"Hey buddy, can you hear me?"
John's distant voice suddenly rang closer. Only then did Derek realize his dad was kneeling in front of him, trying to get his attention. His vision focused again as the blur cleared. Distant voices grew louder, and the heavy feeling in his chest vanished, allowing him to breathe freely once more.
"Did you hear her?" John shook him gently. "Your mana attunement is too low to be a mage, but it's enough for you to join their fighter academy. You can still be an adventurer."
John's voice was heavy with sadness, even though his words were meant to console Derek. Still, they worked. Derek quickly remembered that the fighter academy existed. For people like them, those with poor talent, there was still hope.
They could still use their weak access to mana to slowly refine their bodies, strengthening themselves beyond normal human limits. Even with weak mana circuits, they could wield magic weapons. In fact, with enough practice and training, fighters eventually learned basic mana circulation and flow, and some even learned how to cast spells. Veteran fighters were capable of imbuing magic into their fighting styles, making them formidable foes that even mages feared.
The only problem was that this path was extremely difficult. Fighting with swords, bows, and shields in a world dominated by magic was never easy.
"Your father is right. Even if you can't be a mage, I'm sure you can be a magnificent archer. Don't you think it suits him better?"
The lady behind the counter couldn't bear to see his smile vanish, so she did what she could to console him. Strangely, her words worked.
The word archer pulled Derek's thoughts back to the dream he had that morning. He was dressed in red armor, holding a bow and arrow.
'Is it a coincidence?'
'Could this actually be my destiny?'
'Maybe that's how I die. Wow, that would be epic. Except the wetting myself part. Maybe I should have drawn my arrow, screamed, and charged at it, just to have a dramatic ending. They're going to be telling my story in the village for years!'
Derek's eyes shone with excitement as his youthful mind ran wild. Surely it couldn't be a coincidence that he had such a vivid dream on the very morning he came to register at the guild.
"I'll take it," Derek blurted out.
The entire room fell silent.
Earlier, it had looked like his world had ended, yet all of a sudden he seemed completely fine.
"Becoming the greatest archer doesn't sound bad, Dad. I can still make a lot of money," he said with a smile.
John was taken aback at first, but soon let out a sigh of relief inwardly.
With that, the two were sent to the left wing of the second floor, carrying the paper containing all of Derek's information that the lady had written down.
Knock! Knock!
"Come on in."
A heavy voice rang from the other side of the door.
This time, Derek entered alone.
The room was fairly spacious. At the far end, near a large window that offered a good view, stood a desk. Behind it sat a man who looked comparable to his father, no, even stronger. He was built like a rock, every muscle chiseled and clearly defined beneath his tight black shirt. One of the man's hands alone was twice the size of Derek's head, and he was extremely hairy, like a wolf.
'Actually, now that I think about it… it feels like I'm standing before a wolf,' Derek muttered under his breath.
He couldn't explain it, but there was an oppressive feeling about the man that made him uncomfortable.
"Strong," he gasped.
His words did not go unnoticed. Olaf erupted into loud laughter, startling Derek.
"Usually, average people can't notice a fighter's presence. The fact that you can tells me you have talent!" Olaf said, sounding surprisingly friendly, much like Derek's dad.
It felt like every big person Derek had met was a gentle giant.
"People can't? It's too obvious. It's like I'm staring at a big wolf. There's no way anyone can miss it."
BAM!
Olaf slammed his desk and shot to his feet, his excitement replaced by shock.
'Wild! He can notice my Wild!'
Olaf was taken aback, but when he noticed the fear on Derek's face, he quickly calmed down and sat back in his chair. Still, the way he looked at Derek had changed.
"Show me," he said, extending his hand and beckoning him closer.
Derek hesitated after that strange outburst, but he set aside his fear and stepped forward, handing over the paper. Olaf inspected every piece of information with a stern expression before finally looking up to meet Derek's expectant gaze.
"Why archery?" he asked.
"Gut feeling," Derek shrugged, as if it came naturally.
Olaf stared at him for several seconds before stamping the paper.
"Very well."
He stood up and walked around the desk to face Derek directly.
