The last two days of the week are relaxing days where everyone is busy doing activities of their choice. During these times, youngsters can do whatever activities they like without having to worry about studying. Even though there may be an assignment, that thing can be done when the deadline is near. Saturday mornings are usually filled with positive activities, such as exercising. It can be jogging, aerobics, gardening, etc. It can also be with slightly more extreme sports like martial arts.
BANG!! BANG...
The sound of a baseball bat reverberating behind a shop near the harbor with a sign saying, "Julius Photocopy". In the small garden, Julius was panting so hard that the stick he was holding fell. His opponent was none other than the youngest clerk in his shop, who was also his protege.
"Your dodging movements are quite good haah... let's do it again!"
"Yes, sir!"
Julius rushed very quickly while repeatedly changing the position of his stick as a decoy. To focus on his opponent's movements, Zeyn immediately closed his eyes so he could read the movements because it was useless for him to see with his naked eyes.
Now he could 'see' the aura of the enemy in front of him. The opening attack from the right and diving...
He deftly dodged with a quick movement. The attack then continued upwards, this time from the left side. Instantly, he dodged again and blocked his opponent's hand.
Julius attacked again more fiercely. Swinging, stabbing, even slashing from various angles as if he was carrying a sharp object. He didn't give any breathing space. But once again his attack was avoided either by Zeyn dodging in the opposite direction or jumping backwards. His movements were very agile like a skilled close-range fighter.
Trying to play the momentum, he deliberately attacked the opponent's wooden stick fiercely. The move successfully made Zeyn lose her only means of personal protection. Julius ran over again and hurried forward. He swung his bat vertically to aim at the shoulder.
Zeyn quickly moved based on reflexes by ducking to the left and kicking as fast as lightning. Not satisfied there, his elbow moved to make his opponent even more thrown away. Julius fell and stumbled several feet away.
THUD...
"Uaakkh ahh! Bleh-bleh!"
This man felt pain all over his body due to the impact. Not to mention his mouth was filled with soil, adding to his annoyance. It's undeniable that he lost to someone much younger than him. But it's okay, he couldn't really defend himself.
"Well... you really took it seriously hahahaha. But it's good, I'm glad to help with the training," said Julius.
"I didn't anticipate attacks on weapons like earlier. It turns out Mr. Julius is very good."
"Really? Well... maybe next time you should think about what your opponent might be thinking."
"Okay!"
Laughter immediately broke out between them. A pleasant Saturday morning atmosphere.
Julius couldn't understand why he was considered great when his moves were terrible. He knew how skilled this child was in martial arts, especially with the strange style he had learned from the mysterious Silat (which Julius knew where it came from). But that's just Zeyn, always praising unnecessarily. In the end he tried to play the role of a motivator in front of him. He realized that the boy needed a father figure.
So what's wrong with that? After all, he was also a psychology graduate.
"Listen Zeyn, no matter how great you sharpen your knowledge, Greatness is not found in possessing power but in using it humbly. Use it as needed, especially to protect something you believe is right."
"I understand."
Although it sounded cool, Julius sighed heavily while holding his stomach. Compared to those skinny and muscular packs, he felt like nothing.
"When will my body be like yours..."
"Heh? Didn't you say that you often exercised when you were young?" asked Zein.
"Well... how can I say it? I used to, but..."
It was true that he had once stated that he was quite athletic, but it only lasted for a week. Julius realized that maintaining a good body shape was difficult, especially since he liked sugary foods.
"By the way, I want to apologize for yesterday."
"Huh?"
"I shouldn't have scolded you in front of others, so..."
"It's okay," Zeyn quickly interrupted. "I understand everything you said was for my own good. In fact, I should be the one apologizing..."
Julius stroked his hair gently as a sign that he understood what he wanted to convey.
"Frustrating, right? Having strange abilities and not using it, sounds like a waste. My advice that I can give is still the same, be wise in using it."
"Yes sir..."
"I know you have a bad memory, but I'm sure you will never forget the values that I'm trying to instill in you. I know you can do it!"
Along with the conversation, Julius went back into the house with the intention of changing his clothes. All the burden he had felt since yesterday disappeared without a trace because he had let out his frustrations. He also tried to understand the boy's position based on his discussion with Mr. Hendri yesterday. He couldn't keep forcing him to always obey.
* * *
A dew on the grass became the subject of Zeyn's daydreams. He didn't expect it to end like this, even though he usually always argued when he didn't comply with Julius' wishes not to use his strength in public. Unlike his elder sister who would always support him, for the first time, his foster father had easily forgiven him.
"But still!" Julius shouted, suddenly appearing again from behind the door in a changed outfit. "You have to be careful. Especially at a time like this."
"If I may ask, you have always forbidden me harshly about my power. Why is that?"
"Hmm...I just think that the world is crazy with people like us. Even in my own life, there are anomalies. What about outside of it?"
"..."
"It's better to hide. You never know if there's someone like you doing something irrational out there."
"Irrational? Like what?" Zeyn asked, confused.
"I don't know... Just be cautious. Yesterday, there was a strange person who suddenly lost his memory and knocked on someone's door early in the morning."
"Lost his memories?"
The young man nodded, signifying that he understood. The message being conveyed was that it was better to avoid trouble than to start it. Certainly, an Esper like him could easily become the center of attention for netizens if he did anything reckless.
"Let's just assume that I trust you to distinguish between good and bad, and to be wise in using your strange teleportation ability."
The real reason was that Julius was tired of reminding and opposing him. He didn't want more headaches, so it was better to trust him instead.
"But I..."
"Don't think too much about it. Anyway, I haven't given you an allowance this month yet, have I? Here!"
"..."
"ZEYN!"
"Ah, y-yes, sorry."
Trying to ignore his turbulent thoughts, he walked towards Julius, who took out his wallet to give him money. At least this was how he was paid. Unlike others who were paid by wire transfer, Julius paid directly and managed the finances. It was a small bill worth Rp 300, which was quite meager for a monthly allowance. In contrast to other people his age who have savings of hundreds of thousands.
Before he could take the money, Zeyn suddenly fell silent.
"What's wrong?" Julius asked.
Cold sweat slowly began to wet his body as he realized something. For the past week, he couldn't remember anything about his wallet. He didn't know where he put it the last time. Maybe it was at home?
"I'm giving you money, why are you quiet? Is it not enough?"
"Uh... thank you, sir."
In awkwardness, he tried to hide his suddenly strange behavior. He took the bill and put it in his pocket. But as someone who had been with Zeyn for a long time, Julius realized that something was amiss. His eyebrows lifted in suspicion,
"By the way, how was your spending last month? Did you remember to save some?"
"Uh... yeah. Oh, I have to go out for a bit."
"Huh? What's wrong? Why are you in a hurry?"
"Uh... college assignment. I forgot that it had to be submitted as soon as possible. See you later."
"Huh? Hey!!"
Without further explanation, Zeyn immediately ran inside, his focus now was to find his wallet. Because he felt that it had been a long time since he interacted with it, even remembering it a little.
"There's something strange about this kid...", muttered Julius, becoming more suspicious as he frowned.
Losing a wallet is actually serious carelessness. Let's put aside the matter of the value of money and even the banking cards inside it. The most worrying thing is his personal data. In this modern era that is heavily digitalized, personal data is considered a valuable asset that must be guarded closely. If the ID card and even the student card that he owned fell into the wrong hands, we cannot imagine the terrible things that could happen.
Without hesitation, Zeyn ran back home. At least he had to make sure that his wallet was there somewhere. If it was indeed there, then his heart could be at ease.
Perhaps he should teleport himself to his house to get there faster.
* * * *