Village Hill was a small village on a hill, admittedly, the person who named it wasn’t the most creative person in the world, but they still tried. It was a typical day for the villagers as the scorching heat hit the farms as they toiled away. The children would play near the village well, close enough to quickly get a drink or two to stay off the heat.

The wives would stay home doing chores and making clothes, while the husbands would work in the fields or guard the village. Life was simple, and that's what Stephen liked about living here. Being an ex-knight, he was able to retire quietly. The most action he gets is when a lone goblin strays too close to the village. Besides that, he simply stands guard in the only watch tower in the village.

Like any other day, he watched the young men work the fields, the children play, the wives do the chores, and the green bird fly in the sky. Green bird, he might be retired, but he was a knight scout when he was in the army, and he has always been proud of his eyesight. Standing up, he leans over the guardrail squinting into the distance, hoping for a better look at the bird. Seeing a blinding green light from the bird, he covers his eyes in pain, grunting in annoyance. He slowly opens his eyes before getting a better look at the beast, seeing that the blinding light originated from its horn.

*Crack*

Pov: Joseph

It’s now been a week since my conversation with mum, and now I’m feeling much better here. I’m currently in the training hall with Rafael practising my dagger techniques, it feels like these training sessions go much better now the only downside is Father. Since returning from the bandit camp I haven't seen him once he’s been hiding in the study and even though I’m closer to mum than before she still says I’m too young to be involved, so all I can do is come here and spar.

Rafael stood tall and proud dressed in his grey training wear, hair tied up in a top knot, he lunged into a thrust aiming for my sternum. I angle my body to the side to avoid the thrust and aim to counter with a slash at the extended arm. Perhaps too obvious in my intentions he was easily able to avoid my slash, pulling his arm back into his centre. I see Rafael about to Slash out again, this time keeping the blade close to his body and aiming for my hand that’s holding the dagger. I go to parry the dagger aiming to knock it off it’s corse, after which I’ll follow it up wit-

*thud*

‘Fuck’ face full of dirt I can feel the side of my face begin to burn up, looking to my attacker I already know where I messed up. “Again, you focus too much on the weapon, look at the whole picture.” Standing back up we face off again, starting the spar over again, this is our usual routine. This past week he’s been pushing me to my limits over and over again, to be honest I’ve never seen him push this hard.

*thud*

‘bastard’ Knocked down again, this time by an obvious bait, *sign* I’m not really into it today. “Joseph, you’re distracted.” Taking this time to catch my breath, I look to my attendant, strained silver eyes. He has been looking more and more tired recently, but nobody will tell me anything anyway.

“What’s my Father been up to?”

“Joseph, that doesn’t concern you, you're better off focusing on your training.”

“I know I might not be able to help, but I would still like to know what’s going on.”

Looking into his silver eyes I see them soften ever so slightly, “Hmm, okay. Dammit the master’s going to kill me for this. Okay the raid on the bandits was a big success but, after raiding the camp they discovered that the B rank leader left his subordinates as bait and escaped into the other camp, which means that taking that down will be twice as hard now. Also it has been confirmed that an Astalos has been sighted leaving the spider fell and is making its way in country, we have to destroy it before it gets to any town. The Astalos is a Rank B beast but it will need all our forces to take down, and with the bandits on the horizon we’re in a tough situation.”

Feeling a better understanding now I still feel the same regardless, and clearly it’s showing on my face. “Joseph, look at me.” crouching down to meet my eyes, my attendant looks a lot more emotional today. “It’s okay, you’re just a child, sometimes I think even you forget that. You are young and it's the job of us old folk to protect the young and let them grow. you’re nearly 7 and already a QI teacher you are miles ahead of the curb, don’t let anything distract you from that achievement.

“Now chin up, and let's continue.” standing up and putting his guard back up he immediately loses all emotion once again and I struggle to figure out which one is the real Rafael. Shaking away my thoughts of my father, I decide to focus on the training, only because I’ve decided to meet up with him after lunch, regardless of what anybody says.

