Chapter 144: Time Is Running Out

Ian was forced to depart before nightfall fully descended, otherwise the young boy wouldn’t make it back to the Elven Forest within the designated time limit.

Kei stood by the wooden fence, his tiny hands still clutching tightly to the bouquet of flowers Ian had gifted him. He watched as his friend’s figure gradually faded away down the narrow trail, the boy’s long, pointed ears twitching gently with every step he took.

Not until Ian’s silhouette completely vanished amidst the tree trunks did Kei lower his head, sorrowfully stroking the vibrant petals in his grip.

In truth, Kei didn’t want Ian to leave at all, but because he was a good child, he couldn’t bring himself to hold Ian back.

It was just that... the boy felt a little lonely, that was all.

*It’s fine, he’ll come back to visit me tomorrow. He even promised to bring me so many interesting things!*

Thinking along those lines, Kei immediately felt a bit less dejected.

Kei trotted back inside the cabin, placing the bouquet into a small vase resting beside the window. The brilliant colors made the otherwise quiet room instantly feel far more vibrant. He sat staring at them for a long time, picturing Ian returning the next day, and telling himself he absolutely had to share the dream he’d had the previous night with his friend.

Before night fully settled in, Julius returned home.

In his hands rested a basket overflowing with wild vegetables, foraged forest fruits, and a few fresh fish. The moment he stepped past the gate, Julius spotted Kei sitting by the window. He smiled softly and gently called out his son’s name.

"Kei, Father’s back."

"Father!"

Kei scrambled over to greet him immediately, though barely a few steps in, he had to halt to catch his breath. Julius hurriedly set the basket down, strode over to scoop him up, and patted Kei’s back soothingly to help regulate the child’s breathing.

A few Wood-element mana particles were channeled by Julius straight into Kei’s chest, soothing the boy’s labored respiration.

"I’ve already told you not to run around. Your lungs aren’t strong, you aren’t permitted to engage in strenuous activity!"

Faced with Julius’s stern expression, Kei sniffled and whimpered softly, "I just wanted to go outside and welcome you back."

"Yeah, I know."

Julius ruffled Kei’s hair, his tone entirely devoid of reprimand. He carried him off to take a bath, changed him into a clean set of clothes, and prepared dinner. Afterward, Julius sat beside him, patiently feeding Kei one spoonful at a time.

Not until Kei had nearly polished off his entire bowl of porridge did Julius speak up: "Did you have fun playing today?"

Kei’s hand, holding his spoon, paused mid-air.

The boy lowered his head, falling into silent thought for a moment. As strict as Julius was about keeping Kei indoors, he had never once forbidden Kei from making friends; yet Kei still wasn’t quite sure where to begin explaining. In the end, he decided to be completely honest.

"Ian came to see me today."

"Ian?"

"Mhm. He’s my friend, a very pretty Elf!"

Kei raised his head, his eyes shining brightly as his little mouth chattered excitedly about Ian. "He lives in the forest. He’s super strong, can jump really high, and knows how to find pretty flowers, too. He gave me flowers."

Julius listened in silence. He didn’t interrupt, merely nodding from time to time as Kei delivered his enthusiastic recount. Once Kei finished speaking, Julius reached out to stroke his son’s soft locks gently.

"It’s fine to play with friends."

"Really?"

"Mhm. But next time, you must invite your friend inside the house when he comes over to play."

Kei blinked. "I can invite him inside?"

"You can." Julius smiled, then quickly appended: "However, you are not permitted to leave the house alone. You may only play inside the house, understood?"

Kei rolled his eyes with a sly, crafty look, though he ultimately gave an obedient nod.

"I understand~"

Julius handed Kei a warm bowl of herbal medicine. The bitter reek flooded the air instantly, causing Kei’s tiny face to scrunch up in utter disgust.

"I don’t want to drink it... It’s so bitter, Father~"

"If you drink it all up, Father will bake you honey biscuits tomorrow, and they’ll even be shaped like little dragons!"

Kei stared at the bowl of medicine, then looked up at Julius with large, crystalline eyes brimming with eager anticipation.

"Promise?"

"I promise."

Upon securing that promise, Kei squeezed his eyes shut and gulped it down in a single breath. The bitterness made him shudder, but Julius instantly shoved a sweet candy straight into his mouth. Kei sucked on the candy, the sugary sweetness flooding his tongue and causing his expression to smooth out rapidly.

Night descended swiftly, the moon suspended high within the boundless sky.

Julius carried Kei back to his room, pulling the blankets up snugly over his shoulders. Candlelight flickered across the tiny face as the boy slowly drifted toward deep slumber. Before taking his leave, Julius bent down to press a light kiss upon his son’s forehead.

"Sleep well, Kei."

"Sleep well, too, Father..." Kei murmured in a drowsy haze.

Julius blew out the candle, then stepped quietly out of the room.

Out in the yard, moonlight blanketed every corner. A faint halo of radiance enveloped both the tiny cabin and the garden, resembling an invisible veil protecting everything resting within.

That was the protective magic array cast personally by Julius.

Without an invitation from Kei, not a single soul could cross the threshold into this place—not even an SSS-rank mage.

Julius stood motionlessly amidst the garden, lifting his gaze to the moon overhead. The night breeze swept through his long black hair, carrying with it the gentle fragrance of the vibrant blossoms swaying across the yard.

Julius let out a quiet sigh.

He knew that time was fast approaching.

Before long, he would have to part ways with his son. The days the father and son could spend together were ticking away day by day, even as Kei lived out his carefree life in this little cabin, entirely oblivious to what lay ahead.

Yet leaving him behind was a mandatory measure dictated by Kei’s condition, as well as the sole thing Julius could secure for his child.

Julius glanced toward the window of Kei’s room. Inside, his son’s tiny silhouette was already lost in a deep sleep.

If only time could stand still... he whispered softly.

Yet time had never once paused for anyone.

And Julius could only stand beneath the moonlight, silently wishing that these final days alongside his son wouldn’t slip away too rapidly.