I feel ache in my heart, it like something stab my heart, what is this feeling. my cheek start to feel wet again.
"Pft… come on Yuuya, what are crying for." Regis chuckled with a bright smile. I wipe my tears and try holding back my feeling.
"Who say I'm crying." I pout.
"HAHAHAHA…"
"HAHAHAHA…"
Even though I laughing but the tears keep coming. Regis wipe the tears from my cheek. And hold it
"Yuuya, I'm very grateful to you. After I went to live on my own in this forest, I never thought I would feel happiness again. But you changed it, Thank you."
Regis keep smiling as he held my cheek. I stayed silent, my gaze fixed on the ground.
"The purpose of the fight today is I want you to know that in this world there always a person that more talented than you. I also want to measure how strong have you grown these past years. I'm also satisfy with the result."
"I already talk to Dia-san to let you travel around the world to find you home instead waiting doing nothing, I'm glad she allowed it but make sure you keep in touch with her." The warm of his hand on my cheek change to cold and hard.
"Regis, thank you for everything." I plucked up my courage trying to face Regis. I smile while holding back my tears. I don't want Regis to see me in tears right now.
"I'm very proud to call you as my disciple, Yuuya. Yuuya… I'm a little tired… I'm going to sleep… Take care…"
".....Yes Regis… Good night." My voice tremble
Slowly his face turn into a stone, Regis close his eyes and smiling. Regis's body fully turn into a stone.
Regis falls into a deep, deep sleep.
To a deep sleep that will never wake up.
I drop to my knees. The only sound that I can at that moment was the voice of someone who repressed his voice and sobbed.
The sky darkened. The wind whispered.
And all I could do was watch as my mentor, my guardian, my family… turned to stone before my eyes.
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Currently I cook dinner, I have been crying all this time until my tears dry. For dinner tonight I have a rabbit stew.
After I finish cooking, I bring it outside and sit in front of Regis.
"Here Regis, The rabbit stew that you want, after eating make sure you don't forget to clean the dishes."
My eyes filled with tears., staring at two plates of food. One for me. One for Regis.
My fingers trembled as I gripped my fork.
"...This is stupid."
(I should stop crying... but I can't.)
I pushed his plate away, my chest tightening. Regis was gone. And yet, my hands had instinctively made an extra serving, as if expecting him to walk through the door at any moment with his usual smug grin.
I clenched my jaw. (I need to keep moving.)
Standing up, I forced myself toward the bedroom. The moment I stepped inside, my gaze landed on the letter resting on the desk. I hesitated before picking it up but I open and read it.
To my annoying brat of a disciple, Yuuya. if you read this letter that mean I already dead by now. So, I don't want you to be sad about it, you don't want Dia-san see your sad face right? You still young Yuuya, there are more challenge and happiness waiting for you in the future. Just walk into the future without looking on the past, I trust you Yuuya, after all you a disciple of one of the greatest mages in the world HAHAHA… anyways, I already left your birthday present in my room, I'm sure you will love it. Happy birthday Yuuya. Take care.
"Calling yourself a greatest mage, more like greatest musclehead to me." I chuckled.
"Now let's see what he give me as a birthday present." I exhaled sharply.
I run toward Regis room. Feeling a bit of joy in my heart. I open the door, this the first time I went into his room.
It just a simple room with a table and a bookshelf on the left side of the room. And then a bed and a wardrobe on the right side. there a big box in middle of the room. When I open the box there is a beautiful sword that is made from a crystal deer antler, a letter, a pouch bag and a ring.
The sword crafted from crystalized deer antler, Its hilt was smooth, polished to a flawless shine. The blade itself was a brilliant silver, faintly pulsing with an unfamiliar energy.
Regis had left it for me. A weapon meant to carry me forward.
My grip tightened.
I wasn't going to waste this.
I read the letter again.
How was it? I'm pretty sure you like it. After all, I give my all when I make the sword, there are also some hidden features that I put. But I want you to figure it yourself. And for the ring is an artifact that I found long time ago I don't know what it do but I just give it to you. Lasty the pouch bag, inside there are some coins for your daily lives. Make sure get some job before the coins completely gone. That's all from me.
I try to swing the sword. The sword is vey light and sharp. The moment I grab it, it feel like this sword really made for only me to use.
I put on the ring but I feel like it doing nothing but I will wear it since it's a memento from Regis.
Inside the pouch there some gold and silver coins, with this much money I can survive around half a year.
"like it? Come on, I loving it. Thank you Regis." I feel very grateful at Regis.
That night I sleep hugging the sword that Regis give me.
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Four days passed.
