Elder Grey closed his eyes peacefully early in the morning after drinking the tea made by his disciple.
His old face had a slight smile on his face as if he was satisfied with life.
The chief looked at his face and sighed.
The people of Edgekeep buried their people in the forest.
An area was specifically was marked as a burial ground in the forest.
It was not far from the town. Despite it being in the forest, the animals never dug for the bodies.
It was said that the forest spirits protect the resting souls there.
Not many believed that story, but they also did not refute it, seeing the place not being disturbed.
The townsmen built a simple casket for elder Grey.
Zack stood in front of his master's grave alone till the evening.
When the night descended, the small spirits gathered around him. They flew around elder Grey's newly built grave before going around the trees.
As someone who was now spirit master, Zack knew what normal people could not.
The forest spirit only protected the human bodies for its own benefit.
Unlike other creatures, humans beings had more intelligence.
The forest benefited a lot from these scattered consciousnesses.
Zack bowed last time in front of the grave and turned around.
After Zack left the burial ground, soft sighs could be heard.
There were at a dozen different voices, but they were gone shortly after as if they were never there.
...
Zack woke up early the next morning and did his daily exercise. It had been a long time since he did the morning exercise.
When he decided to focus on breakthroughs, he neglected his training. Now that the burden was gone, he went back to his daily routine.
His master never asked for anything, aside from being willing enough to learn under him.
So Zack did not slack off and put in more effort.
During breakfast, he asked his children to prepare their study materials and all the completed work he previously missed.
His son Luka started crying on the spot. He was happy thinking their father forgot about their study after what happened the day before.
Who would've thought that he would ask the next day?
He ran towards his mother and grandparents. Zack's parents were much more fond of their grandson.
Zack never raised problems when he was a child, so they were happy to see their grandson fooling around the town.
But they did not stop Zack from punishing the kid. He was tied to the tree after a beating.
Ella happily brought her work over.
Zack's mood lifted after seeing her do the work diligently.
He took them to the school with him in the afternoon.
When they returned home, he brought both of his children inside his study.
After checking their progress in their respective studies, he gave the new work.
Ella and Luka were in the same class, but his sister was much more ahead of him in the studies.
Zack would strongly lecture him every time he saw him behind his sister.
Today he taught them meditation. When he thought things through that day, he decided to teach some things.
He knew that his life was different from his family. He already decided to spend his remaining time with his parents and wife.
When the time comes, he will leave the town.
He did not want his children to be ignorant of the things he was involved with.
The basic teachings were not that rare in the world. The wealthy families in the capital started teaching their children these things much earlier.
There were regulations in the kingdom but what he was teaching his children was only basic.
His master was an outsider as well as a powerful person, so the rules of their kingdom did not apply to him.
It was questionable if the chief even reported him to the kingdom.
The chief mentioned him to visit his mansion in the passing at the funeral.
Aside from basic meditation he also planned to teach them the foundational knowledge.
...
After a few peaceful days, he went to see the chief.
He was familiar with the chief because of Jude, who studied with him.
When he asked the guards to report his visit, a middle-aged man came to guide him.
The old servants who served the chief were long gone. Now all of the servants were either the children of those old servants or the townsmen.
Chief Damian was in his study, working. He looked older, and these days most of the work was handled by his daughter.
Hearing Zack came, he asked him to be guided in his study directly.
Zack once visited this study with Jude. The first time he came here, he was mesmerised by the clock in the study.
He read about the device in the books, and that was the first time seeing it in person.
This time he was much calm. The chief asked him to take a seat on the chair.
With a table between them, the chief looked at him and handed over a newspaper to him.
He read the newspaper and understood the current condition of the kingdom.
"The kingdom cannot restrict your freedom, as you are a disciple of someone outside the kingdom."
"But I hope you serve the kingdom for some years at least."
Zack was not surprised to hear that and replied, "Don't worry chief, there are a lot of things I still need to learn and my master instructed me to work in the kingdom as my training."
Damian smiled in response to that, despite knowing he only said 'work' and not 'serve'.
It was even fortunate that a disciple of someone powerful as elder Grey even remained in their kingdom.
"Jude could not come due to the duties, but he sent a message yesterday. He should come soon."
Damian had sent an emergency message to his grandson after hearing about their master's health.
But he still could not come immediately.
Zack knew his friend's condition and did not say anything about it.
"Master left behind a parting gift for him with me. Please inform him when he comes back."
"Sure. It was his greatest fortune to be able to study under elder Grey."
Damian was thankful to elder Grey for taking in Jude. And even after knowing Zack was the successor to him, he did not show any displeasure or greed for his fortune.
As one of the kingdom's protectors, he knew much more than others. There were stories of some powerful masters, who were said to be dead but showed up again just to take revenge on their dead disciples.
So it was common sense to never covet things out of your reach. And the ones who were not afraid of those powerful masters did not need other's fortune.
"At first I was thinking of making you the chief but seeing you today, it looks like that is very unlikely to happen."
"My son should retire soon. And if luck would have it, I will pass on the duty to him."
"But, there are not many to handle the school affairs."
"If possible, I request you to look after the school."
Zack was taken back but became calm after thinking about it a bit. After Elder Morris, there was no one to manage the school and the chief had to personally oversee the management.
Because he already had his hands full, he was not interested in the school much aside from his job.
"You do not have to decide immediately but it is also an opportunity for you."
"Not many know it but being a teacher is much more respectable in the kingdom. If you ever want to work in the royal palace, you will find it much easier."
"Of course I'm also being selfish here but you should still think about it."