Beast Tamer

The sky was gray. It was a day like any other in the bustling, ancient city of Velandria. Within a small courtyard, Ethan, a young apprentice warrior, stood poised with a wooden training sword in hand, his breath visible in the chilly morning air. Around him, the courtyard buzzed with life. A group of young warriors in training exchanged banter, sparring lightly with their wooden weapons. Ethan, though quiet, had earned a reputation as one of the most promising yet underestimated students. His dark eyes reflected the sharp focus of someone older and wiser than his age suggested. “Ethan! You're zoning out again! If you don’t start paying attention, you'll be cleaning out the stables for a week!" shouted his instructor, a burly man with a gruff demeanor named Gregory. Ethan snapped back to attention, adjusting his grip on the wooden sword. He knew Gregory wasn’t joking—the punishment for daydreaming was often harsh. But today, his thoughts were elsewhere. His time in this small town was soon coming to an end. He had plans far beyond these walls, far beyond this tiny city, and that made him restless. “Sorry, Gregory. It won’t happen again,” Ethan replied, flashing a rare grin. Gregory's scowl softened. He had trained Ethan since the boy had been brought to Velandria’s training grounds at the age of ten. Now sixteen, Ethan had grown into a young man with sharp instincts and a will of iron. Despite his instructor's harsh tone, Gregory secretly admired the boy’s natural talent and determination. “Well, don't just stand there. Show me what you've got, kid. Let’s see if those rumors about your skills hold any truth." Ethan nodded, taking a deep breath. With a sudden burst of energy, he lunged forward, executing a perfect strike that caught Gregory slightly off guard. The older warrior blocked the attack easily, but the boy’s speed had surprised him. He could see why the other trainees whispered about Ethan’s potential. “Not bad,” Gregory admitted. “But you’re still years away from beating me. Get back in line!” The other trainees looked on with awe, some with envy. Ethan had always stood out, though he never sought the attention. Later that day, as the students gathered their things and headed to the dining hall, Ethan was stopped by one of the older apprentices, Marcus. Marcus was the leader of a small group that took pleasure in harassing the younger students, and today, his eyes were set on Ethan. “Well, well, if it isn’t the prodigy of Velandria,” Marcus sneered. “Think you're better than us, don’t you?” Ethan didn’t respond. He knew Marcus was looking for a fight, but he wasn’t interested. His mind was set on something far greater than these petty squabbles. Without another word, he turned to walk away. Before he could take a second step, Marcus stuck his foot out, trying to trip him. Ethan felt the trap, his instincts kicking in as he sidestepped the move effortlessly. Marcus stumbled, his face reddening with embarrassment as the other students laughed. Ethan glanced back at Marcus, his expression calm but firm. “Next time, try harder.” As the day ended and the night crept in, Ethan sat quietly in his small room, the weight of his impending journey heavy on his mind. Tomorrow, he would leave Velandria behind, setting out on a path that would take him far beyond this city, and into the unknown. And though he felt the excitement of adventure coursing through him, he knew one thing for certain: nothing would ever be the same again.