Chapter 2: Hunter Life

-Pov Ivon-

-Timeskip 5 years

In the living room of the mansion, I started opening my birthday presents.

"Come on little Ivon opens first mom". From behind mom's voice encouraged me.

Without thinking I looked for his gift, a large box, and quickly tore the gift wrapper to shreds.

It was a dark wooden trunk, on the front was its lock with its padlock, the key was next to the padlock. Without thinking I opened it, just to see the contents of the trunk.

"Mom this is amazing," I said as I pulled out what was inside.

It was a crossbow because of its size and weight it was somewhat difficult for me to grasp. Of dark wood and silver, it was a unique piece, which I had sometimes seen my mother keep for her business trips.

"I always notice how you look at my weapons, especially the crossbow. Now it's yours, you can go to the courtyard to practice as much as you want, you just need to talk to some servant to mate you. As a precaution." Mom said, honestly giving an 8-year-old a crossbow is not very safe.

It was surprising at first, but mom and dad are monster hunters, the silver brotherhood existed.

My parents belonged to it, all those trips they do are for silver brotherhood missions. They are in charge of hunting down supernatural beings that cause trouble in the world.

"Open mine now." Father approached with a small box, there was no gift sleeve covering the object.

He opens it without further ado, only to see that it contained a heavy necklace posing.

"What is it?" I knew it was a necklace with a Cristina cross as I said.

"It's a necklace made of pure silver that's why it's heavy. You should get used to it, silver is good against vampires and werewolves. It's a family heirloom, it was soaked for 50 years in holy water. It's a dangerous item against vampires and werewolves." He said only to pull me close and place it around my neck.

"It's heavy." I thought as I felt the weight of the necklace, I couldn't complain it seemed to have a lot of value.

"We have good news for you son," Mom spoke I listened to her afraid I would miss her words. "Starting tomorrow your training as a hunter will begin, we were planning to start when I'm 10, but your talent is amazing. You will be a good hunter."

"I'll be just like mom and dad." I excitedly jumped up to hug her mom.

I'm not going to lie since I was born into this world discovering the supernatural was something that changed my perspective.

The blame for my childish behavior is because most of my memories were taken by the being who reincarnated me.

Everything about the life I once had in the past was completely impossible to know, my mind is practically wiped clean.

What I can remember is that I am a replacement for some concepts and information about the previous society and world.

Many of them still preceded where I am now and some did not. Few are aware of the supernatural movement, and a few groups know about it.

Mom explained that there are many groups or organizations, just like humans, vampires, werewolves, and witches created their groups.

I don't have much information about them, but on the human side, I only know of two, the Silver Brotherhood, and The Order.

They both hunt supernatural beings, there is a coexistence between the two. According to my parents, there are cases where they work together.

....

-Narrator-

In the courtyard of the mansion, a male silhouette stood in front of a smaller one. It was Ezon and Ivon, both of whom were up at 6 a.m. to begin training.

"Son, being a hunter is difficult, we are only human. To be able to face beings stronger than us we train our body and mind. I'll teach you everything practical like hand-to-hand combat with weapons and without them. Your mom will take care of the theory. First, you must prepare and cultivate your body. Let's start with a warm-up 10-minute run...Run!". His behavior was normal at first, but then, with a serious and strict voice, he shouted for him to run.

The training would bring suffering Ivon could think and even believe that he was prepared. Completely wrong, he would only see it by living it for himself.

"I'm only 8!" Ivon screamed in her mind as she kept running.

The 10 minutes passed and Ivon was not in his best state. Tired, with sweat on his face he stopped in front of his father.

"Now you must do 10 push-ups. Count each one out loud". He sounded more like an army instructor than a father.

"1...2...3". Ivon without blinking started doing the push-ups when she got to 5 her arms were shaking, and she could stand to finish.

"Let's get on with the abs. I want 20 now!". New order dictated the father, Ivon being an obedient son began to do them even when his body could no longer do more.

