Three days had passed since we began spending our ti in the flower garden. I had yet to receive any word from the Mountain God and we made this place our base while living a communal life with Woodsorrel and the others. Our days were filled with gathering wild vegetables and fruits, hunting non-intelligent beasts, and engaging in mock battles.
It was essential for us to secure our own food to avoid burdening Woodsorrel and the others, and the act of procuring food itself beca a form of training. Gathering allowed us to share knowledge of edible plants while hunting offered a chance to refine our skills in stealth, archery, and spiritual arts.
Moreover, the mock battles with the animals of the flower garden were mutually beneficial. We gained experience fighting against intelligent animals, and they, in turn, could accumulate experience fighting human beings.
Though it happened only once every few centuries, there were tis when nations attempted to encroach upon the forest they inhabited. The experience of fighting against humans gained during those tis would undoubtedly be passed down and prove useful.
Is it morning already?
The fourth day dawned. As soone who didnt require much sleep, I spent the nights in ditation while everyone else rested. While ditating in one place, I focused on increasing my fighting spirit and spiritual power as much as possible without squandering any of it.
When I stood before the Mountain God it beca painfully clear that in my current state, I wouldnt be able to protect my comrades should we ever face gods of equal or greater stature as him. This was sothing I couldnt accept.
Although I doubted such a situation would arise, becoming even slightly stronger was never a bad thing. I found myself reclaiming the greed for strength I once harbored on the battlefield. It had been a while since Id been so driven to improve myself, and sowhere deep inside, I found this newfound determination oddly enjoyable.
Yawn Good morning, teacher.
Good morning, Chirik.
It was Chirik who approached as I ditated next to a huge tree. He seed to have just woken up and he was rubbing his eyes as he ca closer. Chirik was a very smart child, but his occasional childish gestures were cute. Perhaps that was why Lappy liked him too.
After washing his face in the clear waters of a pond to shake off the sleepiness, Chirik sat down beside and began to ditate in imitation of . Previously, Chirik would focus solely on enhancing his spiritual power, but today, it seed he was also attempting to raise his fighting spirit. His control was more erratic than usual, and he struggled to grasp the sensation.
Whats the matter, Chirik? This is unusual for you.
Ugh Ive been thinking, and Im trying really hard.
Thinking about what?
When I asked him, Chiriks face twisted as if he found it difficult to respond, and his control over his spiritual power faltered significantly. It seed like there was sothing he was hesitant to share with .
Noticing my suspicion, Chirik began with a plea not to be angry before he spoke. Indeed, what he was about to say could potentially provoke my anger.
I always thought you were invincible, teacher. There are strong people like Tigar and Zald, but you were on a different level. But then
I was easily handled by Button, and against the Mountain God I was completely overwheld. I must have seed so pitiful.
It appeared that Chirik had overestimated . Even though I might be considered strong among demons, I was no match for the true powerhouses, the gods themselves. This was a reality I had co to terms with, and it was the reason I continued to train so diligently.
Chirik quickly corrected himself after sensing my self-deprecating tone. I had thought he might be disappointed after seeing my weakness, but that didnt seem to be the case.
Its not like that I realized that even though youre not invincible, youve always fought with everything you have. Thats why I want to beco strong enough to support you as your disciple!
Chirik made his declaration while blushing. It was surprising to hear such passionate feelings from the always gentle Chirik. But it brought back mories. I rembered how, when we first t, Chirik had fought to protect the life he shared with Magna and the other children.
And the reason why he beca my disciple and refined his spiritual arts was probably to beco stronger. His nature, both then and now, was more akin to a warriors than a scholars. It was rely the recent peaceful days that had made forget this fact.
So, you wish to beco strong enough to support Thank you for that sentint. It brings joy, and I believe Chirik certainly has the potential to beco soone I can rely upon.
What filled with the greatest joy was the realization that Chirik, who was only superficially related to by blood, had taken it upon himself to make an effort for my sake. Before I knew it, I had stopped my training and placed my hand on his still small head before caressing it as tenderly as I could.
