The forest loomed before Kayn like a labyrinth of shadows. He plunged into its depths, running relentlessly. Low-hanging branches scratched his skin and tore at his clothes, while treacherous roots emerged from the ground, trying to trip him. But fear drove him forward. He didn't care about the scratches or the exhaustion. He didn't want to look back.
His breathing grew heavier, ragged gasps tearing at his dry throat. He couldn't stop, not even with the burning pain in his chest. They could find him at any moment, and then his father's sacrifice would have been in vain.
Darkness had already consumed the entire forest. The trees' shadows stretched long, and the wind whispered through the leaves. He stumbled again, this time falling face-first into the damp earth. The taste of blood filled his mouth as he bit his lip, but he forced himself to rise. Every time he fell, his scratched and bleeding hands helped him back up, driven by desperation.
Then, amidst the twisted maze of trunks and branches, a light flickered in the distance. A faint glimmer, barely perceptible, but enough to ignite a spark of hope in his chest. It could be a campfire, a house—anything that meant shelter. His eyes, accustomed to the gloom, locked onto that point of light as if it were a star guiding a lost sailor.
His strength began to fail him. His steps grew clumsy, and his vision blurred. His legs trembled like jelly, and unable to bear it any longer, he collapsed to his knees on the cold ground.
"Damn it, why now?" he thought with frustration. He pounded his legs with clenched fists, trying to awaken his numb muscles, forcing his body to obey. But it was useless. He toppled onto his side, feeling the cold of the ground seep through his clothes. Dry leaves crunched beneath his weight.
Then, breaking the night's stillness, slow footsteps echoed among the trees. At first, he thought it was his imagination, but the sound grew clearer, closer. A shadow approached, but no matter how hard Kayn tried to focus his vision, he couldn't make it out. Everything was blurry.
Panic seized him as the shadow drew nearer. He tried to crawl, digging his fingers into the earth, but his arms wouldn't respond. Darkness enveloped his mind, and he lost consciousness before he could learn anything more.
When he opened his eyes, a wave of confusion washed over him. The ceiling above indicated he was no longer in the middle of the forest. Instead of branches and leaves, he saw walls and a polished wooden floor. He was lying on a soft bed.
"Where am I?" he wondered, trying to recall how he had gotten there. His mind was foggy, offering no answers. He tried to sit up, but a sharp pain shot through his chest. Looking down, he noticed a clean bandage covering the wound where there had once been only blood and grime. Questions flooded his mind, but there was no one to answer them.
The door to the room creaked open slowly. A man entered with quiet steps. His white hair fell in strands over his pointed ears. The paleness of his skin and his sharp features confirmed Kayn's suspicions. He was an elf.
Noticing that Kayn was awake, the elf gave a warm smile and approached him, holding a steaming bowl in his hands. A delicious aroma wafted toward Kayn, causing his stomach to growl like a hungry beast.
"You'd better eat this before it gets cold."
Kayn hesitated for a moment. He had many questions, but his stomach seemed to have its own priorities.
"Thank you," he said.
He took the clay bowl, feeling its comforting warmth in his hands. Inside was a golden broth with small pieces of vegetables and meat floating in it. It was quite hot, so he blew on it gently before taking a sip. The flavors exploded in his mouth.
"How is it?" the elf asked.
"It's… good," Kayn replied, a bit awkwardly. He had no idea where he was or who this elf offering him hospitality was.
The mysterious elf, pleased by his response, sat down in a chair next to the bed, observing him with interest.
"Don't worry; it's normal to feel confused," the elf said, surprising Kayn. "I imagine you're wondering how you ended up here."
Kayn nodded, keeping a cautious eye on the elf. He didn't entirely trust him, though the elf didn't seem to mind.
"I found you lying in the middle of the forest while I was returning from some errands. You were in terrible shape, and no matter what I tried, you wouldn't wake up. So I decided to bring you to my home to tend to your wounds."
Kayn tried to move again, but the pain in his chest pinned him back against the pillow.
"Don't push yourself," the elf advised. "You're still quite weak. That wound was very deep."
Kayn panted, glancing sideways at his savior.
"Who are you?" he managed to ask.
"My name is Finn. I'm just a simple elf living in this forest. Right now, you're in my home."
Kayn's eyes scanned the room again, noting details he hadn't noticed before: shelves filled with old books, jars of colorful liquids, and a window letting in sunlight that revealed a landscape of forests and distant mountains. He looked into Finn's eyes, searching for any sign of deceit, but found only a humble smile filled with sincerity.
"I'm Kayn. Thank you for helping me."
"There's no need to thank me. I only did what anyone would have done in that situation," Finn replied.
Kayn didn't entirely agree. Helping someone of your own kind was normal, but why would an elf help a human? In these times, it didn't make sense.
"Is there anyone else here besides you?"
"No, I'm the only one in this forest," Finn replied with a hint of sadness.
