The first light of dawn crept through Arin's curtains, painting his room in soft gold. He stirred at the faint knock on his door — gentle, rhythmic, unmistakably Mira's.
> "Arin," her calm voice came through. "Get dressed. We're leaving soon."
He blinked sleepily, sitting up.
> "Leaving? For where?"
The door opened slightly, and Mira peeked in, her silver hair tied in a loose braid. She was already dressed in light traveling gear, her staff strapped to her back, and a faint smile on her lips.
> "You said you've officially registered as an adventurer, remember?" she said, stepping in. "Before you take on anything dangerous, I'm making sure you're ready."
Arin's sleepiness faded fast. "Wait—so you're really training me?"
> "Not training," she corrected, walking toward the window to draw the curtains open. "We're going hunting. It's better to teach you out there than lecture you here."
She turned, her eyes soft but firm.
> "The others still don't know about your registration, right?"
> "Not yet," he admitted.
> "Good. Then we'll keep it that way — for now. If they find out I let you run around untrained, they'd scold both of us."
Arin chuckled under his breath. "You sound like you're protecting me from them, not the other way around."
> "Maybe I am," she said, smiling faintly. "Now, hurry. Breakfast's in your pack."
---
The southern woods shimmered with dew as they walked, Mira leading with quiet confidence. Arin followed, trying to mimic her step, but the occasional crunch of twigs betrayed him.
> "You still stomp too much," Mira said without turning. "Adventurers survive by what they don't disturb."
> "You make it sound easy," he grumbled.
> "It will be, when your mind is calm." She stopped, crouching low. "We're hunting Velarins — quick, deer-like creatures. You won't be killing them today, just getting close enough to tag one."
> "Tag one?"
> "Touch its flank," she said simply, her lips curving. "That'll be enough proof. Velarins are faster than wolves and twice as cautious. It'll test your reflexes, your patience, and your awareness — everything an adventurer needs."
Arin adjusted his gloves nervously. "You sure about this?"
> "You said you wanted to be an adventurer," Mira replied softly, stepping closer to adjust the clasp on his armor. "Then start proving it."
For a moment, their eyes met — her calm, steady gaze meeting his uncertain but determined one.
> "Alright," he said, drawing a deep breath. "Let's do it."
> "Good," Mira said, her smile returning. "Now remember — they'll hear you before they see you. Follow my lead."
The two moved deeper into the forest, the morning air cool and alive with distant rustling. Somewhere ahead, faint hoofbeats echoed — fast, fleeting, like whispers in the wind.
> "There," Mira whispered, pointing. "Show me what you've learned."
Arin crouched low, steadying his breath as Mira's hand brushed his shoulder, signaling him to stay quiet. Between the trees, a slender creature grazed — its fur shimmering faintly under the sun, silver streaks rippling each time it moved. The Velarin.
> "Keep your distance," Mira whispered. "They spook easily."
Arin nodded, inching forward through the grass. Each step felt heavier than it should — a battle between patience and excitement. The creature's ears twitched, its head lifting for a moment before lowering again.
Almost there, he thought.
Then, a twig snapped.
The Velarin jerked up, eyes wide, and bolted through the woods.
> "Go!" Mira called, and Arin dashed after it, his boots thudding against the earth.
The chase led them through low branches and narrow trails. Arin's heart raced, but he found rhythm in the movement — vaulting over roots, dodging rocks, never losing sight of the glowing white tail ahead.
He caught a glimpse of the creature darting between two fallen logs. Timing his steps, Arin lunged forward, fingers grazing its flank just as it leapt — a faint spark of white light flaring where he touched.
> "Got it!" he yelled, stumbling into the grass.
Mira approached, smiling softly. "You did better than I expected. Quick reflexes, good instincts… though your stealth needs work."
He laughed, still catching his breath. "I'll take that as a compliment."
> "You should," she replied, kneeling beside the faint hoofprints. "Velarins don't let just anyone near them."
She extended her hand, and the faint white light shimmered where Arin had touched the creature. "Proof of contact," she said. "That'll do."
Arin stood, wiping the sweat from his brow. "Guess I passed the first lesson, then?"
> "Barely," Mira teased, standing as well. "But you've got spirit. That matters more than skill at your age."
They started walking back after hunting a few it was night time already, the forest quiet except for the rustle of leaves. For a while, neither spoke — until Mira glanced at him, her tone softer.
> "Your mother would've been proud, you know. You have her energy… and her stubbornness."
Arin smiled faintly. "You always say that."
> "Because it's true," she said with a small laugh. "And because someone has to remind you."
The sun had set by the time they returned to the clearing. Mira stretched, looking pleased.
> "That's enough for today. Tomorrow, we'll try something harder."
> "Harder?" Arin groaned. "You're worse than Lyssa."
> "I'll take that as a compliment," she said, smirking as she brushed past him. "Come on, adventurer — breakfast's getting cold."
Arin followed, his heart still racing, not from the chase — but from the quiet warmth that lingered in her smile.
By the time they got back to the cottage, the sun had sunk low, casting long golden rays across the valley. Mira wiped a strand of hair from her face, her expression calm but satisfied.
> "You did well today," she said as they stepped through the door. "Go clean up before you smell like you rolled through the forest."
Arin laughed, unstrapping his practice sword. "I kind of did."
Steam soon filled the small bath chamber as he washed off the sweat and dirt of the hunt. The scent of herbs drifted in from the kitchen — Mira's doing, no doubt. When he emerged, fresh and dressed, he found her setting the table.
Tonight, her clothes were light — a flowing white blouse and a thin skirt that shimmered faintly under the lantern's glow. It was simple, yet… somehow different. Maybe it was the way her hair framed her face, or how the fabric caught the light — but Arin found his gaze lingering longer than it should.
Mira noticed.
She turned, smiling faintly, assuming his thoughtful look was about the day's training. "Something on your mind?"
He blinked quickly, snapping out of it. "Uh—no, just… thinking about how fast the Velarin was."
> "Ah," she said, chuckling softly. "It takes a while to get used to their speed. Even Kaelith once failed to catch one."
Arin's eyes widened. "Kaelith? The same Kaelith who said she could catch a wyvern barehanded?"
Mira laughed, a bright, musical sound that filled the small kitchen. "Yes. She slipped in the mud trying to throw her spear. We couldn't stop laughing for hours."
Arin grinned, picturing the proud and fearless Kaelith covered in dirt. "I wish I'd seen that."
> "You would've loved it," Mira said, eyes soft with nostalgia. "She pretended she wasn't angry, but that night she cooked dinner with so much salt that none of us could eat."
They both laughed, the warmth between them deepening as the night went on.
Dinner passed in an easy rhythm — stories of the past, quiet smiles, small glances that neither fully understood. When Arin finally stood to clear the dishes, Mira stopped him with a hand on his wrist.
> "I'll take care of that," she said gently. "You've done enough today."
Arin hesitated. For a moment, he looked at her — really looked — the light of the lantern reflecting softly in her eyes. Something stirred inside him, quiet but undeniable.
> "Thanks, Mira," he said finally, his voice low.
She smiled again, turning back toward the sink. "Good night, Arin."
> "Good night."
As he walked to his room, he couldn't shake the image of her standing there under the warm glow — gentle, strong, and yet more beautiful than he'd ever let himself realize.
Sorry guys for the late post I'm not feeling well.
Please encourage me with power stones they cost you nothing