Into the Wild

The next day, as the first rays of sunlight filtered through the small window of Van Gen's room, he was suddenly jolted awake by a familiar, firm hand shaking him. Startled, he sprang out of bed, dropping into a fighting stance, ready to defend himself.

"DAD!!!" Van exclaimed, recognizing his father's laughing face. "Don't wake me up like that!"

Aric was laughing so hard that tears were starting to form in his eyes. "I'm sorry, I'm sorry," he managed to say between chuckles. "But you've got to admit, it's a pretty effective way to wake you up. Now, get ready for breakfast."

Van rolled his eyes but couldn't help grinning. "Alright, Dad," he replied, shaking his head as he got dressed.

When he entered the kitchen, he saw his father was already busy at the stove, cooking the same simple but delicious breakfast of fried eggs and bread. The smell of the sizzling eggs filled the air, and Van's stomach growled in anticipation.

As they sat down to eat, Aric couldn't resist teasing his son again. "So, Van, any more dreams about ambushes in the night?"

Van shot his father a playful glare. "If you keep waking me up like that, I might start having some," he said, trying to keep a straight face but failing as he burst into laughter.

"Good to keep you on your toes," Aric said with a wink, taking a bite of his bread.

After they had settled down, Van turned to his father with a curious look. "So, Dad, does Mom know about this… again?"

Aric nodded, trying to keep his expression serious. "Of course. I told her we're going to town again, but this time, I mentioned we might stay out a bit longer to 'explore' the area."

Van raised an eyebrow, amused. "And she believed you?"

Aric grinned. "She didn't ask too many questions, so I think we're in the clear. But what she doesn't know is that we'll be heading back to our training spot, hunting some beasts, and camping out there for three days."

Van's eyes widened in excitement. "Three days?! That sounds amazing, Dad!" He couldn't wait to spend more time with his father, doing everything from training to hunting, and now, camping out under the stars.

They quickly finished breakfast, and Aric began packing up the supplies they'd need for the next three days. "Help me pack our things, Van," Aric said, handing his son a few items to store.

Van eagerly helped, gathering the necessary gear and food. When they were done, Aric stored everything in his ring, an enchanted item that could hold far more than its small size suggested.

"Now we're done, let's go," Aric said, slinging his pack over his shoulder and heading out the door.

As they traveled deeper into the woods, Aric began sharing stories from his past, tales of his time as a soldier and the adventures he had before settling down in Willowdale. He spoke of old comrades, distant lands, and the challenges he faced along the way. Van listened with rapt attention, even though he already knew much about the world from his previous life. Hearing his father's perspective made the stories feel fresh and exciting.

"We're here, Dad," Van said as they finally arrived at their training spot. The same beautiful clearing from before greeted them, its vibrant flora and the gentle stream welcoming them back.

Aric nodded and set down his pack. "Alright, now help me build the tent," he said, pulling out the materials they had packed.

"Alright, Dad," Van replied, and together they quickly set up their campsite. The tent went up easily, and before long, they had a comfortable shelter ready.

With the tent up and their camp established, Aric turned to his son with a serious expression. "Now that we're done with the tent, let's start training. But first, we'll be hunting a low-rank Aether beast today called a Shadowfang."

Van knew about Aether beasts from his past life, but he still listened closely to his father. He respected Aric's knowledge and experience and knew that there was always something new to learn.

"The Shadowfangs are sleek, deadly predators," Aric explained, his tone growing more serious. "They're about the size of a large wolf, but their bodies are more agile, almost feline. Their fur is a deep, iridescent black that seems to absorb the light around them, making them nearly invisible in the shadows. They're incredibly fast and can blend into the darkness with ease. But their most dangerous feature is their sharp, retractable claws and long, curved fangs—perfect for quick, lethal strikes."

Van's mind filled with images of these creatures, his excitement mixed with a touch of apprehension. *I've faced greater threats before, but I need to remember that this body is still young,* he reminded himself.

"But first, son, I'm going to teach you how to boost your body with Aether," Aric said, his tone growing more serious. "It's a technique that enhances your physical abilities by channeling Aether directly into your muscles. It's something I've mastered over the years, and I believe you're ready to learn it."

Van watched closely as his father demonstrated the technique, his muscles seeming to pulse with energy as he channeled the Aether. The air around Aric shimmered slightly, a testament to the power flowing through him. Van followed his father's instructions carefully, focusing on the flow of Aether within his body and guiding it to where it was needed.

Aric watched in amazement as Van quickly grasped the technique. "You're so good at this, Van," Aric said, his voice filled with pride. "When you're older, your mother and I will send you to the academy, so you can learn different types of magic. Since I don't have any elemental magic, there's only so much I can teach you."

Van was surprised by this revelation. "But I don't need school," he thought to himself, knowing that his past life had already given him a vast amount of knowledge about magic. Still, he didn't want to disappoint his father, so he simply said, "Alright, Dad."

Aric smiled, clearly pleased with Van's response. "Good. Now, let's keep moving. We'll be hunting a low-rank Aether beast today called a Shadowfang."

Van quickly packed his belongings, his mind already running through the possible scenarios they might face. Once they were ready, they set off on a long hike deeper into the forest, heading towards the mountains where the Shadowfangs were known to reside.

As they walked, Aric continued to describe the creatures in more detail. "The Shadowfangs are stealthy hunters, preferring to strike from the shadows. Their eyes glow with a faint, eerie light, often the only warning you'll get before they attack. Their fur shifts and ripples like the surface of dark water, allowing them to disappear into the shadows almost completely. You have to be fast and precise to take one down."

After a long walk, they finally arrived at their destination—a small den nestled at the edge of a dense forest, just before the mountain's slope began. The area was covered in thick underbrush, and the air was filled with the sounds of chirping insects and distant rustling, hinting at the presence of wildlife.

The geography around them was breathtaking. Towering trees with thick canopies blocked much of the sunlight, creating an almost mystical atmosphere. The ground was covered in a mix of moss and fallen leaves, with small streams trickling through the rocks, providing a constant, calming background noise. The mountain loomed in the distance, its peaks hidden by the clouds, adding to the sense of adventure and danger.

"Get ready, Van," Aric said, his voice low and serious. "We're about to enter the Shadowfang's territory."

"Yes, Dad," Van replied, his heart pounding with excitement and anticipation.

As they carefully approached the small den, the dense underbrush began to rustle, signaling the presence of something lurking within. Aric motioned for Van to stay close, his hand hovering over the hilt of his weapon.

Van's senses were on high alert, every rustle of leaves and snap of twigs sending a thrill of excitement through him. He had faced far greater dangers in his past life, but this experience was different—he was sharing it with his father, and that made it special.

They waited in silence, the tension thick in the air, as the first Shadowfang slowly emerged from its den. The creature was sleek and muscular, its fur a deep, iridescent black that seemed to drink in the light around it. The fur rippled as it moved, giving the unsettling impression that the creature was more shadow than flesh. Its eyes, glowing faintly with a piercing amber light, were the only clear features in the darkness, and its long, curved fangs glinted as it snarled, revealing rows of razor-sharp teeth.

*So this is a Shadowfang,* Van thought, feeling a mixture of awe and determination. *Let's see what I'm capable of.*