Dawn Hunt and the Spark of Dreams
The chill of dawn air brushed against her skin. As the hazy sky slowly brightened the forest, Levy slung her bow over her back and headed quietly toward the rear mountain. Her father's old bow hung at its familiar weight on her back.
Today, I'll definitely catch a deer! Another voice whispered in a corner of her heart. Someday, I'll cross this forest... and see the wider world...
Her grandfather's stories came to mind. Elves she'd met at the world tree touching the sky. Beastkin merchants at an oasis after crossing endless deserts. Dwarves running forges in deep cave cities. Even mysterious mermaids glimpsed while sailing twilight seas. Her grandfather had been an A-rank adventurer. Those tales, told on his knee when she was little, had kindled a small spark in her heart.
"Grandpa, I want to be an adventurer when I grow up!"
"Yes, I hope our Levy spreads her wings wide and flies to a broader world."
She could still clearly picture his smile from back then. But after those words, he'd left for his next adventure... and never returned.
The crunch of leaves underfoot echoed through the quiet forest. Following her father's teachings, she walked with the wind at her back, scanning her surroundings. She searched for tracks—footprints, broken twigs, gnawed bark.
Brown hair stuck to her forehead. With this hair color like her father's, and her mother's lithe build, villagers said she seemed to have inherited only the best from her versatile homemaker mother and seasoned hunter father.
Her father hoped she'd become a fine hunter like him. But that was his second life. She'd learned by chance that he'd once been an adventurer. One night, eavesdropping on him drunk and talking with her mother. He'd lost comrades in the Demon Realm, barely survived countless perils, and eventually quit the adventurer's path. Then returned home, met her mother, and settled down.
Maybe that's why. While wanting her to be a hunter, he taught her archery as if training an adventurer—probably unconsciously.
"Tsst-tsst..." A sparrow flitted low overhead with a sleepy chirp. Before full dawn, even the birds seemed half-asleep. Her father said such sounds could reveal nearby large beasts, but she couldn't yet distinguish those subtleties.
After wandering the mountain for a couple of hours, she sensed movement in the distance. Cautiously, she raised her bow, nocked an arrow, and slowly drew the string.
Then—rustle—a rabbit burst from the bushes. She loosed quickly, but it vanished into another thicket in an instant.
Whoosh!
"Ah..." A sigh escaped her. She rummaged through the bushes and barely found the rabbit again.
This time for sure... Whoosh! She nailed it on the second shot, but felt her skills still lacking.
"You're still far from ready..."
On the way home, a familiar voice called out.
"Sis! Sis!"
Her little sister Lea came running, red hair fluttering. With her cute dimples just like their mother's, she looked like a young version of Mom. Her neatly tied hair threatened to come loose in the wind.
"Lea, run carefully!"
"Wow! You caught a rabbit!"
Lea stared wondrously at the rabbit in Levy's hand.
"Yeah, just this one..."
"That's amazing! I can't even draw the bow properly yet!"
Lea's eyes sparkled as she examined it. "Sis, I wanna shoot like you too!"
"You're still too young..."
"Nuh-uh, you were learning archery at my age!"
Levy chuckled. Lea was just like her at that age.
"Okay, I'll ask Dad next time."
"Really? Yay!"
Lea hopped in delight. "But Lea, why're you out so early?"
"Oh! Right! Mom's looking for you—said your errand's taking forever!"
Back home, Father had already gone hunting. Levy headed to the kitchen with the rabbit.
"Mom, I'm back."
"My girl, good work."
Their mother, red hair neatly tied, greeted her with her usual warm voice. Morning sunlight streamed through the kitchen window, making her hair sparkle like flames. A faint herbal scent wafted from the small kitchen.
"Just a rabbit today..." Levy offered it shyly.
"You still caught one. Your father was the same at first. You're doing well."
Mom stroked her head, the familiar herbal scent rising from her hand.
"Levy, could you pick these up in the village today?"
Mom handed her a parchment list: honey and a few spices.
"Sure, I'll be right back!"
The path down the mountain to the village always thrilled her. Sunlight danced through tall trees. Purple wildflowers bloomed roadside, and the stream sparkled as it flowed. Distant village noises sounded fun.
Resting by the stream, a merchant wagon passed.
"So, you know how amazing the Heshet Empire Academy is?"
"Hmph, just for nobles."
"No, commoners can go if they've got talent! Tuition's sky-high, though..."
Their talk caught her ear. Academy... You need to be 16 to enroll... Calculating her age, she'd be eligible in four years. She'd never considered it before—of course, tuition made it impossible.
…
The village buzzed unusually. Normally quiet streets teemed with people; shops displayed more goods. Streets swept clean, air thick with excitement.
"What's going on..."
As she wandered puzzled, hoofbeats approached.
"It's the Third Prince!"
