Chapter 426 A Decision

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"This is?" Ellergest held the bottle.

"It's a mana potion. The other day I learned Alchemy so I gave it a try… Is it good?" Wondered the little Kyle, his red eyes always captivated Ellergest, he was adorable and pure-hearted, someone Ellergest always felt he needed to protect with everything he had.

"Amazing, these things cost a lot of gold, you know? You could probably slowly build a capital if you make more, and you could even move out to another safer place where they don't know about you." Ellergest said with a smile, patting Kyle's head.

"But… I don't want to leave you." Sighed Kyle, hugging Ellergest.

"Kyle…" Sighed Ellergest. "You will have to eventually leave this place, you know? I am not being harsh with you, but this… it is for the best of your safety."

"Will you come with me?" Kyle asked.

Although it hurt him, Ellergest had to tell Kyle the truth, giving him false hope wasn't a good thing.

"I can't… Sorry. We will met one day of course. I will look for you." Said Ellergest.

"Sniff…" Kyle began to cry.

"You're such a crybaby. It has been a while since you were a baby, you're eight years old now, you shouldn't be crying around as much." Sighed Ellergest.

"B-But…" Kyle cried a bit more, as Ellergest cleansed his tears.

"Come on now, everything's alright. You still gotta make like a few dozen more of those, right? We are not departing yet. Let's enjoy ourselves some fish. Did you caught any?" Asked Ellergest.

"I did! I did!" Kyle ran back to a net and brought out five fishes he caught. "Today's a big haul!"

"I see, looks nice! Let's make some then. How about some stew too?" Asked Ellergest.

"I love your stew!" Kyle said.

"Alright, alright." Ellergest giggled, seeing Kyle all energetic always made him happy.

Days like these became more common as Kyle began to live most of the time in the forests, weeks, months, and years went by. Collecting the necessary materials to make the potions was very hard and rare, so Kyle always had a hard time finding the right items. It took him three years for him to manage to make twelve Mana potions, which were sold by Ellergest, earning him a lot of money, enough to move out.

However, Kyle hadn't moved out yet, even now that he was eleven years of age, he stayed in the forest because he didn't wanted to leave behind Ellergest, who have become the pillar of his life since he was three years of age.

"You've got enough money now, Kyle…" Sighed Ellergest, now at twelve years of age, he had grown up a lot, but Kyle remained small and although less sickly, still looked younger than he was.

"But I don't want to leave you…" Sighed Kyle. "Without big brother I don't know what I'll do…"

"Sigh… You're already completely independent now, come on buddy. You can do it. I'll guide you through the road and into the next village. I've even got you the map ready." Said Ellergest.

"I am scared of the outside world… What if they discriminate me too?" Asked Kyle.

"They won't, don't worry about it." Ellergest said with a calm smile. "Remember to just keep your secrets for yourself."

Kyle sighed, as he looked into his own small and pale hands, and then sighed another time, gripping his fists. This entire time he hasn't been growing up for nothing. His mentality had changed. He didn't wanted to be just a little brother anymore. It was his coming of age already, he wanted to be a man now.

"Okay… I'll do it…! Tomorrow…" Kyle smiled back at Ellergest.

"Haha, alright. That's the spirit." Ellergest said, petting Kyle's head. "Food's almost ready so let's eat for now."

"Okay! I'll eat everything to be filled with energy then!" Kyle said while feeling pumped up.

Ellergest seemed worried of Kyle's future, but he also had his own life to care about. Eventually, the next day came, and Kyle wanted to amend things with his parents even if a bit, walking back home.

This morning was strange, however, as a cold white mist covered the entire village, making the young Kyle feel afraid. The cold temperatures didn't affected him as much as he imagined, as he had been leveling up by hunting small critters with Ellergest help, as a part of his training to gain better physical capabilities.

He knew that his parents would be at home at this hour, although the last time he came to visit them was a month and a half ago. Somehow, as he walked there, Kyle felt the presence of souls wandering around, they seemed to be telling him to not go.

"Don't…"

"Danger…"

"Master… danger!"

"Unggh… S-Shut up…" Kyle sighed, he disliked the creepy souls that sometimes whispered to him, always ignoring them, despite these souls wanting to help him.

He slowly opened the door using his own small key, as he entered the house, finding both his father and mother, who directed their gazes at him. Their faces looked pale, and their eyes were devoid of light… they seemed to be like rabid homeless people now, barely looking like Kyle even remembered them.

"Mom, dad…"

"Kyle… So you're back." His father said, looking at him with eyes filled with… resentment.

"My son… I have not seen you in so long now…" His mother sighed, her eyes seemed to be devoid of light, but she curled up a strangely creepy smile. The once caring and lovable mother seemed to have changed by her abuse of drugs.

"I-I am leaving town…." Kyle said.

"What?" His father asked. "You? You're leaving?!"

"You can't…" His mother said. "You can't leave yet… Kyle."

Kyle was suddenly surprised as two more people appeared behind him, two tall men wielding large knives, and another person walked right from behind a shelf, holding a large black leather bag…

In that moment, the young child's eyes were filled with true despair.

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