—–
My grandmother seemed to be the most concerned about me, but she also was intelligent and insightful. She was able to see through what was going on, and also realized it was a good opportunity. Even old humans grow more experienced over time and can compare a bit to my thought process. This is why I admire my grandmother, most of the time her thoughts and opinions are mildly aligned with mine unlike my parents that are always overly worried about everything without being able to see the big picture, so they often cannot agree with me unless I convince them with extraordinary feats.
“He’s right, we should let him do it. Blake, I am very worried about you… You know that grandma loves you lots, right? But also… I see that this is an opportunity you cannot really miss…” She said, as she caressed my head and kissed my cheek. “You’re a very intelligent boy, and I believe you’ll bring this family out of poverty… Grandma trusts you. Take care of yourself and don’t push yourself too hard though! One step at a time, dear.”
“Grandmother…”
I felt slightly moved. My grandmother has always comprehended me the best and she was also the first capable of understanding my words when I was a baby too. There is something in this old woman that makes her very wise. I suppose… that also comes with time. She knows what I am planning to do as well, she might be worried, but she knows that I am filled with the conviction of realizing my goals.
“But mother…” Said my mother, looking at grandma with a disappointed expression.
“Marie! Stop being so stubborn already! You’re always so overly concerned about this boy; don’t you realize how strong he is? He has already taken down demons! Do you think he’s going to get scammed or something? He’ll probably beat down anyone that tries to make him a fool.” Said my grandmother. “As his mother, it is your duty to support him, not to stop him from progressing. It is your duty to see him grow and help him do so, not to stop him midway through to grow up as a dysfunctional man that is a good for nothing! I raised you like this and you’re the woman you are because I did everything I could to guide you, do the same with your son!”
“Ah…” My mother looked at grandma with eyes wide open, she suddenly realized it, and she looked at me once more, her eyebrows were down and she still looked very worried. “SIGH…” She sighed very loudly and then looked back at me and smiled.
“I-I suppose… that my boy has grown already in all this time without mommy ever realizing it… You’re not even ten years old and you’re already thinking about the big picture?” She sighed.
“It is something I’ve been thinking about for a while. I just want to make a lot of money for now.” I said. “In this world, the other thing that rules over everything aside from strength is money. It is important to use every opportunity I have to grow stronger… but also to save up money for the future.”
“…You’re right. Okay, you can go.” Said my mother.
“H-Hey! I have not agreed to it!” Said my father.
“Joan! Are you going to stop your son now?” Asked my grandmother.
“No, actually, I just wanted to tell him something before he made this decision.” Said my father.
My father walked to my side and looked at me with a smile. His eyebrows furrowed a bit as he seemed to be looking at me as if he were proud of me, but at the same time, I could see some hint of regret in his eyes, as if he was also wishing I could keep being a kid for longer. The same as my mother.
“Blake, you’re growing way too quickly to be honest. But I could only realize how big you’ve grown when I got injured… Without anyone even asking you, you began taking over all the responsibilities of the house, and even went out hunting with the other hunters… I wish I could have the opportunity to teach you more, but it seems you learned by yourself more than I could even teach you…” Sighed my father. “I just want to go out to hunt some more with you soon, and… I also want to teach you a few farming techniques, I got skills for something, you know? I’ll let you do it but… You have to promise your old man that you’re not going to forget your family when you grow up, alright?”
“Of course… I will never forget my family… You’re the people that has been with me since the beginning… I would never leave you behind.” I said. “I am working hard for that very reason, because I want all of us to live well and comfortably… I just want to make your lives better, because I am really grateful for all the things you’ve done to me.”
“S-Son…”
“My boy…”
My mother and my father suddenly began to get all emotional. Their eyes started to tear up and their lips began to tremble nervously. The two jumped on me and hugged me tightly out of the sudden, surprising me.
“We love you!” Said my mother.
“My boy, you’re really working so hard… I-I will also work hard, you’ll see!” He said.
“Mom… Dad…”
I felt even more moved. For some inexplicable reason, the cold heart I once had began to slowly get melted by the love of these two simple humans, the concept of parents was never within my mind in my previous life. I grew up in a harsh world without love, and only hardships… But I’ve begun to realize how much of a bliss is growing with people supporting me and loving me. It feels as if I was growing again, as if I was finally experiencing what it is to live as a person.
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