"Welcome to the Moonshade Guild's fighter academy. I have high expectations of you."
Derek's face bloomed like a sunflower. He quickly began thanking Olaf, bowing several times just as his dad had taught him. Olaf could only laugh at the sight, reminded that Derek was a commoner and that this was how those considered well-mannered behaved.
John was called into the room, and together they discussed the guild's schedule and arrangements with Olaf. Within three days, Derek would receive his uniform and new ID as a Moonshade Guild trainee. He was expected to return a week later to officially begin training. During this time, he would not be allowed to leave the academy, except for the one-week break at the beginning of each quarter.
The news left both John and Derek devastated, much to Olaf's inward amusement. It was rare for him to see a family so expressive, unashamed to wear their emotions openly. At first glance, one might doubt that Derek was John's son, but after observing them for a while, the striking similarities in their habits and behavior became clear.
They were essentially best friends.
That was why learning they would only have four weeks together each year was such devastating news. Olaf eventually had to cheer them up by reminding them that they could exchange letters freely.
After they left, Olaf sent for the lady who had handled Derek's test and registration.
"Master Olaf."
She bowed respectfully upon entering his office.
Though Olaf now worked in administration, he had once been a highly sought-after Silver Plate adventurer. Several higher-ranked guilds from powerful kingdoms had tried to poach him, but his loyalty to Moonshade kept him here. He was deeply respected throughout the guild, not just in the Oakrest branch.
"Take this recommendation letter to Instructor Ethan. That boy must be nurtured with care."
"What?"
The lady was stunned.
In ten years, this was the first time Olaf had written a recommendation letter for a new intake. Normally, he simply stamped their papers, asked why they chose their class, and sent them on their way.
"Forgive me, but may I ask why?" she asked politely, keeping her head lowered.
Olaf frowned and brushed his thick beard for a few seconds before speaking.
"He could sense my Wild."
Buzz!
"WHAT?!" the lady blurted out in disbelief.
If Derek had been there, he would have been stunned to see her wearing the same shocked expression Olaf had earlier.
'If he can sense it, then he has a high chance of awakening his own!'
She finally understood Olaf's decision.
Among mages, rare traits like triple casting, silent casting, or massive mana reserves were celebrated. For fighters, Wild was the equivalent. It was the ability to physically manifest the power of one's inner beast. An innate strength that could set fighters far apart from their peers and even make mages tremble.
No matter how weak a Wild was, it was still powerful. Even Alissa Shield, a possessor of the Cat Wild, was a top-ranked Silver Plate adventurer affiliated with the Heavens Domain Guild, the strongest guild in the empire.
If Derek was nurtured properly and managed to awaken his Wild, Moonshade Guild's standing would rise dramatically. The fighter class itself would gain recognition for producing such talent.
"Just do as I say."
"I understand!"
The lady didn't argue further. She bowed and rushed out of the building, heading straight for the archery class castle, Instructor Ethan's domain. This matter was of utmost importance and could not be delayed.
Meanwhile, back home, they celebrated with freshly baked bread, rich chicken soup, a plate of spicy white rice, and persimmon fruits for dessert.
This was luxury.
The table was filled with laughter and smiles as they talked about everything and anything. But when it was all over, Derek stood alone in the silence of his room, and the feeling of loss returned.
Walking to his reading desk, he stared at several scrolls, each related to magic.
"Magic Made Easy."
"What It Means to Be a Mage."
"Dos and Don'ts of the Magical World."
Derek scoffed, smiling bitterly. All that preparation, just to end up holding a bow and arrow.
One by one, he tossed every scroll into the dustbin. Then he lay on the floor, staring at the ceiling with a blank expression.
"Well… we don't always get what we want," he sighed.
"We can't dwell on what we have lost…"
"Just focus on what is in front of you and keep moving."
Derek placed both palms at the center of his chest. Those are the words his dad told him the day his mom died. It was as a result of child birth complications for Linda.
He could still picture tears streaming down John's cheeks while he stared at Linda deeply and said those words. That's why he gave Linda his wife's name to always remember her.