Volume 5 Chapter 46: What Is Strength?

The next day, Keith headed to the backyard to work out. As he continued to exercise,

"You can come out and work out as well. I'm not going to bite." Keith didn't need to turn around as he said this. Who came out of the mansion was Herrick. He scratched his head,

"How did you know I was here?"

"You suck at hiding your breath," Keith could hear his breathing, "And the sunlight doesn't help with your shadow." Pointing at the ground, anyone could see the giant shadow Herrick made.

"..." Herrick was speechless. How embarrassing.

"So what do you want?" Keith continued to swing his sword.

"I want to ask you a question,"

"Hmm?"

"What do you define strength as?" Herrick asked.

"You want my definition of strength?" Keith tilted his head. That was an interesting question.

"Mmhmm,"

"I guess my definition of strength is to do things others aren't willing to do?"

"Eh?"

"I'm not a hero or anything. I'm just another person. I will make mistakes at times. However, whatever my decision is, I will keep going forward, accepting the results." Keith stated calmly.

"..."

"I know, not a good answer." Keith chuckled as he asked, "Let me ask you the question, Herrick. What do you define as strength?" Since he asked this question, he should answer it as well.

But when Keith asked,

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"....I don't know anymore," Herrick didn't know how to answer Keith's question. If it was a few weeks ago, his definition of strength was to be more powerful than anyone. However, he really didn't know what had happened.

Could he really call Keith weak after his decision? He did something most people wouldn't do because he saw the bigger picture.

That was really hitting him hard.

"That's fine," Keith smiled.

"Really?"

"If you don't know it, then you will just have to figure it out as time goes on," There was no need for him to know, "Try to open yourself up for new things. And think about your actions as you do it."

"I see," Herrick thought about it and asked, "If I do this, would I become like you?"

"Don't know," Keith shrugged his shoulders.

"Come on!" Herrick's eyes twitched. Did this guy have to give these nonchalant answers?!

"I really don't know," The expression on Keith's face made Herrick pause. It was calm and composed, entirely different from his carefree one.

"Eh?"

"It really depends on you. For all I know, you could become stronger or weaker," It was more on Herrick than for him to figure it out.

"But let me ask you, if you choose this path, will you accept the outcome regardless of the results?"

"..." Herrick thought about it before replying, "I will. No matter what the outcome, I will accept."

"Good. Then I will give you something to help your quest,"

"Hmm?"

"Take it," Keith took something from his storage and handed it to Herrick.

"A pot?" Herrick stared at the pot, confused. He looked back at Keith, signaling to him what he wanted him to do with this.

"I want you to take care of this seed. Help it grow,"

"Is that really it?"

"Mmhmm," Keith nodded, "Do everything you can to make it grow."

"Understood," Herrick nodded as he walked away. He didn't understand why he had to do this. However, he would do it with everything he had.

Herrick placed the seed in the pot. But when he did, nothing seemed to be wrong with it. However, the next day,

"What the?!" Herrick looked down to see that the seed cracked! There was black smoke coming from it! He quickly ran to Keith,

"Keith, something is wrong with the seed!" Herrick screamed.

"Hmm?"

"Look!" Herrick brought the pot up.

Keith looked at the seed and then back at him, "The seed is dead,"

"What?!" Herrick's eyes widened.

"Let me guess, you didn't do anything with it," Keith raised his brow.

"...Yes,"

"Of course, it would be dead if you didn't do anything, you idiot!" Keith scolded.

"..." Herrick was silent.

"...Here's another one, try again." Keith handed another seed over to the guy.

...

"...Keith," Herrick's voice was weary. His eyes looked so apologetic. However, the same couldn't be said for Keith. His eyes twitched,

"How could you destroy 20 seeds in 2 days?!" It was only two days! But Herrick destroyed 20!

"...I'm sorry,"

"..." This was a first. Herrick actually apologized, and he meant it. Gabriel patted Keith's shoulders, "Keith, let's calm down." But Keith was about to explode. Taking one deep sigh, "I'm giving you another one. But this is the last time."

At this point, Herrick was playing a game with the reset button on hand.

Herrick jolted and nodded, "Understood. I will do it." Like that, Keith handed one seed to Herrick and walked away.

"Hah," Keith shook his head,

"Fira, can you do me a favor?" Keith turned to the little spirit.

"Hmm?"