A comfortable silence settled between them. The soft crackling of the fire in the hearth was the only sound in the room. After a few minutes, as Finn watched Kayn take small sips of the stew, he stood and approached him.
"Where are you from?"
"Brumavilla."
Finn raised an eyebrow, his confusion evident.
"Brumavilla? I've never heard of that place. Where is it?"
Kayn wasn't surprised by Finn's response. His village wasn't well-known, and its location didn't help make it easy to find. After all, it was deep in the forest.
"It's a village to the south," Kayn replied.
Finn nodded, taking in Kayn's words.
"Still, I don't understand what a young man like you was doing in the middle of the forest. And on top of that, you had a mortal wound. Were you running from someone?"
Kayn lowered his gaze to the bowl, gripping it tightly. Memories of the previous night surged back, boiling his blood. But he knew losing his temper wouldn't help.
"My village was attacked," he finally said, his voice breaking. "Last night, some draconids came and destroyed everything. They wrecked the wagons, killed my companions, and then started slaughtering the villagers without mercy. I might be the only survivor." He placed a hand over the bandage on his chest, feeling the faint beat of his heart beneath it. "My father saved me. He distracted the draconids so I could escape."
Kayn's fists clenched tightly, and his eyes began to glisten as tears threatened to escape.
"I'm a coward… If only I had fought by his side, now—"
"You'd be dead," Finn interrupted, surprising him. "You said it yourself: the draconids killed everyone in the village. Some of them were probably binders. Do you really think you would've made a difference by staying?"
"But even so, I could have—"
"What would you have done?" Finn pressed. "You're a human who doesn't even have a guardian. You had a katana with you, so I can guess you at least know how to wield it."
Kayn glanced nervously around the room. His eyes landed on his father's katana lying on a nearby table. Seeing it, he exhaled a sigh of relief. Finn's voice drew his attention back.
"Be honest. If you had stayed, do you think you could have changed anything?"
"No…" Kayn whispered, his fists tightening in frustration.
"Exactly. You should be grateful you're still alive. Your father gave you a chance to survive. Taking it doesn't make you a coward."
"I guess you're right…" Kayn admitted. "Thank you, Finn."
He finished the last of the stew in one large gulp. Once done, he wiped his mouth with the sleeve of his jacket.
Kayn's opinion of the elf had changed completely. In school, they were taught that other species were inferior and should be discriminated against. "A human can't get along with an elf or a draconid," they said. It was unheard of. They were to be shunned.
But Kayn had never thought that way. To him, all species deserved equal rights. Once, he was even punished by a teacher for writing an essay defending the elves. Despite this, his parents never got angry with him.
"Are you done?"
"Yes, thank you for the food. It was delicious."
Finn nodded with a smile and stood up again.
"There's something I'd like to show you. Do you think you can walk? I can help you if you'd like."
"No need."
Carefully, Kayn set the bowl aside and swung his legs over the bed. The wooden floor was warm beneath his bare feet. He stood up slowly, leaning on the edge of the bed. His legs trembled slightly, but he managed to stay upright, albeit with difficulty.
He followed Finn to the door, and upon opening it, he found himself in a larger room. There was a large dining table, a cooking area, and a sofa beside a bookshelf filled with books. They headed toward the entrance, and as they stepped outside, a cool breeze caressed Kayn's face.
Before him stretched a green plain, surrounded by trees on all sides. A crystal-clear lake mirrored the cloudless sky. The wooden house stood solitary, surrounded by wildflowers swaying in the rhythm of the wind. The chirping of birds perched on the roof filled the air with their melody.
As Kayn took in the scenery, Finn walked to a nearby tree and rested a hand on its trunk.
"Have you heard of anima control?"
The voice interrupted Kayn's thoughts. He frowned, recalling that his father had mentioned it the previous afternoon. At the time, he had been too dejected by his failure to listen. Now, he deeply regretted it.
"My father told me about it," he admitted after a few seconds, "but I don't really know what it is."
"As you know, anima is the energy that flows through all living beings; it is the core of our existence and represents our vitality. Without it, we couldn't live or use magic."
"I know that already," Kayn replied, raising his voice slightly. "When anima absorbs mana from the environment, it gains a new radiance that allows people to use magic. But I don't understand why you're telling me this. I'm human."
There's a reason humans need a guardian to use magic: unlike other species, they cannot infuse their anima with environmental mana because they cannot absorb it.
"What you probably don't know is that it's possible to use anima without infusing it with mana," Finn said, leaving Kayn stunned. He had never heard of anything like that before. "It's a practice known as anima control. Even humans can use it on their own."
"Really?" Kayn asked excitedly. "Without needing a guardian?"
Finn nodded slowly, and Kayn's excitement grew uncontrollably. However, the excitement quickly faded, replaced by a look of confusion.
"Wait… If we could use that technique, why did humans rely on guardians?"
The elf smiled as if he had been waiting for that question.
