Parting

The next day, Zeus woke up on another great morning. A smile bloomed on his face.

As he looked through the window gap, the bright golden sun already covered the land in an orange hue.

"The weather is good."

Expecting another training, Zeus folded his quilt and exited the tent.

Zip!

As soon as his eyes darted around the area, sun rays streamed through his face, bathing him in warm sunlight. But even though the sun had already risen, the temperature remained cold.

"Good morning!" Zeus greeted. It was a morning routine he usually does every day.

However, as soon as he went out, his excitement vanished. Outside the tent, all tools that were usually scattered everywhere were nowhere to be seen. Instead, the tools they used when mining was gone, and the tent Sera and the others used to sleep in was packed with plastic.

A baffled expression formed on his face.

'What's happening?' he thought.

"Zeus, you're awake!" Mari greeted him.

"Mari, where are you going?" Zeus asked, looking at the fat man dressed in a rather completely different outfit than the one he mostly uses.

Today, he wore red tight jeans and a plain white shirt with a skull emblem dangling near his waist. His black cape mostly covered the clothes but it's enough to determine that he must be going somewhere.

"Ah, this…"

Mari was about to explain it when suddenly, he saw Sera coming with a bag in his palm.

"Boss…" He called.

"Mari, go find Limuel. I'll take it from here."

"Yes, boss." Mari nodded immediately before he hurriedly walked away. He could see the meaning behind his boss's words. Sera probably wanted to talk to Zeus alone.

"Boss, don't overdo it." Mari suggested.

"Haha, just go. Don't bother us for a while."

After Mari left the scene, Sera looked at Zeus and a helpless sigh escaped his mouth.

Zeus stared at his master; his brows furrowed in confusion. A heavy feeling washed over his body and it felt like something was squeezing his chest.

The two stared in silence. Not one of them spoke. In the end, it was Zeus who lowered his eyes and started the conversation.

"Are you leaving?"

Sera nodded. "Yeah. Staying here has no merits anymore. Also, I have taught you all you need to know so I guess our purpose is done."

"You won't be coming back here, right?"

"That's right." Sera crossed his arms together and continued, "We have stayed here for a long time but we have to leave. Coming back here would be nigh impossible as this place was hard to find."

Zeus bit his tongue, trying to understand what Sera means.

"Can you not leave?"

It might sound selfish but he just wanted to say what is inside his heart.

And although Zeus tried to make his voice low, Sera still heard it.

"Sigh, I have to."

In all actuality, Sera was also reluctant to leave. For him, Zeus had become something more than just his apprentice. He guided this young man and became his father figure when his real father was out there—nowhere to be found.

However, he must leave.

"Do you remember when you asked me if I was a king or not?" Sera asked and with Zeus nodding, he continued, "I'm not a king but I have territories where I rule. My people don't call me a king as 'we' are not officially recognized by the Ministry. Do you understand what I'm saying?"

Zeus nodded.

"I have duties and responsibilities to do and without me, those territories would be snatched by my enemies."

"I understand. I'm just…"

"Why? Are you sad?"

Zeus nodded. "Yeah, I'm sad. You're like a father to me."

"Hahaha." Sera burst into soft giggles. "Is that so? But I think I'm gonna have to pass. I don't have a habit of stealing sons."

"Then why don't you take me with you?" Zeus spoke with a little expectation. However, Sera hurriedly shook his head.

"The dangers of where I am right now would be too much for someone of your age. What's more, you're not strong enough to even compete with the children hailed as geniuses there. Moreover, didn't you want to become the strongest person in the world?"

"Mm."

"Becoming the strongest needs the tougher of challenges. With you by my side, you won't be able to grow as I'll probably not let you get hurt."

Zeus forced a smile but the shaking of his body betrayed his true emotions. Soon, he felt a hand ruffling his hair.

"I'm happy that I found a treasure like you in this hidden corner of the world. So don't be sad that I'll leave. Many adventures still await you in the future. I'll be waiting for you on the other side of the world."

The two talked to each other for a full hour, reminiscing their happy memories of these past few years.

Limuel and Mari watched the two above a tree branch with sweet smiles etched on their lips. For Zeus, they happen to have a soft part.

The mature but energetic little kid gave them attachment that they might not erase in their lifetime.

"Limuel, when I have a kid in the future, I'll train him like Zeus."

"Dream on. No one's going to like you piggy. And do you really think your future children will have Zeus' work ethic? That boy is a once in a lifetime child, you know?"

"If I disciplined them well enough…"

"Heh, I bet your future kids would be winning many eating competitions in the future."

"Are you provoking me?"

"No. I'm just stating the facts."

"You…"

Meanwhile, while Limuel and Mari went to their usual arguments, Sera and Zeus were already saying their goodbyes.

This time, Zeus' expression was a little better.

"Fine, I won't pester you to take me anymore. I've decided to see the world with my own eyes so I better stick to my words."

"Hahahaha, good, good! You're becoming like a man now!"

At this time, Sera started to walk away from him. Limuel and Mari also showed up, smiling at him as they placed their belongings into something like a space inventory.

As the three stood a few feet together, ready to leave, Zeus' expression turned firm.

He declared. "One day, I'm going to fight you in a duel and defeat you! You better be prepared by then!"

"Is that a challenge?" Sera smiled and pulled his collar up. "Well then, I guess, I should prepare. I don't want to easily lose to my apprentice."

At that moment, tears welled up in Zeus' eyes, soaking his clothes. However, there was a smile that just did not seem to go away as he watched the three men shuttled away from him.

"Don't cry! I will be waiting for the day when your name resounds throughout the world."

"Then you better not miss it!"

"Hahaha, you bet! Limuel, Mari, you heard him!?"

"Hahahahaha!" The two laughed in unison.

Mari turned his head and said his final goodbyes. "Zeus, when we meet again, I'll show you to our place! We have the best wine there!"

"Although you're not as handsome as me, don't go running around chasing girls too much." Limuel added.

"I will!" Zeus answered.

As the three slowly disappeared from his field of sight, he finally burst into a soft cry.

He understood that the world is far more dangerous than it appears and he is far too weak to become a force to be reckoned with.

But most of all, he realized how far he is from the man who guided him for 7 years. They are the skies and wanting to reach them from the ground would be near impossible unless he knows how to fly.

So at this moment, Zeus would fly on his own and someday he'll reach new heights until he could touch the sky.

He vowed to himself to become the man befitting of his divine name.

With this motivation regaining his energy, Zeus walked away opposite from the direction where the three vanished.

…

Unbeknownst to Zeus, Sera and the others stopped not far away from his location and watched as he left.

"That kid is surely something. Maybe he'll really become a big man in the future." Mari mused.

"Yeah. I'm having a feeling that we're going to be seeing him again. Don't you think so too, boss?" Limuel added.

"Perhaps, but that's for the future. Anyways, let's set off. Our journey is still long."

"Yes, boss!"

The three men took one final glance at Zeus before their figures vanished, leaving behind a long trail of winds.

….

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