"that's... Weird, an abundance of monsters and animals are usually at all times here." Ronald contemplated at the new mystery that had unfolded from both of their experiences in the forest.
"What is the cause of this?." He muttered to himself in a daze, Before Cassian's voice broke through.
"If you're here, then there must be a village nearby right?." The words came out Cassian's mouth. Weird, the information about a village being nearby the forest of pitch black is usually common information that every one knew.
"You... Don't know?." Ronald's subconsciously spoke out. Confused at the new situation happening. "Isn't that common information?. That a village is near the forest of pitch black?"
Common information?. Forest of pitch black?.. huh?. Vincent on the other hand, was also confused. The forest of pitch black was new information, This place is really isn't the world Vincent came from. Just where am I?.
"Sorry, i came from somewhere far away. I got teleported here." Vincent replied. He had no other idea beside using some of the truth as excuse. "So I really don't know anything about this continent."
Ronald widened his eyes at the information before chuckling. "Ah, it's understandable sir Vincent."
"Are you perhaps a knight? From the way you move and the subtle way you over observed things all point to you as a knight." Ronald asked him. He was undoubtedly curious.
Ronald ever since he was young was always curious about everything.
The both of them had sat on the grass near where they had met. And near the lake. As they stared at the lake while talking and answering the question they have for eachother.
———
"Ronald, can you take me to your village? I have no where to go right now..." Vincent asked Ronald, he really did have no where to go. I don't even know how to get out of this so called 'arcanic trial' or how to even clear this place.
He sighed. Looking up at Ronald.
Ronald stared back at Vincent, as he stood up. "Come on. I'll take you to the village." Right after Ronald said that, Vincent stood up. Sizing him up.
"Thanks... I know it's shameless for me. But can you let me stay at your place? I have no money too." Vincent asked Ronald, scratching his head.
Ronald looked back at Vincent, while he walked. "Huh? Yeah sure."
The forest was filled with silence. Except the steps of Ronald and Vincent.
Crunch!
Vincent stepped on a branch. He looked back making sure there were really nothing following them. Turning back towards Ronald right after.
"Thanks." Vincent thanked him.
"Ronald. Don't you feel the lack of natural mana in this part of the forest?." He asked. Confused at the lack of mana.
"Lack of mana, it's normal for this shallow part of the forest of pitch black to have a lack of mana. The deeper parts have an abundance. Which has more dangerous monsters. But it's really unusual for the lack of animals here." Ronald spoke, replying to Vincent's question.
Ah! So it was like that. But that doesn't explain the lack of animals. There should be an abundance even. Since the stronger monsters are in the deeper parts of the forest right?. Vincent thought, as the light of the village shone through the trees and bushes.
Civilization!. He breathed a sigh of relief. Before his stomach growled... Oh. I forgot about my hunger...
Ronald looked back at Vincent hearing his stomach growl. "Ah, your hungry? Eat at my house too. You should really eat it's important for people of your age you know?." He said. Vincent really did look like a teenager.
"Thanks Ronald."
They neared the village. As the guards noticed them.
"Ah Ronald! Was it a successful hunt?." The guard on the left of the gate asked. Then the guard on the right of the gate added. "It took you longer than usual. You even brought a person with you."
"There wasn't any animals. It was weird. And he didn't have anywhere to stay. Or eat. So I plan to let him stay at my home." Ronald replied to the guards who were curious.
"Huh... Lack of animals." The guard on the right muttered.
"Weird. Anyways, come in already." The guard on the left said. As, Ronald walked inside. Vincent right behind him. Ronald looked particularly sorrowful. Perhaps due to the lack of even rabbits.
"Uncle Ronald!!!" A kid exclaimed, who looked about 11 years old. As he ran to Ronald. Hugging his leg.
"Oh hey kid." *Ronald smiled, kneeling down. As he ruffled the kid's hair.*
"Ian! Don't bother your uncle!." A woman followed right behind the kid, who was named Ian.
"You should go now Ian." Ronald spoke to the kid. Standing back up, as he looked back to Vincent.* "Haha. Sorry for the wait sir Vincent."
