Arthur was staring blankly at his paper.
He recognized the images in the test—they were illustrations of monsters—but he couldn't name a single one. He'd seen them before, in a monstrous book back in his father's library titled Myriads of Monster Websters. But back then, all he cared about was unlocking his innate power, so he didn't bother reading it. Understandable, since the book was massive. Thicker than Miss Marple's Collected Cases with its 4,032 pages, and wider than an actual study table. He couldn't even lift it. The sheer size alone made him lose interest.
As for Su Shi, he recovered faster than anyone.
But his sadness was even deeper.
Last night, his father had told him to review monster profiles—but he got bored and ended up browsing women's magazines instead. Not that it mattered. None of the monsters he reviewed were on the test anyway. All the creatures in the exam were from outside their continent. Absolute garbage!
---
2 hours later
Inside a restaurant across the Adventurer's Guild, Arthur and Su Shi sat lifelessly beside their fathers.
'Damn… this kind of thing can happen? I'm the MC! Everyone around me is supposed to be dumb, right? That's how it works in most stories!'
"This is unacceptable!" Su Shi suddenly stood and shouted while sipping his lemon juice like a noble betrayed.
"True," his father chimed in, eyes closed like a philosopher. Then he added,
"The test was too unreasonable. All the answers could only be found outside our continent."
"So black-hearted!"
"True."
"And he spent all night browsing women's magazines before the exam."
"So black–???"
Arthur: "…???"
Amy: "…????"
Arthur and his father stared at Su Shi, puzzled.
Before they could ask, Su Shi bowed deeply, his expression full of regret, and confessed:
"I'm so sorry, Father! I couldn't resist the cursed temptations of those magazines! Those bikini-clad temptresses summoned me with their forbidden allure! I don't know who brought that vile thing into our study area! We're the only males in the household! It's a mystery! I curse whoever brought it in!"
He peeked at his father, hoping his heartfelt performance had worked. But Su Man's expression was grim, like a thundercloud ready to burst.
Su Shi panicked.
"Father! I swear! I will find that bastard who dared bring such evil into our home! I will beat him until even his parents won't recognize him! Then I shall drag the sinner before you, mighty father, so you may pass righteous judgment!"
He bowed again.
Then looked up…
…only to see his father's face looking even more terrifying than before.
"Your allowance is cut off. You will travel outside the fort alone until the end of the month. If you die, I'll build an epitaph in our garden to remember you. Then I'll make a new kid to fulfill my dreams," Su Man said coldly.
"NOOOO—!"
"Father, please! I'm still young! I haven't even held hands with my crush! She's a goddess, I swear!"
"Enough with the drama. You know me. And don't even think about sneaking to your friend's house. Finish your trial. Alone."
Su Man's voice was absolute. Then, like flipping a switch, he turned to Amy and smiled as if bathed in divine light.
"Sir Amy, I humbly request that you take my son with you for this month-long journey. He's inexperienced and needs to learn from the world. Please train him. I'll prepare his things immediately."
Amy nodded quickly.
"Sure! My son doesn't have a companion anyway—it works out well!"
Arthur and Amy both knew Su Man was just saving face, and Su Shi's rejection didn't matter anymore.
"NOOOOO—!"
A wail of pure sorrow echoed across the fortress. People glanced over, then ignored it. Screaming, after all, was normal in a place where theft and fraud were daily events.
---
The Next Morning
Outside the giant fortress gates, Arthur and his father were waiting. After a few minutes, a carriage rolled up. Su Man waved from the distance and dropped Su Shi off without fanfare.
"I have an appointment," Su Man said. "Take care of my son."
And with that, he vanished.
After checking their supplies, the new trio began walking.
Arthur glanced at Su Shi, who looked like a man who'd lost everything.
He chuckled.
"Su Shi, don't be so sad. Me and my father are here with you the whole time."
"I'm not sad because of that."
"Huh? Then what?"
"I'm hungry. Got any food?"
"You didn't eat?" Amy asked.
"I did. Before leaving. But I'm hungry again."
"…"
Arthur smacked his face in disbelief.
He forgot.
Su Shi wasn't just big.
He was a monster when it came to food.
---
And so… their never-ending journey began.
---
Author's Note:
I won't say anything about why it took me this long to update…
BUT PLEASE—leave comments! Reactions! Feedback! Tell me what you think of the story so far! Seriously, I wanna know!
Alright, see yah!