Chapter 6 Moving Out for Training

"So, you want to take him out for training?" asked a man who was seated with his legs crossed. He was tall, black hair, brown eyes, muscular body and had a height of about 1.7 meters. He had short hair and well trimmed beard. This was Alex's father as well as the Patriarch of the Zento family, Jake Zento.

They were currently in the study room of the Patriarch where a private meeting with Simon was ongoing. It was concerning the issue where Simon wanted to take Alex and train him as a warrior.

"Yes Patriarch, it will be better if he will able to fend for himself if some issues arises. Furthermore, he'll be much useful as a warrior that just being the way he is," replied Simon with his usual calm demeanor.

"Mhm, that's actually true. But how long will his training take?" Jake asked showing concern.

"I'll be training him until he attains the age of fifteen then I'll bring him back so his coming of age will happen when he's home." said Simon.

"Well, three years will be indeed long for a leader to be out of the family you know?" asked Jake raising an eyebrow.

"Indeed, but I'll still be able to carry out my duties as an elder. I'll be coming from time to time and attend all the discussions where elders are needed." said Simon

"Okay then. But are you sure that he'll be able to advance in ranks by that time?" asked Jake.

"He will. I believe he has talent." replied Simon

"Sure, take good care of him. I believe he'll be okay with you," said Jake in conclusion.

"Thank you Patriarch for your permission, I'll take my leave now," said Simon standing up and bowing to Jake.

"Sure, have a good day Simon." Jake waved his hand as he went back to sorting out the documents that he had.

Simon left the room as he headed towards his mansion. 'Mmh, take good care of him? who the heck do you think you are to tell me so? He's your son, your own son! Yet you fail to take care of him in your own house, yet here you're telling me to take good care of him. Such hypocrisy.' Simon thought in anger as a glint of rage flashed in his eyes before disappearing in a flash.

He was truly angered by Jake's character. He really was a representation of parental failures. How can a man let his own son suffer in his own father's house just because he failed to awaken magic. Such a disgrace. Some people just don't deserve having kids they can't take good care of while those willing to have them and look out for them fail to get them. It truly is frustrating to think of.

Simon didn't know how he got to his house as his mind was out of his body thinking this and that. Perhaps it was because it was what he's used to that even his own body mastered the direction of his home. He was only brought to reality when his wife welcomed him into the house.

"Honey, how did it go?" asked his wife Judy, a short and slim woman. She was wearing a purple long dress with her blonde hair reaching her shoulders. Her green eyes were clear and had a hint of curiosity in them. She was light skinned and had a smooth skin.

"It went well. We'll be leaving next week. But I promise I'll be back from time to time to be with you." Simon said as he stepped forward and hugged his wife.

"Don't worry about me, I'll be fine. Just take good care of Alex. He's a good boy and I believe it will be better for him outside home," replied Jasmine. She was really worried about Alex's future in this family. His life was a living hell. True, she was sad to be away from her husband but she knew that it was not for selfish reason thus she needed to be selfless as well.

"Well, I hope you will stay safe when I leave and take care of our property as you always do," Simon said as he picked her up and carried her princess style towards the house.

"Wooah! Y-you know you don't have to carry me right? I can walk you know?" Jasmine said as she put her arms around his neck.

"Well, I know that but I just want to carry you. It makes me feel happy carrying my wife in my own arms," Simon said as they entered the house.

"If it is so, then no problem at all. And for taking care of the house, leave that to me. I'll take very good care of it." Jasmine replied with a smile she was put down. "So, when are you leaving?" she asked.

"The second day of next week. We will leave by noon." he said as he sat down on the couch.

"Okay then. Let me bring you something to cool you down," she said as she left for the kitchen.

...

During this one week break, Alex made sure to relax his body as much as he could because he knew that starting the following week, training will be on the go for long three years. Although life was still the same at home, he believed that once he goes out to train, his life will somehow be better as all the burdens from his family will be dropped for that period of time.

He usually went towards the arena to watch several fights occuring in tournaments that take place in the town. His family was the biggest in the whole town of Azdon. His father was the town lord and that's why he often left for those meetings where leaders gather.

"Hey Alex, where have you been during the past three months? You suddenly disappeared with no information at all. When I came to find you at home, no one knew where you always went to." Alex heard a familiar voice of a boy his age. He was currently sitting at his position where he always watched the fight, the back end. Any ways, he wasn't allowed the front sits, thus he always sat behind to avoid trouble.

The one that had asked him the question was a boy the same age as him, who was somehow taller than him. He had green hair, green eyes, a slim body and was wearing a pair of blue trousers and a white t-shirt. He was a fire elemental and thus his slim stature.

"Oh, Kana! Come over!" Alex called him with a smile. This was the only friend he had since he can remember. Kana moved forward and sat on the sit beside him. He came from a normal family but he was talented that he was able to awaken fire element.

"Now tell me, where were you all this time?" asked Kana.

"Well, I was having a secret training in Maza forest. Stamina training to be precise," replied Alex with a carefree smile. Nobody knew about this since he told no one but trusted his friend to let him know. He knew that once his step family heard of this, they would find a way to prevent him from training and make his life more miserable.

"Are you serious? Four freaking months, you were training and you never told me?" asked Kana in disbelief.

"Sorry about that, well, it was so sudden that even I wasn't prepared at all," Alex replied.

"Mhm, that's understandable. Well, now that I look at you, I see that you've developed some muscles here and there," said Kana as he appraised Alex.

"Hehe..right? Well the training itself was something that you wouldn't wish for but I had to take it head on to improve," replied Alex with a proud smile.

"Who was training you?" asked Kana. He was really curious about who was training Alex.

"Well, it was elder Simon. Well, I owe him big one. He's always there for me, unlike my dad," Alex said with a hint of sadness in his voice.

"Oh, well that's to be expected. He's known to be a mage-warrior in town so I expected something like that from him. As for your dad, I am sure he'll come around one day.

"Yeah. Oh, by the way, I'll be leaving tomorrow by noon. We will be going for training out of town with elder Simon," Alex said surprising Kana again.

"W-what?! And you're telling me just now? Dude why are you like that? You could have told me earlier!" Kana said jumping out of his seat. He was lucky that they were early and people had yet to enter the arena or he would be in trouble for making noise. What irony.

"Well, I could have done so but my step mom banned me from leaving the compound all this time after my training, so I couldn't find you." Alex explained trying to calm his friend down.

Kana sat down and then tried to calm himself down. "Okay, but don't you leave tomorrow before I come to see you. I'll give you a few things for the trip.

"Thanks," smiled Alex. "Now, the tournament is about to begin. Let's chill and watch," he added while straightening on his seat to get a clear view of the arena below.

"Sure," said Kana as he also focused on the arena below.

The next day in the morning, Alex had finished packing all the things he'll need for training. He only had a few items with him thus a few clothes a two pairs of shoes all packed in his small backpack.

"So, there you are. I guess I came on time. I've brought you what I promised you yesterday," Kana walked into Alex's room with a small bag.