When Shayne reached his modest home, he didn't even bother opening the pot that sat on the small stove. He knew all too well that there wouldn't be any food left. The Mei-zart family, with their constant struggle to make ends meet, rarely had enough to eat. Shayne's adoptive mother, Chianq-Boph, always made sure there was something for him before he left for the academy, but today, he was already too late.
Feeling the pangs of hunger and the weight of his failures, Shayne quickly changed into his old, worn-out training clothes. He left the house and walked towards a nearby grove, a secluded spot where he could think and plan his training. He was desperate to overcome the embarrassment he faced daily from his classmates due to his poor performance. The taunts and laughter were relentless, and they seemed to haunt him even when he was alone.
As he sat under the shade of a large tree, deep in thought, Shayne heard the sharp sound of an axe chopping wood. Curious and somewhat hopeful, he crept quietly towards the sound, hoping that he might find some way to improve his situation. He was still considering how to train himself better when his foot inadvertently crunched on a dry leaf. The noise made him freeze, and he noticed the man chopping wood a short distance away.
The man, appearing to be in his late sixties, was strong and burly, with a thick beard and weathered skin from years of working outdoors. He was swinging his axe with impressive skill, cutting through large logs with ease. Startled by the sound, the old man quickly turned, spotting Shayne hiding behind a bush. Without hesitation, he threw a small pocket knife in Shayne's direction.
Shayne's heart raced, but he managed to dodge the knife just in time. Though the old man's actions were more of a scare tactic than a serious threat, Shayne was still shaken. He scrambled to his feet, his voice trembling. "Hey, old man! Do you want to kill me? What if I hadn't dodged that?"
The old man chuckled heartily, his laughter echoing through the trees. "Relax, lad. I wasn't trying to hit you. Just wanted to see if you were sneaky enough to get caught."
Shayne, still wary but curious, approached the man. "What are you doing out here alone, chopping all this wood?" he asked.
The old man wiped sweat from his brow and replied, "This is how I make my living. Hard work, but it keeps me fed and my hands busy."
Shayne's mind began to race with possibilities. Maybe this old man could use some help, and if he could get paid for it, it might be just what he needed to help his adoptive mother and perhaps even improve his own situation. He felt a rumble in his stomach, a reminder of his hunger, and noticed the old man's bread basket sitting nearby.
The old man, noticing Shayne's distracted gaze, offered him a small loaf of bread. "Here, lad. Looks like you could use this more than I could."
Shayne gratefully accepted the bread and ate it quickly, savoring every bite. "Thank you," he said, his voice filled with genuine gratitude. "I'm really hungry."
After finishing the bread, Shayne asked the old man if he could help with the wood cutting and maybe earn some money for it. The old man nodded, a thoughtful expression crossing his face. "Alright, lad. I can give you a chance. Here's an extra axe. Let's see what you've got."
Shayne took the axe with a grunt of effort, struggling to lift it. His arms felt weak from the exertion, and he could barely handle the weight. The old man watched him with a mix of amusement and patience. "Looks like you're not quite used to this," he said with a chuckle.
He then started demonstrating how to handle the axe properly. With careful instructions, he showed Shayne how to swing the axe efficiently, how to position himself to get the most power behind each swing, and how to cut the wood without tiring himself out too quickly. Shayne tried to follow the old man's advice, though his movements were clumsy and unsteady at first.
Over time, Shayne began to improve. He started to get a feel for the axe and the rhythm of chopping wood. The work was hard and exhausting, but there was something satisfying about it. Each successful chop was a small victory, and he felt a sense of accomplishment that had been missing for a long time.
The old man, seeing Shayne's progress, smiled with approval. "You're getting the hang of it, lad. Keep practicing, and you'll get stronger."
As the sun began to set, Shayne finished his day's work and collected his pay. He thanked the old man, feeling a renewed sense of hope. The work had been tough, but it was a step towards helping his family and improving his own situation. As he made his way home, his spirits were lifted. The day had been challenging, but it had also given him a glimmer of hope and a small bu
t important sense of achievement.