Standing with his feet submerged in the icy water, Nolan remained as motionless as a statue. His breathing had calmed, his gaze fixed on the fluid, crystalline surface. The sun filtering through the branches above him made golden reflections dance on his bare skin, but he didn't move. He waited.
Every muscle in his body was ready to twitch at the slightest opportunity. The slightest ripple, the smallest vibration, and he would act. This wasn't just a fishing trip to stave off hunger. It was training, a way to stay alert, to avoid falling asleep in a comfortable routine. In this world, even moments of peace could conceal a threat.
A slight rustle, a current too fast, a shadow slipping beneath the surface… Nolan sensed everything. His senses had been sharpened by solitude and the instinct for survival. He was no longer just a hungry young man. He was becoming the observer, the embodiment of expectation.
Then there was movement—subtle, swift. A ripple betrayed the passage of a creature beneath his feet. With a swift, precise gesture, he plunged his hand, grabbing a good-sized fish from a flash of clear water.
Nolan (murmuring to himself, a thin smile tugging at his lips): Looks like I've still got the hang of it...
Without losing his concentration, Nolan threw the first fish onto dry land, not far from his belongings. The animal wriggled for a few moments in the damp grass before stopping. Then, the young man returned his attention to the river. The icy water bit at his legs, but he paid it no attention.
He remained there, arms relaxed, eyes fixed on the current, listening for the slightest tremor. Every rustle of the leaves, every bird song melted into an inner silence. All that mattered was what he felt in the water, the way it vibrated against him.
Then, only a few meters away, Nolan felt a disturbance. A gentle vibration, almost too slight, but distinct enough to alert his instincts. He didn't move an inch. The moment hadn't yet come.
The movement grew closer. A shadow slid right in front of him, swift. With a swift movement, Nolan plunged both hands and, with perfect control, pulled a second fish from the water in a flash.
He tossed it onto the bank, next to the first. His chest rose slowly, in time with the controlled effort. Then he straightened slightly, water streaming from his muscular forearms, and exhaled slowly.
Nolan (with a wry smile, murmuring to himself): Never two without three...
He remained motionless for a moment, his gaze focused, then slowly lowered his hand toward the water, where, just at his feet, floated a piece of wood with an abnormally shaped tip, tapered like a primitive spear. A forgotten remnant? No. It almost seemed to be waiting there, as if it were part of the scenery... or destiny.
Nolan grabbed it without hesitation; its weight was perfect. He raised it, holding it in one hand, his arm outstretched, ready to strike like an ancestral hunter.
Time stood still. The wind seemed to be holding back. Then... the vibrations.
Subtle. But present. Slight ripples in the water, barely visible, but enough for Nolan, who had absorbed the silence of the river. His pupils shrank slightly. He extended his left arm, locked his shoulder, tensed his muscles...
And threw.
The wood hissed through the air, then the water's surface was pierced. A dull thud, followed by an intense shudder in the current.
Two splashes. Two shapes briefly projected from the water before being caught by gravity. Two fish pierced cleanly, one in the tail, the other closer to the head, skewered together on that improvised blade.
Nolan ran immediately, splashing the water, and grabbed the bloody wood with a swift gesture. The blood slowly spread around it, staining the river a reddish hue, but he remained perfectly calm.
Nolan (breathing softly): Now that's what I call precision.
He pulled the fish off his makeshift spear, lined them up with the others on the bank, then looked around at the silent forest.
Nolan slowly emerged from the river, water trickling down his torso and arms, as daylight touched his still-damp skin. He took a deep breath, satisfied with his catch. His eyes wandered around: it was time to prepare.
He picked up his clothes from nearby, holding them in one hand, and then began walking barefoot across the damp ground, just a few steps from the river. His steps were calm, almost meditative.
He stopped in front of a thin but sturdy tree. A flicker of intent flashed across his eyes, and he stretched his left hand out in front of him.
Nolan (calm): [Fine Cut].
A translucent aura of wind instantly formed around his hand, vibrating gently like a blade of air. It rippled lightly, but each pulse betrayed controlled power. He touched the bark of the tree... and immediately, it was neatly severed into several pieces, as if nature itself had bowed to the will of fate.
The pieces of wood fell with a muffled crack, clean, uniform, ready for use. No physical effort, just a mastery of elemental magic. Nolan observed his work for a moment, satisfied.
Nolan (with a quiet smile): It's always simpler when you know how to speak to the elements.
He picked up the pieces, piling them in his arms, then returned to the shore. The sun filtered through the leaves, dancing on the surface of the water. The moment was almost peaceful, almost timeless.
Nolan approached the bank, his footsteps silent on the fresh grass. He laid down the pieces of wood he had carefully cut, then knelt in a fluid motion, his eyes fixed on his assembly.
Nolan (quietly to himself): [Craft].
A soft blue glow enveloped his hands. With precision, he assembled three pieces of wood, interlocking them with crafting magic. The wood fibers seemed to fuse together naturally, creating a stable, flat surface, perfect for holding the fire.