At the shout, people cleared the way. Levy instinctively stepped to the corner.
And... time seemed to stop.
The boy stepping from the ornate royal carriage was like a fairy-tale prince. Golden hair shone brilliantly in the morning sun; sky-blue eyes held the depth of a clear lake. Unbelievable for 13.
Ah... Her chest tickled. A first-time feeling.
The Third Prince dismounted slowly. Up close, even more dazzling. Not tall, but his posture was striking.
Then his gaze turned her way. Breath caught. Their eyes met, and his warm smile... like spring sunlight.
Ah... this must be fate...
Her heart raced. Cheeks burned. Chatting with merchants was picturesque. At an old woman's fruit stall, he bought and ate one, praising it sweetly. No arrogance.
Her heart pounded. Different from adventure-story thrills or hunt successes. Like... a spring sprout emerging, mystical.
She stood dazed until he left.
How long? Right... errand... Snapping to, she checked the list. Honey and spices...
"Levy dear? How's this honey? Fresh batch..."
"Huh? Oh, yeah..."
The merchant aunt's words barely registered. The prince's image lingered, especially that smile.
"Levy? It's pricey, but..."
"Ah, yes! I'll take it."
She fled dazed. Same with spices—no haggling, barely checked prices.
"Levy! Is that really you?"
Familiar voice. Childhood friend Sophie.
"Sophie sis! Long time!"
"Totally! You've been stuck in the mountains—hard to see you."
Levy hugged her happily.
"Yeah... busy learning hunting from Dad."
"But... your face is super red. Did you see the Third Prince earlier?"
Sophie winked teasingly.
"N-no! Just errands..."
Sophie giggled at her fluster.
"C'mon, your face is tomato-red~ I saw him too! Super handsome, right?"
"Yeah... really handsome..."
A dreamy sigh slipped out.
"Hey, word is the Third Prince enrolls at Heshet Empire Academy in three years. You'll be that age too, huh?"
Sophie's joke planted a new dream. If she entered at 16, he'd be a second-year... maybe meet again?
The path her grandfather showed to the wide world. If she met the prince there...
I gotta become an adventurer and save for tuition now...
…
Heading home, she spotted Father returning from hunt, mighty with a huge deer. Sweat beaded on his brown hair, glinting in sunlight.
Amazing... I barely got one rabbit...
"Levy. On your way back from errands?"
"Yeah! You, Dad?"
"So-so."
Humble, but that deer was no easy catch.
Home, Mother prepped dinner.
"Levy, come help."
"Okay!"
Even helping, her mind swirled. How to broach academy... adventurers...
At dinner, family gathered. She spoke carefully.
"Dad, Mom... I have something to say."
"Hm? What?"
Father set down his utensils.
"I... wanna go to the academy."
Table hushed.
"Study... learn more."
"Levy..." Father's eyes complex.
"Sorry... if I'd earned more..."
"No! I'll earn it! Truth is... I always wanted to be an adventurer!"
Table froze. Lea eyed them anxiously.
"Adventurer?!"
Father bellowed. His eyes different—recalling old pains.
"No! Too dangerous!"
Mother waved in shock. Red hair shook; sadness in her eyes.
"Dad... I know. You were an adventurer..."
Quiet again. Father's face hardened.
"That time in Demon Realm... lost comrades..."
"Who... who told you..."
"Overheard... one night..."
Mother gently took Father's hand. Lea looked confused.
"But I can do it! Dad taught me archery..."
"Like your grandfather, huh."
Mother's quiet voice rang.
"Mom..."
"My father... always told you adventure tales. But in the end..."
Her voice trembled.
"Still, I can! I'll be an S-rank adventurer!"
"What do you even know?!"
Father slammed the table. Lea flinched.
"Trust me, Dad. I learned archery your way... observe carefully like you..."
Silence. Father's stern face softened slightly.
"Academy... fine. If you want to study, we'll manage. But adventurer? Never."
His voice firm, but trembling underneath.
"Then... train me till you approve. When you think I'm strong enough... let me be one."
"Levy..."
Mother gazed worriedly.
"Please. I know adventurer life is dangerous. But I've dreamed of it so long. From Grandpa's stories... your teachings..."
Lea quietly took her hand. Warmth spread.
Silence. Parents exchanged looks.
"Sigh... fine."
Father finally spoke. "I'll train you myself. But if you don't meet my standards, no."
His eyes still hard, but a spark of pride flickered.
"Really? Thanks, Dad!"
"Levy... be careful..."
Mother hugged tight.
"Yeah! Thanks, Mom."
Lea cheered, bouncing. "Sis! Teach me too!"
The next day, her special training began. No longer just a hunter's daughter, but a girl dreaming of S-rank adventurer.
And... awaiting the day she'd meet the Third Prince again.