....

After 1 hour of physical exercise, Ivon was released to get off and had breakfast. Everything went smoothly, now in the library of the mansion mother and son studied.

"Son the supernatural world is dangerous for humans. Thanks to the brave warriors of earlier times we gained knowledge about the weaknesses of supernatural beings. Each one of them no matter how much they are, they have a weakness present in all of them. That any trained human can exploit in combat...their pride." Emma with a pair of glasses on, gave her son an initiation lecture.

"Pride?" Of Ivon's knowledge of his old life from comics, novels and serials he could get an idea.

"Just as I said everyone is so proud that they underestimate humans. At that time is our chance to take control of the battle, I will pass on all my knowledge and experience in supernatural beings... for now, you have to read and learn these books." He said only to point to a stack of 30 books that covered the table.

"All of them?" Ivon fretted as she read the titles of the books.

He had a photographic memory and great perception and it only took him a glance to see what it said or to guess. Because the whole title was in different languages, which he had never seen before.

Because she was born into a mixed French-American family, she spoke and wrote French, as well as English. In this house, there was diversity between the two languages.

While Ivon spent time with her father she communicated in French, when she was with her mother they communicated in English.

"For that reason I want you to communicate with me when you don't understand the language, I will teach you the basics so you can translate the books. Start with what you already understand." Emma said without much importance.

She may not have been with her son all the time because of work, but she kept an eye on his abilities.

Ivon overlooked it. An 8-year-old already spoke and understands English and French. That's not normal.

The days passed quickly for Ivon, spent in the library to the courtyard of the mansion. If he wasn't training, he kept himself locked in the library studying.

She spent 2 years in this routine, when her parents left for work she never neglected her schedule.

-Timeskip 2 years

-Pov Ivon-

I was 10 years old, and 2 years of preparation to become a hunter of the silver brotherhood. I was given a test by my father that would be my first mission as a hunter.

We traveled to a forest near the city of Valence in Paris. Outside the forest, only Dad and I were there.

"Ivon is your first mission is inside the forest there is an evil being. It is a witch, who has turned a dog into something monstrous. Your job is to kill him, you can take any weapon from the trunk of the car. Dad explained to me as he looked into the forest.

"Dad what should I do if I run into the witch," I asked as I moved in search of a weapon.

"Worry about killing the beast and I did an investigation beforehand there is no witch." As he followed me, he reported.

I knew from his words that this mission had been prepared for me. Surely he would be watching over me from a distance.

Look at the weapons, they were all bladed weapons, using firearms is only when necessary. I have been trained in their use, I can shoot without any problem.

This situation didn't warrant it so I took a short sword and a dagger that I held at my waist.

"I'll take this." From the way you talked about the target, it wouldn't cause me any problems.

Witches in their dark sorcery cause the residual dark magic to be absorbed by the animals nearby. As a result, they mutate into something irrational and ferocious.

"Good luck." I listened as Dad gave a word of encouragement.

....

Already inside the forest, everything was dark I could see only by the light of the full moon. I didn't bring any flashlight, I had training on how to act in this situation depending on the target.

The talent I got from the God Swindler along with the photographic memory and photographic reflexes served me well in the training.

I still remember that as a gift I got a wish for more until now I don't know what it could be about and I have tried everything to find out.

With what the being who reincarnated me did to me, hope was hanging in desire.

*Rrrrrrrr*

A growl was heard faintly through the trees, I could hear it as I stepped on dry branches at my location.

I tightly gripped the handle of my sword to prepare myself, the target should have a strong sense of smell and sound.

My heart began to pound as I felt the beast begin to circle me.

As I heard his footsteps I also turned around and gave him the sword, it was a big mistake.

*Rrrr*

As I thought without any warning a big dog lunged at me, with the pure intention of biting my neck.

