Three years later.
The sun was high in the sky, its rays piercing through the dense canopy of the forest east of Ulster. The tranquility of the morning shattered as a loud bang echoed through the woods. A massive wild boar, its tusks gleaming like daggers, crashed into a tree trunk with enough force to snap it cleanly in two.
A petite boy with raven-black hair and sharp, intelligent eyes landed lightly on the forest floor. He frowned slightly, brushing off stray bits of bark from his clothes. The boy, now ten years old, was none other than Kevin.
"It seems I've underestimated this one," Kevin muttered to himself, his voice calm despite the situation.
The boar, clearly angered, snorted loudly and scraped the ground with its hooves. Its bloodshot eyes fixed on Kevin, and its growl sent a shiver through the air. Yet Kevin didn't flinch. He remained still, observing his opponent with a calculating gaze.
As the wild boar charged at him with reckless fury, Kevin sighed. "Flaglak, combat mode," he said, pulling a small orb from his pocket.
In an instant, the sphere transformed into a sleek magic sword. Its blade gleamed with an otherworldly light, radiating power. Kevin gripped it tightly, stepping into a fighting stance.
When the boar lunged, Kevin dodged effortlessly, his movements fluid and precise. As the beast barreled past him, Kevin swung the magic sword in a swift arc. The blade sliced through the boar's thick hide as if it were paper.
The next moment, blood erupted like a geyser, painting the forest floor crimson. The headless body of the boar collapsed with a heavy thud, its legs twitching spasmodically in its final moments.
Kevin wiped a bead of sweat from his brow and surveyed the aftermath. The sight of the blood-soaked ground made him frown.
"Disgusting," he muttered, turning his gaze upward. Sunlight filtered through the leaves, casting dappled shadows on his face. He raised a hand to shield his eyes, taking a moment to estimate the time.
"Well, it's done. No point standing around," he said, walking toward the boar's carcass.
Kevin knelt beside the massive beast and began the process of harvesting it. His movements were practiced and efficient as he skinned the animal, removed its tusks, and carefully wrapped the meat in a cloth he had brought along. Despite his youth, Kevin's precision and skill were evident—proof of years of training and self-reliance.
Before leaving, Kevin glanced at the boar's severed head, which lay a few meters away, its lifeless eyes still wide open.
"Killing the boar is one thing," Kevin said to himself, walking back toward the head. "But leaving the trotters would just be wasteful."
With that, he swung his magic sword once more, detaching the boar's legs with clean, surgical strikes.
…..
By the time Kevin returned to Ulster, the sun was beginning its descent. The guards at the city gates greeted him with friendly smiles.
"Back already, Kevin?" one of them said, eyeing the bloodied bundle in the boy's hands. "Looks like you had a good hunt."
"Not bad," Kevin replied, offering a polite smile. "Thank you for your hard work, Uncle Denton. Next time I'll bring you some pastries."
The guard's face lit up. "You better not forget!" he said, letting Kevin pass without another word.
As Kevin walked through the bustling streets, he exchanged greetings with the townsfolk. His polite demeanor and friendly attitude had earned him the affection of many in Ulster, despite his mysterious origins.
When Kevin finally reached the modest house he shared with Cu Chulainn, he noticed that it was unusually quiet. The blue-haired boy wasn't home yet.
"Probably off causing trouble again," Kevin muttered with a small smile.
He entered the house, set down his bundle, and headed to the kitchen. After cleaning the wild boar meat, he began preparing dinner. He filled a large pot with water, added the boar trotters, and lit the fire.
"Let's see… spices," Kevin mused, rummaging through the shelves. "Still have some left, but I'll need to restock soon. Maybe I can ask King Conchieber for help."
He paused, shaking his head. "No, that might be too much trouble. Better to handle it myself."
Once the pot was simmering, Kevin stepped outside to wash up. He splashed cold water on his face, enjoying the brief moment of peace. Staring into the water tank, he caught his reflection and couldn't resist a playful grin.
"Not bad," he said to himself. "Pretty handsome, if I do say so."
Just then, a familiar voice called out from inside the house.
"Kevin, I'm back! What smells so good?"
Kevin chuckled and walked back inside. He found Cu Chulainn sprawled lazily on a fur sofa, his blue hair disheveled but his grin as radiant as ever.
"Back already?" Kevin asked. "And Connor's here too, I see."
Connor, the younger brother of King Conchieber, was sitting nearby. He gave Kevin a nod and a warm smile.
"I couldn't resist the smell," Connor said sheepishly, his nose twitching.
Kevin rolled his eyes. "Sit down, both of you. Dinner's almost ready."
The two men didn't need to be told twice. Cu Chulainn stretched out, looking at Kevin expectantly. "So, what's on the menu?"
"Wild boar trotters," Kevin replied, taking a seat across from them.
"Wild boar, huh? Looks like you had an exciting day." Connor leaned back, a curious look on his face. "How about you, Cu Chulainn? Was today eventful?"
"You have no idea!" Cu Chulainn said, sitting up suddenly. His eyes sparkled with excitement as he recounted the day's events. "We ran into a group of thieves, and when they saw us, they panicked and ran for their lives! I chased them down, one by one, and—"
"Cu Chulainn," Connor interrupted, frowning. "I told you to stay back and observe."
Cu Chulainn pouted, muttering under his breath. "It's not like I haven't done it before."
Kevin sighed, turning to Connor. "Did everything go smoothly?"
Connor nodded. "No casualties, at least. But your brother here needs to learn restraint."
"Hey!" Cu Chulainn protested.
Kevin shook his head. "It's fine. He'll learn in time."
As the three of them settled into conversation, the pot on the stove began to emit a delicious aroma. The wild boar trotters were nearly ready.
Kevin looked at his brother and Connor, a small smile tugging at his lips. Moments like this made the challenges of his unusual life feel worthwhile.
But deep down, he knew there were more trials to come.
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