Gray didn’t really remember his life before he met his master. All he knew for sure was that he was an orphan. Back then he used to find foods from the garbage pails or pitifully begged the people, some would drive him away and some would throw him the leftovers. He didn’t mind being kicked or cursed at, as long as he could fill his stomach. After all, it’s human natures to feel hungry… He knew not many children at his age would survive living at the streets. Hence, he made a big promise in his heart, when he grew up, he didn’t want to live pathetically like this anymore.
He did remember how his master at that time, gave him a lot of foods, water, and even patiently told him to eat slowly. The foods were not leftovers, it was newly prepared, thus the small Gray could still feel the warmth of the meatbuns, entering his stomach. Eating warmth foods may be trivial thing for others, but for him, it was the happiest moment ever. Never in his life, someone’s being that kind to him. And thankfully, he didn’t remember the taste of the meatbuns since it was mixed with his own tears and snots. (´Д`。
Not wanting to lose the warmth, Gray shamelessly followed his master every day at the town. He would wait in front of his master’s inn and every morning; he would stupidly greet him. But the funny thing was, although master would pretend like he didn’t see Gray, he never drove him away, unlike the grownups the small Gray met every day. Gray was stupid and didn’t think too much, the only thing he liked from this man was that if he followed him, with a little begging, his stomach would be full! He innocently thought that this would last forever until he grew up and could defend himself.
His fantasy did scatter immediately. After weeks staying and his business finally over, naturally his master would go back to where he came from. When he told the poor kid not to wait for him anymore, of course the little kid refused it firmly. Gray was throwing tantrums and clinging to his master’s robe. The small kid begged the man to take him wherever he went, saying so many coaxes, like he swore to be a nice kid. Sadly, all of it didn’t work out because his master did leave at that time. He shrieked at his master’s back one last time, “Mister, if you’re coming back now, I’ll forgive you!” While sobbing, he saw his master’s back getting smaller from the town’s gate. It was his first time feeling that way, when his heart ached so much, it made him hard to breathe. He didn’t cry when he couldn’t eat for days, but now why did the tears kept flowing?
He didn’t have the energy to continue his life for days after that. He avoided people and only lied down and hugged his knees between the piles of garbage. He thought angrily that the only stupid people to believe in kindness was him. He didn’t want to live anymore, let him be a malicious ghost and he’d haunt all the people who had done bad things to him!! He swore that the mister would be his first target!! Just wait and see!!
Not knowing how many days had passed, Gray only lied miserably. He didn’t even bother to open his eyes anymore, only to listen the surroundings. From time to time, he could hear beggars, digging the garbage piles to find foods – just like him before. They didn’t bother to check if the small kid still alive or not, well, it’s a common thing to find a death body. What made a dead child different? Gray could hear the sounds of footsteps again and continued to close his eyes. This time, the footsteps stopped beside his body. Having no energy left, he stayed motionless, until two strong hands picked him up. Startled, Gray opened his eyes, only to see the source of his sadness, carried him along without feeling disgusted at all. Reflexively, Gray wrapped his small hands between his master’s neck, clutching so tight like an octopus.
He heard him said, “You said you’ll forgive me,” Gray only muttered a hmm. His future master asked him calmly as he walked in an unhurried pace, “Tell me more, what kind of things will you forgive in the future?” Being asked like that, Gray at that time didn’t understand anything and murmured carelessly, “Even if you don’t give me food, it’s okay,” He hesitated for a moment and added, “And if one day, when you wake up and suddenly want to beat me, you can do it too,” His master laughed and continued to ask, “What if one day you’ll find out that I’m a bad man?”
“It doesn’t matter!” Gray exclaimed, “I’ll forgive you for everything, as long as you don’t abandon me again,” Gray didn’t know whether his answer pleased him or not, but his master did take him to his house. Not only giving him a place to live, his master also taught him so many things, like reading, writing, and martial arts. Even down to Gray’s name, everything was thanked to his master. Regrettably, after living together for some years, his master fell sick and died. Since then, Gray used the skills he got from his master to hunt and survive by himself.
