned. "Explains a lot actually."
"There's just no time," Teclos said sharply.
Gillard stared at him, baffled.
Then Ralph burst out laughing.
"You're serious?" Ralph said. "Either you swing the other way or you're a wuss."
Gillard nodded slowly. "Yeah there is no other explanation..."
Ralph wiped his eyes. "Even this never-smiling dumbass is better with girls than you, Teclos."
Gillard snorted. "You are one to talk, with your charm? You wouldn't get a girl—you'd get a slap to the face."
Ralph gasped. "Oh no! But still better than to piss my self and run away, too scared to talk with her."
Teclos shook his head and smiled, while those two bickered among themselfs now.
Nearby, the other group was talking too.
Tolk leaned back on a tree. "I'm heading out with Darnel again next time."
Kosak glanced at him. "Good luck with his temper."
Tolk smirked. "Thanks, I'm gonna need it."
Talmir crossed his arms. "Kosak and I will handle our usual route."
Kosak sighed. "Hopefully there will be a good pray on our route this time."
Talmir nodded. "Don't worry, I'm sure we'll get something big this time."
"Sure hope so, i need fresh meat on the table for Marie's birth-day comming up..."
Teclos listened to both conversations, the atmosphere felt comfortable.
And he enjoyed the remainder of their rest.