Chapter 2, Ceremony

Because many times, Richard would wake up in the middle of the night and hear his mother softly crying

In this humble yet warm little room, Richard quietly spent his childhood

There is still happiness! Richard exclaimed.

Little Richard shook his head and said gloomily, "It's not always happy. Piru has bullied me, and I also dislike breadfruit. Moreover, Mom, what kind of person is Dad really?"

Has it really been ten years without us even noticing

In those thick books, he saw another world, a world much broader, more complex, lofty, and magnificent than Rusalon. Little Richard had been quietly thinking that when he grew up to become the best hunter in the village, he would take his mother and leave Rusalon Village to explore the world beyond the mountains

"One day in the future, you will come to understand your father very well." For some reason, Elaine suddenly uttered this statement. As soon as the words left her mouth, her expression changed, as if something was tugging at her heart. Elaine herself did not know why she had said this.

Hunting always carries dangers, as countless magical beasts lurk in the sprawling coastal mountain range, and occasionally, a lost beast from the deep mountains may wander into Rutherland Village. Young Richard once encountered a gray magic wolf. This was a genuine Level 2 magical beast, and even the village chief had to take it seriously. When faced with the magic wolf, Richard was accompanied by only two hunters from the village. It was a grueling battle; all three sustained significant injuries, yet they ultimately dragged the wolf's corpse back to the village. What impressed the villagers was Richard's remarkable calmness and composure throughout the deadly struggle, responding flawlessly—no hunter could have performed better. Moreover, had it not been for Richard severing the tendons in the wolf's hind paw with a single strike, the outcome might have been different.

Regardless of the circumstances, during this year, Little Richard encountered numerous dangers, yet he always remained calm and composed, responding appropriately. No matter how perilous the situation, he never showed any signs of fear.

At the age of nine, Richard learned courage

Eliane smiled and patted Richard's head, saying: "Yes, and there is happiness! Has my Richard been happy these past few years?"

However, this time, Eliane did not tell Richard more about his father, but merely stated that her time with Richard's father was very brief, and that was all she knew

When the new spring arrives, young Richard also begins to shed his childishness. The hunting knife at his waist is no longer just an ornament. He starts to accompany the hunters from the village into the mountains to hunt, although he does not venture too deep into the forest and does not stand on the front lines when facing magical beasts. The tasks assigned to him are mostly assisting, setting traps, and collecting prey, but at least it indicates that he has become a hunter. The blacksmith Bobby is very pleased because Richard's hunting knife was crafted by him over several nights using precious pieces of refined steel. Each time young Richard uses it to slay a magical beast, Bobby feels a lasting joy.

Richard keenly sensed that his mother's mood had suddenly worsened, so he quietly stuck out his tongue and said, "I’m going to read," before running into the back room. That room was Elaine's study, and next to it was the laboratory for potion preparation. The study contained only a few books, focusing on the basics of magic, an introduction to potions, and knowledge about the history, geography, and customs of the continent, which suited Elaine's identity as a magic apprentice. Richard enjoyed reading here at night. There was a magical lamp in the study; its light was not very bright, but with Elaine's small amount of magical energy, it could illuminate the lamp for an entire night. Because oil was expensive, the only ones who could afford to keep the lamp lit for long periods at night, aside from the village chief, the blacksmith, and a few of the strongest hunters, were Elaine.

Yay! Will there be gifts? Richard jumped up, at that moment revealing that he was still a boy

However, one day, Richard confidently replied: "A true man must also possess wisdom"

It is written in the book

My Richard is already a real man! Every time she sees Richard, Elaine always says this with a smile.

Elian walked into the study and saw Richard, who was engrossed in a thick book of Warcraft illustrations. She smiled and said, "My Richard will soon be ten years old. Mother has prepared a special ceremony to celebrate my Richard's growth"

"Which book?" Elian asked patiently, looking at the book. Not to mention the knowledge of a wizard, even that of a magic apprentice is quite extensive. Therefore, Richard had already learned several languages under Elian's guidance, including a very obscure and difficult ancient language. Reading was no longer a problem for Richard; in fact, he had finished several introductory books on magic during the dull and tedious winter. However, Elian could not recall which book contained such a phrase.