Without problem my body reacts quickly bending to avoid his morality, without further ado I grab the sword with my two hands, to launch a cut in search of his head.

* boom *

The blade was moving so fast that together with the force exerted by the dog as he lunged forward, the blade cut through his neck like butter.

A dry sound was made as the beast hit the ground and then an equal but less loud sound was heard as the head hit the ground.

"I'm done," I said as I looked at the blood on the blade on his back.

It was all so easy because picking the right divisions and keeping an eye on the beast's attack was the key.

I can only use photographic reflections or react when I have the visualization of the movement. To react to something I have to have it in my sights.

Before looking for dad I had to prepare things to cremate the beast's tail. Since ancient times the only way to disappear the dark evils is to burn them.

*♪ Flwoo ♪

Flames covered the animal's body, I grabbed the beast's head and threw it with its flaming body.

I stayed for 1 hour watching the cremation until I was sure that the body was only charcoal and walked away.

....

"You did it, son!" Happy Dad hugged me. I without refusing let him lift me into his arms, for a hug.

The battle didn't go as I thought it would, everything was so easy, that I thought I would have more adrenaline. Now I could only wait for the next hunting test, to get the adrenaline I wanted.

After the congratulations we got into the car, dad started the engine to take directions to our hotel in Valence.

The whole day today was so new for me, after practically 2 years of preparation this hunt brought color to my history.

He still had a long way to go.

First I had to find out what was wrong with Dad since I started this trip, he hasn't stopped talking about whether I want to have friends. Playing with kids my age is irrelevant.

I am someone with memories of being reincarnated, although I have no memory of who I was in that life, I still know enough to change my perspective and mature.

....

-Normandy Laurent Manor-

-Pov Emma-

"From now on, Ivon Laurent Welton, I name you brother of the Silver Brotherhood. I declared when I finished tattooing my son's body.

All members of the brotherhood at some time when they start as hunters are consecrated, one way to show devotion to the cause is to get a tattoo of the symbol representing the brotherhood.

"It didn't hurt like I thought it would," Ivon said as she looked at the tattoo on his fist.

On the back of his right hand was located the tattoo, the tree of Yggdrasil where its branches created a circle that surrounded his whole body.

"I'm very good at this," I said expecting praise from my son.

"Mom is good at everything she does." As usual, my son said something flattering.

"You have to keep your hands away from the tattoo, you'll feel itchy. Don't scratch it for the world." I warned him.

"I understand..." He replied.

I was so happy about Ivo's discipline, we are afraid he will change for the worse. All the freedoms and the environment of our family are something that can affect a child differently.

Since he was 8 years old we let him use a crossbow. Sometimes I think that's why he's matured so much, his attitude is abnormal for his age.

"Mom why don't we go on with classes." She said as she looked in the direction of the library.

"We'll take the day off. We will not study. Today I want to show you something very special to me." I said only to take her hand and walk to my office.

"Where are you taking me, mom?" She asked as she followed me.

We entered the room, all the walls of the room were covered with paintings. Paintings of people and landscapes.

"One of my passions is art. I have a degree in fine art and graduated with honors. Whenever I want to capture a memory, I draw it." I walked over to a corner to show him a painting from when he was still a baby.

"Everything is so beautiful." His statement made me happy.

"Let's start with the basics. Today will turn my son into an artist, no matter the obstacles I would sweeten the concepts to make Ivon fall in love.

Just the thought of spending time with Ivon painting was inspiration enough for me to try it out.

....

-Timeskip 2 years

-Narrator-

The Laurent family traveled to some region of Italy in search of a couple of vampires who have wreaked havoc in a nearby town.

It was the first mission as a family, so it was so important to Ivon that everything went well.

His hunting career in these two years was on the right track, with only 12 years old his hands took the lives of 10 supernatural beings.

"The information about the mission is that vampires live in this mansion." Enzo communicated while looking off into the distance.

