[162nd day]
By the entrance of a small cave, the aroma of the meat being cooked filled the area.
The fragance attracted many animals and beasts alike but none had the courage to steal the food away.
"You're awake!"
The savory scent of meat woke the hungry child up.
"....."
In an unknown place around unknown individuals, the child naturally became wary towards the two who killed the mercenary group he was in.
"Eat. And don't worry, there is no poison on it. After all, if we wanted to kill you, you wouldn't be alive to hear what I am saying right now"
Leon placed a cup of water and a bowl, that he got from the ruined capital, filled with chopped meat in front of the child.
"....."
Slowly, the scent of the freshly made meat enroached his nose, his mouth salivating as he looked at the bowl with delicious looking meat.
".... Can I... really have this?"
The child asked with doubt.7
"Of course you can. Just make sure to eat slowly so your stomach won't go bad"
The child reached out for the bowl and slowly ate the food.
".... Sniff...."
Tears welled up as he continued to eat one by one. To be able to eat a proper and decent meal after a long time made his heart go weak, releasing all the tension piled in his body in one go.
"Take your time. No one's going to take it away from you"
".... Okay..."
Leon stood up and went out of the cave to give the child some space as he cried his heart out as he filled his empty stomach.
"Master, what are you planning to do with the child?"
Persephone asked as she cleaned her butchering knives.
"You will know soon enough. Just know that he... that child is a child of destiny"
"A child of destiny?"
"Yes. He is born for greatness. No matter where he go, he will soon learn many things and alarm the world"
After some time, the two went back to the cave and saw the child in a drowst state.
"You can't sleep yet. You just ate"
Leon then carried the child and patted his back like an infant who is about to sleep.
"Let's go back to the city"
"The mount I prepared is obedient. Would you like to see the fruits of my two days and one night discipline?"
"Of course I am"
They then got out and Leon saw a gray wolf type beast.
While it was beaten up by Persephone, it still possess a sense of hatred towards the absurd strangers that forced it to be at their beck and call.
"Perse, hold the child for me"
"Unedrstood"
Persephone carried the child as Leon walked closer to the wolf.
"Animals, by instinct, know when they are in danger. You should know what situation you are in, right?"
The balck and murky energy that was released from his body were like shackles that pulled the wolf down in an invisible sea of pressure.
In less than a minute, the wolf went down and submitted itself to Leon.
"You found a good one"
"Does that mean I can get some reward?"
"Why of course you will. Just wait until we can find some more"
...
[167th day]
The wolf beast possessed a great amount of stamina and strength as it was mutated through long exposure to world energy.
Just like how other races are able to become magicians and soul artists, animals who are capable of handling energy become stronger and stronger.
And with its current strength, it was enough to bring the three back to the Heaven Blaze city in just five days time.
"Uncle, is this the place you told me about?"
"Yes, it is"
Right outside the barrier, the wolf stopped as it knew by instinct it is unable to go through.
"Olad, come out"
"Yes, sir Leon. What can I do for you?"
"Register these two. This wolf is my pet, and this kid is my adopted son"
"Understood. May I know your name?"
Leon gestured for the child to tell his name to the hologram in front of them.
"My... my name is Pallius"
The child said proudly.
"Registration is done. You may now enter the city"
After entering the city, Pallius was amazed to see things he never saw before.
"Do you wanna play around or rest first?"
"Can... can I look around? I'll behave, I promise"
"You can. Don't worry, no one will dare to bother you in this city"
"Thank you!"
Pallius turned around and hugged Leon with joy.
"You shou-?!"
Bam!
The young man who became the teacher of Tony and Veronica landed near Leon and the others.
"Oh my, I didn't thought we would be welcomed in such a grand manner. I must be loved by the citizens of my city"
"Hah! Someone like you-"
Boom!
Before finishing his sentence, an arrow landed near Hugo's feet.
Several golems formed around Leon and co. as if to protect them.
"What is the meaning of this, sir Hugo?"
Charlie arrived at the scene, ready to fire another arrow at him.
"Nothing. I just wanted to see what was the sudden shift in the energy"
Charlie's eyes hardened as he could tell Hugo was lying.
He looked at Leon and those around him and saw that there is only one other person in addition to them.
He then thought, 'What could possibly intruige this asshole to take action himself?'
He then remembered the reason he was staying here.
".....?!"
It was beacuse there was a 'genius' by Hugo's standard present in the city. Therefore, only someone with talent would be able to pique his curiosity.
'A potential value of <98.7>?! Where did this kid come from?'
He then understood Hugo's actions but could not stay back in silence as he was breaking his word.
"Please step back and I will treat that this never happened"
Veins popped up at Hugo's face as he smiled from anger.
"You think you can stop me? What makes you so-"
Boom!
From a distance, Tony shot Hugo.
"Hahaha! It is my first time taking in a student and yet... in less than a month he even dared to shoot me!!!"
The smoke soon vanished as it was drifted by the wind. They then saw that Hugo was not injured, rather he was perfectly fine.
Aldo and Marco then arrived.
"Alright, I will go back. Tsk, youngsters these days sure have a lot of energy to spare"
After looking at Pallius one last time, Hugo flew back to where Tony and Veronica were.
"Teacher, you are not going to punish master for what he has done, will you?"
"No. I understand why he would act like that. If I was in the same situation, I would have done the same thing"
Veronica let out a sigh of relief.
"But... that brat dared to lie to me saying that he doesn't have the energy to train and yet still managed to shoot out a blast that powerful. He deserves disciplinary punishment!"
With no way to refute her teacher's words, Veronica stayed at the side as Hugo punished Tony for lying to him.