Fury (Part 1)

"Teacher, what is the Way of Nature?" This was a clearing in the forest. Lush trees surrounded it. Beautiful flowers and strange-looking green plants grew across the clearing. The air was thick with the scent of fresh grass, mingled with a delicate floral fragrance. A beautiful young girl stood before a plant, observing it carefully for a while before asking this abstract question that had troubled her for a long time.

Standing beside her and observing the plants' growth with her was a middle-aged man. He wore a cloak made of emerald-green leaves, and an aura radiated from him that seemed almost fused with the surrounding nature.

Beside them, a large black dog frolicked with a large white dog.

Everything was so peaceful. In such an atmosphere, the middle-aged man looked quite relaxed as well. He stroked the girl's head and asked curiously, "Weiwan, why did you suddenly think to ask that?"

Weiwan wrinkled her cute little nose and said softly, "Because I want to become a qualified Druid. Didn't you say that to become a qualified Druid, one must follow the Way of Nature? Only then can one better draw the power that belongs to them from nature, and better give back to nature. But I don't really understand what the Way of Nature actually is. The term is too abstract."

After saying that, she wrinkled her nose again, seeming deeply troubled by the question. Then she tilted her head and looked at her teacher, Jefa, the town's Druid.

Druid Jefa was amused by her adorable appearance, and affection rose in his heart. At last, he had brought his beloved pupil—the daughter of an old friend—to this place. Unable to resist, he reached out and tousled her hair before saying, "It seems our Weiwan has learned to think things through herself. Let me put it this way."

He turned to look at the sea of green and explained patiently, "The Way of Nature is, in truth, the laws of nature. The reason we must follow it is because Druids are too closely connected with nature. First of all, to become a Druid, one must gain the recognition of plants and nature. After becoming a Druid, one must continually draw energy from nature. Nature can broadly be divided into two kinds: the natural power of plants, and the natural power of animals. The easiest to sense is the power of plants. To gain that power, one must first gain the plants' recognition, and planting and tending them are the easiest ways to do so. Of course, farmers who plant solely for the purpose of harvesting find it difficult to gain the recognition of plants and nature and become Druids. Therefore, Druids may guide farmers in how to work, but cannot become farmers themselves. That is why I have you live with me in the forest. Here, we can draw closer to nature. The natural power of animals is more reflected in balance. In other words, only when the types and numbers of animals form a balance with nature as a whole can the Way of Nature reach perfection and avoid being damaged. Only then can we draw more power from nature. Do you understand now, Weiwan?"

"Um, I understand a little, Teacher." Weiwan tilted her head in thought, then nodded.

After that, Jefa instructed his beloved pupil on how to identify plants and care for all manner of them. By the time they had finished everything, they discovered that the sun was already high in the sky.

"All right, that's enough for today," Jefa said with a smile.

Master and pupil picked up their small shovels and watering cans, then followed the path toward Jefa's cottage, which also stood within the forest.

Jefa was a level-five Druid, but he was also responsible for guiding the town's farmland. He received a considerable monthly salary from the town hall and owned a residence in town, yet he preferred living in the forest among the plants. Since it was a long-term residence, his cottage, though not large, was built with great charm.

Together with the small river before the house and the lush plants growing along both banks, stepping anywhere near the cottage brought a powerful sense of nature.

After setting down the tools, Jefa first scooped some clean water from a wooden bucket and poured it into a small basin, carefully washing his hands and face. Only when Weiwan let out a startled cry from inside the cottage did he hurriedly dry his hands and rush over.

"What is it, Weiwan?"

When Jefa pushed open the door and entered, he saw his pupil holding a sheet of white paper, her expression somewhat strange.

"Teacher, there's a message for you..." Weiwan simply handed the note to Jefa.

Jefa took it and read it, and his face immediately darkened. After a long while, he said, "If what it says is true, then Romon has truly disappointed me. The moment he gained some power, he began using it to violate the precepts. How could he be taught more knowledge and power in the future?"

"But, Teacher, the person who left the message..."

Jefa looked at the name on the note, thought for a moment, then said coldly, "I do not care who left the message. All I want to know now is whether that boy truly did something that sullied the honor of a Druid."

As he spoke, he crumpled the paper into a ball. Just as he was about to throw it away, he hesitated and placed it in a drawer instead.

At the same time, Romon and Fafier, who had already returned to town, welcomed the first great harvest of their lives.

