"What's that?" his father asked.
"Can you borrow Uncle Ricky's bow and arrows?" Jay told his father what he wanted to do.
"Oh...why do you want to borrow your uncle's bow and arrows?" His father asked again.
Although he had a vague idea why Jay was asking such a thing.
Previously, Paul probably wouldn't have responded to Jay's request, or he would simply have been dissatisfied with what Jay was doing.
After all, hunting isn't something everyone can do, and there are always risks involved.
But Jay's behavior over the past week or so has changed Paul's perception of his son.
It turns out that the spoiled child can offer unexpected surprises, so in this case, he naturally has a little new hope for Jay.
"I want to use Uncle Ricky's bow and arrows to hunt some animals while I'm foraging for grass," Jay replied again.
"Okay, I'll ask your Uncle Ricky, but remember, how you get him to let you use his bow and arrows depends on your ability," his father said meaningfully.
Paul was well aware of his second brother's temperament. If someone wanted to borrow his things, he had to convince himself of their abilities.
As for Jay, who had heard his father's words, he sensed something was implied, but he didn't want to dwell on it.
After all, all he needed was permission.
As long as his father allowed it, anything was possible, and with this, he would be able to openly exchange and acquire good items for his family.
"Good... let's go now, Dad," Jay urged, impatient and afraid his father would change his mind.
"Come on, we'll see what you're capable of later," his father replied, agreeing with Jay, and the two of them headed to Ricky's house.
The two of them were nearly 200 meters apart when they arrived at Ricky's house.
Paul and Jay saw Ricky busy sharpening a large knife in front of him.
Judging by his serious expression, Jay knew that the knife was one of Uncle Ricky's must-haves when he hunted.
"Ricky!" Paul called out, greeting him.
Hearing Paul's voice, Ricky, who had been busy sharpening his knife, immediately stopped.
"Oh... Paul, come in. What brings you here tonight?" Ricky greeted them in a friendly tone.
"You seem busy," Paul made small talk with Ricky.
"Come on, Paul, I know your personality. What do you want to ask?" Since they were siblings, they understood each other well, and Ricky immediately asked.
"Okay, I have something I need to talk to you about, and it has to do with your nephew, Jay," Paul replied.
"Oh... is there something Jay needs from Uncle?" After realizing why the two of them had come, Ricky asked Jay.
"Let Dad do the talking, Uncle." Jay let his father speak, because after all, he felt this might be more acceptable than if he did.
"You're only brave at home, when your uncle talks you go silent," Paul said, seemingly mocking Jay, in a helpless tone.
"Look, Ricky, Jay asked me to ask you a question. Can you lend him your bow and arrows?" Paul asked Ricky directly.
And Ricky, hearing Paul's request, immediately asked, "Do you allow it, Paul?" Ricky asked Paul again, this time asking for Paul's approval.
"Yes, I allow it, so you can feel free to tell Jay," Paul replied again.
"Okay, since you've given me permission, I'll ask Jay a few questions first.
And see how Jay answers. If his answers are satisfactory, I'll give him a chance," Ricky replied again, explaining to Paul and Jay.
Jay, listening to Ricky's words, nodded his head.
It was as if he accepted what his Uncle Ricky had decided.
"What do you plan to use the bow and arrows you borrowed from uncle for?" Ricky asked Jay.
"I'll use them to hunt small animals while I'm looking for fodder for my livestock," Jay replied.
"What kind of small animals are you going to hunt?" Ricky asked again.
"Maybe rabbits and jungle fowl," Jay replied sheepishly.
"Are there any others?" Ricky asked again.
"Maybe there are, or maybe not, uncle, it depends on my luck," Jay replied again.
"Jay, you should think again. Even though uncle's arrows aren't that good, but uncle…"Well, uncle's bow can kill deer and other large animals, except for large boars, bears, and tigers, which are agile and strong.
So now, are you going to keep hunting small ones? If so, uncle doesn't really approve of your loan," Ricky retorted.
"Why, uncle?" As if realizing that this was impossible to do, he asked again.
"It's a shame. I have a bow and arrows. If you only want to hunt small game, just use the traps and slingshot you have. That's more than enough," Paul replied.
After listening to Ricky's words, Jay seemed to realize where he had made his mistake.
He immediately knew that it was true what Uncle Ricky had said. If he only targeted small game, it would be a shame.
It would be different if he hunted larger game, though, and the outcome would be obvious.
However, Jay also realized that this time he couldn't afford to be modest and could only act confidently.
"You're right. It would be a shame if I only targeted small game, so I've decided to go for bigger ones," Jay replied to Ricky.
"Okay, then I'll lend you my bow and arrows. I just need to see how far you're capable."
"So, let's test you tomorrow," Ricky replied, agreeing to lend Jay a condition.
"Okay, then, Uncle. I'll come back tomorrow," Jay replied to Ricky after making a promise.
"Since it's finished, you can go home first. Dad has business with your uncle." Paul then spoke and asked Jay to go back first.
"Okay, Dad, then I'll go home first. Excuse me, Uncle," Jay said to the two of them.
#######
The next day, in a field in the northern part of the village, Ricky and Jay were seen staring at several targets that had been set up.
This field was a training ground for the village militia and was only quiet in the morning and afternoon.
So, currently, only Jay and his uncle were using the field.
"Come on, Jay, let's see how capable you are!" Ricky said to Jay casually.