Disclaimer:

“Dialogue”

‘Thoughts’

-Author notes-

Chapter 28: A New Companion

“What?! You can't possibly be serious,” Zephyr exclaimed.

“Of course I am! Take me with you. I can be very useful. My grandpa taught me everything he knew.”

“Many would consider that trip a suicide. Or at the very least, extremely dangerous.”

“And staying here is not dangerous? I was almost eaten by that shadow cat.” The boy pointed at the dead beast.

Zephyr could not argue with that. This forest seems a lot more dangerous than his outdated map indicated. This boy alone won't last long.

‘But if I take him with me and he dies, I would be directly responsible…not that I care that much about that.’

“Look.” Seth pulled out a carving knife. “I know how to carve beasts and even how to treat the skin to make fur clothes. I know a lot of survival tips… and…”

“Slow down… that seems useful, but…” Having someone who could carve the beasts he hunted could indeed be handy, but he was still unconvinced.

“I also have a copy of my Grampa’s hunting map!” He pulled out a large piece of paper.

“A hunting map? An updated one?” Zephyr became more interested. This was exactly what he needed. “Let me see it.”

Seth pulled it away. “No way! If you want this map, you have to take me with you!”

Zephyr frowned. “Can you fight?”

“Well…” The boy became nervous. “I know how to wield the knife…”

“So no… what about magic? Can you use any spells?”

“Magic? Mmm… I can move the wind a bit if I focus.”

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“So no again…”

“But I can learn! Come on, Zephyr. What do you have to lose?”

The boy had a point. He did not have much to lose. Worst case scenario, the boy dies and he keeps his map and tools.

“Fine, but don't slow me down.”

“I won't, I promise!” The boy looked very happy now. After a few days alone in this forest, he thought he was going to spend the rest of his short life by himself.

Zephyr glanced at the shadow cat. “You can start to make yourself useful by carving some meat out of that guy and preparing some food."

“I can totally do that. Leave it to me!”

‘If anything, at least he is enthusiastic,’ Zephyr thought.

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He had to admit, that Seth had some skills. In just one hour, he had lit a fire, carved half the beast, and prepared some juicy steaks on a stick.

“I can finish the other half after we are done eating,” Seth said.

“No, it's best if we don't remain here much longer. If there are any other hunters in this forest, the fire will lead them directly to us.”

“Ah… that's true. Grampa told me to avoid any other humans… he said that they would capture me and give me away to the Celestials.” Seth looked a bit depressed at the thought. He always got along with everyone in the village. But now he had to avoid them like they were his enemies. He hated that….

“Your grampa is correct. Most humans will follow the Celestial laws without thinking,” Zephyr said.

“But isn't that the normal thing to do?” Seth was somewhat confused.

‘He is right… following the Celestial's laws is the normal thing to do. The two of us are the abnormal ones,’ Zephyr realized something.

Since they were children, they had been taught about the history of humanity and the futility of fighting against the Celestial rule.

They learn to obey their rulers without really thinking about it. No one would even consider breaking a Celestial law, not even if it puts a loved one in danger.

This had become the normal way of thinking for humans.

But since his awakening, he had been questioning their rules and laws more and more. He had started to distrust everything that had been told by them.

It was more than distrust. The seeds of hatred against the Celestials had begun to grow inside him.

He did not understand where this hatred was coming from.

“Zephyr? Is everything okay? You have stopped eating.” Seth tried to get his attention.

“I’m fine.” He took a few large bites and finished his meal.

“Gather your things and put the fire out,” he told the boy.

He moved his arms a bit and just noticed the lack of pain.

‘How is it possible? The wounds were quite severe… even with that healing ointment, I should be feeling some pain still.’

“Status.” He called softly. It had become a custom to check his status several times a day like this.

[Status: Zephyr Level 7

Health points: 30/30

Mana points: 24/24

Strength: 10

Dexterity: 22

Intelligence: 11 (+2 reg)

Vitality: 10 (+2 reg)

Luck: 9

Available points: 5]

“Mmm…” While looking at his Health, something occurred to him.

His Health should have gone down when he got hurt by the shadow cat. But thanks to his vitality, he recovers two points every minute, and because of that, his Health is now back to full.

‘Could it be?’ He looked down at his bandaged shoulders.

He moved his right hand and with little difficulty, he undid the cloth covering his left shoulder.

“Zephyr, what are you doing? You need to keep them covered so the ointment can work better.” Seth realized what he was doing and came to warn him.

“Whoa!” Zephyr exclaimed.

He used the bandage to clean his shoulder and revealed the perfectly unharmed skin underneath. Not even a small scar remained.

“How is it possible?” Seth could not believe what he saw. He knew how deep those claws had gone into his flesh...it should have taken him at least a couple of weeks to heal.

It's only been a bit over an hour since the fight, and he was already in perfect condition.

‘This gift from the Goddess keeps surprising me every day!’ Zephyr thought with joy.