The house was quiet. Too quiet.
For the past three years, this place had always felt alive—Regis's voice constantly nagging at me, the sound of wooden swords clashing, the occasional explosion from his reckless magic experiments.
Now, the silence felt unbearable.
Eventhough I kept myself busy with training, cooking or cleaning. The usual. But the empty house felt heavier with each passing day.
At night, I caught myself glancing toward the living room, expecting Regis to be lounging there. In the mornings, I'd almost say, "Get up already, old man," before remembering he wasn't there anymore.
I had just returned from hunting, my arms full of fresh meat.
"I got a good haul today. So much meat," I muttered with a grin.
As I walked toward the house, I pondered what to cook. "Maybe stew this time—"
CRASH.
A loud noise echoed from the direction of the cabin.
I froze.
(What…?)
Without hesitation, I dropped the meat and sprinted forward, enhancing my legs with mana.
The moment I activated Sense, my heart skipped a beat.
(…There are fifty-one people standing in front of the house!?)
A large group of armed knights.
I clicked my tongue, quickly ducking into the nearby bushes.
(What do they want? Are they after Regis?)
From my hiding spot, I observed the group carefully.
The knights were well-armed, their silver armor glistening under the fading sunlight. One man stood out—his armor was more refined, decorated with an intricate crest.
I squinted. (A noble?)
Before I could analyze further—
SHING!
A knight beside the noble suddenly unsheathed his sword and pointed it directly at the bush I was hiding in.
"Come out with your hands up!" he commanded, his voice sharp. "If you don't, I'll attack!"
I tensed.
(He sensed me… without even using mana? Damn it.)
With no other choice, I slowly emerged, raising my hands.
The noble's eyebrows lifted slightly.
"A kid?" he muttered.
The knight beside him frowned, keeping his sword ready. "What are you doing here, kid? Are you lost?"
I scowled. "This is my house. What are you guys doing here?" I glaring at them.
"Yours? Isn't this lord Regis house?" The noble asking. So, they really know Regis.
I crossed my arms. "It was his house. Now I live here. Who are you people, and why are you here?" I'm giving them a hostile glare.
""How dare you speak like that to..." The noble raise his right hand stopping the knight's words midway.
"Ahem, how rude of me. My name is Alfred Von Araulia, the king of Araulia Kingdom." He introduce himself, placing my right hand over my chest respectfully with a light bow.
I stiffened.
(A king…?) Just as I thought he really is a noble but I never expected him to be a king.
Without hesitation, I placed my right hand over my chest and bowed lightly.
"My name is Yuuya, disciple of Regis."
Alfred's eyes widened slightly.
"Oh! Lord Regis's disciple. That makes sense now.
he knights sheathed their swords, their postures relaxing.
(That means they don't intend to harm Regis. The king himself even calls him 'Lord Regis.')
Alfred gave me a tired smile. "Yuuya, we came here today to meet with Lord Regis. Could you call him for us?"
I kept my expression neutral.
"…I'm sorry, but Regis is currently on a trip. I don't know when he'll return."
Alfred blinked. "A trip?"
I nodded, forcing a fake smile.
"Bu-but there are report that saying they detect a large sum of mana has been released here, isn't that lord Regis's mana?" Alfred blinked.
"Yes, that is Regis's mana, then he left on a journey after that." I keep my façade with a fake smile.
Alfred's face turned pale.
"…Oh no."
His entire body suddenly swayed, and before I could react—
THUD!
"Your Majesty!!" The knights immediately rushed forward, supporting their fallen king.
"Bring him inside, let him rest for a while." The knight captain follow me bringing Alfred inside
(Tch… this is annoying.)
I bring some water for them.
"Here, drink some water." I put the water in front of them. Both of them drink the water, they look a lot calmer now.
Alfred took the cup, sipping it slowly. The color returned slightly to his face.
A long silence followed before he finally spoke.
"…Our last chance is gone." His voice was quiet, but heavy.
(Last chance…?)
The knight captain, Alan, immediately tried to reassure him. "Your Majesty, I'm sure we still have options. The knight order will work harder."
"Alfred shook his head.
"But we may not have much time left." His hands clenched the fabric of his cloak.
(What are they talking about…?)
I narrowed my eyes. "Can you tell me what's going on?"
Alfred lifted his head, his blue eyes locking onto mine.
Then—
He lunged forward, gripping my shoulders tightly.
"Yuuya, please!" His voice shook with desperation.
(What the hell!?)
"You are Lord Regis's disciple, right!? That means you can help us!"
His eyes sparkled with something dangerous.
I stared at him, speechless.
(…What did I just get myself into?)