8 Chapter 08

A few hours after the previous events...

Amidst some hills in the vicinity of the Marian wall, a young man with white hair and black eyes could be seen walking to the highest point. Zirken was wearing his usual clothes, but this time he was wearing a black colored cape that covered almost his entire body.

'I certainly did something horrible, but I couldn't allow my mother to leave Mikasa and me behind, and live quietly as a parasite at the expense of other people's money...' - Zirken.

'Besides, I'm pretty sure they will be safe there. Dr. Yeager is a well respected doctor in Shiganshina for taking care of all the residents during that epidemic, so I doubt anyone would do any harm to his family within that district...' - Zirken.

After a few minutes of walking, he finally reached his goal. What appeared in front of him was the opportunity to get a wide view of the surroundings of where he was currently standing.

'There's a farm over there...Well, it can't hurt to try.' - Zirken.

The boy then descended from the hill as carefully as possible, heading towards one of the several farms that existed around the maria wall. It was common for farm owners to live on them and earn their livelihood from them, as was the case with the Ackerman family.

After some time walking, the young man finally reached his destination. However, he came across something quite unexpected. Except for the wooden house and some food crops, there was not a living soul around. Usually, only families from small to large live on their own farms, so it is rare not to find any trace that there is anyone living there.

"Is there even anyone living here? No, it's impossible for this food to be grown in this way without anyone looking after it..." - Zirken as he checked the plantation.

"Are you lost, young man?" - He spoke right behind Zirken's back.

*waaaaaaaaa*

Zirken immediately jumped forward due to the great fright he took. He was caught totally off guard and didn't even have time to understand the situation in the place.

In less than a second he turned and looked in the direction of the voice. What appeared in his vision was an old man, about 70 years old, leaning on a wooden cane and wearing a farmer's hat.

'How come I didn't even notice him?!"-Zirken, still shocked by the fright.

"Are you okay?" - Old Man.

"Yeah, yeah, I just got scared..." - Zirken.

"Good, are you lost?" - Old Man.

"No, no. I apologize for my rudeness, my name is....Ezir. I'm here looking for a job and housing." - Zirken.

`That was a close one, I'm glad I thought of a name quickly or it would look like I'm lying." - Zirken.

"Ezir...That's a good name, but I'm afraid I can't help you young man." - Old Man.

"Why sir?" - Zirken.

"I can barely generate income to support myself, I cannot afford to provide housing for anyone, much less pay you to work." - Old Man.

"I can work for free! Just give me a roof to sleep under and a piece of bread a day and I'll do all the farm work! I even helped my father take care of his own farm recently, so I have experience." - Zirken.

"Hmmmmm, not a bad offer, but what is a young man like you doing in this end of the world? This land is quite far from the districts around the sea wall, so why would you want to work here? Aren't you too young to commit crimes? And you don't even suspect that I might be a criminal?" - Old Man.

"As far as I know, I did not commit any crimes before I came here, and I have no evidence whatsoever that you are not a criminal, but you could have attacked me in the opportunity you just had..." - Zirken.

"Then why?"-Elder.

"I couldn't be a burden to my family anymore, so I had to run away to make sure they could live well..." - Zirken with a bit of sadness on his face.

"I understand, but are you sure that was a good decision?" - Old Man.

"I don't know, but it was the only one I could see..." - Zirken.

"It is very difficult for a child to be able to get a job that is in accordance with the laws within the maria wall districts." - Zirken.

"I understand...I hope you don't regret that decision of yours." - Old Man.

"I hope so too... Well? Can I work here?" - Zirken.

"I accept you, but on one condition." - Old Man.

"What? I'll do anything!" - Zirken.

"Tell me your real name." - Old Man.

"!!" - Zirken shocked.

"*Sigh* I really faltered in that instant, didn't I? Anyway, my name is Zirken Ackerman."

The old gentleman's eyes widened a little, but the movement was so subtle that the boy couldn't make out anything.

'*sigh* Life keeps bringing me surprises, even after living so long...' - Old.

"Well, well, that's definitely a nice name. Welcome, young man." - Old Man.

"Really?! I thought I'd have to push harder or even look elsewhere." - Zirken.

"However, in case you are discovered I won't be able to do anything to help you." - Old Man.

"Understood!!!" - Zirken.

'I got lucky at first, but I won't trust a stranger, so should I notice anything suspicious I will leave immediately.' - Zirken

After that the old man started to show the farm to the boy. The place basically consisted of an old wooden house, a small piece of land used for planting and a medium-sized lake behind the residence.

"Stopping to think for a moment, you still haven't told me your name, sir." - Zirken.

"hohoho, that will remain a secret for now, but you can call me Ezir." - Old Man.

'Really? Making a mystery at that age? Well, it doesn't matter much as long as he doesn't do anything wrong...' - Zirken.

"'Right... So how did Mr. Ezir manage to get behind my back without me noticing?" - Zirken.

"Let's say I know a few tricks, do you want to learn them? I was wanting to pass my techniques on, but I don't have any other heirs." - Old Ezir.

"Surely-" - Zirken.

Just as the boy was about to finish his sentence with all the excitement, something appeared in his vision. More specifically, a semi transparent golden screen appeared right in front of his eyes.

[Time until the awakening of Sunshine magic: 48:00:00]

"What happened?" - Old man worried that the boy had suddenly stopped.

"Sorry, I had a severe headache for a moment, but it has passed..." - Zirken.

"Do you need anything?" - Old Ezir

"I'm fine. Continuing the subject, I certainly want to learn!!!" - Zirken.

"Hmmmmmm, all right then. Consider yourself my apprentice." - Old Ezir

The boy clearly heard those words, but in his mind a whirlwind of things were being processed.

'Looks like the auxiliary system the goddess spoke of has finally woken up and Sunshine is also in the process...*Sigh* couldn't that have come a few hours ago?'- Zirken.