14 The Five Statues And Ancestral Hall (1/2)
Late noon, the sun was setting and the elderly returned to their homes to prepare their meals and rest. Those of middle-age were teaching the children of age ten and above in various skills, such as tracking, fis.h.i.+ng, hunting in general, along with combat. Young children watched in the distance with glowing eyes, a fervent pa.s.sion as they desired to train as well.
The elders of the village prohibited them from taking part in any special training until they were ten years old, only giving brief physical training during the mornings to help them build a muscular, yet flexible, physique. Having spare time, the children would wander the village amok, though they understood not to go too far with their mischievous actions.
The children ventured throughout the shallow woods in the first forest zone, chasing after one another as they played different games, one of which that would remind Rentaro of a version of tag had he been watching. Naturally, this game of ”tag” was much more amped, as the children had stronger physical abilities than children of their age in Rentaro's previous world.
Soon, the sky darkened even further, prompting the children to return back to their homes. The children ten and above were dismissed by their trainers, excluding a few who remained to practice skills such as tracking and hunting in the dark. Others took up a quiet spot in the woods, cultivating in the dense conglomerations of qi which looked became visible to the naked eye as mist during the night.
The wooden houses within the village were lit up, fragrant aromas drifted out from the doors which caused the children's noses to twitch, urging them to rush inside for their meals.
One house in particular was lit brightly, revealing three figures. The three figures sat around a small wooden dining table, covering the table were numerous porcelain plates with only crumbs and stains as traces of an earlier meal and empty cups with few drops of liquid remaining within.
In the same room, a small fire place lay burning, ashes drifting up what seemed to be a makes.h.i.+ft chimney and the fire giving off a slight warmth, the glow revealing the three figures to be Icrin, Rentaro, and Roy.
”Hahh, I could still eat a few more plates of food.” Icrin spoke out.
”You're kidding, right? You've said that at least twice already, having eaten three rounds of food now.” Rentaro refuted almost immediately in response to Icrin, who took on the appearance of a young glutton.
”Hehe, Second Brother, I agree with Icrin. Don't forget that every time we've gotten another round of food, you've eaten your fair share! I guess you've been so hungry you didn't even notice, huh?” Roy'y voice resounded as he licked his last plate clean.
Slow footsteps trailed Roy's sentence, as an aged voice followed.
”Well, I for one agree with young Rentaro. This is the last round of plates I'm bringing you kids, you can get any other food yourself afterwards, I'm too tired to keep doing this. Make sure you clean up after yourselves!”
Entering the room, Elder Astrona was holding a rather large tray with multiple plates of food, along with a fresh pot of tea.
”Thanks, Gramps!” Icrin's voice resounded, his eyes s.h.i.+ning with a voracious light as he eyed up the plates of food.
”Thanks, Elder!” Roy and Rentaro's voice sounded alongside Icrin's as Elder Astrona set the plates down on the table in the little s.p.a.ce he could make. Like-minded, Roy and Icrin started digging into the food that had just been placed.
”Haha, you kids eat up. Rentaro, Roy, if you two have any questions, feel free to ask me any time.” Elder Astrona wore a small smile on his face as he looked towards the two, his glance settling on Rentaro.
”Um, Elder, I have a question about the forest zones.”
Rentaro already had some theory on the forest zones from Wilhelm, but decided to clarify his understanding on how they labeled the forest zones.
”Oh? I expected you to have questions, but didn't think they'd be regarding the forest zones. Well, you must be planning on using them to train, right?”
”Yeah, if that's fine with you and the village...”
”Heh, don't worry. Using the forest zones to train is much more beneficial than simple meditation or spars. I planned to have Icrin start training in the second forest zone soon, so having you two accompany him would be perfect. Before you three venture out alone, I'll have one of our teams of hunters take you three out for experience.”
”Really, Gramps! You're finally letting me hunt in the forest!” Dropping his food back on the plate, Icrin looked up towards Elder Astrona with starry eyes.
”Yes, only the second forest zone however. Until you adjust to the second zone and I think you're strong enough, you aren't to go any further. Understood?”
As Icrin faced Elder Astrona's stern tone, he cut any mischievousness from his voice, ”Understood!”
”Excuse me, Elder. What's up with the five different animals statues? They are all very life-like. Also, why are they placed towards the end of the path, in front of that big building?”
”Oh, you mean the five statues that are placed in front of our Ancestral Hall? The only one who knows their exact origin would be Nento Krose, but he has left us long ago, I wasn't even born during the same time-frame he lived. Sadly, he didn't leave many records pertaining to the statues.”