Zatiel observed the boy, impressed by his unyielding will as he straightened his head and looked back at him with his remaining eye.
"What an immense will!" Zatiel thought.
In his current state, most normal humans would have given up. Even some renowned Magi, who took pride in their rationality, would surrender to fate. But the boy's eye showed a determination that refused to give in.
"Definitely a good seed. Since I have enough material for the both of us, I could help him. Judging by what I saw, he will have no problem passing the ritual. But still, it's better to be sure," Zatiel contemplated, his gaze fixed on the boy.
Zatiel continued to stare at the boy for a minute, and the boy never averted his eye.
"I am no saint, but since you have made an impression on me and it will not affect me, I can help you. I give you a choice: I can heal your wounds, but your body is so badly damaged that even then, you will become a cripple for the rest of your life, or... I take you out of your misery right now," Zatiel spoke emotionlessly as he looked at the boy, gently placing him on the ground.
Most people would choose death over a life of crippling disabilities, especially in a world where a human life often seemed worthless. The boy, shocked at first, immediately regained his immense will, refusing to surrender.
"Truly impressive. Even knowing that your life will be hell, you still choose to go on. Can I know why you do it?" Zatiel asked patiently, supporting the boy against a large rock.
The boy mustered his strength to speak, his voice weak but determined.
"I want... to be... free."
Zatiel was taken aback by the boy's answer, which stirred a memory within him.
...
A solitary figure stood atop a mountain, shrouded in darkness that concealed his true appearance. The surroundings were littered with the bodies of demons, devils, dragons, and even mythical creatures like titans and leviathans. Though a testament to his incredible power, it was not what he truly sought.
Exhausted, he surveyed his surroundings and couldn't help but shout with all his strength.
"I will break every shackle that exists, become so powerful that nothing can restrain me. I will see how the universe looks once I remove what blinds me, reach the highest peak, and experience true freedom!"
...
Zatiel couldn't contain his laughter as he recalled those aspirations that fueled his path to power.
"Hahahaha, good, very good! From this moment on, you will become my subordinate, and together we will search for true freedom. What do you say?" Zatiel asked the boy with excitement evident on his face.
Though the boy couldn't fathom why someone would want a cripple like him as a subordinate, after a moment, he accepted.
Some may argue that being a subordinate isn't freedom, but being able to choose who to follow is freedom in itself.
Zatiel immediately began brewing a potion using the herbs he had collected during his preparations before the assault on the bandit camp.
While these herbs couldn't perform miracles like regrowing a hand or an eye, they were sufficient to heal the boy's wounds.
Zatiel helped the boy drink the potion and gently propped him against the rock.
"Rest here. I have many things to do before I start the ritual, and don't worry about your body. With what I am about to do, regrowing a hand and an eye will be a walk in the park."
The boy nodded, his gaze following Zatiel as he gathered the unconscious bandits and assembled them together.
...
Ever since Ezequiel could remember, he had been a slave. Sold as a baby, he grew up as a slave warrior—a disposable tool for carrying out deadly missions. From the moment he could stand, he was subjected to brutal training in the slave camp. Many children perished within the first year, but those who survived became exceptional soldiers capable of performing remarkable feats.
Due to his agility and speed, Ezequiel was trained as an assassin. Every day was a struggle between life and death, yet he overcame every trial, showcasing his immense talent.
Through the years, he honed his skills in killing, often given the most difficult tasks despite his young age. While his masters rewarded him with various pleasures, none of them brought him true happiness.
If there was one thing he genuinely enjoyed, it was watching birds soar through the sky. Witnessing their unrestricted freedom was one of the few joys he experienced in life.
His latest assignment was to assassinate the Captain of a bandit group that had murdered the son of an influential businessman. Ezequiel was meant to join a group of mercenaries hired to attack the bandit camp and distract the Captain, giving him an opportunity to strike. However, the information failed to mention that the Captain was a formidable warrior, resulting in the annihilation of the mercenary group.
Since he wounded the Captain, Ezequiel suffered the man's wrath, enduring days of torture before being thrown alive into a burial pit, left to die.
As he believed his life was nearing its end, Ezequiel didn't feel fear; instead, he experienced frustration. Throughout his existence, he had always followed the orders and desires of others. Now, he would die because of their decisions.
But then, he appeared—a man not much older than himself, yet incredibly powerful. The man single-handedly defeated the supposedly invincible Captain and all the bandits in the camp.
When the man offered to heal him or end his suffering, Ezequiel didn't hesitate. He chose to live on, preserving his pursuit of freedom.
Who would have imagined that the man would burst into laughter upon hearing Ezequiel's desire and offer him the role of his subordinate?
At that moment, Ezequiel felt a surge within him, as if it were the most critical decision of his entire life, marking the beginning of his true path.
"I will follow this person. This is the first real choice I've made in my life!"