Chapter 7: Resolve
A skill or spell is a fundamental aspect of being a powerful person. It could be learned through books, training, and sometimes through repeated activities.
However, learning a skill requires one to have at least one spec of 'aether'. Meaning, to have one skill, Zeus needed to awaken his aether first which was basically impossible.
'How am I supposed to clear this quest?' he thought.
The time limit is only 10 days. He didn't know if failing to complete this would have irreversible consequences. But although this quest sounded nigh impossible, Zeus had to try at least.
'Maybe they can help me.'
With this in mind, Zeus set his gaze at Sera who was dozing off beneath a tree. It's clear that he's a warrior so perhaps they might know something he's not aware of.
Zeus cleared his throat and asked, "Uhm, Sera-san, can I ask you something?"
"What's the matter, Zeus?" Sera answered but his eyes remained closed.
"Can you learn a spell even if your aether is not awakened yet?"
"No. That should be impossible. A spell requires aether as a medium to be learned."
"But why?" Zeus asked. This time, it's to satisfy his curiosity.
Sera opened his eyes and stared at Zeus with a playful smile. "A man without legs can't walk. That logic also applies to spells and other skills."
Zeus listened attentively and kept track of all the information he received. His face gradually turned ugly as he processed the words coming from Sera.
'So basically, I can't learn a skill. What am I going to do?'
He awakened his system but failed to complete its very first task.
How embarrassing is that?
'Why are you even giving me such an impossible task?'
Zeus doubted that the system would do that. That wouldn't make sense at all.
'Unless…'
At that moment, a thought suddenly entered his mind.
"Then, is there any way I could learn one without aether? Anything would do as long as I could use it." Zeus blurted out. This time, he couldn't hide the desperate expression etched on his face.
Sera frowned, "Hmm, there is a way. However, can you tell me the reason why you wanted to learn one in the first place? Are you afraid we will leave you?"
"N-no…"
"You don't have to worry about your safety. With us here, even ferocious beasts would think twice before attacking us." Sera paused momentarily and continued, "If they have a brain that is."
"No. You don't understand. I… want to become stronger…" Zeus lowered his head and recalled the hyena that almost killed him.
He thought that with his physical talent alone, he could at least put up a fight. But, reality slapped him on his face.
He couldn't even wound the hyena when he fought it head-on. All he could do was block and run. The feeling of being powerless in this dangerous fantasy world woke up his instinct to survive.
Zeus wanted to become strong not because the system wanted him to. Rather, he wanted to become strong so he wouldn't experience being preyed upon.
He wants to grow. Grow above anyone else where no one could threaten his life.
"When I was chased by that beast, all I could think of was to survive. I'm afraid of dying because I hadn't accomplished the things I wanted to do and hadn't found the people I wanted to find."
Despite the pain in his body, Zeus knelt and knocked his head to the ground.
"Please! Teach me to become stronger! I know you're strong, I can sense it! Please!"
Sera remained motionless but the surprise on his face couldn't be hidden. He stared at the child in front of him; his eyes full of complicated feelings.
"Boss, this kid…" Limuel, who was inside the tent, poke his head out and glanced at the kneeling child.
He could feel Zeus was desperate to survive but he didn't expect that he would kneel and beg for it.
Meanwhile, Mari watched from a distance but he remained quiet while he munched on the roasted meat.
"A strong person doesn't kneel. Even if the world had forsaken them, they won't bow down to anyone."
Step—, step—
Sera stood up and walked towards Zeus with his hand clenching the sword on his waist.
Zeus suddenly felt the air vibrate. Cracks spread around the ground and birds fled away from the aura being emitted by Sera. He gritted his teeth and resisted the pressure with his willpower.
"I commend you for your resolve but I cannot believe mere words coming from a child. Tell me, Zeus…" Sera increased his killing intent, submerging Zeus' whole body. "...can you shoulder the weight of your words?"
Zeus stammered but due to the pressure he was experiencing, he struggled to speak.
Even then words still came out of his mouth. "I…c-can."
At that moment, Sera stopped releasing his killing intent. The area affected by it fell into a deafening silence before it was broken by Sera's boisterous laugh.