The resolution of our food situation and the fact that we regularly washed ant that not only Chiriks but all of our hair was glossier and almost free of split ends compared to before. The won were pleased with this, and I too found the texture of Chiriks hair comforting.
Upon being caressed, Chirik initially responded with a shy yet pleased smile. However, his expression soon clouded over. Before I could find out what was amiss, he uttered softly, but it was unmistakably a wish.
I wish teacher was my father.
Never before had I cursed my keen hearing as I did in that mont. My heart was engulfed in indescribable turmoil and I was feeling constricted as though in physical pain despite my well-being.
On impulse, I pulled Chirik into an embrace. His small fra fit snugly between my crossed legs. Chirik tried to hold back, but eventually he couldnt hold back his sobs any longer. All I could do was hold him in silence.
He must have cried himself to sleep.
Yeah.
Approaching from behind as I embraced Chirik were Chris and Woodsorrel. Woodsorrel didnt use her transformation technique and was perched around Chriss neck like a scarf. It seed they had grown quite close without noticing.
Just like Chris had ntioned, Chirik who was exhausted from crying was now breathing softly in sleep in my arms. Even though he looked to be alright from the outside, it appeared he longed for a father figure, much like Lappy in her younger days. The difference between him and Lappy might lie in whether he chose to leap into my arms without hesitation or opted to hide his feelings.
The topic of fathers was particularly sensitive for Chirik, who believed his own father had abandoned his mother. It wasnt a subject to be broached lightly, especially not by , who was directly involved.
[I heard about the situation from Chris, but wouldnt it be better to tell him sooner rather than later?]
Everyone who knows the situation agrees its too soon. Chirik is still young. We cant predict how he might react.
[Hmm.]
The telepathic communication made Woodsorrels skepticism all the more apparent. To Woodsorrel, with her straightforward nature, our cautious approach to Chiriks situation might seem frustrating.
Perhaps, it was even possible that she realized what my deepest fear was. I dont know how Chirik will react when I tell him the truth. While this was true, it was also a convenient excuse for not disclosing the truth.
Then, what was my true feeling? It was. It was the pathetic fear of being despised by Chirik.
[If you have nothing to feel guilty about, wouldnt it be better for the child if you just told him?]
Guilty, you say Indeed, that might be the case.
Yes, I harbored feelings akin to guilt. It was Orvo who had killed Yaro, Chiriks father, not . However, the motive was tied to my being a human. In other words, I was deeply implicated in Yaros death.
Logically, I understood that Orvo was the root cause of it all, and I too was a victim. But emotions are tricky. When I thought Chris had died, back when I was just a re scorpion, I was consud by rage and lashed out. Had Orvo not picked up to use as material, I would have certainly died.
Im alive because of Yaros sacrifice. The guilt of having survived by using Chiriks fathers life as a stepping stone was the true emotion I felt.
Antares, its not your fault. Dont bla yourself.
I understand that in my head, but still, you know?
Chris tried to cheer up, but my spirits remained low. It was then, amidst this gloom, that I sensed sothing odd underground. Deep beneath the surface, I felt as if sothing stirred.
This was no ti to get discouraged. Imdiately after I stood up quickly with Chirik in my arms, I felt the ground shake slightly but surely.
My sudden movent must have alerted the others that sothing was amiss. Chris crouched, ready to move at a monts notice, while Woodsorrel smoothly slid off Chriss shoulder.
Uh!
Huh?! What?! Teacher?!
The disturbance deep underground suddenly made its way to the surface, causing the ground to shake violently. Though we were not taken by surprise since I noticed beforehand, for Chirik who had been asleep in my arms, it was as if lightning had struck on a clear day. His eyes, swollen from crying, darted around in alarm.
Tigar and the others, who were standing a bit farther away, were flustered but they werent thrown into chaos. It seed that those with sharp senses, like myself, had sensed the impending shake beforehand.
Antares?
Wait the epicenter is underground, almost directly beneath the giant tree.
Wait a mont could this an?
Bang!
Just as I pinpointed the epicenter and both Woodsorrel, who understood what this location entailed, and Chris, who had a rough idea, braced themselves, the ground next to the giant tree bulged and burst open and what broke through the surface wasa young three.
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