Time passed quickly over the next year as everyone in the village was constantly busy with changes taking place everywhere you looked. The atmosphere had been good ever since Garion had gone to Ocane, the capital of the Kingdom, and returned with good news. The report that a mine had been discovered had gone down well in the capital and as Garion had predicted as long as a portion of the resources were handed over to the Empire it would all work out.
Not long after Garion had returned a team from the capital was sent to help with the preparations for the mine. The team consisted of a mix of mining experts and soldiers. Jason was interested to see that they all treated Garion as if he was an important dignitary. It was an alien sight since Garion didn't let the other members of the village address or talk to him like he was anything but a fellow villager.
Having received the all-clear Garion had revealed the discovery of the mine to them. While they had always respected and liked Garion before, the discovery cemented his place as a hero to many of them. However, Garion was still quick to stop them from changing the way in which they treated him. The group from the capital, on the other hand, didn't follow the same script. Every time they spoke to Garion they would bow and address him as "Lord Cross." Each time they did Garion would sigh at their formal words, but he could tell that no matter what he said they weren't willing to change their manner.
A part of Jason was a bit jealous that his father was getting all the credit, but it wasn't possible or particularly beneficial to explain to everyone about his presence in the forest. Either way, Jason figured if he had wanted anyone but him to get the credit it would have been his father. Plus, he was just happy that everyone was excited and hopeful for what the mine was going to bring. It made him glad that they had decided to share the discovery of the mine.
As soon as Jason had gotten the chance, he had used his [Vision of Rylax] skill to check the knights who were part of the capital group from afar. Some were at level 200 but none were as high a level as his father. It made Jason feel quite proud. The soldiers were tasked with helping to keep a safe area around the mine, while the mining experts started to look into the logistics of starting operations. The villagers joined in the effort by clearing the trees on the way to the mine. It was a big task but Jason was impressed with the pace that it was done. In fact, after just a few months of work, they were almost ready to begin work on the actual mine.
Sadly as his father was busy working Jason had no chance to go out hunting for monsters with him and his parents were clear in their instructions that he wasn't to try going out on his own. Not that Jason was considering it, well not seriously at least. He knew he wasn't ready. Instead, he continued training with the sword and practising using his sword skill. He did get to go hunting with some of the villagers but these days it took a lot to level up from hunting low levels animals. Jason was happy with his life but a little bored with the monotony of the days. After getting a taste for it he wanted a bit of a challenge.
Thankfully, things were now going to change. It had been decided that since more of the path needed to be guarded the usual hunters would be called up and have no time to actually go hunting anymore. As a result, starting today Jason would be tasked with venturing out hunting for animals with some of the younger villagers. Despite being the youngest amongst them, Jason was going to have to take a leadership role given he was the most experienced. His father had even asked him to mentor them on how it was done. Jason was excited while he had made some friends in the village they had never grown that close. Despite only being 11 Jason was very mature for his age and he had struggled to find anyone similar to him his age. It sometimes made him feel a little lonely. The collection of four people in front of him were older and he thought that this would be the perfect time to make some proper friends.
With that in mind and everyone who was going to join their hunting party present Jason decided he would say a few words before they set out. "Morning everyone I'm excited to get to know you all, I think we have all met around the village but I think it's best we introduce ourselves again and get to know each other before heading out. I'm Jason I'm fairly handy with a sword and have been hunting for a few years now, so if you have any questions I'm happy to help out," Jason said. He was keen to make a good impression, but his optimism was quickly dispelled.
"Why is an 11-year-old kid leading us? You have to be kidding me. I bet it's just because you are Garion's son. Just cos he's talented doesn't mean you are." A well-built boy said with an irritated look. He stood a great deal taller than Jason and he had to tilt his head down to make eye contact with Jason.
"Shut up Garrick. Everyone has heard he's a good hunter, even my dad says the same. Do you really think he would have been put in charge if he wasn't?" A girl with short brown hair said. "Ignore him I'm Claire to use your words I'm fairly handy with a bow and I'm looking forward to working with you." As she spoke Garrick and the two other guys that made up their party didn't stick around to listen, they just scoffed before walking away uninterested in introducing themselves. Watching this Jason could feel his heart sink. This was not how he had pictured the day going.
"Nice to properly meet you. I guess we should head off then." Jason replied to Claire shaking off his disappointment. They all set off down the hill towards the plains. As he did he continued to talk with Claire.
"That looks like an impressive bow," Jason said pointing to the beautifully detailed recurve bow that was slung across Claire's back. The wooden grip was a warm red colour and there were black patterns running along the limbs of the bow.
"Thanks. It's my dad's spare. I practice a lot with him. I'm actually already level 25." She shared this with a lot of pride so Jason felt a bit awkward that he was already a lot stronger than that. He decided it would be worth checking the levels of the other three. Garrick was level 30 and the other two were both level 24. Considering Claire was 13, 2 years younger than them, it was definitely something to be proud of. "I guess I am a bit abnormal." He whispered to himself, thankfully quietly enough that Claire didn't hear.
"I've hunted with your dad before so if you're like him I'm sure you will be great. It'll be good to have someone good with a bow like you. It makes hunting a lot easier. Sadly I'm not too good with one. " Jason replied and Claire seemed to enjoy the compliment.
As they continued chatting they were brought to a halt when Jason noticed some deer tracks that led south-east.
"Sadly these lead us to the forest so we will have to find some others," Jason stated to the whole group. They were under strict instructions not to hunt close to the forest.
"What are you afraid or something?" Garrick said with a mocking tone.
"No, but there are plenty of animals to be found elsewhere that don't put you at risk." Garrick's comment had annoyed him so he had lashed out a little. He immediately regretted it after all he had been hoping to still become friends, not enemies.
"Psssht me at risk, you're just scared, I say we follow these tracks. What do you guys think?" He immediately got nods and encouragement from the two other 15-year-old boys. Only Claire agreed with Jason. "Seems that our mighty leader is outvoted. I guess we are going to follow these tracks." He said, once again in his mocking tone. It was really starting to get on Jason's nerves.
"Fine but we have to be careful," Jason said regretfully.
"Whatever if we get into trouble I will deal with it," Garrick said tapping on the shield and spear he had slung on his back.
With that, the three turned and headed towards the forest. Jason reluctantly followed as much as they annoyed him he didn't want to leave them alone and have them get hurt. Claire could only sigh and followed next to Jason.