The Master and Ryo finally saw a large city and entered it. It was the biggest city Ryo had ever seen.
Ryo:
"Waaah, Master! This is the biggest city I've ever seen!"
Master:
"Yeah, this is one of the famous large cities, also known as the Sky Trading City."
Ryo replied:
"Then there must be so many things here I've never seen before."
Suddenly, the Master sensed something. He said to Ryo:
"If you're so curious, you can go take a walk around."
Ryo was excited:
"Yes, Master! I'll go for sure, but… can I have some money? All our money is with you."
Master:
"Hmm, here you go."
He handed Ryo a gold coin.
Ryo:
"I knew it! Stingy to the bone, Master!"
Master:
"Get lost before I take even this from you."
Ryo ran off.
From a corner, a voice was heard:
"Well, well… long time no see."
Master:
"What can I do? I'm wandering around. But what are you doing here? Shouldn't you be in the Sky Palace?"
The person said:
"When I sensed your presence, I came here right away."
Master:
"Ha… damn! No one can find me better than you."
The person said:
"Shouldn't we go somewhere else?"
Master:
"Sure, but only if you treat me as your guest."
The person replied:
"Okay, let's go."
As they got closer, they embraced.
Master:
"Haha! I never thought the strongest human on Earth would come to see me."
Roger:
"Haha! Silly man, of course I came to see my best friend. But you know who the strongest is."
(Roger – Sun, the strongest human on Earth)
Roger:
"Anyway, for now, you're stronger. Let's get some food; I'm starving."
Half an hour later, in a restaurant:
Roger said:
"So… who's that boy with you? Your acquaintance or someone you met on the way?"
Master:
"He's my disciple."
Suddenly, food got stuck in Roger's throat. He shouted:
"Whhaaat!!!"
Roger:
"Uhh… uhh… sorry, I was just really surprised."
Master:
"You should be surprised."
Roger:
"I never thought you, who couldn't even bother yourself, would accept a disciple. Didn't all those fights get to your head?"
Master:
"Hah! You think anyone can hurt me?"
Roger:
"Haha! Obviously not."
Roger thought to himself:
"The one known as the strongest in the world, someone completely indifferent, only talks comfortably with me. He used to laugh, but now… not even a smile. Why suddenly a disciple?"
Roger:
"Can you tell me why you took a disciple?"
Master:
"For entertainment."
Roger:
"Huh?"
Master:
"I've long grown bored, just traveling around the world. On one of these trips, I arrived at a village completely destroyed by monsters. That boy was the only survivor. His will kept him alive, and I respect strong will, so I helped him. But that brat clung to me like a tick, insisting to be my disciple. Eventually, I gave in."
Roger:
"Hmm, I know you don't do things without reason. There must be something special about that boy."
Master:
"Ha ha! You catch on quickly. Nothing can be hidden from you. That boy had no core, so I created a core for him."
Roger, surprised:
"What? You made him a core? That means it's a strong core. But how can someone without a core handle it?"
Master:
"Because something will happen in the future. I made him a core from the Earth's energy. That means he is literally the earth itself, and can grow infinitely."
Roger:
"Haha! Truly scary… someone who can grow infinitely."
Master:
"He might even surpass you."
Roger:
"Wow! You got me excited! Finally, a rival I can fight."
Master:
"Nonsense! He's still a child."
Roger:
"I know. When he grows up, we'll fight."
Master:
"I also put a tiny fraction of my own power into him, so if something happens one day, it can help him."
Roger:
"Whoa! You really care about your disciple."
Master:
"After all, he's going to do something great. And I'm curiously looking forward to it."
Roger:
"So he's destined to be someone great. I hope he won't become a recluse like you and will join society."
Roger:
"Now, forget him. What about you? What have you been up to?"
Master:
"Umm… nothing, just traveling. Humans and their problems are interesting… oh, and I saw that black one too."
Roger:
"Which black one?"
Master:
"Anyway, now that you have a disciple, you need to be careful. Many want to understand your power, and they'll likely try to harm your disciple, especially the Eleven Stars who hold grudges against you."
Master:
"Don't worry. Soon he'll be able to handle things himself."
Roger:
"Still, be careful."
Suddenly, a loud voice shouted:
"Roger, where are youuu?"
Master:
"Ha, that woman again! Don't you want to kick her out?"
The woman, hearing the Master, said:
"Excuse me? Without me, this lunatic couldn't even walk. And where have you been until now?"
(Ricky – Roger's advisor and mutual friend of the Master and Roger)
Master:
"Don't be so scary all the time; you'll age quickly."
Roger:
"Hahaha, she's right."
Ricky:
"So you're laughing? Come here, I'll settle your account."
Roger:
"My bad…"
Roger stood up:
"Well, I should be going now."
Master:
"Haha, okay. We'll see each other later…"
Roger suddenly disappeared.
Master thought to himself:
"Ha… I should get going soon too."
Suddenly, a waiter said:
"You haven't paid yet. Where are you going?"
Master:
"Huh? The gentleman with me didn't pay?"
Waiter:
"No, he said you should handle it yourselves."
Master:
"Damn him… Roger…!"
Ryo, looking around, suddenly found everything dark. A voice echoed in his mind:
"So… you're the disciple…"
---
End of Chapter 7