"She doesn't seem to be coming today, which makes five days straight now!" Mr. Leon pointed out with a sigh as he walked me out of his home. "Boy, be sure to keep your eyes focused on your feet once you start to make your way home. The weather doesn't seem to favor us, more so you than anyone else." he directed. Once I made It out the door, I turned and stared at his bourbon beard which nearly covered his entire face. The bushy eyebrows didn't help either when trying to keep eye contact like an adult should. His height didn't help either, just looking all the way up at his green eyes left my neck In aches. If I didn't know any better, I'd assume he was a moving, talking, and walking boulder.
I nodded my head and held It there, resting my neck and giving my utmost respect to my only instructor, "Thank you for the lessons today, Sir, I'll be going now." Before I had a chance to raise my head, I was met by the sound of the door closing, realizing I was only showing thanks to the dirt.
This Is fine, too. I thought while staring deadpan at the door, leaving immediately.
The deep mist today made It impossible to see where you were going. If It wasn't for the gravel path leading back to the village, I probably would've wound up lost. And so, I pushed on while only watching where I stepped.
It's not like I'm upset that mother didn't show. Whenever I sat waiting, It gave me more time to read the book Mr. Leon gave me which told about "Aptus". Aptus Is the gift of power everyone has access to at a certain age. Well, mostly everyone. She always tells me that she would love me either way, always saying It’s not bad to be normal and that I have to live In the now and just be a good son and follow directions as well as everything else a child would.
Of course, mom knows best so It’s hard sometimes, going to class and helping mom around at home. Most days, she’s so tired and pale that I end up either cooking or cleaning for her. Occasionally, I wouldn't have time to attend study which, honestly I'm not even upset with, but she disagrees with my way of thinking and tells me that wisdom Is not always free and that everything will catch up to you when you fall behind.
Nothing new from my weekly lectures hosted by no other but my one and only parent.
No matter, I'll do what I feel is best for the most part.
Containing my thoughts, I paused In my tracks. Closing my eyes and absorbing everything around me I noticed that the air shifted from a sense of refreshing clarity to that of a parched wasteland. The gravel path felt more sand-like than Its usual pebble sensation as well. I wondered how long I stood there being that the moment my eyes opened, the mist was no longer surrounding me and instead only lingered not too far back from where I had come from. I sighed. This was not only a feeling that I was used to, but a reminder that I had to make up for what I lacked.
Thinking back, I wondered. Does Mr. Leon treat me that way because I can't use Aptus? It would make sense seeing how he's an instructor being pulled aside to teach me privately only for his time to be wasted on a child who can't use the lessons given after hours of practice.
Powerless or not, I'll just keep working harder than everyone else, I proclaimed. Trying to push everything away, I proceeded, taking a step forward into the ruins of a village that I called home.
In a world where the strong are respected and the weak are forgotten, Nero sets his ambitions high and refuses to be thrown away. Within his homeland, Nero must fight against all of which stands in his way in order to achieve his goal in becoming the Supreme Aptus.
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