What on earth does this mean... The teacher's words still lingered in his ears and could not be dissipated for a long time.
Going down the mountain... It is true that the school is built on the top of the mountain, but in the past, whenever school was over, the teacher would just tell him that school was over or get out of class was over. What was the meaning of going down the mountain?
Hank left his schoolbag behind, sat in the living room and began to think.
……I graduated?
I graduated.
Hank still remembered that the teacher said similar words when the last senior left the school. From this point of view, he had indeed graduated.
However...the teacher did not bless him according to the ceremony, nor did he present him with mottos or a hat and pen symbolizing his status as a scholar.
Hank thought about it and found only one possibility.
"Sure enough, I must have made the teacher angry..."
He knew very well that his teacher was a great scholar who was well-known throughout Leitania. Any bachelor who was not a member of the sect and met him would have to call him "respected master".
When he was practicing under his teacher, he always made the teacher angry because of various problems.
Although it was not a matter of schoolwork... Hank looked at the huge bookcase to the side. This bookcase that occupied an entire wall was a relic of his parents, and it was already full of books.
He has already read most of those books.
Yes...I've seen most of them. Hank lowered his eyelids in disappointment.
Thinking about it this way, it turns out that what makes the teacher angry is the "failure of conduct" that refuses to change despite repeated admonitions.
——This is what other scholars call it.
——In the huge bookcase, in addition to a large number of research classics, there are also many "miscellaneous books" that have nothing to do with scholars - a large number of novels, comics, books on informatics, and some other knowledge.
He has naturally read these books.
And he's obsessed with it.
In the final analysis, the reason why he often made the teacher angry was inseparable from these miscellaneous books - unreasonable questions, unrealistic assumptions, waste of time, lack of energy, etc., are all the influence of these books.
It started because of a comic book in the corner - something that belonged to my father.
When Hank first came into contact with them, his parents were still alive.
Although his parents are also famous people, their fame lies more in being... maverick.
Hank had heard that they were the most outstanding disciples of his revered master.
I have heard that although they love to seek knowledge, they have no serious and upright intentions.
It was they who first learned the culture of the outside world.
The only two people who graduated from a respected master but gave up the way of being a scholar.
——They chose weapons manufacturing.
Perhaps also influenced by comics and other cultures, their designs are always wild and unconstrained, but surprisingly practical.
"Dad, why do people say you and mom are crazy?"
"Because...well, because dad and mom want to be heroes."
"hero?"
Are there those people in the comics who have strong bodies, strange abilities and powerful spells?
"No, Hank." His father smiled bitterly and stroked his head.
"What kind of hero is that?"
The father mused:
"Well... I think it should be someone who dares to stand up for himself, is willing to lend a helping hand at any time, and knows that his ability is limited, but still sticks to the right path, right?"
"Isn't he a hero who punishes evil?"
"No...he is a hero who protects others."
"Like...a shield?"
Father smiled:
"Yes, like a shield, like medicine, a hero who is willing to stand up and break his bones for others."
At that time, Hank didn't quite understand his father's words - but the seeds of his dream had already taken root and sprouted in his heart.
He spent a wonderful time surrounded by his parents and heroic stories.
When he was six years old, his parents sent him to study under his respected master.
And just when he was not independent at all and was just a child...
Huck, Hannah, and his parents, as inventors and scholars not recognized by others, decided to provide humanitarian support to the people and soldiers in the area during the war.
They left Letania.
I’ve never been able to come back since—
Blood Peak War.
They died in a foreign land.
…
Although it was completely unnecessary - Zunshi took over Hank's education and daily life.
Hank studied under his respected master for more than ten years.
We can't say that Hank has been as good as the same for more than ten years. We should say...the teacher has been as good as the same for more than ten years.
Watching the hair on the teacher's head fall out day by day, Hank grew from a child to a teenager, and then into a young man.
Watching the seniors leave one after another, he is now the only remaining disciple of his teacher.
...He didn't want to make this old man angry who treated him like he wanted to kiss his grandfather.
But he never gave up the dream he inherited from his parents - to become a hero.
Perhaps he is not as strong as the Ursus.
They don't even have the powerful Origin Stone skills that other tribesmen have.
But he can learn to make instruments that are as safe for human life as the ones his parents invented.
Hank eagerly learned knowledge from any classics he could find and exercised his mind.
However, theory alone is far from enough...
He needs to grow his imagination and read comics and novels full of fantastic ideas - just like his parents once did.
However, the respected master actually complied with his request and brought him a set of books on the outside world that broadened his horizons on his birthday.
In this way, Hank is getting closer to his goal.
--until today.
Let me go down the mountain... where should I go, teacher?
Hank, who had never thought about this problem before, fell into confusion.
Originally, he decided to wait two more years, and when the time was right, he would make his long-standing request to the teacher - but today's accident completely disrupted everything.
What should I do...
"Dad, mom, I..."
What should I do?
The teacher must have known his wish... Although he never said it clearly, Hank could feel the teacher's doting and entanglement towards him.
...I made things difficult for the teacher.
Just as Hank was blaming himself, the doorbell rang without warning.
Hank looked out the window, it was already dark - who could it be at this time?
He hurried to open the door——
"teacher?"
At the door is my teacher.
"You don't want me to come in and sit down?" The old man raised an eyebrow and asked in a semi-ridiculous tone.
"Ah, yes, yes, teacher, please come in..." As soon as Hank got out of the way, the old man grabbed him with his hand.
"Hank."
"...Yes, I'm here, teacher."
"Take...this."
The old man handed him a piece of paper wrapped in a portfolio. Hank took it and read:
"Black Steel International...specially recruited trainees...fill in the information form?"
Hank read the title slowly: "Isn't this a security contracting company?"
The old man nodded slowly.
"But teacher, why did you give me this thing, and why do you have this... special move list?"
"I got this by chance before. With this, you can successfully join their trainee class. As for why it is given to you..."
The old man looked at him with a smile and said:
"Congratulations on your graduation, Hank... go and pursue a path of your own choice."
Hank was stunned on the spot, not understanding what the old man meant.
"But, teacher, the way of a scholar..."
The old man blew his beard and stared: "Aren't you not interested at all? Just like your parents!"
The conversation changed and the old man added: "But... I support your parents' path."
"...I don't understand, teacher, this..."
"I said, I supported them to become heroes. But now, it may be your turn, Hank."
The old man patted Hank on the shoulder and said:
"As Hannah said...'The mountain of scholars is difficult to climb and requires unremitting efforts from generation to generation, but shouldn't we help the people on the open road at the foot of the mountain?' This is theirs.
the way."
"And now, Hank, if that's what you want, I've got your back."
"—Go down the mountain, Hank, and become a—"
——————————
“Because I really want to be a hero—
"Have the courage to stand up for yourself, be willing to lend a helping hand at any time, know that your ability is limited, but still stick to the right path——
"Like a shield, like medicine, a hero who is willing to stand up and break his bones for others!"
"……Yeah."
Connor poured Hank a glass of water.
"What's there to cry about? It's fine."
Hank didn't understand: "But, you just weren't..."
"I was a little fierce just now." Connor nodded and admitted.
"But laughing at someone's dream of being a hero? What asshole would do that?"
"It's just that a hero doesn't tire himself out from overtraining - so, Hank."
"Have a good rest and have fun with your friends tomorrow."