Leon felt sorry for suddenly mentioning his master. It had been 4 years, but he knew Gray still sad from time to time. Things were never easy after his master’s death. Thus, he tried to change to topic by saying, “Anyway, I need to go. I need to stay as a smart-handsome soon to be a scholar, not ‘a barbarian who only knew to swing his sword,’” he said that by imitating his mother’s way of talking. Hearing that, Gray couldn’t help, but laughing. Well, now that the mood was getting brighter again, Leon felt relieved, but when he already went out from the door, he remembered something, “Hey, do you hear the rumours this morning?” he cautiously asked Gray.
“Huh? What rumours?” Clueless as always, Gray only gave a shrug on his shoulders. “Oh man, it’s actually nothing important, but it’s about you-“ Leon wore a sorry expression on his face. “Me? AGAIN?!” (/‵Д′)/~ ╧╧ “What’s the rumours this time?” He asked while covering his face. “It’s funny actually. I don’t know where this came from, but people were saying that someone said you’re selling cyclops meats,”
“What?!! Cyclops doesn’t exist, it’s only a myth! How could the townsfolks believe this? I’m an honest boar hunter!!” Gray face was showing a mixed between helplessness and amused. Leon also found this ridiculous. He could only shake his head and pat his friend’s shoulder, “The townsfolks always lose their ability to think when it comes to slandering you. Like always, just stay quiet and they’ll soon forget it.” After Gray locked his front door, he could only sigh and lie down on his bed. When his master was still alive, even though people didn’t like him, still they didn’t bother him at all. His master always treated the townsfolks kindly and even helped them from time to time, just like what Gray did right now. However, no matter how many times he helped the townsfolks, the treatments towards him and his master were totally like heaven and earth. Gray couldn’t help, but missing his master more. He thought miserably, if only his master was still alive…
The next day, Gray was standing in front of his master’s grave. He murmured softly, “Master, how are you? These days, I’m doing really well,” He kept speaking anything that came across his mind, including the ‘hot gossip’, “People are spreading gossip that I sold cyclops meats! Isn’t that ridiculous, master? I wonder what you would do if you’re still alive…”“Had he been alive, of course he would’ve found the source and confronted them,” A chuckle was heard after an old man finished his sentence. The old man was on his 60s and he walked slowly with a cane. He was the mayor of the town, Mister Charles.When he was young, he was part of the state’s independence movement. Fearlessly driving the enemies towards their defeat, soon he was granted a position as the mayor in a border town at 27 years old. In order to have a peace on this land, he urged the enemy’s king to sig
A woman was stomping her foot angrily. The sounds could be heard clearly in the entire forest. She lost count on how many days she had entered the forest. She didn’t have much arrows left on her back and she couldn’t find the exit. Sometimes, she felt that she’s only circling around the same place and she’s tired of seeing animals and monsters.She wanted to immediately have a warm bath and sleep on the comfortable bed. If only she knew a teleportation spell, she would’ve gotten out from this damned forest long time ago. Even though she had an angry expression right now, one could still see her stunning figure. Her face was truly gorgeous with a pair of clear black eyes. She had a silver braided hair, flowed until her slender waist. Her distinct figure was too much out of place!Looking up, she could see that soon a downpour would fall. So, she fastened her pace in order to quickly find a place to rest. Out of the blue, she could hear a sh
“The exit way,” Sierra answered coldly.She always aimed for the main topic instead of idle talks. “Ah! Of course. I can tell you that tomorrow morning. Don’t worry,” Gray heaved a sigh of relief and stroked his chest. After that, Sierra decided to ask him a couple of questions. Turned out, she’d walked so far and already passed the border between The Kingdom of Bealaris and The State of Etherna.“If I may ask, what is your business here?” Gray asked her. He couldn’t help, but become really curious. It’s not a common thing to meet a mage, especially here in the border towns. His master used to tell him stories about mages.“I’m a traveller. This time, I was unlucky and got lost in the forest,” she said shortly. Gray could tell that she didn’t like talking too much, but after all, when would he get another chance like this? He couldn’t just shut his mouth and let his c