"It is the book on the attic, which contains many interesting things. It was the first time I realized how vast the world is," Richard said excitedly

Elian sat alone in the living room, the sound of pages turning reached her ears. Little Richard was once again engrossed in his reading; he had already mastered the fundamental knowledge of magic quite solidly, yet he had not truly begun to learn magic. Elian had even forbidden him from practicing meditation. On the continent, to become a good magician, one generally needs to start initial meditation at the age of four or five, which allows for the accumulation of sufficient mental strength by the age of ten, thus beginning the study of magic and the cultivation of magical power. However, Little Richard did not feel that there was anything wrong with this, as he understood nothing and also believed that his mother was always right.

This year seems to be the easiest year, as the children in the mountains have never lacked courage. However, the courage that his mother taught Richard was different. Richard succeeded, and from that point on, his mother no longer called him Little Richard, but rather, My Richard

Richard immediately continued, "I know! He is the worst of the worst! He is the person that both Mom and the picture books hate the most!"

Elian sat quietly, and it was precisely because she had spoken an extra word tonight that the door of memory quietly opened, revealing many long-buried past events one by one, unable to be suppressed.

"Which book is that?" Elaine recalled something and then smiled: "That book is quite interesting. My Richard, a true man certainly cannot lack wisdom, but perseverance, strength, and courage are even rarer. My Richard is so intelligent that he will surely not lack wisdom when he grows up. Therefore, mother must first cultivate these qualities in you, do you understand?"

Elian was taken aback, looked at Richard seriously, and asked: "Tell Mom, who told you this."

Elena stared blankly at the dancing light in the magic lamp, the brass lamp body polished to a bright sheen, reflecting her features. She was not considered beautiful; one could only say she was a pretty woman. However, in the village of Ruthland, she was among the top beauties. Ten years had passed, yet time had left no trace on her face. If it were not for the style of her clothing, which had begun to lean towards that of middle-aged women, hardly anyone would remember her age. If a stranger were to see her, they would surely think Elena was merely in her early twenties. Ten years had passed, yet time had left no trace on her face. If it were not for the style of her clothing, which had begun to lean towards that of middle-aged women, hardly anyone would remember her age. If a stranger were to see her, they would surely think Elena was merely in her early twenties.

Elian smiled slightly. Every year, Richard would ask such questions several times, and she had always responded in the same way. By now, Richard could recite her answers by heart. However, Richard was a clever child; he could sense the deep hatred Elian felt when mentioning his father. Over time, Richard also came to loathe this father.

Ilan's expression changed slightly at hetushu.com, and then he gently said: "Your father is a real man..."

The child's logic is inherently simple: his mother is the one who loves him the most, and she is also the person he loves the most. What his mother hates, he also hates. Every so often, Richard would inquire about his father's situation. On one hand, it is out of curiosity, as his mother would share more about his father as he grows older. On the other hand, Richard wishes to understand his father better, so that he can seek revenge for his mother when he grows up. As for how to take revenge, he is still just a child and has no idea, but this matter has already been etched in his heart.

Some gifts will accompany you for a lifetime. However, you need to rest well these days, understand? It is already very late, and it is time to sleep

The reflection of the face on the brass lampshade is, in fact, quite unfamiliar to Elaine, and it is too ordinary, for this was not the face she had when she was born. Long ago, she had never imagined that she would lead such a simple, plain, and arduous life, and yet it has been ten years. However, as she watches Richard grow day by day, she feels a profound sense of fulfillment deep within her.

A slight pain began to throb in her head, and Yilian gently rubbed her temples, letting out a barely perceptible sigh. Her gaze fell upon the calendar on the table, and she suddenly noticed a prominent mark. In just over ten days, it would be Richard's tenth birthday. Ten years old marks the boundary between boyhood and adolescence, while thirteen or fourteen can barely be considered adulthood.