The next day came by, the knights woke up by the sound of children talking and giggling.
When they all got out of their tents, the kids were already preparing breakfast. They were surprised that the kids woke up earlier than they did. They were all freshly bathed and dressed. It seems like they've been given proper morning routines.
After breakfast and while the knights were preparing to leave, Yves had a time alone with them.
All nine of them were standing, and Yves was picking up some sort of textbooks. These were handwritten books with all the materials given from the Duke. He handed them out to each of them. Three text books per person.
"Yves...? What is this?" Cimmerian asks. Yves smiles.
"Those are certain textbooks I wrote for you. You can call them special notes as all of three are specially written for you and your capabilities," Yves explained. "That's all I can teach you for now. When the time comes that you completed those, I'm sure you're all one of the strongest fighters in this World."
He places a finger above his lips.
"However, keep this a secret. These all contain certain knowledge that can't be shared with just anyone."
He wanted the first gift he'll give them to be useful and something that will help their growth for the next few years of not seeing them.
The lot were quiet, which was a reaction he never expected from them.
"What, do you not like it...?" he asks, but Rue suddenly walks to him, wrapping her hands around his body and hugging him tightly.
"We'll see each other again... right?" He was surprised when Lysander suddenly says that. "All ten of us... will be together again..."
Out of all the nine children, Lysander was not that expressive, but you can tell in eyes that he has genuine care for all of them.
"Of course, we will have to meet somehow, right?" Nilsine comforts with a small smile.
But all the other cheerful ones were the once who remained quiet.
Yves can only smile at this. 'There must be some sort of reason why they don't want to say anything,' Yves thought to himself as he slowly wraps his arms around Rue, leading Rue to only hug him tighter.
The others couldn't take their eyes off Rue. They'll admit that they've grown attached to Yves as well, but not as much as her. There was never a time that these two aren't together or not taking caring of each other.
"We're all bound to meet as ten again," Yves stated with a soft tone. "Years will come by fast, you won't even realize. And don't worry, by the time you're all strong again, I can easily find you."
They all turned to him. His eyes weren't lying.
"I'll come find you myself, I promise."
They bid their farewells without shedding another tear. They promised that they shouldn't cry anymore since this isn't the last time they'll meet.
Yves was left alone in the camp site.
The first few days he felt lonely being by himself, he missed all of them. He would hear their voices in his head, as if they were hear. He realized himself that this is what means to have friends... to have family.
One of this days he would think to himself...
'Waiting... is starting to feel like eternity...'
He can't even blame himself for feeling this way, he's been too lonely.
After contemplating and lazing around for five days, he finally got up by himself. He began training, testing out a few things using his powers, and slowly mastering it again with this body.
Wake up, eat, train, continue with research, and repeat.
The same routine he had as a deity. He was never tired with this routine before, but now it just feels so empty.
Two months have passed, and he's grown a bit because of all the training he's been doing.
While he was resting by the tree, he felt a presence. As he opened his eyes, he saw him.
Samael Grimstone, with an adult horse, and a younger one.
"Do know how to ride a horse?" he asks.
'It's about damned time,' Yves thought to himself as he smiles.
"I can learn," Yves replied.
The only reason why he didn't leave their campsite is so that this man can find him easily after he returned the other nine children to their families.
The reason why? Well... it's because of their deal.
"Can I adopt you?"
"Huh?" Yves has never been left dumb founded before, but Samael just caught him off guard.
'Never in my entire life have I thought that I'd even hear the word adopt and me in a sentence,' Yves thought to himself.
"Do you have anywhere to go after this?" Samael asks with an amused smile. He's close to laughing at his reaction.
"No, but I can handle my own," Yves replied. He can easily survive in this Earth.
"But a talent like you should live in complete luxury," Samael suggests as his smile remained. "I can give you everything you need, simply do what you can to give me nothing but honor."
Yves was immediately intrigued by that. Not even the Council had given him such a deal. He smiles at Samael, and somehow, Samael found that sinister.
"Are you sure you'll give me everything I need?" Yves asks. Other than his smile, his eyes were shining like a star.
'He definitely looks excited and happy by the deal,' Samael thought to himself. He smiles. 'If I get him to be my son, it would be amazing! The Emperor would stop bugging me to marry and have a child!'
'He's a duke and a dog to the Imperial Family, he should be able to give me materials and information for my research!' Yves thought to himself.
Both of them had completely different goals, but they are somewhat similar. Without giving it much thought, Yves held out his hand.
"My name is Syvestian, I'm only eight years old at the moment," Yves says. Samael accepts his hand with a wide grin.
Both of them were happy.
"You'll be Syvestian Grimestone soon, just wait!"
"Take your time, Father!"
"Thank you, Son!"
"HAHAHAHAHA!"
From afar, the knights and the children can hear their loud laughs and can see them getting along like old men of the same age, when they actually have quite a height difference.
"They look like they're having fun huh..." Lysander says.
"They're getting along surprisingly well," Kian butted in.
"You two! I need help over here!" Ezio was heard shouting. They weren't done setting things up after dinner.
"Okay!"
Kian turns to glance at the two again.
'I wonder what's going on with the two of them now...'