"Congratulations, Kuzon!" Crazy Neron beamed. "I always knew you could do it."
"Yeah. Thanks a lot."
Even though Kuzon said that, his tone was hollow. It wasn't as though he meant any disrespect or sarcasm toward the old man.
He was just too distracted.
~This Core of yours is too stuffy. Your body constitution is also too weak. Looks like we'll need to make a lot of changes around here! You better be grateful I'm helping you out. I chose you out of everyone else, you know?~
"Yes. Thank you very much." Kuzon said once again.
How many times had he said this already? He had lost count.
It had been some time since the Acceptance Ritual was concluded.
After it was done, and the Constellation of Authority and Power, Leo, began to dwell him, Kuzon made sure to leave the hall and freshen up.
He took a nice shower, changed clothes, and made sure to appear before Neron in his office.
He had thought he would be able to enjoy all of these in peace, but he was dead wrong.
~Hmph!~
Leo was like a baby. He always made a fuss about everything.
Despite having a mature and deep tone, the expressions and personality exhibited were purely juvenile.
Kuzon couldn't believe he was stuck with such a Familiar for the rest of his life.
'Ah... oh well. At least, he's strong.' And the fact that they had firmed an exclusive contract proved Leo was also bound to him.
'Lets try to be understanding and see things from his point of view. He's an immensely powerful being who is stuck with someone like me. I actually have to improve a lot; for his sake, at least.'
~That's the spirit! You know I can read your thought, right?~
How unfair was that?
'Can I read yours?' Kuzon sighed tiredly.
~W-w-why would you need to read mine? Just focus on your training!~
'Okay...'
~Good boy.~
Kuzon stifled all the feelings he would have expressed in a loud scream and simply decided to smile at Crazy Neron.
"You crazy old man. You knew this would happen, didn't you?"
"Kekeke! Seeing you look so miserable makes all of this so worth it. Hahahahaha!"
>CREAK<
Interrupting Neron's laugh and Kuzon's sigh was the opening of the office door.
At first, it opened slowly, but it quickly gained momentum until the whole thing spread wide open.
Beyond the door was someone Kuzon felt he hadn't seen in a lifetime.
"Ah... it seems you've been we—"
Before he could conclude his words, the girl rushed and hugged him.
Her dark hair fluttered, and her crimson eyes glowed in excitement. A bright smile formed on her lively face too.
"Kuzon! It's been so long. I missed you!"
'E-eh...? Was she always like this?' Kuzon thought to himself, causing him to hesitate.
~What are you waiting for? Hug her back! Be a man. Be bold! Do the needful!~
'Fine! Fine! I got it!' Kuzon reciprocated the embrace of the girl he hadn't seen in so long.
"It's nice to see you too, Maya. I missed you as well."
"Hehe!"
The two of them remained that way for some time, only breaking up when Kuzon thought it had become a little too much.
"A-ahem. Isn't it time we talked? There's a lot to discuss, after all."
*
*
*
"Okay. First things first. The both of you had different time ratios set in your halls. Maya, you trained for about fifteen years, give or take. As for Kuzon, you trained for one hundred and fifty years."
"WHAT?!" Both of them burst out in shock.
"Pfft! Congrats... you're an old man now." Crazy Neron directed his mockery toward the dazed and utterly stupefied Kuzon.
'That means... I'm 166 years old? What the hell...?' How was he going to tell this to Ana when he returned back home?
"I don't mind, you know?" Maya responded, tapping Kuzon on his shoulders.
"Thanks, Maya. That helps a lot." He returned her smile.
She was probably right. None of these things mattered if the bond between friends or lovers were strong enough.
'Jared is way older, and that didn't cause any problems, right? I'll be fine.'
~You know that Maya girl likes you, right?~
'Oh, shut up.' Kuzon's thoughts accidentally slipped out.
~What? What did you just say to me?~
'U-um... nothing?'
~That didn't sound like nothing...~
Kuzon decided to simply zip it—both in thoughts and in words.
He couldn't win against his Familiar, even if he wanted to
"About two weeks or so have passed in the outside world. I could have made it not so, but it's just better this way."
"I see. Thank you, Neron." Kuzon gave a genuine smile, and so did Maya.
"You've both done well. I know it has nothing to do with you guys, and it has everything to do with the fact that I'm your teacher. And the fact that I'm awesome. But... well, you tried your best."
"T-thank you... Neron..." Their voices became hoarser.
More cackles escaped his lips, and he used his finger to rub his nose in pride.
It took all of Kuzon's efforts not to roll his eyes at this point.
"You two are worthy to be called my disciples! Rejoice and be grateful."
Despite his arrogant words, Kuzon felt proud to hear that. Crazy Neron was the most powerful and knowledgeable entity he had ever met.
Despite his obvious flaws, he was a truly amazing person.
"Being the disciple of someone as great as you are... I thank you for such an honor." He bowed his head.
His words rang with sincerity, and from a glance, he could tell that Maya was doing the same as well.
"Huhu! Good thing you know. Now then, it's time to give you my official disciple uniform."
'Oh...' Kuzon's eyes widened as the nice outfit he had just selected for himself vanished.
In its place was the same Wizard-type attire that Crazy Neron was wearing.
Maya was also garbed in the same wear.
'... No!' Kuzon wanted to fall to his knees and cry.
The outfit he had on was too weird and cringy. It might have suited Crazy Neron, thanks to his eccentric old man aesthetic, but not him
"Hehe! You must represent me with dignity and honor. The actions of the disciple reflects the master, after all."
Kuzon and Maya hung their heads in both shame and surrender.
How could they escape this one? It was too late.
*
*
*
[A/N]
The climax of this part is drawing near. It'll soon be over and we can get back to Jared's part of the story.
Hopefully you weren't bored with this.
