In the woods, a lone figure sprinted through the trees—it was me. Over the past week, I had learned how to hunt under my father's guidance. Now, for the first time, I was hunting alone. Father told me I was a natural, a prodigy in the art of hunting. My ability to observe and analyze the patterns of nature allowed me to stay calm and calculate my moves with precision. This time, I had focused on studying the habits of wild boars—how they ate, where they slept, and how they moved.
That day, I returned home triumphantly, dragging a large boar on a makeshift sled. My parents and sister showered me with praise for my successful hunt. Father even said, "We'll eat well for a whole week now!" But then he added with a sigh, "If only our skinning skills were better, we could sell the hide for a good sum of money…"
His words got me thinking. Hunting wasn't just about feeding my family—it could also become a way to provide more and even earn some money of my own. That afternoon, I made up my mind to visit the local butcher.
Knocking on his door, I was met by old man Arnold, a burly, seasoned veteran of the army who had lost a leg in battle with an orc. He looked down at me, his expression stern and skeptical. "What do you want, kid?" he asked.
"Take me as your apprentice," I replied firmly.
Arnold let out a gruff laugh. "Aren't you a little young? I don't have time to waste on a brat," he said, starting to close the door.
But before he could shut it completely, I planted my foot in the gap. "Let me prove myself!" I exclaimed.
Arnold frowned, clearly irritated, but after a moment's hesitation, he said, "Fine. If you can impress me with some wild game you've hunted, then we'll talk."
That night, I lay awake, thinking about how to impress the old veteran.