The next morning started like any other for the villagers. The children went to school, the adults work on the fields while some were hunting beast in the forest. However, the start of this morning was a little different for a young man living with his grandfather.
"I'm going, grandpa!"
Waving his hand to the person he held dear, the youth went on to the school. Though smiles were visible on his face, his heart was an entirely different matter. He couldn't forget the scene from yesterday when he was standing against the flower of the village.
Shaking his head, he then noticed that the school gate was in front of him. (Man, it would be awkward now if I meet her in class).
Going through the empty corridor, he found himself right in front of the class before taking a deep breath and opened it. The light shone and flashed his eyes for a moment before he noticed his fellow students were already seated and talked within each of their groups. He glanced around and not to his surprise, Nia was there sitting as if nothing happened. The vacant seat on her next was still available for him to take but he hesitated.
Just as he was about to step forward, a hand suddenly pushed his back, followed with a strict voice, "C'mon move along already! The class is starting!"
The students hurriedly sit on their respective seats in fear of the teacher's wrath. Not wasting any more second, Sein also rushed to the seat available next to Nia.
The two didn't even looked nor glance at one another. They were even more awkward than before.
"Alright, all of you, we are going to the forest to hunt beasts!"
Sana's sudden order caught them off guard but none would dare to question her authority. Remembering the past event they would rather shut up and do the chores than sleeping on their bed in pain.
The sun was at its peak as it illuminated the trees in the forest south of the village. The kids were not allowed to enter this forest because obvious reasons and even then the adults must not venture too deep else they might encounter something dangerous.
The students already assembled right in front of the entrance as they wait for the signal from their strict but beautiful teacher.?
"Each one of you has to bring back at least one beast that you kill on your own and presented it to me! I'll be waiting here, return before it gets dark! Now Go!"
She didn't mince words before sending all of them to scatter inside the forest. With most of the adults were inside the forest it might as well be safe for them to train and hone their skills against a beast. Crossing her arm she quietly waits for their result.
With all of the students already rushing toward the forest and started to hunt a beast. One boy was left alone as he was not as fast as the others.? Putting his hands inside his pocket, the boy whistled as he took a leisure walk.
"I used to play in this forest when I was a kid, there is no need to rush things."
(However, I can't believe Sana would trust me and treat me as equal as the others, a cultivator that cannot cultivate must hunt a beast, heh). He laughed as he walked inside the forest a bit deeper and deeper.
*squeal
Sein held his track as he heard a squealing beast from the front. (A wild boar? This must be my lucky day). Disregarding his aloof nature, he rushed forward with a smile before he stopped right after six steps. Swallowing his saliva he stared at the figure right in front of him.
"Nia."
"Sein."
He looked at the dead boar half the size of her own being dragged by one hand. Being the most talented cultivator in the village, it was no surprise that she would succeed in this hunt but the speed of her accomplishing it was worth a praise. Hunting a wild boar for the amateur was no small feat as it had tremendous agility though not as agile as a monkey it has its own speed to take into measure too. (I guess cultivating can make you far exceed a beast huh).
"That's really fast Nia."
She was a bit surprised by the sudden praise coming out of his mouth before replying.
"En, it's quite easy actually, excuse me."
With one leaped from her, she already passed Sein before a blowing wind hit his face. He glanced back and watched the departing figure before muttering, "Wow she is really eager to leave."
(Damn it! Why did he always have to smile like that! I really feel guilty whenever I saw that smiling face of his!) thought Nia as she escaped the forest.
"Oh, so you're the first one?" said Sana as she saw Nia carrying a boar.
"Y-yes."?
Though she was the most talented out of all, she still nothing compared to the teacher in front of her. Being from the kingdom, she revered her greatly as if she was her idol.
After examining the boar Sana nodded, "Well done, you can go home now."
Nia meekly nodded before returning to her home.
The time slowly goes by as the students one by one showed up with their hunt. Before long the dusk was about to end but one student still had not returned from the hunt.
"Hmm, that's odd it shouldn't be that hard even for him isn't it?" muttered Sana before a group of adults suddenly rushed out of the village with a frantic look.
"Demonic Beast! A Demonic Beast!"
"Prepare for defensive measure!"
Sana's pupils shrunken (This is bad!) as she immediately rushed into the forest passing the adults.
"Hey miss it's dangerous in there!"
"I have to find Sein first! He still hasn't returned yet! Tell the village chief to send help!"
"Ah? Sein? Old Jing's grandson?"
The group of adults helplessly looked at the young woman disappearing figure.
Inside the forest, Sein looked around in a confused manner under a tree before shouting, "Goddamnit I overslept!"
Seeing that the sky was about to go dark, he quickly searched the favorite spot where he usually found a beast. (It's gotta be somewhere around here).
He arrived at an open field where the grass was dancing with the tune of the wind. However, no matter in which direction he gazed at, there was no beast in sight.
"That's odd, they should be eating in this very place."
*thud
Sein furrowed his eyebrows before turned around to the source of the sound. His body instantly froze as cold sweat started to wash his face. (T-that's a really huge boar).