"Ah no. It's alright." He replied to Ronald.
The village was lively. Kids laughing, Families eating in their homes, Lanterns all lit up. Some even drinking at the pub nearby, something caught the corner of Vincent's eye. It was a man, and a woman. Playing with a kid nearby. They looked happy. Mother and father playing with their child.
Ha... I miss mother and father, I miss their embrace, I miss their warmth. He gritted his teeth. Looking away from the parents and child. Focusing on Ronald, And also focusing not to cry.
But I have more important matters than to break down. I have to get stronger for aveline's sake. He breathed in and out a few times. Calming himself down.
Ronald walked inside a house. Opening the door. "Honey I'm home!" He shouted. Snapping Vincent out of his thoughts.
"Oh honey your back!" A high pitched female voice shouted back.
"Come in Vincent." Ronald has switched from formal to casual now.
"Oh Honey! Prepare one more plate we have a guest who'll stay with us for a few days!." He shouted.
Ronald walked in towards the kitchen, as Vincent walked into the house, It was spacious.
Vincent bit down on his lips. Trying not to focus that this couple was like him and Les. Focus Vincent!. The dead is dead!... I can't just stay here and wallow in sadness!.
He walked in closing the door behind him. He strolled towards where Ronald had walked to. He bowed as soon as he saw Ronald's fiancee. "Ah hello miss!."
"You must be Ronald's guest. Welcome welcome. Come eat with us." She smiled, inviting Vincent to eat. "Thank you."
He had replied, walking towards the dining table. As she also sat down. Ronald and his wife sat down together, As Vincent sat across Ronald.
Then Vincent ate along with them and introduced himself to Ronald's wife, and Ronald showed him the guest bedroom and the bathroom.
After cleaning himself up. Vincent slept.
———
The light of morning crept into the room. Vincent was already up, buttoning his shirt. New day... I need to train. Wait, will my training even transfer to reality? Or is this also reality?, i don't even know anymore.
He sighed, his brows furrowed. As he sat down. What do I do here even? If this is a trial. Then there must be more trials than this, so I have more to come back to huh?. Man...
Vincent yawned, still tired.
He stood back up, walking out the guest room. He looked around. Trying to find Ronald, Before find him on a couch. He turned around to face Vincent. "Ah Vincent! Good morning."
"Good morning ronald." He said back.
"Ronald, do you have an axe? I want to chop down some trees to build something." He asked Ronald, Ronald looked up at Vincent "hold on.", standing up as he rummaged through his stuff. Finding it. "Here it is."
He handed Vincent the axe. "Thanks Ronald."
Vincent went to the forest.
———
Chop!
Chop!
Chop!
He striked the same spot on the tree over and over again, making a deeper dent each time. "Ngh!" He groaned with each strike. The trunk was thick.
I really have grown weaker. He lampooned.
Bam!
The final strike went it, Vincent then push the tree. As it felt down with a loud thud.
Thud!
Wiping his sweat. Vincent walked up to the tree.
———
Vincent finally finished chopping up the tree. Into a wooden sword, and into a dummy. Using the leaves to tie the sticks. And the wooden cylinder.
"This should be enough for training..." He murmured. Looking up at the sky. It's afternoon already. How fast, chopping that tree took longer then expected.
He grabbed the wooden dummy. Piercing it to the ground. He made sure it was perfectly built into the ground.
Vincent walked back. Forcing a stance of his martial art. Dashing forward, he stabbed his blade towards the dummy. Then slicing upwards, Twisting the sword. As the sword twisted. He striked downwards diagonally through the dummy.
"Heaving-Slaying Arts : Three Fates" Vincent muttered under his breath.
It barely made a dent. "HAHAHA!" He chuckled. Weak I have become.
Vincent then practiced his martial arts till daybreak.
He stabbed the wooden sword through the ground. Walking back to the village. The sun set. Now the moon filled the sky. The endless amount of stars in the sky was without a doubt beautiful, far outclassing the sunset just earlier. Some shone, some dimmed.
He smiled at the sight before him.