Chapter 35: Omen

Creatures sang to welcome the new dawn.

It was this time, that Master Will decided to train Ned, for one last time.

The hum of the wooden swords reverberated inside the forest. Although incapacitated, Master Will calmly evaded Ned's attacks.

With a series of rhythmic footsteps, Ned could follow Master Will's movements.

For almost six years, Ned was trained by Master Will. But he never got a chance to hit his Master, not even a scrape.

With constant battle, Ned simulated all his Master's movements, but it was his speed that was lacking. Ned could predict where his master would go, but could never hit him. It was always a hair away.

"You've indeed improved kid," said Master Will as he evades a thrust from his left. "But..."

Master Will took a deep breath, and with only raw strength, he swirled, evading another attack from Ned, this time it was from his right. Leaves rattled as he circled Ned passing his arm then stopping behind. With only a hand, he gripped Ned's neck. His breath huffed on Ned's nape.

"See that?" He smiled. "Not everything is about attack, remember that."

"Yes Master," Ned replied. "No matter how I tried, I can't hit you, Master."

"Wrong," Master Will answered, relaxing a finger out if Ned's neck and walked past beside him. "You could have hit me two times already if only you didn't rush."

[Correct.]

ICE agreed to Master Will. Ned realized that ICE's robotic and accented voice had been relaxing for him.

[If you had let me assist you, we could have hit the target two times when he tried to take a step back and evaded the last thrust.]

I know, but I wanted to know about my limit. But Master is correct, I did rush to attack him. Ned agreed with ICE.

"I'm sorry Master, " Ned bowed.

"One other thing, as a Knight you must be presentable as always. Go, take a shower." Master Will took Ned's wooden sword and left Ned alone, as he walked inside their abode.

No matter how much one strong was, being normal was a part of life. Taking shower, changing clothes, cleaning tools, and taking time to nap, was Ned's routine if he was not hunting or on training.

Leaving their place, Ned and Master Will planned to visit the orphanage. On their way, Master Will noticed something that shifted his attention.

It was noon, but a part of the sky was dark. And a storm wasn't evident as well, no wind, no thunder clouds, but just a dark gloomy sky. Eventually, Ned noticed the change in the sky, seeing the dark area that enveloped a part of the forest, they noticed it wasn't far from the orphanage. But the two continued, sensing that it wasn't much of importance since it was an island—dark clouds, thunder skies, and raging wind were common.

By the time they arrived at the orphanage, the dark lamenting sky vanished. The same time as Master Will noticed something was amiss, having a shrugged thought, eyes were narrowed like a predator sensing his prey, and a breath so calm and focus. He knew that danger is coming.

After the dark sky vanished, the sun chimed the orphanage. Children ran, some did chores, while others did nothing but mourn the dead creatures - resembling a bird, that fell from the sky.

Coco welcomed the two, jumping back and forth between who would care the most. Eventually, Coco retreaded inside the shelter, feeling satisfied.

Moments passed, three ladies came out to properly welcome Ned and his Master.

The first to greet was Lady Zoreena, her young and brown eyes agreed with her smile but disagreed with her age. But as always, she felt happy. But, everybody knew, that mentioning Mama's age will lead to the downfall of them all.

Next to greet was Toni. Her dark hair was tied consistently but some of it escaped, blocking her deep and mysterious charcoal eyes. She smiled, supposedly to Ned first. But out of respect, she charged a respectful and welcoming smile to Master Will ahead. Followed by a rapid look at Ned added with a cute smile.

Giving a half-smile, with eyes slightly narrowed, Ned was slightly taken aback when he saw Naa'ri coming out of the door welcoming them.

The group chatted for a while when Lady Zoreena noticed Ned's old day-to-day clothes. She was worried for Ned and huffed at Master Will. Men will be men, for Ned and Master Will, it doesn't matter what clothes they wore, as long as it was wearable.

"Yes! It's fine if you're hunting, selling, or fighting!" Mama exclaimed. "But your kid is going to a gathering." Rolling her eyes, an evident of indifference directed towards Master Will.

With some clothes stored in place, that were given to the orphanage from different people across the region. His shabby azure clothes and pants so old, that the color that was used to be garnet, faded to brown, was altered to clothes fit for a noble.

Without a second thought, Ned disagreed to wear the noble's clothes. But resides to change to a tunic made of cotton and pants that fitted well for his movements.

As for Toni, she wore a normal looking dress, accentuated with a number of blue-colored beads at the edge. Even though normal, Toni wasn't used to wore dresses that hang. She was more confident in wearing fitted and normal clothes without any beads attached to it.

As for Naa'ri, she didn't change at all, her green clothes remained the same, only her curly chestnut hair was brushed accordingly to her face.

It was dusk, creatures ended their ballad and shifted to a lullaby. But not for the three and Coco.

Coco was now closer to the two girls, rather than he and his Master. Ned thought Naa'ri was a fine Tamer, since, she can allude, Coco, and be able to be comfortable with her. Coco wasn't just a Mythical, he was cultured as well. Ned smirked a smile towards Coco.

Master Will left for Granny's, carrying the book Ned made for her. Master Will said that after he gave the book to Granny, he needed to be somewhere else.

Bidding a farewell, Master Will left the orphanage, his brown and gray hair waved goodbye as he vanished in the dark portion of the woods.

Coco was carried not by Toni, but by Naa'ri. Toni said that after they left the town, Naa'ri waited for them to leave the gate. She was eagerly waiting, not for Toni or Ned, but for Coco. Tamers were loved by nature, the same as for beasts. Without these beasts, Tamer Profession would be long gone. But with the increasing amount of magical creatures, Tamer must find a way to balance their profession against the others. And a tamed beast was indeed a huge leap of strength for them. Unluckily for Naa'ri, Coco had Ned and was cared for by Toni. All she could do was to brush the hair of Coco and sooner leave for Griffith Academy. She just hoped that Ned would bring the cat to the Academy.

The group arrived at the Town Square, where a number of people are already waiting.

They have entered the town hall, and space was big enough to accommodate a hundred people, were prepared.

Upon entering, a number of gazes rapidly turned towards them. Some smirked and others were curious.

Ned noticed a number of participants wore a gallant dress, in full armor, and others wore half-naked. The Weres. Ned thought while glancing the place calmly.

"I'm the only Tamer passed," Said Naa'ri. She smiled and turned towards Ned. "If that's what you're thinking."

Ned smiled, not sure if he should agree or disagree. "Then you're strong," He replied.

"Naa'ri!"

A mumbled and rough voice shot to the group. It was from Greg. Half-naked as always. Chewing a piece of meat, while some juice dripped out his mouth.

"Greg," Naa'ri shot a glance.

"What are you doing with that weaklings?" Greg said, but it was too loud that everyone was curious who the weaklings were. "It doesn't fit you, and our clan." He added.

"We're on the same clan, but different tribe," She argued. "Don't forget about that, and I'll do whatever I want."

"It's you again, boy," Greg stressed the word boy while he shot a glance facing Ned. He chewed another meat. His eyes turned tiger, and his hair stood all over his body. He growled and leaned towards Ned. "How's your friend?"