Chapter 286 - Welcome to Nirvana (2/2)
Thankfully, he didn't have to endure the hunger for long because Buddha came to greet them at the pier.
”Welcome to Nirvana. I suppose you're all tired and hungry from travelling. Please follow me, some of my followers have already prepared breakfast.”
The word 'breakfast' made life return to Zero's eyes. The teenager didn't protest and quickly followed Buddha's attendants to the Hall of Attachments.
When asked about Nirvana, Buddha only looked surprised.
”Attractions? We don't have any.”
Zero couldn't believe his ears. How can such a place not have any attractions?
Hua Tuo had to explain to Zero how Nirvana wasn't an actual plane and was something like a tiny island compared to Heaven. ”This is a place for Enlightenment and while there are some main places often frequented, they cannot be considered attractions.”
Zero shovelled another spoonful of bland tasting porridge into his mouth. ”What are the things unique to Nirvana then?”
Buddha smiled. ”Other than the Hall of Attachment here used to receive visitors like Hua Tuo who likes to borrow my portal to Endow Hill, we have many lakes around full of mana lotuses. There is one particular lake that's slightly different. It has a very clear surface that reflects like a mirror. We call it the Lake of Enlightenment.”
Zero nodded and listened to Buddha talk about a seven storeyed pagoda where most of his inner disciples meditate in. There was also Buddha's personal temple for his cultivation that nobody else was allowed to access because of the chaos energy he used to train with.
”One's mind could be terribly disrupted if the enlightened level isn't high enough to resist temptations and let go of worldly feelings.”
Zero nodded. ”Is there really nothing else?”
Buddha smiled mysteriously and the teenager chose wisely to not pursue the matter. There probably was more than Buddha wasn't willing to talk about but he would leave it as such. The reason why they ended up at such a boring place was to send Truen and Hua Tuo off. Merlin and Zero would borrow the portal to go to Arabesque after Zero saw his friend and shifu off.
There wasn't really anything much to enjoy for breakfast and the adults decided to give the children some time to say goodbye. Truen gave Zero something that made the teen cry.
”I made this myself with some help. Congratulations on your graduation, Zero. You're going to make a wonderful doctor.”
Zero sniffled and accepted the handsewn potpourri sachet that was filled with jasmine flowers. The young doctor didn't know if his friend had deliberately chosen jasmine flowers knowing that they smelled nice and made good tea with some health benefits. However, the gesture touched him. He felt slightly ashamed for not preparing anything to congratulate Truen for his graduation. Learning magic from Merlin must not have been easy.
The wood elf laughed when Zero sulked. ”It's alright, I don't need anything. Just seeing you grow is good enough. Next time we meet, maybe you'd be taller than me.”
Zero sighed. ”I highly doubt it. This vessel doesn't show any signs of growing taller. Still, congratulations on graduating. It must have been difficult.”
Truen smiled without answering that. Difficult might be understating it a little. Freya and Merlin were merciless but the fact that Truen survived the training made him proud. That meant that he was at least strong enough to protect Zero from his enemies.
The young doctor surprised Truen by leaning in to give the wood elf a tight hug. Zero then tip-toed and pressed his lips on Truen's cheek making the wood elf freeze for a good while.
”I'm sorry I couldn't get a better gift, this will have to do for now. Thank you, Truen. For being my friend and for always encouraging me during the tough times of my training. It's a shame we couldn't train together but when I complete my magic training, let's go on many adventures together!”
The archer caressed his cheek that Zero kissed with a faint pinkish hue at the tip of his elven ears. How was it that Zero still remained so charming even after he grew older?
”It's a promise. We should head back now, let's not keep our teachers waiting.”
Reluctantly, Zero agreed and returned to the Hall of Attachments. Zero held back tears brilliantly and smiled brightly all the way until Hua Tuo and Truen disappeared through the portal. The smile fell almost immediately after they were gone and Merlin worried a little but Zero simply wiped the tears away and took a few deep breaths.
”I guess it's our turn now,” he told Merlin with a small smile.
The wizard sighed. He was expecting Zero to cry and act depressed for a little while more but the boy had really matured. Relenting with a sigh, the Sage God of Magic bade Buddha farewell and told Zero to alter the coordinates of the portal.
”I'm done,” Zero told Merlin and the wizard checked the coordinates, pleased that Zero got it correct.
”Let's go. To Arabesque!”