"Wow! Just this buffalo meat sold for fifty silver coins!"

Fafier held the heavy little cloth pouch in his hand, his eyes narrowing into happy slits.

No one could blame him for being so excited. Even a sturdy cow could be quickly led home from town for a hundred silver coins, so long as one could pay the price. Yet this time, they had not only captured a large wild buffalo and obtained delicious beef and a buffalo hide, but had also brought back two lively little calves.

He waited outside Motte's inn. At the entrance, Romon, who had returned with him, was chatting cheerfully with Motte. Thinking of Motte's words—"Bring any game you catch here from now on"—Fafier's smile grew even brighter.

After Romon bid farewell to Motte—the major customer who had purchased the buffalo meat—he saw Fafier looking so delighted.

Romon walked over and patted his shoulder. "Come on. We're going to Nick's house."

After the two of them left forty silver coins behind and came out of Nick's house, Romon placed another five silver coins into Fafier's hand. "These are for you. It isn't much right now, but trust me, there'll be more to split in the future."

Fafier only hesitated briefly before readily accepting the five silver coins. Although this hunting trip had mainly been to raise money for Nick, after most of the silver had been used on Nick, it was only fair for him to take a small share. After all, he had put in effort too.

Afterward, the two discussed what to do about the calves and the hide. In the end, they decided that Fafier would take the two calves home to raise for the time being, while Romon would keep the hide until they found a suitable buyer and sold it.

Seeing that the sun was already high, Fafier happily led the calves home. Romon, meanwhile, followed his usual habit and went to the temple.

Romon first hurried to the herb garden and finished watering it, then it was time for lunch at the temple.

Looking at the flowerbeds before the temple, where spring lingered all year round, Romon felt better than ever before. As usual, the female steward, Madam Salin, was already waiting there.

Romon hurriedly washed his hands clean, then stepped forward to help bring out lunch.

It was as usual, except that ever since Romon had gained nature's recognition and become a Druid, he had become qualified to eat the white bread.

"Thank the Goddess for granting us food." As usual, they first gave thanks to the Goddess, and only then lowered their heads to eat.

Because an honored guest had arrived at the Baron's residence today, Eileen, the Baron's second daughter, had not come to the temple. In contrast, Priest Tennis, who had recently been constantly at Eileen's side, unexpectedly appeared.

Under Priest Tennis's somewhat strange gaze, Romon hurriedly finished lunch and decided to borrow some books from the temple library.

Just as he was about to reach the library, someone called out to him from behind. Romon turned around and saw that it was Jefa, the Druid who taught him.

He quickly walked over and asked respectfully, "Teacher, did you need something?"

Jefa looked at him calmly, without beating around the bush, and asked directly, "Tell me, did you go hunt wild buffalo this morning?"

Romon was startled, wondering how his teacher knew. However, he did not feel there was anything to hide, so he frankly admitted it. "Yes, Teacher. This morning, Fafier and I did go into the forest to hunt wild buffalo. We urgently needed money recently, so..."

"Enough! Say no more!" Jefa suddenly shouted coldly.

Seeing Romon stare at him in shock, Jefa barely forced down his anger and said icily, "Do not give me these excuses. You did hunt wild buffalo, did you not? The last time Nick was injured, I told you not to carry out such hunting actions again. And now, not only did you go hunting again, you killed a mother cow and calves. Do you not know that as a Druid, you must remain close to nature and not destroy its balance? Especially not for your own selfish gain!"

This... Romon admitted that what he had done might indeed have been improper for a Druid. But from another perspective, he and his companion had won their prey through courage, merely so Nick could live on more comfortably...

Romon still respected his teacher greatly, and he tried to explain, "Teacher, we had no choice. You know Nick's situation. He needs nourishment to restore his health, and he also needs to repay his debts..."

"No choice?" Jefa was already so angry that he could barely speak. He could not even be bothered to consider whether the various misdeeds about Romon mentioned in that note were true.

After all, this poor and lowly boy was not truly his disciple. Romon had sullied his identity and honor as a Druid, and Jefa had reached the point where he could no longer endure it.

"Fine! Since you have so many unavoidable hardships, from this moment onward, do not set foot within the bounds of my authority again. I do not wish to see you ever again."

Jefa's reaction was clearly beyond Romon's expectations.

When he spoke those words, he had been so resolute, so heartless. He had shown no regard at all for the bond between master and pupil.