Chapter 145: Leaving Home to Play

Another new day began inside the small cabin shared by the father and son.

Morning sunlight filtered through the chestnut-colored wooden window pane, casting gentle streaks of light across the cozy room. Kei sat on the edge of the bed, his short legs dangling over the mattress, while Julius carefully adjusted his collar.

Kei’s soft, dark hair was slightly messy from a night of deep slumber, and a faint red mark from leaning against the pillow lingered on his chubby cheek. Julius reached out to stroke his son’s raven-locked hair gently, moving slowly as though wishing to memorize every single strand beneath his palms.

His ruby-red eyes lingered on the tiny face before him, his heart trembling violently within his chest while the bridge of his nose stung with a sudden ache.

There were simply too many things he wanted to say locked within those eyes. Yet in the end, Julius could only force a faint, bitter smile.

"Kei."

"Yes?"

Kei’s swinging little head came to a halt, his large, round eyes looking up at Julius in curiosity.

"From now on, no matter what happens, you must bravely push through it, alright?" Julius instructed gently.

Kei tilted his head, failing to understand why his father was uttering such strange words today. "What’s going to happen?"

"Nothing at all." Julius quickly lowered his gaze, concealing the emotional storm surging within him. "Father just wanted to give you a reminder. Be a good child, and live a long, healthy, and happy life!"

Kei pondered for a moment, then smiled sweetly. "I’ll be brave!"

Julius gazed at that pristine, innocent smile, the hand resting upon Kei’s head trembling slightly. He leaned down and pressed a light kiss upon the boy’s forehead.

"Goodbye, little one."

"Have a safe trip, Father!"

Kei stood by the doorway, waving happily to send Julius off as he departed the cabin. Not until his tall silhouette vanished entirely behind the tree trunks did the boy stop staring after him.

Kei felt that his father had been acting a little strange today.

Yet the excitement awaiting him quickly pushed those thoughts to the back of his mind; Kei had been looking forward to this day for a very long time.

Today was the day Kei had anticipated the most.

Ian had promised to take him into the Elven Forest. He would get to see the Elven Lake, home to the Silver-Scaled Fish whose scales shimmered brilliantly beneath the water’s surface.

Kei knew his physical condition all too well. A mere stroll of a few steps was enough to leave him gasping for air, which was why since last night he had been endlessly wondering how Ian planned to take him along.

Right at that moment, a familiar voice drifted in from outside the house.

"Kei!"

Kei’s eyes instantly lit up. He scurried over to the window, poking his head out to peer outside.

"Ian’s here!"

Then, widening his eyes in sheer excitement, he cried out:

"A giant white deer!"

Outside the yard, Ian stood beside a towering white deer. Its coat was pure white and immaculate as snow, its slender legs long, and its magnificent antlers reaching upward under the sunlight like branches carved from exquisite blocks of jade.

Standing nearly a meter and a half tall, the deer gazed gently at Kei with dark, gentle eyes.

Ian rested a hand against its neck, his face brimming with pride. "This is Keanu."

"Keanu? Is that this deer’s name?"

Ian grinned smugly. "Mhm. I raised it ever since it was little. It runs super fast, it can get us to the Elven Forest in no time."

Kei pressed both hands against the windowsill, staring unblinkingly at Keanu. "Can I really ride it?"

"Of course." Ian nodded firmly. "I’ve already prepared everything."

Ian stepped inside the house once Kei unlatched the door. The young Elf strode over swiftly, lifting Kei up effortlessly before the boy could even react, settling him snugly into his arms.

"Ian, I can walk by myself..."

"I know," Ian replied with deadpan seriousness. "But traveling like this is faster, and you won’t get as tired out."

Kei looked up at Ian’s face at close range, then couldn’t help letting out a soft giggle.

Ian looked slightly embarrassed, yet forced himself to maintain a cool composure. Carrying Kei outside, he walked right up to Keanu and carefully deposited the boy onto the white deer’s back.

Kei immediately grabbed onto the soft mane before him.

Looking down from Keanu’s back, the little yard suddenly transformed entirely. The low fence, the wooden cabin, and the familiar flower beds all receded downward. Even a tiny change like this was enough to flush Kei’s cheeks red with unadulterated joy.

This was the very first time he had ever left the cabin.

Within Kei’s tiny mind right at that moment, only a single thought remained.

Just how vast must the outside world be?

Ian vaulted onto Keanu’s back, sitting right behind Kei. He wrapped his arms around his little friend, securing him firmly so Kei wouldn’t fall off.

"Kei."

"Yes?"

"I promise to bring you safely back home before nightfall."

Kei turned his head to look at Ian, breaking into a radiant smile. "I trust you, Ian."

Keanu began to tread along the narrow trail.

At first, its steps were measured and unhurried, but the pace gradually picked up. The wind swept across Kei’s face, carrying the scent of fresh grass and wild forest blossoms. The boy burst into laughter, his crystal-clear giggles echoing across the silent woods.

Sitting behind him, Ian gripped Kei tightly, his emerald eyes also sparkling with joy.

The two children rode upon the back of the white deer, leaving the tiny cabin deep within the deep woods far behind, galloping toward a world Kei had never once been permitted to lay eyes upon.

Far off in the distance, a pair of red eyes quietly watched the receding backs of the two children fading amidst the tree trunks.

Julius stood amidst the forest, his hands gripping the basket he carried tightly. He neither called Kei back nor stepped out to block them, merely letting out a quiet sigh.

The sound of the wind sweeping across the valley brushed over the tree canopy before slipping into the garden, gentle as a nursery lullaby.

Julius lifted his gaze to the pale blue, cloudless sky.

Today was the day Kei stepped out of the house for the very first time, and it also marked the moment his child’s journey began without him walking by his side any longer.