Chapter - 4
To Earn A Keep (4) + Johan's backstory
Johan's pupils dilated slightly, realizing that he had been a bit too open with the little fairy. This was not the first time he felt it, and he had some idea of what it might be.
"Divine power," he muttered, his demeanor suddenly shifting to rage. A subtle aura of doubt lingered in his mind, but he wasn't taking any chances like last time.
———————
Three months prior to entering the Forest of Wandering Whispers, in a village named Hilos—one of the ten villages closest to the Forest of Wandering Whispers...
Johan, wearing his usual merry expression, was collecting herbs from the nearby hills—the farthest point from the cursed forest. No villagers were allowed to go in that forest, for a witch resided in its shadows.
"Praise the All-Seeing Sun," Johan prayed, for today his harvest was bountiful, all in the best state.
Gazing at the deeper section of the hill's woods, Johan couldn't help but wonder: I've already finished my daily quota way ahead of schedule; it wouldn't hurt to fool around in the forest ....just for a bit.
Closing his eyes, he took a deep breath, inhaling the rich scents of the forest as he mapped out the terrain in his mind.
This was his skill: Predictive. It allowed him to observe the world using all his senses—except for sight. Similar to the Hunter bloodline, it heightened perception, but unlike inherited bloodline abilities, Predictive required extensive training and experience to master. Moreover, people with normal eyesight found it particularly difficult to learn. Compared to his blind mother, who had honed her senses to an extraordinary degree, his skill felt like a pale imitation.
The moment all the gathered information fell into place, he started running, his eyes still closed with a serene expression on his face. It might seem that he was running blindly and might trip anytime, but that was the charm of Predictive.
When observed closely, one would see that Johan was perfectly avoiding any obstacles that might hinder his speed, break his concentration, or slow his momentum. Or at least, that was how it was supposed to go—until an unexpected hurdle appeared.
Johan crashed into something that wasn’t on his radar—something even his trained senses had failed to detect. When he opened his eyes, a fierce sight greeted him.
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Knights in silver and gold-plated armor, their massive frames akin to giants, sat atop war horses, glaring down at him. Their expressions were far from friendly—filled with unhidden disgust, as if his very presence contaminated the air around him.
Lowly follower of the Witch.
The thought echoed in all their minds, yet none spoke it aloud.
Lowering his gaze, Johan immediately prostrated himself on the ground. His head hitting the ground till it bled.
"Oh, great knights of the Empire, please forgive this lowly commoner. I was unable to see your great presense due to the shadows cast by the trees."
He was trembling. He had offended people he should never have even encountered.
"Raise your head, child."
The voice that echoed around him was deep and oppressive. It was not the voice of mercy.
Johan hesitated before looking up. The tallest knight among them had dismounted and was approaching. With his helmet still on, his intentions were unreadable—but did that matter? Johan already knew his fate was sealed.
The colossal knight removed his helmet and knelt before Johan.
"Kid, where did you come from?" he asked, his voice no longer harsh.
Johan blinked in shock. Unlike the others, this knight had a kind, easygoing face.
The knight smiled warmly, a warmth that melted Johan’s fear.
Tears welled in Johan’s eyes.
He was saved. He wasn’t going to die a horrific death. He was going to live.
He will live.
"There, there," the knight said gently, patting Johan’s back while the other knights looked puzzled. "Why are you crying, little one? It’s alright. You’re safe. Afterall we are all equal under the God who we worship."
That was the first time his Predictive failed to detect a scent. The first time he let his guard down.
But it wouldn’t be the last.
—————————
"Irari, you’re a Divine power user."
Johan growled, his expression twisting with anger. The little fairy glanced at him but said nothing. Her silence only fuled his raging anger.
The easygoing, stubborn boy was nowhere to be found. In his place stood a predator, ready to maul his prey.
Then, suddenly, he stopped.
No—I might be mistaken.
He steadied his breath, forcing his emotions under control.
Irari finally spoke, her lips curling into an empty smile and her eyes made an omnious slit.
"Hesitation would get you killed, Johan. You shouldn’t overthink when you kill."
Her words sent a chill down his spine.
"What are you saying?" Johan forced a grin, trying to mask his tension.
Irari tilted her head. "You know what I mean. I can sense killing intent, you know. Just now, you resolved to kill me… and then stopped. Why?"
She didn’t look angry.
She just looked… disappointed.
Johan swallowed, his fingers curling into fists. "Are you a user of Divine power?" he asked, voice quieter now, his gaze fixed on her—but his eyes moved away from her.
"No."
Her answer came instantly, her playful demeanor returning as she twirled in the air, striking odd poses above his head.
Johan exhaled slowly as relief washed over him. "Then I have no reason to think about killing you. Thank the Sun. Besides, I know you could kill me in an instant. I’d just be throwing my life away if I fought you."
"Huhu, you finally realised my great powers." He praised herself smugly. Inside Johan knew that those words were not empty and carried something stronger than mere baseless pride.
With Irari, he didn’t need to pretend. He didn’t have to act like the clueless child he had been with Ataria.
Because he knew Irari would and can kill him if she felt like it. Unlike Ataria who had a lazy personality, one that kept her away from getting herself involved in unnecessary trouble.
