Chapter 92 Training 1 (1/2)

It was difficult for Truen to part with his charge and friend. Zero was teary-eyed and although he tried to put on a tough front, the cracks in his mask were very visible. It tore at the wood elf's heart but it had to be done. Truen wasn't too worried because he knew that Zero was very safe with Hua Tuo.

”Don't cry, Zero. We'll meet again in two years. I'll be a lot stronger by then so we can travel to different places. It'll be over before you know it.”

The brunet sniffled and blinked those tears away. ”Can I call?”

The wood elf looked at his communicator and nodded. He taught Zero how to use the communicator for emergencies. Now, Zero's communicator had new contacts including Truen's. Merlin waved his hand and opened a portal.

”It's time,” he told Truen who gave Zero a hug before leaving. Truen didn't look back. He didn't want to see the tears that would probably fall as he left. Hua Tuo was there and it put the elf's mind at ease.

Once the portal disappeared, Hua Tuo allowed Zero some time alone to cry. He decided to start by preparing lunch. The physician would show his young student around his workroom later. After all, they had a year together. Training could wait for a bit.

***

Lunch was simple. Some fish soup, mushroom, rice, mountain vegetables and preserved fruits. Zero ate them without tasting. Mii was silent that day, leaving the poor boy alone with his thoughts. When he ran away from Truen, he didn't feel as if the elf was very far away. However, after Truen left with Merlin, the young boy couldn't help but feel a sense of emptiness inside. They still had the communicator but knowing that Truen wouldn't be with him at night made it a little harder to smile.

The solemn change didn't go unnoticed by Hua Tuo. The old doctor sighed. It certainly wasn't easy. Parting, regardless of age, is always a sad affair. For Zero who had barely 'lived' a year, having to bear two partings could leave a scar in his heart. Hua Tuo wanted to fill that void in his student's heart but he wasn't Truen or the Great Gods.

”Zero, do you want to help gather food for dinner?”

Hua Tuo's question effectively shifted the focus away from those sad thoughts. Seeing that it was effective to keep the boy busy, Hua Tuo began dishing out chores to be done. Zero didn't know if it counted as training but he did as he was told.

After doing the dishes and cleaning up, it was time to go foraging. Hua Tuo packed some ropes and a small knife in a hand-woven straw basket. He told Zero to follow closely as they went into the forest. The young boy was fascinated as Hua Tuo explained about some plants they passed by, tossing some of them into the huge basket. There were leaves, stems, mushrooms and fungus that Hua Tuo explained were edible. The physician even plucked a few flowers to let Zero try. It had a sweet taste and Hua Tuo explained that they could be used as medicine.

Time passed very quickly when Zero was having fun. Hua Tuo allowed Zero to climb trees and steal eggs. They were chased by bears when they tried to get some honey but Hua Tuo assured Zero that they could try again sometime in the future when the bear wasn't around. The doctor taught Zero how to differentiate the poisonous from edible mushrooms. Although the brunet didn't get everything right, he was doing quite well on the first day. Hua Tuo was pleased that he had such a bright student. When the sun was going down, they started making their way back. Zero was tired after walking for hours but the trace of sadness from the morning was nowhere to be seen.

Hua Tuo readied the bath for Zero while he prepared dinner. It was a fairly simple dinner with fried eggs, mushroom stir-fry, rice and vegetable soup. Zero loved the mushroom stir-fry and Hua Tuo promised that he could learn how to cook in due time.

When bedtime arrived, Zero was surprised that Hua Tuo wouldn't join him in the lamp. Instead, the doctor pulled out the extra straw mattress and beckoned for Zero to sleep with him. Without hesitation, Zero snuggled into the straw mattress. Although it wasn't as comfortable as the bed in the lamp, Zero didn't mind. He liked having company.

Just before he turned in, Zero called Truen. Hua Tuo made an excuse to put away some things outside, leaving Zero some privacy, not that the boy minded.

Three rings later, Truen picked up the call.

”Hello?” The wood elf greeted, sounding deflated. Zero was slightly surprised but shook it off quickly. Merlin must be a really strict teacher for Truen to sound so tired.

”It's Zero!”