Supreme Hunter of Beautiful Souls

Adalric sat comfortably in the main carriage of the convoy, his eyes closed in apparent tranquility, but his mind was far from rest. The image of Kael still lingered in his thoughts like a persistent shadow. He mentally reviewed every movement the boy had made during the confrontation with the magical beasts.

"A mage..." Adalric repeated to himself, almost ironically. He slowly opened his eyes, gazing at the interior of the carriage, though his mind was far away from there.

The way Kael manipulated the wind with near-surgical precision, the way he moved his body in sync with his magic... that was not ordinary.

He knew mages, had fought alongside and against many, and none of them exhibited such a firm, disciplined, almost... physical stance.

His sharp eyes picked up details that most would have ignored. Kael didn't have the typical physique of a mage. He wasn't hunched or awkward like many magic users who drowned in books and rituals.

There was strength in his bearing, something reflected in his squared shoulders and decisive steps. Even when casting spells, he did so with a presence that seemed more suited to a warrior than a spellcaster.

Adalric rubbed his chin, pondering. "It's not just that..." he sensed.

The power emanated from Kael subtly, but undeniably. It wasn't just magical power. It was something deeper, something more rooted. And that left a gap in his mind, a puzzle he couldn't quite piece together.

"He's not just a mage. But what else could he be? He doesn't seem to know how to use a sword..." Adalric sighed softly, a curious smile appearing on his lips. "Interesting, boy. Very interesting." He murmured to himself, his voice echoing slightly in the confined space of the carriage.

The truth was, he had never liked unsolved riddles. His curiosity was beginning to eat away at his patience. He wanted to understand, to test the limits of that hidden strength, to see how far Kael could go.

His eyes narrowed, and the aura he controlled so carefully slipped out for a brief moment, filling the air around him with a slight pressure. He recalled the way Irelia looked at the boy, the excitement she demonstrated. "My niece... she would never take such an interest in someone without reason. Maybe she feels something in him that I haven't yet identified."

Adalric leaned back in his seat, crossing his arms, his smile now wider and filled with hidden intentions. "Let's see how far you can go, Kael RedGrave."

...

Kael sat around the campfire, the comforting heat illuminating his face as he watched the flames dance. Beside him, a few soldiers were talking among themselves, their voices a mix of respect and casualness. Irelia was also nearby, holding a bowl of soup, her posture relaxed but her ears attentive to the conversations.

"I knew Lady Irelia was putting in a lot of effort in her training," commented one of the soldiers, a sturdy man with a short beard, "but what we saw today... well, she's truly a formidable swordswoman."

"Oh, of course," responded another soldier, a younger man with light scars on his face. "Lady Irelia has the blood of the Ainsworths. It's no surprise she's so talented."

"But..." The first soldier glanced at Kael, his eyes evaluating the boy. "That little one there... well, I'll admit, I was a bit scared. He's just a boy, but he fought like a veteran. And that magic... it was like a hurricane. Never seen anything like it."

The others murmured their agreement, their eyes flickering between Kael and the fire. Irelia chuckled softly, her voice cutting through the conversation. "I told you he was special. You didn't believe me when I said he had something different, did you?"

Kael, who had been silent up until then, raised his eyes, feeling the weight of their gazes on him. "I just did what was necessary," he said, trying to downplay the attention. "That situation was dangerous for everyone."

"You did much more than that, kid," responded the older soldier, laughing and shaking his head. "You controlled the wind like it was part of you. And the way you moved... it was like an experienced swordsman, but using magic."

Kael didn't immediately reply, merely observing the soldier with a thoughtful look. He knew he had drawn attention, but he hadn't expected it to be this much. Irelia, noticing his discomfort, intervened with a playful smile.

"Maybe you should leave Kael alone," she said lightly. "He's not the type who enjoys being the center of attention."

Before Kael could thank her for trying to deflect the focus, a deep voice filled with authority came from behind him.

"Oh, you don't like attention, huh?"

Kael turned his head and saw Adalric emerge from the shadows, an axe resting on his shoulder and a smile that seemed both challenging and... inviting. The man carried the air of the night with him, his presence immediately commanding the space.

"Then how about you come with me to gather some firewood? It'll do you good."

Silence fell around the campfire, the soldiers exchanging nervous glances.

"If you need help, sir, I can go too..." one of the guards started, but his companion quickly placed a hand on his shoulder, pulling him aside and whispering in his ear, "Forget it. That's the overprotective uncle. Don't get involved."

The first guard swallowed hard, nodding, while Adalric continued to smile, seemingly oblivious—or perhaps very aware—of the tension he was causing.

Kael felt a chill run down his spine, but he knew refusing wasn't an option. "S-sure, sir," he replied, standing up with an attempt to maintain composure.

As he followed Adalric away from the campfire, Umbra's voice echoed in his mind, laced with irony.

"You're getting yourself into hot water, huh? Good luck with that. I'm going to sleep, see ya."

Kael nearly stumbled over his own shadow, feeling abandoned even by his spiritual companion. He swallowed hard, straightened his posture, and followed Adalric, though each step seemed to lead him straight into the lion's den.

"Come on, kid, they'll freeze to death while you drag your feet," Adalric shot a provocative grin over his shoulder, his voice heavy with irony and authority.

"I'm coming, sir..." Kael replied, trying to keep his voice calm, but feeling the weight of the situation.

Adalric let out a low chuckle, as if he were enjoying the evident discomfort of the boy. "Nice reply. I hope you've got more than that when we get our hands on the firewood."

Kael followed the man, the axe on his shoulder glinting in the moonlight, while he tried not to show the unease he was feeling.