Tonight, the usual silence that graced Zerenia's residence was disrupted by the buzz of conversation emanating from the living room. Staal, Tania, and Zerenia sat together there, engrossed in a discussion about Rozer's exciting adventure that had taken place earlier in the day.
"Rozer defeated the Minotaur on the battlefield earlier today?" Staal asked with undisguised amazement.
"Yes, I didn't even have time to help him," Zerenia replied.
"Goodness, how could he be so daring? Although his magical learning ability is very fast and he can endure rigorous training from Staal, he's truly fearless," Tania commented, shaking her head.
Zerenia and Staal nodded in agreement with Tania's statement. After a moment of silence, their teacups on the table began to diminish, and their unintentional gaze fell on Rozer's sleeping place. There, Rozer lay sound asleep.
"But I feel so happy to have raised him up to this point. He's never rebellious, honest, and willing to accept any challenge," Zerenia said.
Tania placed a hand on her chest. "I cherish that child too. Even though I can only visit occasionally, I love him deeply and I'm proud of him," she said.
Zerenia paused for a moment, deep in thought, contemplating every word that had come from his wife's lips. Unconsciously, his eyes began to look at Tania's face, and suddenly realization dawned on him: his wife also wanted the presence of a child.
In the silence of the room, Zerenia's reflection began to surface. He realized that among the great successes they had achieved, there was one unfulfilled desire. Seeing Tania's gentle expression, the hopeful look in her eyes, Zerenia could understand the hidden desire that lay beneath her words and gaze.
A meaningful silence enveloped the room as this understanding merged within Zerenia. Among the adventures and accomplishments that adorned their lives, the desire for a child's presence seemed to be an unspoken yet vital portrait for both of them.
***
In an empty, rocky field, the sun hung directly above Rozer's head in the sky. Rozer stood alone in this desolate and flat place, without a single tree, only surrounded by rocks and a mountainous landscape as far as the eye could see. He focused on channeling his magical energy into his outstretched right hand. After the magical energy had gathered in his palm, it created a powerful red aura that Rozer had to hold back with his other hand.
Fuu...
With his eyes closed, he took a deep breath. At the same time, he pressed his feet into the ground with a strong stance, and then released the surge of magic in his palm in an instant. His body was pushed backward due to the powerful magic he had just unleashed.
The magic he had released gradually turned into sparks of fire in the air, floating as fast as lightning, crashing into a large rock about 300 meters from where Rozer stood. In a matter of seconds, the rock that was hit by the magic exploded, followed by a tremendous sound that shook the gravel beneath his feet. The explosion created a wide crater.
"Amazing,"
Suddenly, a voice came from behind him. Holding his breath, Rozer turned to see a slightly older boy with bright green eyes, short black hair, dressed like an adventurer, white robe, and wearing cloth boots, standing there. It was evident that this boy was older than Rozer.
"How old are you?" the boy asked. Not knowing the boy's name, Rozer was sure that this boy, was also a magic user.
"Eleven years old."
"To display such powerful magical abilities at that age, you're truly remarkable," said the boy while extending his hand.
"I'm Sieren."
"I..."
"I know. You're the mysterious child who doesn't like to talk much to people but seems very stubborn."
Rozer, confused by Sieren's friendly demeanor, perhaps displaying such emotions on his face, widened his eyes in surprise and shrugged. His outstretched hand was disregarded by Rozer, who turned his face away.
"If it's not useful..."
"Oh, don't say that," Sieren exclaimed.
His figure disappeared.
Rozer caught a glimpse of his actions. He wasn't there. Floating in the air with the same magical ritual Rozer had performed earlier, but with one hand, Sieren's arm extended downward.
Sparks of fire shot out at lightning speed. They hit a large rock and exploded with a greater force than Rozer's previous explosion.
"Wow!" Rozer's eyes widened.
"How is it?" Sieren landed with a cheerful smile. "My magical abilities are quite good too, right?"
The explosion he had just caused created a crater wider and deeper than Rozer's earlier one. It reassured Rozer that Sieren's level was far above his own.
"I've seen you practicing here daily for quite some time," Sieren approached slowly, extending his hand again. "Let's be friends," he said with a genuinely pleasant tone that was naturally endearing. Rozer raised his right hand to meet his warm palm.
"Pleasure to meet you, Rozer," Sieren smiled broadly.
Rozer was perplexed by how he had attracted the attention of this strange and overly friendly boy.