When Treyton and Caleb came back, it was already getting dark outside. Bringing back the big boar and cleaning up the dangerous traps took some time after all. In the end, they couldn't even bring the whole boar because its weight exceeds the physical capabilities of the two young boys.
After exiting the forest they walked over the flat grassland until finally seeing a big military camp in the distance. The military camp that is almost as big as a city, considering its size and permanent location, is located at the western side of the Clorall Continent, marking the frontline and boundary to the Forsaken Land.
The Forsaken Land, an area with jungles, forests, deserts, plains, and other landscapes, filling a gigantic part of the western side of the continent, is the playground for monsters and evil races with a higher intelligence that are only out for destruction and the greatest enemies of all humans.
While walking towards the entrance of the camp, Treyton looked up at the big gate and the sign showing "Edgelands Central Military Camp" and thought back to the time when he walked through this gate for the first time with his father, when he was only five years old.
His father was a rather strong fighter even amongst top-grade supernatural power users. However, monster tides and occasional wars with evil races are a common occurrence at the frontline, so the deaths of acquaintances or family are not uncommon, either.
His father fell in battle around three years ago and since Treyton knows nothing about his mother, he became an orphan and moved into one of the five orphanages in the camp.
There he met Caleb, who soon became his best friend, and other kids, he now considers his family.
The guards at the gate already recognized both of them and winked them trough. Afterward, they took their usual way home and arrived at a flat wooden complex with many rooms that look like large boxes stuffed together.
Even though they hardly get support from the camp, the kids always try their best to keep everything clean and in order, which is why it looks simple but refreshing.
Shortly, after their arrival, a young boy about three years younger than them, came out of one of the rooms and smiled brightly, showing a missing tooth.
"Hey you both, why are you so late? It's already dark outside."
"Yeah, well, Syon you know, if Caleb wouldn't have slacked off at work, we would have been faster."
Hearing his best friend's blunt response, Caleb naturally stopped in his steps and showed a disgusted face.
"Woah, seriously? If you wouldn't have set up so many traps then we would have returned hours ago. I mean, why would you even set up so many? You're crazy!"
Listening to Caleb's on-going ranting, Treyton couldn't hold back a smile forming on his face.
"I always prepare for the worst-case scenario."
"No, you don't. Stop lying, I have known you for years and you always take the fastest way possible. Make better excuses, seriously."
"Okay, I understand, but it sounds at least better than saying that I thought about this evening the whole time, and when I focused back on hunting I noticed that I set up too many traps."
"..."
"..."
Caleb and Syon both stared at Treyton with dumbfounded faces. In the end, Caleb shook his head helplessly.
"I'm beyond help. I don't even know what to say."
Before Treyton could say another word, Syon already pulled both of them in the direction of a slightly bigger room with a big table inside. There, a couple of kids of different ages already stood, waiting for one person to come.
After seeing Treyton, they all ran towards him at once and began congratulating him for his 10th birthday. One hour later, after preparing the boar meat, they all ate together at the long table like usual and talked about the hunting trip.
As an orphanage provided by the military and their location at the frontlines, they all learned basic fighting techniques, which is why all of them loved listening to Caleb and Treyton's hunting trips because they are one of the best fighters without modifying their soul.
Only the children above ten years old can start modifying their soul and gain supernatural powers because it would affect physical growth and the body couldn't handle it at a younger age.
However, when one reaches the age of 14, it is required to attend one of the academies in the Central Region of Claroll for higher education and training to prepare for mandatory military service.
Some may not like the idea of being forced to fight but thinking about the constant threat of monsters and evil races, with their physical capabilities far exceeding humans, it's not unreasonable either.
That is also the reason why not many children in the orphanage are over the age of 13 because most of them are currently studying in the Central Region, coming back only on semester breaks.
When most of the kids got tired and prepared to go to bed, an older girl with brown hair reaching her shoulders came up to Treyton. Her age is in the late teens and she is currently stationed at the Edgelands Central Military Camp and started her military service. However, growing up in this orphanage herself, she lives here, despite the fact that she could get a room provided by the military all for herself.
"Hey Treyton, since you are already ten years old you can finally start modifying your Soul. Do you have some kind of Essence Fruit in mind or need some piece of advice?"
"Hmm...to be honest Naomi, I already got one. My father left it behind with a book, so I guess I will go with that."
"Wow, I didn't expect you to have one, already. However, are you sure? Most people go with the same type of essence as their parents because their innate talent gets passed down and modifying with a completely new essence is not recommended."
"Well, I know it is risky, I mean, it affects my whole life after all but I thought it through, no worries."
Listening to Treyton's confident answer, Naomi just smiled and decided to support him no matter what he will choose in the end.
"Alright, I guess if you already are in possession of one you will probably start right away. I still need to wash the dishes so don't overexert yourself, got it?"
"Sure, sure, I will be careful."
Afterward, Treyton walked to his room, took out the box he hid under his bed, and went to one of the empty training rooms of the orphanage. Sitting down in a comfortable position, he carefully inspected the wooden box in front of him.
He never opened it before but a dirty letter tied to the box written by his father informed him of the Essence Fruit, the book, and of the fact that he should use it on his 10th birthday.
"So, what will it be Trey?" he slowly muttered before opening the lid.