How could she forget about the most crucial part about the Water Bark?!She had completely overlooked the fact that Gray didn’t know how to control his energy flow at all. If he didn’t have any awareness about the energy flow, it meant he completely vulnerable. Sierra muttered some curses under her breath while running so fast. She stumbled over some roots in the dark and because of that, she impatiently opened her right palm and summoned a fire ball. It moved fluidly and floated above her head in order to light the way.The light illuminated a large area and helped Sierra to see clearly. Now, she didn’t have to worry about the roots and retraced her steps to the cave. It took half a day to the exit, then it meant it also required half a day in order to go back to the cave. She couldn’t help, but wonder what would welcome her if she arrived half a day later.She gritted her teeth and ran madly in the middle of the forest. Her braide
Gray couldn’t believe his ears, and rubbed his eyes to make sure that this was not an illusion. He kept looking at Sierra strangely, like wanting to confirm something on her. On the other hand, Sierra just casually sat on the river bank and took off her shoes. Because she was running for hours, now all of her toes were full with blisters and blood. She slowly soaked her feet on the river and let the water stream cleaned it for her. Later, she would treat it by applying an ointment. She didn’t have any changes in her expression, still the same cold and aloof appearance. Nevertheless, her actions were all seen by Gray and now, he felt so overwhelmed by various emotions. Sierra was completely unaware and just focusing on cleaning her feet. Out of nowhere, there was a loud wailing sound behind her back, similar to a wounded animal. She turned her head while frowning and saw the kid was crying so hard, he was even unable to breathe. She gritted her teeth and asked
In the morning, Gray stretched his body and tried to stand up. His body didn’t tremble like before, but his legs still had no power. In a short time, he was sweating and had to sit down again. Sierra just watched the whole struggle with uninterest while eating an apple on her hand.Then, she asked him lazily, “Do you really want to save her that badly?” Wiping his sweats, he answered resolutely, “Yes! I’ve already made a promise, and master always said that a man should never break his words, so I’m going to do my best to exit this forest today!” Sierra looked at his light hazel eyes, and couldn’t help, but feel a little bit of familiarity.Sierra walked around for a moment and found a long stick. She gave it to Gray and said, “Alright, if you say so. You better walk properly or I’m going to leave first.” She knew that kind of gaze, no matter how weak his legs were, Gray wouldn’t give up. Thus, she
“Oh man! Gray! Are you okay?!”Leon looked at his friend and finally felt relieved. He’s been searching for two days in the forest. Gray left without leaving a single message and hadn’t return for many days, thus ignoring all of the consequences, he just geared up and went into the forest. Sierra narrowed her eyes and asked Gray, “Hey, you know this new kid?”“Yes, Miss! Rest assured, he’s my only friend I mentioned before!”Hearing this, Sierra finally lowered her bow and continued to sit down silently. On the other hand, Leon was frozen still while looking at her. He wondered who was she and how Gray knew her. However, he knew that looking at a woman for too long was rude, and so he lowered his eyes and walked quickly to Gray’s side.He proceeded to examine his friend’s condition thoroughly. Except for his dirty appearance, Gray was pretty fine, so Leon exhaled a long breath and hit his f
Gray finally woke up around 9 a.m. He searched for his surroundings, but couldn’t find his friend, Leon. He was not fully awake yet, so he thoughtlessly greeted Sierra, “Guh mowning~” Just like before, Sierra didn’t want to wake him up, so she just waited patiently.Hearing Gray’s greeting, she couldn’t hide her surprise and looked at him with annoyance, “Am I your friend? Watch out how you greet me, kid.” After that cold scolding, Gray was so embarrassed, so he decided to wash his face with water. “Um- I haven’t fully awake before, Miss. And, I didn’t mean to disrespect you…”Seeing his sorry state, Sierra just brushed it off quickly, “Forget it. Now tell me, how’s your condition today? You’ve been sleeping for a pretty long time.”Gray decided to move his legs and body. He even stretched it a little to find out that his condition was quite good. He repo