Heir Forest

The morning sun bathed the courtyard in golden light as Kazel stepped out of his room, stretching his fingers, opening and closing them. His movements were smooth, but there was no drastic change, no sudden surge of strength. He felt the same—at least, on the surface.

"Ah, Kazel, you're up," his mother called from the kitchen. "Go to the table, let me heat up the food."

Kazel nodded, making his way over. The scent of warm broth and rice filled the air, comforting yet familiar. He sat down, picking up his chopsticks as his mother placed a steaming bowl in front of him. As he ate, a question came to mind.

"Mother, you're a cultivator too, right?" he asked between bites.

Lana chuckled, placing her hands on her hips. "Everyone is a cultivator, Kazel."

"Where do you usually train?"

She tilted her head, thinking for a moment. "Usually, the forest nearby. It's not dangerous enough to be truly threatening, but it's a good place to practice."

Kazel perked up. "The forest nearby?"

"The Heir Forest," Lana nodded. "It's near the Immortal Sect. Your father and I used to train there."

"Not just training though," Noel quipped from across the room, smirking.

Lana shot him a glare so sharp it could slice through metal. Noel immediately turned back to what he was doing, wisely choosing silence.

Lana sighed and continued, "Just don't enter the deeper part of the forest. Dangerous spirit beasts lurk there."

Kazel raised a brow, his curiosity piqued. ( Dangerous spirit beasts, huh? That sounds promising. )

"Let me come with you then," Noel offered.

"No need, Father, I need to do this on my own," Kazel replied, shaking his head.

"Are you sure?" Lana frowned.

"Don't worry, I'll play it safe."

Noel hesitated, then nodded in approval. Lana, on the other hand, sent another sharp glare, clearly not as convinced.

"Don't worry, Mother," Kazel reassured her, flashing a confident grin. "I just want to flex there."

Lana sighed, pinching the bridge of her nose. "Just don't die."

Kazel laughed. "I'll try not to."

Kazel slung the bow over his back, tucked the dagger into his belt, and held the sword in his hand, giving it a casual twirl. His fingers instinctively adjusted their grip, the weight familiar yet new in this body. Despite his youthful frame, the movements were fluid, controlled.

"I'm going out, then," he announced, stepping out of the backyard.

"Be careful," his parents called after him, watching as he disappeared down the path.

As soon as he was out of sight, Lana elbowed Noel sharply.

"Follow him."

Noel sighed but nodded, stretching his shoulders. "Of course."

Unlike Kazel, he didn't rush. His steps were slow, deliberate, allowing a reasonable gap between them. He wasn't worried about Kazel's ability to handle himself—his son was sharp, confident, and capable—but a parent's worry never truly fades.

And besides, this was a perfect chance to see how much Kazel had truly changed.

---

The sun hung lazily in the sky as Kazel made his way through the village streets, his pace unhurried yet purposeful. He had told his parents he was heading to the forest, but instead, his feet led him toward the bustling market.

Noel followed from a safe distance, his hands tucked behind his back in a relaxed manner, though his eyes never left his son's retreating figure. (Why the market?) he mused. He had expected Kazel to head straight for training, yet here he was, weaving through merchant stalls instead.

Kazel, however, was well aware of the presence trailing him. From the moment he left the house, he knew his father was shadowing him, likely out of worry. But as much as he appreciated the concern, there were times he preferred solitude—especially when he had things to do.

His sharp eyes scanned the market layout. Bustling crowds, merchants advertising their wares, children running past carrying sweets—he saw his opportunity. With a subtle shift in his movement, Kazel adjusted his pace, slipping effortlessly between clusters of people. He maneuvered through the narrow spaces between stalls, letting the flow of the crowd swallow him. A small grin tugged at his lips as he made his final move—vanishing entirely from sight.

Noel's brows twitched as he stepped into the market square, only to find his son had disappeared. He stopped in his tracks, eyes darting between stalls. (How in the world…?) He hadn't expected Kazel to be this slippery—especially not with a bow slung across his back!

Suppressing the mild panic creeping in his chest, Noel made his way through the crowd, scanning every face. Nothing. He exhaled sharply before heading straight to a familiar establishment.

Inside Pao Pao's Place.

"Uncle Pao," Noel greeted, stepping inside.

Pao Pao turned with a smile. "Ah, Noel! What brings you here?"

Noel sighed, rubbing his temples. "Have you seen my son?"

Pao Pao raised a brow. "Kazel?"

"Yes," Noel nodded, "I was following him, but I lost sight of him."

At this, Pao Pao let out a hearty laugh, shaking his head. "That boy is something else," he mused, stroking his beard. "Slipping away from you like that? Must have taken after someone, eh?"

Noel could only sigh again, running a hand through his hair. "Apparently."

Meanwhile, Kazel stood atop the worn steps of the Immortal Sect, his sly smile lingering. He had long since made his escape, leaving his father tangled in the marketplace. It wasn't that he distrusted Noel—far from it. But when he wanted privacy, he would take it.

And now, with no watchful eyes on him, he could proceed as planned.

---

The dense canopy of the Heir Forest loomed overhead as Kazel stepped onto the soft earth, the scent of damp moss and fresh leaves filling his lungs. A crisp breeze swept through the trees, rustling the branches and carrying with it the distant calls of unseen creatures. He exhaled, feeling the weight of solitude settle comfortably on his shoulders.

( It's been a while since I've been in a place like this. )

Despite having never ventured into this forest before, navigating it felt instinctual. His senses were sharper than ever, his muscles coiled like a predator's, his body eager to move. The tranquility of nature was short-lived, however, as his sharp eyes caught movement ahead.

Blocking his path was a familiar figure—a Mustang Black Rabbit, its sleek black fur standing out against the earthy backdrop. Its beady red eyes locked onto Kazel, ears twitching as it assessed him.

Kazel chuckled. "Unfortunately for you, I already have you."

The words barely left his mouth before the beast launched itself at him, a blur of black cutting through the air. Its powerful hind legs propelled it forward with startling speed, claws glinting under the slivers of sunlight that filtered through the treetops.

But Kazel was faster.

His sword was already in his hand, the polished steel reflecting the dappled light as he sidestepped the attack effortlessly. With one fluid motion, he pivoted, his blade cutting a clean arc through the air.

A single, precise strike.

The Mustang Black Rabbit landed a few feet away, its body already still, the life in its red eyes fading before it could even let out a sound.

Kazel exhaled, lowering his sword. The fight had lasted mere seconds—almost too easy. He stared at the fallen beast before flicking the blood off his blade with a practiced motion.

( If this is all the forest has to offer, then I'm in for a boring day. )