Then, he picked up the remaining small pieces of wood one by one. His left hand was once again wrapped in his [Fine Carve] spell, and, without even showing any effort, he cut each fragment into perfectly shaped twigs. The pieces fell in a regular rhythm, dry and balanced.
He placed them on the flat surface, carefully stacking them in a pyramid, then stepped back slightly. He raised his right hand and confidently snapped his fingers.
A small flame immediately appeared, bright and clear. It grew larger as it gently licked the twigs, igniting the wood with a soft, soothing crackle. The scent of dry, heated wood filled the air.
Nolan (smiling gently, watching the flames): Perfect...
He sat nearby, his fish within reach, ready to prepare them. The fire danced before him, and the murmur of the river mingled with the crackling flames.
Nolan grabbed one last log, thinner than the others. He placed it on his knees and, concentrating, activated his [Fine Carving] skill one last time. The wind aura enveloped his left hand like a sharp breeze, and with calm dexterity, he whittled the wood into a long, thin, straight yet sturdy stalk.
He then lifted the two freshly caught fish, their skin still shiny and moist. With a precise movement, he skewered them onto the wooden stalk, making sure to balance them evenly. Then, he planted the ends in the wooden structure he had created, just above the flames.
The fire crackled gently, dancing beneath the fish. Already, the heat was beginning to make the natural fat pearl from the flesh, and a delicious aroma filled the air, mingling with the dampness of the river and the fresh breath of the forest.
Nolan, sitting nearby, silently watched the cooking. His eyes seemed lost between the flames and his memories. The minutes passed slowly, in an almost sacred calm, lulled only by the rustling of leaves, the gentle lapping of water, and the fire growing, patient and methodical.
Nolan (in a low voice): It's been a long time... since I've eaten something I'd caught myself.
He closes his eyes for a few seconds, listening to his own breathing, letting nature answer him.
Suddenly, not far away, the bushes began to move one after the other, as if agitated by an invisible presence that was slipping between the leaves. A quivering ran through the air, charged with a dull tension, while each rustling slowly brought this enigmatic presence closer to Nolan's improvised camp.
Nolan didn't move. His gaze remained fixed on the bushes, silent, his muscles relaxed but his mind alert. The rustling had stopped... until a chill was felt in the air. Right next to the fire, a thin portal with luminescent edges formed like a breach in space itself.
With a soft pop, a creature emerged.
Small. Barely the size of a puppy. It had the appearance of a wolf, but its fur shone as if woven with moonlight. Its sky-blue eyes sparkled with intelligence and innocence. Two small, translucent wings beat slowly behind its back, scattering luminous dust with each movement.
Nolan remained frozen. Not out of fear, but out of astonishment. The creature wasn't aggressive. Instead, she watched the fire, then the hanging fish, then Nolan. She tilted her head slightly, curious. A very low growl, almost a purr, escaped her throat as she slowly approached the flames.
Nolan (calmly): ...You're not from around here, are you.
The creature blinked, then slowly sat up, its wings still slightly fluttering. It looked up at him, then, without warning, it let out a soft little yelp and lay down beside the fire, as if it had unashamedly invited itself in.
Nolan gave a small smile. For once, it wasn't a threat. Just a strange little entity... fallen from another world.
Nolan (gently): Are you hungry too? You know... you've arrived at just the right time.
He twisted the fish skewers, gently swirling them over the fire, before detaching one and carefully placing it in front of the little creature. She sniffed it, then, delighted, began to eat, making adorable little noises.
A suspended moment. Strange. Magical. And for Nolan, perhaps... the beginning of an unexpected bond.
The small creature, its lips still wet with fish juice, patted the ground playfully with its tiny tail, letting out soft, almost sing-song grunts, like a murmur of satisfaction.
Nolan, intrigued but cautious, gently raised his hand, his gestures measured as if to avoid breaking the fragile trust that seemed to be building. He placed his palm on the animal's silver fur, stroking it slowly.
Against all expectations, the creature didn't back away. It remained motionless for a moment, then inclined its head slightly against Nolan's hand. His touch was warm, almost soothing.
Nolan frowned slightly. This being was anything but ordinary. Its presence, its aura, and even its sky-blue eyes seemed to emanate from a different world. There was no doubt: this creature didn't come from this region. It came from somewhere else.
Nolan calmly activated his [Analysis] skill. Immediately, a faint flow of energy pulsed around his pupils, and a translucent screen appeared before him, suspended in the air like a sheet of light.
The letters slowly formed, engraved with a white glow that contrasted with the forest atmosphere:
[Analysis – Result]
Species: Moon Silver Wolf
Class: Mythical Magical Beast
Origin: Unknown
Danger Level: Varies with maturity
Behavior: Peaceful, curious, sometimes playful
Status: Non-hostile young specimen
Observation: An extremely rare creature, protected by powerful enchantments. It is said that when a Silver Wolf accepts physical contact without fear, a bond can form…
Nolan blinked. He might have just met one of the rarest beings in this world… and perhaps even beyond.