Chapter 162 - Expectations

The next day, Zaos woke up earlier than usual. Although he didn't sleep all that much, he decided to run around the city to clear his mind. While he never tried to test his stamina fully, Zaos discovered that he could run for five to six hours without getting exhausted. All that running made him realize that perhaps he should use his time more wisely. He didn't want to spend less time training and researching, so the only way he imagined he could use the time to make his image better among the other kids, considering that was what his mother wanted, was to sleep less, and that was something troublesome and kid of dangerous since Zaos was already sleeping only six hours per day.

"Or… I can always try to be more friendly in the next party," Zaos said.

Zaos wasn't the type of guy who could act like that, but it was absolutely necessary for the end. Zaos had to consider his family's name, and he had to work to improve it since the opportunities he got so far were opportunities that he received thanks to his position in the family.

"Let's hope I won't regret it later," Zaos said and then sighed.

In the end, Zaos decided to have his breakfast and lunch in the city instead of at home. If he were to see the disappointed eyes of his mother again anytime soon, Zaos would probably get too depressed to teach Drannor and Zaos about magic.

After lunch, Zaos hurried home to change his clothes since it probably would be weird to enter the castle wearing clothes covered in sweat. Much to Zaos's surprise, when he arrived at the castle garden, he only found America.

"Where is the blockhead?" Zaos asked.

"I have no idea," Ameria said.

That was weird, considering that Drannor showed up every single day to train. He was pretty diligent and never missed a day of training, despite his natural talent for fighting. Ameria managed to focus more than usual since Zaos was more quiet than usual. That day, Ameria managed to fire the first enhanced arrows. Although she still was failing once every three shots.

"You look even more quiet today," Ameria said. "Did you get chewed by your mother?"

"It seems my father is also someone who has a big mouth…" Zaos furrowed his eyebrows.

"Well, sir Laiex can't ignore my questions," Ameria said.

Ameria only made things worse with her words since that revealed that she was asking questions about other people's families… that was another reason why Zaos didn't like kids. Regardless, suppose Ameria had that much free time. In that case, Zaos easily could find a way to occupy her mind with something else.

"Look," Zaos said and then took her bow for a short moment.

Zaos enhanced the arrow with earth magic and then fired it. The target that had been destroyed pretty much every week since they started training exploded when it got by the arrow. As if it wasn't enough, the arrow still flew and only stopped when it hit the castle walls. The impact caused by the arrows made a loud thud echo through the area scaring the crap out of the guards and cracking the walls.

"These are the symbols that you have to study this time," Zaos said and then draw them on the ground. "See you tomorrow."

That should keep Ameria occupied for a while. Since she had already exhausted her mana, Zaos decided to return home. In the end, he spent the rest of the day researching in his room. However, the next day, he decided to train with his father and he ended up finding his mother on the path to the garden.

"Are you avoiding me, Zaos?" Lyra said.

"Well, maybe?" Zaos forced a smile.

"You don't have to, I just want to see you happier than usual, that is why I want you to interact with other kids," Lyra said. "While that suits you as well, you can't just think about work and training day in and day out. You need to relax now and then."

"I will keep that in mind," Zaos said.

"Here, give me a tight hug," Lyra said. "Remember, I just want to feel the same I feel right now. You brought a lot more happiness to my life than you can imagine."

"I understand, mom," Zaos said and then hugged his mother.

"This might be a bit too soon to say that since I am just thirty," Lyra said. "But I would be really happy to see you becoming a father, Zaos."

"Well… I think I am a bit too young to be one," Zaos frowned.

"Not at all, in two years, you will have the chance to find a suitable wife," Lyra said. "I am really looking forward to that."

Lyra was way too young to become a grandmother, and based on her words. It seems that most people, after they become fifteen, start to look for suitable partners to marry. That seemed a bit too soon from Zaos's perspective. Still, considering that maybe the party the other day is only for kids around Alessia's age, it wouldn't be too weird… that actually would explain why Lyra wanted to see her son becoming popular… so that he could marry as soon as possible.

"It is fine to take things at your own pace," Lyra said. "But remember, I am as impatient as you are with other types of things."

"All right…" Zaos said.

Zaos had never been invited to any marriage, but that was only obvious since he didn't know many people and just returned from the North. Considering all that, it wouldn't be weird to hear about Tyra marrying someone in the next year or two. After all, she was already at that age, and running the family business by herself was pretty difficult.

While Zaos was walking toward the training grounds, he was having a hard time that he already had to consider things like marriage when he was just thirteen… Still, it was better for him to find someone suitable than wait for his father to get on his way. After all, his family already had a history of making arranged marriages.