The first light of day in Felnia slowly pierced through the thin mist that veiled the alley behind Cranewold Bar. The frigid air seeped through the cracks of the old wooden window.
James woke before the city began to stir. He sat on the edge of the bed with its thick blanket, his hand touching the coarse fabric that had absorbed the scent of dust and dry wood. His jet-black eyes reflected the first light of day, his heart firm with a determination that had begun to form the night before.
In his old world, he had trained his body to overcome its own limits. That marathon had taught him endurance. James thought of the image of Ann in the training yard yesterday.
Her movements, swift as a shadow. The silver aura that radiated from her, and the information from the Primeval Blood Craft System that had revealed her Primordial Warrior bloodline. The word "Hunter," spoken by Frey and Grant, still echoed in his head like a call from his own blood.
James stood up, taking a deep breath to focus his mind. He put on the old cloak Elen had lent him, tied the laces on his ankles tightly, and walked down the creaking wooden stairs to the yard behind the bar. The yard was silent, marked only by the scrapes from yesterday's training and the smell of damp earth from the dew.
James leaned against the wooden wall, his eyes fixed on the back door of the bar. He knew Ann would come here to train, just like yesterday.
Before long, the old wooden door let out a soft creak as Ann pushed it open. The sixteen-year-old girl appeared, dressed in practical clothes suited for movement. Her half-braided long hair swung slightly as she stepped into the yard. Her pale skin contrasted with the morning sun that was beginning to shine down. Her large eyes were alert, yet calm.
She stretched lightly, rotating her wrists and shoulders with a steady rhythm, like a well-programmed machine.
James stood up straight, taking a deep breath to gather his focus, his gaze steady on Ann. He stepped out from the shadow of the wall. "Ann, good morning," he said, his voice calm but firm. "I want to talk about becoming a hunter. Yesterday, I saw you and Brack training. Your movements are incredible, fast and precise. I need to train to become strong like you, to pass the hunter's exam. Could you give me some guidance?"
Ann paused, turning to look at him with a mixture of surprise and suspicion. "Train you?" she laughed softly, her voice clear but not mocking. "I'm no teacher, James. I'm still just a trainee myself. It's Brack who teaches me, and he doesn't teach just anyone."
James nodded, his gaze unwavering. "I'm not asking you to be my teacher. I just want to know what you've learned. What do you usually train first to increase your speed? I want to start with the very basics."
Ann looked up, her gaze on James deepening slightly. She smiled faintly. "You're really determined, aren't you?" She walked over to the edge of the wall to grab a small cloth and wipe her hands. "Alright. I can't promise I'll teach you much, but if you want to start, you can join my morning exercises. I'll tell you what I know… as much as I can."
James returned a small smile. "Thanks, Ann. I'll do my best."
Ann's smile widened, her eyes showing a playful glint. "Don't regret it later. Come on, let's start."
The yard behind Cranewold Bar was quiet, with only the alternating breaths of James and Ann. Ann began with a light jog around the yard, her arms swinging in a steady rhythm, her feet touching the ground as lightly as falling leaves.
James followed behind, controlling his breathing steadily as he had practiced in his old world. His body still felt heavy from yesterday's work, but his determination pushed him forward.
"Breathe steadily," Ann said without turning around. "Don't push too hard. Your body is still weak. If you collapse and give up now, you'll have just wasted your time."
James nodded, focusing on controlling his breathing. His chest felt tight from the continuous running, but he kept going.
The small yard was becoming his first testing ground.
Ann slowed down after the fifth lap. She turned to look at James, who was panting slightly. "Father says that becoming a hunter starts with a ready body," she said, her voice steady and firm. "Have you ever pushed your body to its limit? Or lifted something so heavy your muscles begged you to stop?"
James gave a faint smile. "I have, but in a place you couldn't possibly imagine," he replied, his voice calm but with a deep meaning.
Ann raised an eyebrow, her expression turning to one of mild interest. She then pointed to the stone path that led from the yard to the alley beside the bar. "We're going to run around the city, in the safe zone. Follow me."
The two started running out of the backyard, through a narrow alley that smelled of damp wood and smoke from shop stoves. James kept his breathing steady. Sweat trickled down his temples, but he watched Ann's every move, each step precise as if calculated.
Now, a faint silver aura began to appear around her as she picked up her pace, like a visible wind.
[Bloodline Detected]
Name: HumanBloodline Sequence: Primordial Warrior (Noble)
Awakening Level: 1 – Blood Awakening
Strengths: Excellent evasion in dark areas, Sharp senses
Weaknesses: Low resistance, Sensitive to the strong scent of blood
Evolution Potential: High, if frequently in near-death situations
::
The information from the system appeared again as Ann sped up. James blinked, his eyes fixed on the silver aura radiating from her body. He felt something within himself.
The Void-Born Apex Bloodline began to vibrate faintly, as if responding to Ann's power. He didn't know how to control it, but he would learn.
"You're slowing down!" Ann shouted from ahead, her voice tinged with a smile. "If you want to pass the exam, you have to be faster than this!"
James smiled back, forcing his body to keep going. The strain in his leg muscles was a reminder that this body was still weak, but his mind was invincible. The image of the Minotaur Demon and Frey's words about "choice" reminded him that he would never back down.
When the two reached the outermost city wall of the safe zone, Ann slowed down. She sat on a rock, watching James, who was breathing steadily even though sweat soaked the hem of his shirt.
"You don't give up easily, do you?" she said, her eyes assessing him.
James gave a small smile, wiping the sweat from his forehead. "I've failed before, Ann," he said, his voice calm but with a deep meaning.
"Becoming a hunter might be the only way I can prove myself. I need to know what you usually do to increase your strength, besides running."
Ann raised an eyebrow, her expression turning interested. "You're not like other kids, James." She stood up, dusting off her clothes. "Alright. I'll tell you about Brack's endurance training. But that's enough for today. Go back and rest. We'll meet again tomorrow."
James nodded. "Okay, see you tomorrow," he said, his voice firm. He stood still, watching Ann's shadow disappear into the alley. The fatigue still lingering in his muscles mixed with a budding excitement.
He knew this was just the first step. A small but firm step on the path he had chosen for himself.
In his mind, the Primeval Blood Craft System was silent, but James could feel something beginning to awaken. Not just his body, but a bloodline waiting for the day it would be unleashed.