Chapter 158: Goodbye For Now

Amon returned to the apartment after finishing his morning run.

He wiped the sweat from his forehead with the back of his hand as he stepped inside.

The cool air of the apartment immediately felt refreshing against his warm skin.

However, he stopped after taking only a few steps. There were sounds coming from the kitchen.

Amon raised an eyebrow before walking toward the open area connecting the kitchen and living room.

He immediately found Ambrosia standing near the kitchen counter.

She was preparing something for breakfast when she noticed him.

...Their eyes met.

Ambrosia’s face immediately turned bright red.

She quickly looked away and fidgeted with the spoon in her hand. "Welcome back."

Amon smiled slightly.

"Can we talk now?" He walked closer. "You won’t be seeing me for a while after today."

Ambrosia glanced at him. "I’ve always been talking to you."

Amon raised an eyebrow. "You’ve been ignoring me for the past three days."

Ambrosia immediately shook her head. "I would never ignore my dear son."

Amon chuckled. "...Right."

He walked into the kitchen. The moment he stepped closer, Ambrosia’s body suddenly trembled.

It was almost as though a small electric current had passed through her.

Amon noticed it immediately. "I just came a little closer."

Ambrosia’s face became even redder.

"You don’t understand how I’m feeling." She gripped the edge of the counter and lowered her head. "I’m barely controlling myself."

Amon stared at her for a moment before sighing. "There is no reason for you to be like this."

Ambrosia finally looked toward him.

"You’re my son." Her voice was quiet but firm. "I want our relationship to remain pure."

Amon sighed again before nodding.

"Alright." He paused for a moment. "But you can’t exactly go back after kissing your son."

Ambrosia’s face immediately turned crimson.

"That was a mistake!" She turned toward him with an embarrassed expression.

"It was a mistake made by an impulsive Ambrosia! It had nothing to do with me!"

Amon couldn’t help but chuckle. "Right. It’s all her fault."

"Exactly!" Ambrosia quickly nodded.

Amon looked at her for a moment.

She was wearing a simple grey blouse tucked into a long dark skirt, sleeves rolled up to her wrists.

The outfit was more casual than what she usually wore outside, and it made her look softer and more approachable.

Amon smiled. "So when can I meet this impulsive Ambrosia again?"

"Never." Ambrosia answered without even looking at him.

Amon chuckled and shook his head. "That’s unfortunate."

Ambrosia ignored him and glanced at the clock hanging on the kitchen wall.

Her eyes widened slightly. "You only have an hour before your train."

Amon looked at the clock. "...Already?"

Ambrosia turned toward him. "Why did you go for a run this late in the morning?"

Amon froze for a second.

For a brief moment, an image of Sidney deliberately leaving her bedroom door open flashed through his mind.

’...That troublesome girl.’

"I woke up late." Amon replied with a gentle smile.

Ambrosia sighed. "You should take a bath and get ready."

Amon nodded. "Alright."

He turned around and walked toward his room.

Ambrosia watched him leave before quietly releasing the breath she had been holding.

She placed one hand against her chest. "...This boy."

She shook her head before returning to preparing breakfast.

---

[A Short While Later]

Amon emerged from his room completely ready.

He had changed into a clean outfit suitable for traveling, with a new shirt and neatly fitted trousers that gave him a considerably more polished appearance.

His travel bag was already packed. He sat at the dining table and finished his breakfast while Ambrosia stood nearby.

She watched him with a small smile and for most of the remaining time she simply looked at him.

There was something strange about seeing him ready to leave. It made her realize just how quickly the past few months had passed.

Ambrosia smiled gently. "May my son be the best in the world."

Amon chuckled. "I’d love you even more if those words came true."

Ambrosia smiled. "I’m sure they will."

Amon finished his breakfast and stood up.

He picked up his travel bag and placed it over his shoulder before looking toward her.

Ambrosia tilted her head. "What?"

Amon spread his arms. "Don’t I get a goodbye hug?"

Ambrosia stared at him before she let out a quiet sigh."You really are troublesome."

But she still walked toward him. She wrapped her arms around his body.

Amon hugged her back. The familiar warmth of the woman who had raised him pressed against his chest. For a few seconds neither of them spoke.

But to broke the wholesomeness his hands slid lower.

His palms settled on the soft curve of her ass and gave a firm squeeze through the fabric of her skirt.

Ambrosia’s entire body stiffened.

She immediately broke the hug and stepped back, staring at him in complete disbelief.

Her face was burning as she slapped both of his arms. "Bad boy!"

Amon just chuckled, completely unrepentant.

Ambrosia glared at him for another second, still flushed, before turning her face away.

"You should go now."

Amon nodded. "Alright."

He turned toward the door and began walking.

Just as his hand reached the handle, Ambrosia called out. "Amon."

He looked back. "What?"

She stood there silently for a moment, as if fighting with herself. Then she walked forward.

Before he could say anything else she leaned in and pressed a brief, soft kiss directly on his lips.

The contact lasted only a second, but the warmth of it lingered.

Ambrosia pulled back, her cheeks still red, and looked at him with a complicated expression. "...Nothing."

Amon smiled. "Alright."

He opened the door and stepped outside as the door slowly closed behind him.

Ambrosia remained standing in the apartment, staring at the closed door.

Her smile slowly faded into a thoughtful expression. "...Take care of yourself."

---

[Central Station]

The station was already busy when Amon arrived.

People moved between the platforms with their luggage, while the distant sound of trains echoed through the massive station.

Amon walked along the platform beside the tracks. His eyes moved across the crowd until he finally spotted someone familiar.

Seraphina was standing a short distance away. She was carrying her own travel bag and looking toward the train.

Amon smiled when he saw her.

He walked toward her. Seraphina noticed him approaching and smiled as well.

When Amon stopped in front of her, she looked him up and down. "You look really good."

Amon chuckled. "And you’re looking beautiful as always."

A faint blush appeared across Seraphina’s cheeks. She quickly looked toward the train.

"Are you ready for a new adventure?"

Amon smiled. "More than ready."

The train released a low mechanical hiss as steam escaped from beneath it.

Amon glanced toward the massive train before looking back at Seraphina.

"Let’s go."

Seraphina nodded.

The two of them picked up their bags and walked toward the entrance.

Together, they stepped inside the train that would take them toward the capital city of Meeren and the Royal University.

Amon looked back at the city that he was leaving behind for a while.

With a smile, he thought. ’I will remember my roots even if I conquer the world in the future.’

----

[End of Volume]