Laying down in a cold bath after a training session is considered part of the training. Rafael said that by placing my body under such stress and circulating QI at the same time there's more of a chance of a breakthrough. Currently my training consists of using up all my QI, going into a hot bath while recuperating my QI, then going into an ice bath While circulating my QI. Mix in a couple weapon techniques and that's a day of training for me.

Feeling my QI slowly depleting and the coldness seeping into my body I know it’s nearly time to leave, right now I’m all alone while Rafael goes to speak to Ann about my next lessons. I’ve decided to leave the bath early and go speak to my father.

Sneaking through the corridors I’m able to make it to my father's study, where I can hear some people inside already. “Josep…., XXX XXXX XX, no” I can hear the muffled sounds of Rafael inside, Leaning against the door to hear better I’m able to overhear their conversation.

“What do you mean?”

“I’m saying you’re forgetting his age.”

“No, you’re forgetting he’s a noble.”

“he’s still a child, you shouldn’t bring him on the expedition, it’s too dangerous.”

“You will be there as well Rafael, anyway it’s better for him to see a hunt first hand before joining the army.”

“....”

“You know it’s for the best, and Joseph isn’t like yo-”

*Ahem*

Hearing somebody clear their throat behind me I turn around to see uncle Gabriel standing there with a big grin on his face, “Hi uncle, want to join.” feeling the ground leave my feet, I’ve been hoisted round his shoulder trying to struggle free as he enters the room.

“HAHAHA, look who I found outside”

“Joseph”

“Son”

“Hi father, I missed you.”

Showing a sheepish smile I tried to act cute but I didn't think it was working, receiving a stern look from the both of them I turned to my uncle to meditate. “HAHA, now there's no need to question his curiosity Alex, he hasn’t seen you for a week.” setting me down in an empty chair he goes to retake his place behind father.

“Gabrial your leg better now?”

“Never better almost as if it wasn’t hit by an arrow, now we have more pressing matters don’t we.”

“Yes you’re right, Joseph how much did you hear?”

“Am I going on an expedition?” trying to keep the excitement out of my voice wasn’t working, but I couldn’t help it. A chance to see my father in action, however in response to my enthusiasm Rafael seems a bit dejected.

“Yes Joseph, you Noah and Alice will be joining the expedition.”

“Big brothers returning?”

“Yeah he’s been gone nearly two years and he’s returning for this expedition, I’ve heard he’s reached D- rank in QI control.” D-Rank means he’s at least reached 25% efficiency for his QI but I imagine he’s got a better control than that. This just makes me look forward to it more, seeing Noah again, I wonder how much he’s grown.

“Anyway, the expedition will be in a week's time, and don’t let yourself be fooled, it won't be easy. Rafael take Joseph to Arther have him familiarise himself with the troops.”

“Yes, my lord.” Seeing Rafael’s sorrowful face as he takes me through the mansion only fills me with questions.

“Rafael what’s so bad about me joining the expedition.”

“I fear they are forgetting your age. An expedition to hunt a B rank monster is not a place for children, I’ve been on expeditions like this before and so has your father so I don't know why he insists on bringing you, things often go wrong on expeditions like this.”

Seeing the sorrow in his eyes I know there is more to that story, but this is not the time or the place to bring it up. Making it to the Knight’s hall I see the young man in question, a budding recruit from the grimhilt Fort, a man who has managed to make C- rank by the age of 22, currently here to gain experience before joining the duke’s army, the current Vice-captain Arther.

Standing taller than Rafael the man oozes confidence, short blond hair cut into a buzzcut complimented the short beard he was sporting that made him look older than you would think. His yellow pupils pierced into me and left me naked in front of such a man, compared to Gabrial’s soft demeanour that would make him the lord’s shield; the man in front of me was akin to a spear, poised and ready to strike at a moment’s notice.

“Young master, I am Arther heart, I look forward to having you on the expedition.” Even if you say you are looking forward to it it doesn’t help if your face doesn’t say the same.