An old Italian mansion stood in the middle of the green meadow. From the looks of it, I couldn't live in it, a good refuge for vampires.

"How many targets have been recognized?" Emma asked as she grabbed a gun from the trunk of the car.

Ivon pending the conversation, looked at the weapons available. This was his first mission, related to vampires, and was going to do it with his parents, a simple mistake could cause the death of his parents.

"Ivon I want your mother's sword to follow. I'll go in first, followed by your Mom, and then you. I'll take the top floor, Emma checks the ground floor, and Ivon will take the back." Father relayed the orders.

Mother and son nodded their heads in understanding.

"Let's go before it gets dark." Without further ado, they started walking towards the mansion.

As in all myths and legends, vampires had their divinity to the sun, having contact with it burned their skin to ashes.

-Pov Ivon-

With my heart and breathing calm, I held the gun ready to fire. For all the training I had gone through I was confident in this intervention.

"Go ahead," Dad whispered from the front.

He opened the front door of the mansion without making any noise and went in, mom followed him, and then me.

The interior was dark somewhat expected, each took a different direction.

* Noise *

A sound was heard coming from the courtyard, I ran towards the place to stop whoever was causing the noise.

As I stepped out into the courtyard of the mansion a silhouette lunged at me.

*♪ Wham! ♪

In a feint he dragged me towards the door, I heard the glass shatter from the blow.

"Damn you!" I said as I saw him raise his gaze, his long fangs, and his sight on my neck with the intention of biting me was evident I acted before it happens.

*♪ Bang ♪

As my hands were free I shot him in the back. The first shot was not enough, his grip was not weakening.

*♪ Bang! Bang! ♪

Two more shots were needed to see the vampire's body begin to smoke.

The pure silver bullets burn the vampire's body, but to finish him off completely, a stake would need to be driven through his heart.

"Cacciatore!" The vampire spoke in Italian.

His eyes showed fear he seemed to have experience with hunters.

The vampire's claws pierced my clothes and tore the skin on my sword.

With the butt of the pistol, I pushed it against the vampire's head to make him let go of me. It worked, his arms lost strength, I took the opportunity to shoot again in his head.

*♪ Bang ♪

The shot fused, I grabbed him by his clothes to pull him in front of me, as we met our gaze I saw only fear.

"Mouri/die," I said in Italian, I pulled a stake out of my pocket.

I stabbed it into his heart without mercy and pulled out the blood-covered stake. I let go of the body, which turned to dust when it hit the ground.

I looked around the courtyard in search of other vampires, I could only see meadows. Thanks to the mansion's courtyard having a roof, the vampire managed to go outside in the middle of the day.

*♪ Crash! ♪

From the window, Mom and Dad's bodies were thrown out.

"Mom, Dad!" I went over to help him up.

"Be careful son there's a witch." Mom groaned and got up from the floor.

He took out his daggers and stood in front of me to protect me. Dad did the same thing only he used a sword.

"A family of hunters who opportune." From the window, a silhouette peered out.

An older woman with white hair and a beautiful face with a few wrinkles that only added to her mature charm spoke from the house.

That's a witch, without hesitation I raised my hand to shoot.

"No, not a bad boy." The witch scoffed, and with a wave of her hand my gunshot out to one end.

Witches are difficult beings to deal with, only quantity can push them.

"Witch this is the end of you." Mom said as she launched into a fight, followed by dad.

I jumped in and grabbed my dagger from my waist.

The witch calmly created three fireballs that shot at us. My Father and mother missed her without a problem, and the same thing happened to me.

A single fireball wouldn't stop me.

The witch quickly moved away from us a close fight would be disadvantageous to her.

My parents attacked together, but the surrounding earth absorbed their feet, preventing them from moving. Before I cast any spells, I attacked the witch, she only smirked.

"How cute!" She waved her hand, and out of nowhere my body was dragged to her.

His hand gripped my throat tightly, I began to feel the air running out. As I tried to let go, I tried to use the dagger to pierce his throat.

