The moon hung high above Korvan Village, silver light spilling through the windows of the longhouse. The air inside was still warm from the hearthfire, though the tone of the room was quiet — serious.
Hunnt sat across from Kael, Seren, and Chief Maerin, the faint glow from the fire reflecting against the steel of his gauntlets.
Maerin was the first to break the silence.
"So," she asked evenly, "what happened in their training today?"
Hunnt leaned back, his eyes thoughtful but calm. "They did well — better than I expected. Their coordination improved, and each one's rhythm is more refined now. But…" he exhaled softly, "some still need correction."
Kael nodded. "That's expected. Rogan's still adjusting to his new sword, but his control's finally showing. Lyssara's strikes are sharper, though her precision fades under pressure. Will's learning to move while shooting, which is progress. And Willa…" Kael smiled faintly, "she might already be stronger than all of them combined."
Seren chuckled. "That girl's shield doesn't falter. Even I had trouble pushing her back during practice."
Hunnt gave a small nod of agreement. "Willa's learned what I needed to teach her. Her rhythm, breathing, and guard flow are instinctive now. She's ready for field experience — not more lessons."
Maerin folded her hands, studying him. "So what's your plan then?"
"I'll continue training Rogan, Will, and Lyssara," Hunnt said. "They still have ground to cover."
Seren tilted his head. "And Willa?"
Hunnt turned to both Kael and Seren. "You two will train her."
Kael blinked. "Us? Since when did we become her teachers?"
Hunnt's lips curved into a small, knowing smirk. "Since she stopped needing me. She needs a different kind of test now — one that shows her how to adapt to others. You both know that better than anyone."
Seren raised a brow. "You want us to turn her into a field hunter?"
Hunnt thought for a moment before speaking. "More than that. I want you to help her understand what she's really fighting for."
Kael leaned back with a skeptical look. "You're telling us to make up stories for innocent people now?"
Hunnt chuckled lightly. "Rogan and Lyssara may already suspect who we are. But Will and Willa? They're still trying to become hunters to learn the truth about their parents. They know nothing about the Four N's or the Eternal Wanderers. So yes — I want you to tell them a story."
Seren tilted his head. "A story about what?"
Hunnt's tone softened, the firelight flickering in his eyes.
"A story about a group that protects people — who fight not for fame or gold, but because it's the right thing to do. A story about balance, and the strength to stand between the people and the monsters."
Kael groaned, rubbing the bridge of his nose. "So, basically make ourselves the good guys?"
"Exactly," Hunnt said simply. "You can even mention Vulcarion Basal, but don't tell them the hunters who slew it were us."
Seren chuckled. "I can do that. You've always liked turning lessons into myths, haven't you?"
Hunnt smiled faintly. "Truth hides better inside a good story."
Maerin sipped her tea quietly, amused. "It's been a long time since I've seen the three of you argue like this. It's good to have the old rhythm back."
---
The next morning broke bright and crisp, sunlight spilling across the training field as dew glistened on the grass. Hunnt, Kael, and Seren stood side by side, watching as the four trainees assembled before them.
Rogan's armor gleamed faintly, his movements steadier now. Will adjusted his bowstring with practiced ease. Lyssara stood calm, expression disciplined. And Willa stood at the front, shield at her side, posture strong and confident.
Hunnt stepped forward, his gauntlets glinting faintly in the light.
"From today onward," he said, "I'll be training Rogan, Lyssara, and Will."
Willa blinked in surprise. "What about me?"
Seren grinned. "You're with me and Kael, kid."
"What? Why? I can still train with them!" Willa protested.
Hunnt's tone was calm but resolute. "You've already learned what I can teach you. What you need now isn't more drills — it's experience. You're ready for field work."
Willa frowned. "But—"
Will stepped beside her. "He's right. Back in the Gorvann fight, you were the one who kept it focused on you. You were the reason we survived."
Rogan nodded in agreement. "You're our frontliner, Willa. Practicing won't make you stronger anymore. Experience will."
Lyssara folded her arms. "They're right. You're the shield that keeps us standing."
Willa sighed, glancing at Hunnt, then nodded reluctantly. "Fine. But you'd better not fall behind."
Kael chuckled. "Don't worry — we'll keep her busy."
As Kael and Seren led Willa away for her new training, Hunnt turned toward the remaining three. His eyes hardened slightly, and his hand brushed over the hilt of his longsword.
"Alright," he said, "Rogan, Will, Lyssara — ready?"
"Yes, Master Hunnt," the three answered in unison.
Hunnt nodded approvingly. "Good. First, I'll continue Rogan's training — his finishers and follow-ups — then I'll move to Lyssara's next."
Rogan and Will exchanged quick glances and nodded, already knowing how thorough Hunnt's lessons could be. Lyssara said nothing but folded her arms, her expression serious and focused.
Hunnt glanced at her. "Lyssara, I want you to watch everything carefully. Every motion, every stance. You'll learn by observing as much as practicing."
Lyssara straightened and nodded respectfully. "Yes, Master Hunnt."
Hunnt unsheathed his longsword — the faint sound of steel sliding free carried across the field. He held it low at his side, his stance grounded.
"Rogan, you already know your basic attacks, breathing forms, and combo rhythm," Hunnt said, voice low and steady. "Now, I'll teach you key techniques — the ones that can save your life in a real battle. They're used for countering and evading, and they all demand timing and awareness."
He shifted into stance, blade angled slightly backward.
---
Fade Slash
An evasive slash that steps back — used to create distance safely while still attacking.
Hunnt demonstrated, sliding back in one smooth motion, blade cutting the air with a whisper. Rogan followed, mimicking the movement — a bit heavier, but clean.
---
Foresight Slash
A counter move — dodge, then slash. It consumes your Spirit Gauge, but if it connects, it restores the flow entirely.
Hunnt's motion blurred. He stepped aside, slashing through the air with a sharp recoil that whistled past Rogan's shoulder. "This one's all about instinct," Hunnt explained. "If your heart hesitates, your blade will too."
---
Spirit Helm Breaker
An aerial dive finisher from the Spirit Gauge — devastating if landed cleanly.
Hunnt leapt upward, twisting midair before driving the blade downward in a fluid arc. The impact cracked the ground slightly, dust rising. Rogan's eyes widened in awe. "That's insane…"
"Powerful," Hunnt said, straightening, "but costly. Use it only when you're certain."
---
Iai Slash / Iai Spirit Slash
From the sheath stance — a timed counter or Spirit Gauge builder.
Hunnt sheathed his sword slowly, then drew it in a flash, the air splitting with a sharp hiss. "This teaches patience," he said. "You're waiting for your enemy's breath, not your own."
---
Harvest Moon
A technique that creates a circular zone — boosts Spirit Gauge and enables unique follow-ups.
Hunnt drew a glowing arc in the dirt with the tip of his blade. "Inside this ring, your rhythm multiplies. The sword dances faster here, but you must keep the flow alive. Once the rhythm breaks, so does the ring."
---
Rogan exhaled, watching closely as Hunnt's demonstration ended. "I understand," he said. "Control, flow, and timing."
Hunnt nodded, lowering his sword. "Exactly. Master these, and the blade will no longer follow you — you'll follow it."
Lyssara's eyes stayed fixed on Hunnt's movements the entire time, memorizing every stance, every angle. Deep inside, she could feel it — a longing to reach that same level of precision.