Chapter 4: Old Friends, New Lessons
The sun had barely risen over the quiet village when the door creaked open. Wicked Octavius Oliver Dale knew this routine well, but today, it felt different. There was an energy in the air, one that carried both excitement and apprehension. Six months until school started, and now the real training was about to begin.
"Wicked!" his father's voice called out. "Isabel! Get down here."
Wicked rubbed his eyes, his sister already at his door. "You feel it too?" Isabel asked, her voice calm but laced with curiosity. She was always organized, in contrast to his chaos, but today, even she seemed stirred by the unknown.
They made their way downstairs, where their parents stood, side by side. Their mother, Lydia, offered a reassuring smile. Their father, however, had the same stern look he always wore when serious matters were at hand.
"You both have been trained by the best since you were three," their father started, his deep voice carrying weight. "But now it's time to take it further. We've taught you the basics to survive. Now, it's time to prepare for the world beyond this village."
As if on cue, a familiar group began to gather at the door. First, Dragon Knight, towering as always, the best hunter in all the realms. His dragon blood made his presence almost overwhelming, but Wicked and Isabel had long since gotten used to it. He was their father's closest friend, and despite his intimidating appearance, he was someone they trusted.
Beside him stood his human wife, an expert healer and strategist. Their children, Autumn and Junior, were tagging along, as usual. The Dale twins had grown up with them, learning in the village, though they hadn't realized just how skilled their friends' parents were until now.
Behind them, the blacksmith walked in, a mountain of a man with soot on his hands and a spark in his eyes. He wasn't just teaching them about forging, though—he'd taught them about the way the world worked, the science behind every tool and weapon they crafted. His wife, a brilliant alchemist, balanced his brute force with intellect, and together, they were a force to be reckoned with.
And there was Tijuana, elegant as ever. She had been teaching them etiquette since they could walk, but there was more to her than that. She was a healer too, a master in her craft. Her daughter, Tia, stood beside her, as poised as her mother, yet with the same rebellious streak that Wicked admired.
Lastly, Jog, the master swordsman, entered the room. He was more than just a warrior; he was an architect, his mind always buzzing with designs and blueprints for buildings that would stand for centuries. His partner, a strategist and diplomat, balanced his fiery temper with a calm precision.
Wicked couldn't help but glance at the collection of teachers, thinking about the years they'd spent training them. From the age of three, they had learned discipline, survival, and the basics of their powers. But this, as their father had said, was different.
"You know these people well," their mother said gently. "But now, you'll be learning things we haven't taught you yet. We were protecting you, keeping you safe. But the world isn't safe. The worlds you'll explore at school are even less so."
"And we don't want you to take on any roles unless you choose to," their father added, his tone softer now. "We want you to find your path, wherever it leads. You've seen what happened with your brother and sister—they followed our paths. That's not what we want for you. We just want you to be ready, to survive."
Wicked and Isabel exchanged a glance. This wasn't about being forced into roles, then. It was about finding their place in the vast web of worlds beyond this village, beyond the safety of their home.
Dragon Knight was the first to speak. "I'll be teaching you the advanced hunting techniques. You've learned the basics, but now we'll go deeper. You'll need to know how to hunt not just animals, but all creatures—elves, fairies, humans, dragons, everything. The world is full of dangers."
"Autumn and Junior will be going to school with you," his wife chimed in. "They'll be with you every step of the way."
Wicked grinned at the thought. Despite the gravity of their training, there was something exciting about the idea of going through it all with friends by his side.
The blacksmith stepped forward next. "You've crafted basic tools and weapons," he said, "but now, I'll teach you about the science behind it all. How things work, how the world functions. You need to understand the foundation before you build."
Tijuana was next, her voice smooth and commanding. "And I'll continue to teach you proper etiquette, but more than that, I'll teach you healing. Both are essential. You can't survive without knowing how to heal."
Jog gave a nod, his voice gruff. "And we'll dive deeper into swordsmanship. But architecture too—understanding how things are built is key. It's all connected."
Wicked looked around at the familiar faces. These weren't just teachers. These were friends, people he and Isabel had known their entire lives. They weren't just stepping into new lessons—they were stepping into a deeper bond with the people who had raised them.
For a moment, everything felt still. Then, their father spoke again. "Your mother and I will continue training you in chaos and order. Time, shadow, creation, dismantling. You'll learn it all. But we can't promise you'll develop these powers the same way we have."
Lydia nodded, her voice soft but firm. "You may or may not get our powers. Your older siblings only inherited a portion. But that doesn't matter. What matters is that you're ready for whatever comes next."
As the room settled into silence, Wicked realized something. This wasn't just about surviving anymore. It was about understanding who they were, who they could become, and how they fit into a world far larger and more dangerous than they'd ever imagined.