"Years ago, anima control was used by all species," Finn explained, staring at the tree's bark. "But as the mysteries of mana were unraveled, magic took center stage. It just happened. One day, anima control stopped being taught in schools."
"They probably stopped because anima control was inferior to magic."
"That's what many people think, but it's not true. Anima control can be just as powerful as magic, or even more so if mastered properly. However, magic offers more possibilities and is easier to manipulate. I believe that's why it was forgotten."
That doesn't make sense. Not all humans can have a guardian. If there's a power everyone can use, why hide it?
"Because anima control isn't as easy to handle as mana. Some people have even destroyed their anima by using it."
Finn's words sent a chill down Kayn's spine.
"Do you know what happens if someone loses their anima core?" Finn asked seriously.
"They die…"
"Exactly. Anima control can be very powerful, yes, but it's also very dangerous. That's why not just humans, but other species as well, stopped using it openly. It became seen as a practice only a select few could master. Humans were the species that most strictly forbade its use."
"So, what can I do with this power?"
"I think it'll be easier if I show you."
Kayn watched him expectantly, waiting for Finn to unleash a torrent of energy or perform something extraordinary. However, the elf simply plucked two branches from a nearby tree.
"What are you going to do with those sticks?" Kayn asked, raising an eyebrow.
The elf held one of the branches, letting the other drop to the ground. A gust of wind suddenly began to blow, and the branch in his hand floated, spinning slowly in the air.
"As you can see, I used magic with this branch. Since my affinity is wind, I can make the stick fly. But that's not the important part."
The branch that had been floating descended gently until it landed softly on the ground. Finn picked up another stick from the earth. He held it for a few seconds, and then a golden aura began to surround it, shining brightly for a moment. Kayn watched, impatient, to see what would happen this time. However, after a few seconds, the light faded, and the branch remained unchanged.
"What did you do?" Kayn asked, examining the stick closely. "I don't see any changes."
"If that's what you think, take it and throw it at that tree over there," Finn said, handing him the stick.
Kayn frowned, doubtful. He didn't understand what Finn intended. Surely, the branch would break upon impact. Even so, he took it and hurled it with force toward the trunk ahead. The result was not what he expected.
To his surprise, the fragile branch had embedded itself entirely in the tree, sinking into the wood as if it were a blade of steel. Kayn turned to Finn, seeking answers.
"How did you do that?"
"I imbued the stick with my own anima. It's a technique known as the 'empty weapon technique.' Thanks to anima control, you can strengthen almost any object, imbuing it with great power. Even a simple stick can become a lethal weapon, as you've seen."
"That's so cool!" Kayn exclaimed excitedly. "So, can I do it too?"
"Of course you can," Finn replied, focusing his anima in his hand, which began to glow as before. "This energy flowing through our bodies allows us to enhance our physical abilities. A strong anima also boosts magic. Over time, different schools of anima control have emerged, developing techniques that, even today, can rival magic itself."
"I want to learn to use that power too."
"Are you sure? The training will be very hard, and you might not even get results."
"I'm willing to risk my life if it means becoming much stronger," Kayn replied with determined eyes. "I didn't obtain a guardian in the binding ceremony. If this is all I have left to get stronger, then I'll do it."
"I like your attitude. I'll be happy to be your mentor."
Kayn nodded enthusiastically, though he hesitated for a moment. He stared at Finn's pale face and pointed ears. His excitement had made him forget who stood before him.
"Are you really okay with this?" Finn tilted his head, not fully understanding the young man's question. "I'm human, and you're an elf. We're supposed to hate each other. Does it really not bother you to train me?"
Finn remained silent for a few moments, letting the quiet settle. Then, suddenly, he burst into laughter, leaving Kayn confused.
"Are you really asking me that after I saved you?" Finn said, smiling. He approached Kayn and placed a hand on his hair. "I've never believed in that discrimination against other species. And I'm sure you don't either."
"No…" Kayn admitted, feeling a bit ashamed. "So, where do we start?"
"Running."
"Huh?"
Before he could process it, the elf disappeared in a gust of wind that rustled Kayn's hair. Blinking in confusion, he spotted Finn far off in the green plain.
"You won't begin until you catch me!" Finn shouted from the distance.
"What?!" Kayn exclaimed.
Without wasting another second, he took off after him. The fresh grass crunched under his boots as his feet pounded the ground with determination. The morning sun bathed the landscape, and a gentle breeze caressed his face.
He used to run with his father every morning as part of their training. His endurance was good, and his legs were used to the effort. However, chasing Finn felt like trying to catch the wind itself. The elf moved with swift, fluid motions, barely touching the ground.
"How can he be so fast?" Kayn wondered, pushing himself to run faster. His lungs burned, but he refused to give up. The gap between them seemed insurmountable. Finn occasionally turned back, throwing playful glances that spurred him to keep going.
Finally, Kayn managed to get close, but just as he was about to reach him, Finn somersaulted backward, leaving Kayn staring up at the sky. Finn took off running again, leaving the young man stunned.
"Get back here!"