Encountering Magic (2)

Twelve years later.

The cool breeze of early summer danced through the trees, and the river ran clear and cold.

Vincent hurried home, a deer carcass slung over his broad shoulders.

More than the thrill of a good hunt, the thought of returning to his family filled him with excitement.

"Shirone! Dad's home!"

"Dad!"

A twelve-year-old boy came running to the door, a bright smile lighting up his face.

Unlike Vincent, who was rough and rugged like a boulder, Shirone had an almost ethereal beauty—his golden hair shone like silk, and his deep blue eyes sparkled like polished gemstones.

Vincent couldn't help but puff out his chest with pride every time he saw his son.

He tossed the deer onto the ground and pulled Shirone into a tight embrace.

"Ah, my son, my treasure. Have you been well?"

"Yes! I helped Mom with cooking and read a lot of books!"

Vincent blinked at the odd combination of activities.

"Books, huh? You really like reading that much?"

"Not really… I just don't have much else to do."

The hesitant response made Vincent feel a pang of guilt.

Deep down, he knew—this boy was different. He was far more intelligent than other children his age.

Despite learning to read from his mother, Shirone had quickly surpassed even adults in comprehension, devouring book after book.

That was precisely why it hurt Vincent so much.

A hunter's child is meant to be a hunter. That's just how the world works.

No matter how simple a trade seemed, it took skill and knowledge to survive.

But he couldn't bring himself to say it.

Instead, he smiled and ruffled Shirone's hair.

"That's good, Shirone. No matter what you do, learning is the key to success. When I go to the city next time, I'll buy you some more books."

"It's okay, Dad. I've read all the ones you brought me before, but they weren't that interesting."

Vincent chuckled.

The books had been cheap, discarded by nobles and picked up from old shops. They weren't exactly exciting reads.

Such a considerate boy…

His son's kindness made Vincent's nose sting with emotion.

"Alright! But for now, how about we go chop some wood? A man needs strength, after all! I'll teach you how to swing an axe today!"

"Really?! Do I get my own axe?!"

"Of course! Today, we'll chop down the whole forest together!"

Laughing, Vincent handed Shirone a small axe. Unlike books, an axe could help earn a living.

As Shirone eagerly gripped the tool, a thought crept into Vincent's mind.

Will he really become a hunter?

The boy had noble features, intelligence far beyond his years... Could he be the child of a noble?

Vincent shook his head.

No. Shirone is my son. Not a child I found in a stable—he's mine.

Determined, Vincent led Shirone to a clearing in the woods.

"Watch closely, son. I'll show you how it's done."

He spat into his palms and swung his axe.

CRACK.

With just a few solid swings, the tree toppled over.

"Now, think you can do it?"

"Yeah! Let me try!"

As Shirone lifted the axe, his father watched with pride.

But deep down, fate had something else in store for this boy—something far beyond the life of a simple hunter.

"That should do it. Right here."

Finally, Shione pointed at the groove and spoke.

"Dad."

"Yeah?"

"Should I try breaking this in one strike?"

"Haha! You haven't even split halfway. Do you really think you can break it?"

"Well, if I'm lucky, it might work."

A skilled lumberjack could take advantage of weak points in the wood and split it with fewer strikes.

However, even for Vincent, such precision was difficult, so it was nearly impossible for a child like Shione.

"Alright! Let's put our faith in my son's luck!"

Despite knowing the odds, Vincent played along.

It wasn't about success or failure—he admired his son's eagerness.

"If I break it, you have to grant me a wish."

"Huh? A wish?"

Vincent suddenly felt uneasy.

Would he ask to learn how to read? What if he wanted to go to school like the children of wealthy families?

"When you go to the city to sell goods, take me with you."

Vincent let out a sigh of relief but kept a hearty laugh.

"That? Sure! I'll gladly grant that wish!"

Shione grinned, gripping the axe tightly.

A moment later, Vincent felt a chill run down his spine.

The smile disappeared from Shione's face as he stared intently at the wood, as if seeing something invisible to the naked eye.

The axe swung down.

Once again, it struck the groove precisely—but this time, something was different.

CRACK!

A thunderous sound echoed, and Vincent's eyes widened.

'What was that?!'

A crack spread from the point of impact, and the tree, unable to withstand its own weight, snapped in two.

"Yay! I did it!"

Vincent couldn't believe it.

Shione had just performed a legendary technique among lumberjacks—Thunder Strike.

'Even I've only done it by sheer luck a handful of times…'

Somehow, Shione had hit a critical weak point.

It was an incredibly rare event, influenced by variables like shape, weight, and grain structure—something most lumberjacks experience only once in their lifetime but can never replicate on purpose.

It's not something you should aim for. Trying too hard will only exhaust you.

Yet, in the world of swordsmen—where striking with precision was everything—this was a different story.

Though Vincent was unaware, this phenomenon had already been studied among warriors. Even among skilled swordsmen, beginners wouldn't dare attempt it.

"I did it, I did it!"

Shione was more excited about going to the city than his actual achievement.

"Dad! You promised, right?"

Vincent stared blankly at his son, his mind racing.

'What should I do?'

Should he raise this child as a lumberjack?

Or… should he not?

The cart passed through the city gates.

Vincent held the reins while Shione, sitting among the goods in the back, watched the bustling streets with sparkling eyes.

'It's been so long.'

Even just seeing the crowds made his heart race.

'I have plenty of time.'

The cart was filled with goods gathered from the mountains—leather for the weapon shops, meat for the grocery stores, and innards for apothecaries and magic shops.

The selling route was long, and bargaining could take over four hours.

When they arrived at the grocery store, Vincent grabbed a sack of meat and turned to Shione.

"Be back before sundown."

"Don't worry. I remember all the roads."

"Stick to the main streets. If anyone asks why you're alone, point to the nearest shop and say you're waiting for me."

"Got it. Nothing happened last time, remember?"

Vincent felt guilty for leaving his son alone, but providing for the family came first.

As soon as Shione left the marketplace, he headed straight for the city's grandest library.

He looked up at the massive, imposing building, his heart pounding.

Knowledge.

Was the entirety of human history stored within these walls?

He wanted to go inside and see for himself.

But only nobles were allowed.

Two girls in elegant clothing walked out, books in their arms.

Shione quickly stepped aside.

'Nobles.'

He believed that people were the same everywhere—there were good and bad ones in any group.

But Vincent always warned him about nobles like they were monsters.

Never defy them.

Nobles had the wealth and power to destroy a commoner's life in an instant.

'Maybe so… but…'

Shione glanced at the girls as they passed.

'I just want to read.'

Driven by both determination and longing, he followed them toward the noble district.

What kind of lives did they lead?

But as soon as he entered the noble quarter, he was overwhelmed by the grandiosity of the buildings.

'People actually live in places like this?'

Among the structures, one stood out—the largest by far, like a mountain among hills.

He stopped in his tracks and read the grand archway at the entrance.