Takson bounded over to me, a look of pure, unadulterated hope on his face. He was so much taller now that he had to consciously crouch down to meet my eye level. He looked like an eager puppy; if he had a tail, it would have been wagging furiously.
"Answer: Data received. Congratulations on passing," I said, my voice as flat as ever.
"Yes!" he cheered, pumping his fist in the air.
I still didn't quite understand the change. Seven years ago, he had been a quiet, withdrawn boy, consumed by a singular desire for revenge. Now... he was this.
It was a transformation of his own making. Through years of relentless training, he had forged a new personality for himself. In his daily life, he was a kind, cheerful young man.
But in battle, he became a cold, ruthlessly efficient killer. He had faced countless monsters and demons under my tutelage, and the experience had molded him into a seasoned warrior.
To the outside world, he was a prodigy. But to me, he was still the same child I had found in that ruined church.
"So, Teacher, what's next?" he asked eagerly, already listing off possibilities. "More training? Hunting monsters? Another go in the combat arena? Or are we just going to keep traveling?"
He had, after years of trying, finally managed to clear the Virtual Combat Arena. He had fought his way through the entire gauntlet, all the way to the final boss I had programmed: the Blood Knight, Drakul.
He had failed against Drakul hundreds of times, and each failure had sent him back to the very beginning, with the enemies slightly stronger than before. It had been a brutal, soul-crushing ordeal.
But on his 364th attempt, he had finally won. He had cleared the arena on "Easy Mode."
I still had the data file of his expression when I had informed him that there was also a "Normal," "Hard," and "Hell" difficulty. It was a priceless image.
"..."
I didn't answer him right away. Takson was used to my silences. He knew they meant one of two things: either I couldn't be bothered to respond, or I was processing information.
He could tell which it was by looking at my eyes. Right now, they were glowing faintly, data streams flickering across the irises.
"Answer: Further training is not an immediate priority," I finally said, standing up.
"Let's go."
"Okay." He didn't ask where. After all these years, he knew better.
….
Several Days Later:-
It was dusk. I had led Takson to the mouth of a dark cave.
"Teacher, is there something in there?" he asked, peering into the blackness.
I didn't answer his question. Instead, I asked one of my own.
"Takson."
"Hm?"
"Have you ever heard the story of the Hero?"
Legend tells of a time long ago, in the age of myths, when the Goddess still walked the land. It is said she forged a Holy Sword, a gift to all living things.
But this sword can only be drawn by the hand of a Hero. And when the world faces a great calamity, the Hero who draws the sword will become its savior.
.…
"Whoa... I've never heard that one before," Takson said after I finished the story.
"Is that so," I replied. "Correction: Now you have."
"Right... So, does this legend have something to do with why we're here?" he asked, glancing at the dark cave. "Don't tell me... the Holy Sword is in there?"
"Affirmative."
"You mean it's not just a story?!" His voice jumped an octave. To know that a real, legendary Holy Sword was just a few feet away sent a thrill through him. Wait, how does Teacher know it's here? Oh, right. It's a gift from the Goddess. Of course her angel would know where to find it.
I saw the look of awe in his eyes deepen and felt a flicker of confusion. I ignored it and continued.
"Explanation: My long-range sensors detected an unusual energy signature. Upon closer investigation, I was able to identify its nature. Conclusion: The object known as the 'Holy Sword' is located within this cave."
Takson didn't understand most of the technical terms, but after seven years, he was an expert at translating my speech into something he could comprehend.
"Well, what are we waiting for? Let's go!" he said, grabbing my hand and pulling me toward the entrance. I didn't resist, even allowing myself to hover slightly above the ground so he wouldn't have to drag me.
….
"Query: Takson, do you want this 'Holy Sword'?"
We were walking through the narrow cavern, a glowing orb of light from a simple illumination spell floating between us. Takson was leading the way.
He turned to look at me, a wide grin on his face. "Teacher, what kind of question is that? I'm a man, aren't I? A Hero, a Holy Sword, saving the world... How could I not be excited? It's the coolest thing ever!"
The light in his eyes told me he was being completely sincere. In the past few years, he had changed. He had grown into a boy his age, full of dreams and excitement.
Is it because he's with someone he trusts? The question was a logical one, so I voiced it.
"Query: You were not like this before."
"Huh? What was I like?"
"Answer: Your sole focus was training, combat, and the acquisition of strength. You showed no interest in anything else. You were driven by hatred, by a desire for vengeance. You were... an avenger."
My golden eyes met his purple ones.
"Addendum: You are completely different now."
Back then, all he had was his revenge. He had been willing to destroy his own body with over-training, a path I had to repeatedly block.
I had assumed that hatred would consume him, that it would define the rest of his life. It was one of the reasons I had been so hesitant to take him with me.
But people change. Children grow.
….
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