Some whispers in a strange language came out of the witch's mouth, she was casting some spell and I didn't have to wait to receive it. My whole body was paralyzed, I was at her mercy.

"You'll be a good ingredient for my rituals." In a dark voice, he whispered in my ear.

I felt my end was near.

*♪ Bang ♪

A shot rang out the witch's eyes widened in surprise, her paralyze ended as she lost her focus.

*♪ SNIKT! ♪

The blade slashed the witch's throat, the choking sound from the witch was not long in coming. She brought her hands to her throat trying to stop the bleeding, to prevent it from stabbing her heart.

"Son you did well. Rest, we have to get everything ready to burn his body. Honey, come on we have to prepare everything. The witch at any moment can revive'', My father quickly approached to shortly see how she was, and seeing that she was perfectly fine he turned his attention to the witch.

Some witches can revive mortal wounds such as cutting, stabbing, or dismemberment by using their magic unconsciously. Since ancient times the only way to prevent this is to burn them at the stake.

Mom only came over to kiss me, then chased after Dad. While I rested, I kept an eye on the witch's body. If I saw any movement I would kill her again.

....

Sometime later in front of us in the middle of the kicking of the hunt, a bonfire dazzling by the flames illuminated in the darkness of the night. Inside it was the remains in the form of ashes of the witch I killed.

"You did well son. Hunting a witch is a proud deed, not only for us your parents. You son, you alone took the life of this malevolent being, look at the flames carefully, this moment is unforgettable. Mom spoke in a soft voice, showing complete indifference to the witch's or vampire's life.

Since I have been in their hands I have always been told never to show mercy to such beings.

The flames reflected in my eyes. I sighed internally as I remembered that we would have a long journey home.

....

-Laurent Mansion-

-Pov Narrator-

In the east area of the mansion inside the office or work area of Ivon, was in front of a canvas painting something curious to some. It was the scene of the witch burning at the stake that he killed.

All the details of that memory were perfectly drawn on the canvas, and the living room door opened, revealing the silhouette of her mother Emma. Her father was not alone, Enzo accompanied her. The two of them, seeing that their son was working on something, didn't interrupt him.

Only when Emma noticed it was over did she speak. "What a beautiful painting, I can even feel like I'm living that moment again."

Ivon looked up to welcome her parents with a smile. "Since that day I have been so close to death that I felt fear for the first time, I want to capture it in this painting''.

His mother came over just to hug him tightly. "Baby we all have sometimes fear to fight against it think that you won''. The words she said reassured Ivon.

''We have to change the environment, a place where there is no fresh air''. Enzo commented thinking about what to propose.

''I think the same thing. Our son is already 12 years old, and he doesn't have any friends his age. It's good that he's a great hunter, and I'm proud of that, but I also want him to be able to live a normal life.'' Emma spoke as if there were no Ivon.

Ivon kept quiet, depending on what they said his fate would change. Staying in France would cause the future to become the best hunter, above natural beings fled terrified to hear his name. Everything would change when his mother commented.

"We can go where I was born and raised. It's a small town, quiet and remote. Hunters like us could use a few months of peace. For the first time, Ivon heard something about her mother's roots.

"That's a good idea, but what was it that her name was?". Enzo seemed to agree, but he couldn't remember where his wife was born.

Emma wasn't bothered by it, she never talked about it much. Where I was born left no memories to remember.

It was called... Riverdale is located in the county of Rockland, New York in the United States. I'm not going to lie, the trip will take some time, but once there we can live in the Welton family's house. Emma was excited, just imagining her son playing with a boy his age brought her happiness.

"Riverdale...". Ivon upon hearing the name of the town had a small flashback of her old life.

"Decided tomorrow morning we'll leave. Ivon goes to the maids, and asks them to help you with your luggage''. Without Ivon having a say the couple left the room to prepare their luggage.