Kael had just settled onto the edge of the frozen log when he heard boots crunching through snow—fast, chaotic, absolutely lacking rhythm.
Only one person walked like that.
Rynar.
He appeared from between the pines, hair wild, scarf uneven, jacket half buttoned, carrying a basket that looked like it might topple at any moment.
"KAEL!" he announced. "You look like someone who needs entertainment. Lucky for you—I arrived."
Kael sighed. "Please don't throw anything at me this time."
"I won't," Rynar said.
The basket immediately slipped from his hand and nearly fell, but he caught it at the last second with a lightning-fast reflex that shocked even Kael.
And this was when the valley's greatest secret resurfaced:Rynar's Two-Brain System
Everyone who truly knew Rynar understood one thing:
He lived with two modes.
Mode 1: Complete Chaos
The Rynar who tripped, talked too much, annoyed elders, acted like an overgrown child, and once accidentally set his own sleeve on fire trying to cook soup.
Mode 2: The Hunter Brain
A hidden switch inside him — some mysterious, ancient, animal-level instinct — would flip whenever real danger or precision was required.
His eyes would sharpen.
His breathing steady.
His body moved with eerie grace.
He became silent, lethal, composed.
He could outshoot anyone in the valley.
Smell danger in the wind.
Track snow prints invisible to normal eyes.
Kael swore Rynar didn't even control this part consciously — it was as if a different section of his brain borrowed his body for a while and returned it only when the threat was over.
The problem?
Rynar spent 98% of his life in Mode 1.
Like now.
He set the basket down.
It immediately tipped over and dumped herbs into the snow.
"Perfect," he said proudly. "Exactly as planned."
Kael rubbed his forehead. "Where's Lila? I thought she was coming with you."
Lila Arrives (and Rynar Panics)
Right on cue, a soft voice approached from behind the birch trees.
"Rynar? You dropped the winterroot again—oh! Kael! Good morning."
Lila stepped into the clearing, calm and luminous as always, her cloak dusted with frost. In contrast to Rynar, she moved like a gentle stream—quiet, graceful, controlled.
Rynar instantly tensed, straightened his shirt, tried to look taller, then attempted to pick up the herbs in a dramatic sweeping motion…
…and slipped on ice.
He braced for impact.
But at the last second—
FLIP — the Hunter Brain engaged
He twisted mid-air, landed silently on one knee, grabbed three winterroots with two fingers, and stood up smoothly like he was finishing a dance.
Kael blinked.
Lila blinked.
Rynar blinked.
Then the Hunter Brain suddenly shut off again.
He coughed loudly. "Yep. Totally meant to do that. That was a warm-up stretch."
Kael whispered, "Your other brain saved you."
Rynar whispered back, "I DIDN'T INVITE HIM."
Lila knelt to help gather the herbs.
"You should walk more carefully," she said.
"I do!" Rynar said proudly. Then immediately kicked the basket again by accident.
Kael looked at Lila. "He's been practicing."
"He's been failing," she corrected, smiling gently.
Rynar clutched his heart. "Lila, please, not in front of witnesses."
Kael raised a brow. "You're the one making a scene."
"That's my natural aura," Rynar said.
Lila handed him the last winterroot. Their fingers brushed.
Rynar's ears turned red so fast Kael thought steam might rise.
From across the field, an older neighbour shouted:
"Rynar! Stop flirting and come return the shovel you borrowed three months ago!"
Rynar yelled back, "I was borrowing it emotionally! It has sentimental value now!"
The neighbour rolled his eyes so dramatically it could be felt from a distance.
Lila covered her mouth to hide a laugh.
Kael chuckled, "You really haven't changed."
Rynar retorted, "I have! I'm more mature now!"
He immediately slipped again.
Hunter Brain attempted to activate.
Failed.
Rynar face-planted into the snow.
Lila kneeled beside him, concerned—but also laughing softly.
Kael couldn't breathe from holding in his own laughter.
Rynar pushed himself up, snow stuck to his hair, looked at Lila and declared:
"My lady… I assure you… I fall only for you."
Kael groaned.
Lila turned pink.
The neighbour muttered, "This boy is hopeless."