1 Stone-like diamond relic

"Relics found in an ancient cave of Mt. Arborset, I swear it was totally worth it buy now!" A middle-aged man shouted with all his might as he stands in the corner area of the plaza. Beads of sweat came pouring at the side of his cheeks.

He was poor, his family is poor and he himself did not finish any degree since his family cannot support the needs. Now, at his prime stage of adult life for once he wanted to achieve the one that he wanted the most, successfully see his child graduated.

A father's pride and joy is when his son achieved what he did not. Right now these relics were not really found in the mountain but it is true that this object he displays was an heirloom passed down from their ancestors since ancient times.

It was said that this stone contains something that will change a person's future. But with all possible means just to open the stone like a diamond it still no use. He uses a three-pound hammer, chisel, hatchet, rock hammer sledge and etc.

Due to that, he had no choice but to sell since he wanted his son to go study for a college degree. Even though it may bring disgrace to his ancestors he still does not hesitate to sell it just for the sake of his only child.

His name was Zoran, 45 years of age and still healthy and kicking but with a further observation he seems to be exhausted not physically but mentally. There was no time. It was the end of the enrollment but then his son cannot enroll because of this problem… Money.

With a persistent look, he keeps shouting. It was common in the plaza for people to sell their goods because this spot was one of the visiting places for people who love antics.

He remembers one time when he and his son went to a school for the first time. They look in amazement since prestigious schools are expensive even in locals in their village.

Seeing their amazement look, one of the guards in the area told them if they were here to enroll. But Zoran laughs wryly as he scratches the back of his head. He knows that he does not have the money to enroll his son in a school where rich can only afford.

Seeing his son looking at him with an expectant look, he can only sight and said "Do not bother we cannot afford to be in here. Just wait until your father gets his job okay?"

His could only grumble leaving no choice as his head hung down.

"Come on… It will not take long okay! I promise! I'll think of something."

"But father why do we have to be this way? Mother's family was rich, why don't you go there and borrow some?"

"Idiot! I already told you we can't trust that family they'll never look at us in such a way as an important. And even if we can borrow, it will not be easy."

Zoran was helpless in this situation he did not know how to explain to a kid that his real father was not him. He remembers well that time when the girl he loves and his best friend comes to him carrying a child it was shocking because his best friend and the girl on the right side was haggard as if something hunted them. He admitted that the relationship between him and the girl was only between friends no less.

He did not have the strength to admit his feelings for her because of one problem his best friend, Yao Zedong.

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"Hey, Zoran do you know? I meet this special girl, I kissed her."

"Who?"

"Hahaha you wouldn't expect this but it was Sophie lee."

"... who?"

"It's Sophie!"

"-ahh... So you two start dating now?"

"Mmm... maybe? I don't know. You already know it right? her family's social class was above what I cannot reach."

"Yeah, that's a bit hard... yeah."

"Hey, you okay? seems like your not?"

Zoran smiled reassuring and said,

"Yeah, I'm okay why would I not? hahaha."

It was sad but at the same time happy that his best friend ended to have the best girl. Sophie was the daughter of the town's mayor and she the idol of the village for the boys. Sophie has fair skin, 5'5 feet tall, brown complexioned, long legs and down to earth attitude. That's why Zoran cannot help but shocked by the current situation at that time.

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But even though his son was not his biological son, he still took care of him as his actual child.

"Come on, let's go I still need to work."

However, the kid didn't move an inch he just stares at the entrance of the school. Zoran frowned as he looked at the child he was about to grab his son's hand but a soothing voice as calm as water echoed inside his ear.

"Wow! what a cute child what are you doing here? are you not going inside?"

Unexpectedly Zoran's child answers shaking his head.  

The girl with a beautiful smile raised her head and looked at me. She seems to be a teacher here since the outfit she's wearing was also the one that the other teachers they meet earlier this morning.

Zoran wryly smiled while scratching the back of his head.

"I'm sorry miss was just passing by hahaha don't mind us."

"Mmm, how about this I will give you a form so that your son can enroll then I'll take care of the rest. Meaning you will only pay for all the tuition fees upon completion of his elementary school education."

"Don't get me wrong there was a new rule being implemented and the school is willing to help students who are poor, it's just that you duo are lucky today hahaha."

Zoran was shocked by the news but if he doesn't grab the opportunity then it would become a waste. Without further ado, Zoran immediately nods looking at the kid beside him.

That was the day that all of his attention towards the reality change... luck.

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Zoran was left disappointed today it was no use, no one wanted to buy the heirloom and even if he work overtime he still cannot reach the quota for college tuition fee.

So he decided to go home for now and resume tomorrow.

Opening the thatched house what greeted him was his adolescent son beaming with a smile on his face expecting something.

"Father how was it? did you have the money?"

Hearing the attitude of his son Zoran couldn't help but sigh. Since he started attending that prestigious school, he started to change although Zoran knew this because he saw how his son surrounded by many rich kids that may be the reason that his son changes. He can feel that his son was ashamed of their social status. This formed a distance between them. He was sad but what can he do he promised.

"Still none? tomorrow is the last day!"

His son grumbled.

What his son did not know was that Zoran wanted to sell the relic and he only told his son that he will somehow find a way to earn some money.

"I'll just go to miss Eliz I know she can help me!"

"Ken! you know we can't just rely on her you know that right?!"

"Then what?! look at us! look at you! can you provide me the money for the tuition?!"

"No right? at least miss Eliz can help!"

Slam!!

Zoran cannot help but sit on the sofa. He picked the stone-like crystal in his pocket then went at the back of their thatched house where it was surrounded by many tall panes of grass and forest.

"What was the use of you when you only become a display? I do not hate my ancestors nor do I hate you but why do I feel that I have no use? I cannot help my son. How I wish my life can restart anew."

Zoran liked this place even though it was away from the city. The surrounding environment was good, fresh and clean that's why when it dawned, Zoran went here to have some peace.  

Zoran closed his eyes feeling the fresh cold atmosphere as his black hair sways left and right. Although his old feature still describes how hardworking he was by the view of his wrinkled skin where scars were everywhere.

But a while later something happened to the stone it vibrated as Zoran could feel something poking in his hand. Although it didn't hurt as seconds went by it started to hurt badly so he frowned and tried to look at his hand but it was too late because his vision blurred.