Chapter 17: Five years later
Five years have passed since Alexius left with the knights, and though time had eased the initial ache, a part of me still missed him deeply. The mornings in the forest were peaceful, yet they always brought a sense of nostalgia. I often found myself wandering to our old meeting spot, the cave by the waterfall, just to feel closer to him.
This morning was no different. I awoke to the gentle hum of the forest, the leaves whispering secrets in the breeze. My siblings were already up, playfully sparring in the clearing outside our den. They had grown into strong, formidable wolves, their fur thick and shimmering in the sunlight. While they had their growth shoot quickly, mine seemed to go slow as we were now the same height. Although mom explained that dragons grew a bit slower, as well as they would grow a bit more in a few more years since they were children of King and Queen, making them higher wolves. It meant they would be the size of a smaller horse. Now that would make our pack and this forest protected by a powerful family. Mom said I'd too, would grow... that dragons of my kind also reach the size of smaller horses - not ponies - but longer! Horses! That made me excited... maybe Alex could ride me... wait... did that sound bad?
"Orphe, come on!" Lorelin called, her voice laced with excitement. She pounced on Orsus, who yelped in surprise but quickly retaliated with a playful nip.
I smiled, feeling grateful for their presence. We had grown even closer over the years, and our bond was unbreakable. Joining them, I leapt into the fray, our playful tussle a mix of laughter and growls.
"You're getting slow, Orphe!" Orish teased, dodging a swipe from my tail. He was a bit smaller than us, but gosh he was fast!
"Just giving you a chance," I retorted, feigning a lunge to the left before darting to the right, catching him off guard.
Our play continued until we were all breathless and panting, collapsing in a heap of fur and scales.
Father had been away for several weeks now, embarking on his annual journey across his land. Each year in spring and autumn, he travelled far and wide to strengthen the community of the forest, watch the borders, and help other packs, clans or families. His absence was felt deeply, not just by me, but by all of us. He was a formidable leader and teacher, and his wisdom and strength were unmatched. What was worse, was that soon, mother would join him again on those journeys. We'd miss her but none of us dared to tell her that as we knew how she missed her mate. I understood her feeling although it felt less lonely and hurt less when you are fully mated with your Soulmate it seems.
I missed my training sessions with the King, where he would impart his knowledge and push me to grow stronger. Despite his absence, I continued to train on my own, honing my skills and preparing for the challenges the forest presented.
Mother watched over us with a gentle but firm presence, ensuring we kept up with our duties and training. She was a source of strength and comfort, always there with a kind word or a nuzzle when we needed it.
I also had PIA. Well, maybe not exactly "had", as she still was unable to converse with me. But after finally getting my head out of my ass and actually paying attention to all she said or the possibilities PIA gave me... I realised how awesome it was.
For example "Eyeglass"? I totally forgot about this ability when I was meeting with Alex. I didn't even realise I could use it, until by accident, I used it on a strange fruit that Orsus wanted to eat.
*Flashback*
"What do you have there fluff?" I asked Orsus as the plump wolf pup was sniffing something.
"Fruit! Smells funny. Want to eat!" Orsus was already drooling over it.
Is it wise to eat unknown fruits? Nah... I don't think so... What if it's poisonous?
I looked at the fruit carefully but I didn't know this one or at least didn't remember. Maybe... it would be ok...?
[Do you wish to activate Eyeglass?]
What? Ah.. OH! Omg yes yes, please!
[Activating skill: Eyeglass]
I looked at the fruit again and if I could - I'd become pale.
[Indetification Succesfull. The User doesn't know the fruit, but Nature shares its knowledge with the User.]
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Fruit: Eristher (Common langue: Last Prank)
Warning: Deadly poisonous
Description: Those are the fruits from Hignis trees which are growing very high and are beyond the reach of most of most creatures. Only bird or monkey types of animals can get to them. Normal fruits of these trees are very sweet and are named Highres, but the tree is also called a "Prankster". Some of those fruits are highly poisonous and will kill anything that eats them. Then the Hignis tree will grow from the dead body of the creature that eats the prankster fruit. Safe to consume by water-affiliated creatures.
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What?!
I raised my head and saw my little brother reaching for the fruit lying on the ground with its small muzzle.
"ORSUS NO!" I yelled and crashed into him to get him as far away as possible.
"What? Why?! Do you want to eat it? You could have said..." Orsus seemed sad and hurt.
"Wh... No! No little bro! It's just... this is a very poisonous fruit..." I was trying to explain.
That's when Mom came, and she too, recognised the fruit. She then gave as a lesson on how to recognise them and what to do when the fruit is spotted. Normally we call the birds of griffins big enough to carry such fruit and they carry them to the river or lake. Coz it seems when consumed by water creatures in water, the poison doesn't activate. But still... if I didn't use the Eyeglass skill back then... well... let's say I have saved Orsus yet again.
*End of Flashback*
So I started using this skill a lot... and realised that I could use it even on myself or other creatures. I made a rule of checking my PIA panel almost every day, just to be sure.
[Activating skill: Eyeglass]
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Name: Orphelin Alba
Age: almost 6 years old
Gender: Male
Current User Level: 14
Current PIA System Level: 3
PIA system gains 1 level whenever the User gains 5 levels.
