Rage (Part 1)

"Teacher, what is the Way of Nature?" This was a clearing in the forest. Lush trees surrounded it, while beautiful flowers and strange-looking green plants grew throughout the clearing. The air was filled with the rich scent of grass, mingled with a faint 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 woven from emerald-green leaves, and he gave off an aura that seemed almost to blend into 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 utterly relaxed as well. He stroked the girl's head and asked curiously, "Weiwan, what made 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 had to follow the Way of Nature? Only then could one better draw the power that belonged to oneself 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 expression, and tenderness rose in his heart. At last, he had brought his beloved disciple—also 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 for herself. Let me put it this way."

He turned to look at the expanse of green and patiently explained, "The Way of Nature is, in fact, the laws of nature. The reason we must follow it is because Druids are so closely connected to nature. First, 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 power to sense is that of plants. To gain the power of plants, one must first gain their recognition, and planting and caring for them are the easiest ways to do that. Of course, farmers who plant crops for the purpose of harvesting them can hardly gain the recognition of plants and nature and become Druids. Therefore, Druids can guide farmers in how to work, but cannot become farmers themselves. That is why I had you live with me in the forest. Here, we can draw closer to nature. The natural power of animals is reflected more 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 be perfect and remain undamaged. Only then can we draw more power from nature. Do you understand now, Weiwan?"

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

Afterward, Jefa guided his beloved disciple in identifying plants and caring for all kinds of vegetation. By the time they had finished, they realized the sun was already high in the sky.

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

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

Jefa was a Fifth-Level Druid, and he was also responsible for guiding the town's farmers in their work. He received a considerable monthly salary from the town hall and had his own residence in town, but he preferred living in the forest among the plants. Since it was a place where he lived year-round, his cottage, though not large, had been built with great charm.

Together with the small river before the house and the lush plants growing along both banks, the area around the cottage was steeped in the rich presence of nature.

After setting down their tools, Jefa first drew some clean water from a wooden bucket into a small basin and carefully washed 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 happened, Weiwan?"

When Jefa pushed open the door and entered, he saw his disciple 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. His face immediately darkened. After a long silence, he said, "If what this says is true, then Romon has disappointed me too deeply. The moment he gained some power, he began using it to violate the precepts. How could I possibly teach him more knowledge and power in the future?"

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

Jefa looked at the name on the note and thought for a moment before saying coldly, "I don't care who left it. Right now, I only want to know whether that boy truly did something that sullied a Druid's honor."

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 haul of their lives.

"Wow! This wild beef alone 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 strong cow could be quickly led home in town for one hundred silver coins, so long as one could afford it. This time, they had not only captured a large wild cow and obtained delicious beef and a wild cowhide, but had also brought back two lively calves.

He waited outside Motte's inn. At the entrance, Romon, who had returned with him, was chatting and laughing with Motte. Thinking of Mr. Motte's words—"Bring any game you get here in the future"—Fafier's smile grew even brighter.

After Romon said goodbye to Motte—the major buyer of the wild beef this time—he saw Fafier beaming from ear to ear.

Romon walked over and patted him on the shoulder. "Come on. Let's go 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 in Fafier's hand. "This is for you. It may not be much now, but trust me, you'll get a bigger share in the future."

Fafier hesitated only slightly before readily accepting the five silver coins. Although their hunt had mainly been intended to raise money for Nick, after most of the silver had been spent on Nick, it was only fair for him to take a small portion. After all, he had done his part too.

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

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 the watering, then it was time for lunch at the Temple.

Looking at the flowerbeds before the Temple, which bloomed as if it were spring all year round, Romon felt better than ever. As usual, the female steward, Madam Salin, was already waiting there.

Romon quickly washed his hands clean, then went forward to help serve lunch.

As usual, but ever since Romon had gained nature's recognition and become a Druid, he had qualified to eat the white bread.

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

Because the baron's household had important guests today, Eileen, the baron's second daughter, had not come to the Temple. In contrast, Priest Tennis, who had recently remained 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 teaching him.

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

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

Romon froze, wondering how his teacher knew. Still, he did not think there was anything to hide, so he frankly admitted it. "Yes, Teacher. Fafier and I did go into the forest to hunt wild cattle this morning. We urgently needed money lately, so..."

"Enough! Don't say another word!" Jefa suddenly shouted coldly.

Seeing Romon stare at him in shock, Jefa barely forced down his anger and said icily, "Don't give me those excuses. You did hunt wild cattle, didn't you? When Nick was injured last time, I told you not to carry out such hunts again. And now, not only did you go hunting again, you killed a mother cow and calves. Don't you know that as a Druid, you must be close to nature and avoid disrupting the balance? Especially for your own selfish gain!"

This... Romon admitted that what he had done might have been inappropriate for a Druid. But from another perspective, he had obtained the prey through his own courage and that of his companion, merely so Nick could survive more comfortably...

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

"No choice?" Jefa was so furious that he could barely speak. He could not even be bothered to care whether the various accusations against Romon written on that note were true.

After all, this poor and humble boy was not truly his disciple. Jefa had already reached the point where he could no longer tolerate the boy staining the identity and honor of a Druid.

"Fine! Since you have so many unavoidable hardships, then from this moment on, do not set foot within my jurisdiction again. I do not wish to see you anymore."

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

When he spoke those words, he was so resolute, so heartless. He showed no regard at all for the bond between master and disciple.