"Hahahahaha, good, good. I'll satisfy your request."
Zeus, who had just recovered his breath, raised his head. "Does that mean?"
Sera nodded. "Yes, I'll teach you how to become strong. It might take years so I hope you're ready."
"R-really?"
Sera ruffled Zeus' hair and smiled. "Of course, do you think I'm joking? So you should hurry up and recover. My technique isn't something that can be learned easily so prepare for brutal training." Without waiting for Zeus' response, Sera went back to his sleeping mat and closed his eyes.
"There is a lake 50 meters ahead. It has healing effects so you should go while the sun is still up."
After hearing Sera, Zeus immediately stood up and nodded. He doesn't want to waste time sleeping to recover.
Thus, without delay, Zeus made his way to the lake.
…
"Boss, did you just accept an apprentice?" Limuel asked.
"Why? Have a problem?"
"N-no, how could that be? I'm just not too sure if he has the potential."
Hearing Limuel's doubt, Sera chuckled. "Zeus has potential. As for how he would draw those out would be entirely up to him. I'm just here to guide him to where it is."
"Is it because of his name? And why does he even call you Sera? When did you become Sera?"
Mari, who was busy eating, was also curious about his boss's decision.
"To me, his god name is nothing special." Sera raised his head and let the sun rays hit his face."What I value the most is hardworking people. Didn't you see his body? It's huge, unlike all 5 year old kids I know. That kind of body requires years of physical training. And that alone already puts him above those geniuses who are always arrogant way beyond their power."
As he said those, Sera grinned at Limuel. Seeing his boss's gaze, Limeul scratched his head.
"Boss, you're not talking about me right?"
"Why would you assume I'm talking to you? Are you an arrogant genius who talks loud but gets beaten by Mari a lot?"
"Me? Getting beaten by Mari? That's ridiculous!" Limuel went out of his tent aggressively. "Boss, I'll prove to you that I'm not weaker than fatty. Hey, Mari, let's fight!"
"No." Mari answered nonchalantly.
"Why?"
"I'm eating."
"Haha, are you afraid?"
"What afraid? Never know that word."
"You!"
Sera looked at his two subordinates and his lips formed a gentle curve. Thinking about the first time he took these two, a proud feeling washed over his body.
'The next era is up to you, young ones.'
…
It was the 3rd day when Zeus made a full recovery. The effects of the lake were much better than he thought. Not only did his vitality get revitalized, but his skin was seemingly much fairer than before.
Unfortunately, it cannot change his face. The baby fat that hasn't faded away made him cute rather than handsome.
Zeus swam back to the shore after taking a bath. Although Sera and the others don't take a bath, that doesn't mean he shouldn't too.
As soon as his body left the water, the clean line of his baby muscles was exposed. With a height of 1.4 meters, he's already taller than his peers. The visible abs and chest made him manlier and would surely cause others envy.
However, a clean line of scars stretching from his shoulders to his chest made it look like he's been through a tough battle.
Looking at his scars, Zeus subconsciously held his left arm.
'Healers are really underrated.'
When he was unconscious, Mari said he healed him. Zeus thought that it was a joke but when Mari severed his finger and regrew it back again, he didn't dare to ask questions any further.
'I mean, he's a warrior and healer at the same time. Who wouldn't misunderstand?'
Soon, Zeus wore his clothes and opened his quest panel.
[Quest: 'I am going to be the strongest!']
[Description: Learn your first skill.]
[ Time Remaining: 7 Days.]
[ Reward: 100 System Points.]
'7 days should be enough. I can do it.' Zeus grinned.
With this in mind, he looked ahead and saw Sera and the other waiting at him. As he walked over, Sera crossed his arms, and the smile on his face vanished.
"Are you ready?"
"Yes. I'm ready!"
Sera smiled in satisfaction. "Very well, from this day onwards, you are my apprentice. As your master, I hope you will be able to grow to the heights like I did and even further beyond what I reached. Don't let me down."
"Yes, sir!"
Zeus answered enthusiastically.
His journey starts today.
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