Titles:
-Reincarnated,
-Member of the Wolf Pack,
-Son of the Wolf Queen,
-Great Protector - proves that the one wielding the title is capable of risking their own life to save and protect those in need. When doing so, the Great Protector title makes the User's resolve stronger and enhances them.
-Forest King's Heir - title given to the heir of the King of the Forest, which Nature accepts itself. It makes the User able to connect with Nature to be able to draw the power needed to cast spells and use magic.
Rare Abilities:
-Special Level Up
Conditions: Face a stronger enemy with deadly intent, fight while putting your life at stake to protect others, don't give up, and push your abilities to the maximum in a critical situation.
-Basic Elemental Affinity: Earth & Wind
Racial affinity with air and gained an affinity with earth thanks to living with the wolves and learning their ways. The user is capable of preparing spells bound with those elements.
User Skills & Abilities:
-World Languages | Level 5
High probability of quickly learning or understanding a language known in the previous world or used by a race or breed connected with the User.
-Eyeglass | Level 5
Ability to get more detailed information about oneself or any object of interest.
-Stealth Prowess | Level 4
The ability to move silently or blend into his surroundings allows for stealthier approaches in the forest.
-Enhanced Senses | Level 3
Honed natural senses (sight, hearing, smell) further, allowing him to detect hidden threats or resources in the forest more effectively.
-Tactical Thinking | Level 2
Strategic skills, enabling the user to better plan and execute actions during battles or when facing new challenges.
-Evasion Mastery | Level 3
The skill to better dodge and evade attacks, increasing the user's survivability in combat.
Negative Effects:
-Soulmates Apart - when the User is from a race which possesses a Soulmate, after finding them, they may get a negative effect affecting their statistics and skill and cutting them in half, if the User and the Soulmate didn't create an official mate bond.
Changes: As the User is trying to train hard to meet with their Soulmate, the User develops an effect that boosts his resilience and emotional strength, making him closer to gaining a rare ability known as "Mind over Pain". The change in the status must continue for 3 more years, for the User to get the ability.
PIA System Options:
-Conversations with PIA [Unlockable at PIA System Level 5]
PIA gains the ability to converse more freely with the User, like a more sentient being.
-Suggestions [Unlocked]
PIA may suggest when the use of the Eyeglass ability or other skills may be useful sometimes.
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Yeah... I really need to try and get that 'Mind over Pain' whatever it means... Seems PIA doesn't want to let me know what it is. But it's ok.
Lately, PIA gives me some suggestions sometimes so it's getting easier. I also realised that the whole panel was a bit different from what I first expected. I remembered playing some games in my previous life... so I was surprised a bit. No statistics like strength or intelligence, as well things like attacks etc... I've learnt that life can't be brought to just such numbers in the end, as well as my life also can't be viewed as numbers. And that means that only some really special things or things that make me better in some aspects, appear in the panel. It still was difficult sometimes, but hey... I was managing quite well. I was also able to use that knowledge to help my siblings as I checked their panels as well...
I raised my head and looked at my wolf family with a small smile.
[Activating skill: Eyeglass]
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Name: Lorelin Alba
Age: 5,5 year
Race: Higher wolf
Gender: Female
Relationship: The user's sister
Build: Sleek and elegant. White with a hint of green. Her eye colour is golden, inherited from her father. The current size of a normal wolf.
Personality: Caring and nurturing.
Titles: Princess of the Forest, Healing Presence
Special Ability: Healing Howl, Enemy Hypnosis
Name: Orsus Alba
Age: 5,5 year
Race: Higher wolf
Gender: Male
Relationship: The user's brother
Build: Stocky and muscular body with silver fur. His eye colour is golden, inherited from his father. The current size of a normal wolf.
Personality: Looks up to Orphe. After being a chubby pup, he tries to exercise a lot to be in shape.
Titles: Prince of the Forest, The Defender
Special Ability: Body of Steel, Intimidating Growl
Name: Orish Alba
Age: 5,5 year
Race: Higher wolf
Gender: Male
Relationship: The user's brother
Build: Partially dark grey and white fur. His eye colour is blue, inherited from his mother. The current size of a normal wolf.
Personality: A cunning and clever schemer. The shortest of the triplets but the cleverest and the most agile.
Titles: Prince of the Forest, The Hunter Master
Special Ability: Swift Feet, Ghost Dodge
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The only ones who I couldn't heck were Mom and Dad... seems they're probably "too powerful". But other than that... yeah my siblings were getting really awesome! And with my high attack power, we were a really good team.
---AUTHOR'S NOTE---
MC: I miss him ;- ;
Author: yhym... yeah I know
MC: Why just 5 years? Can't we just skip to our meeting? PLS!
Author: Nah... I'm not in any rush kiddo
MC: >.< Grrr
Author: Don't you growl at me and go back to your training
MC: Oh yeah... so you can concentrate on writing other useless stuff and some R-rated pairings which are not us?! RIGHT?!
Author: I will not comment on that -. -
MC: Ha! See! I kne...
Author: LOOK! It's Alex!
MC: What?! Where?!
Author: *runs away*
MC: -.-
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CREATORS' THOUGHTS 
DragoAMI
DragoAMI Something strange happened with scheduled posts and it appeared earlier than supposed to o.O Now it's correct ^^
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