Chapter 8

This is a story from the perspectives of Zack's grandfather Gowvan, mother Tanya, father Matt, and brother Rod.

Gowvan, the grandfather, was so shocked by his grandson Zack's story that he nearly lost his composure.

(Another world! Chosen by a god! Even if it were a fairy tale thought up by a child, it's too far-fetched... I had a feeling something was up, but I never imagined it would be this much...)

Despite his shock, Gowvan listened to his grandson's story to the end. When Zack finished, he tried to maintain a calm expression.

"We knew something was up with you, but we never thought it would be such a far-fetched story."

Zack looked disappointed, but his eyes widened in surprise at Gowvan's next words.

"Well, it's fine. If you were called by a god from another world, we have no choice but to accept it."

"Can you really believe it? Such an absurd story..."

Gowvan had noticed that Zack had changed suddenly a year ago. He had also received consultations from his son Masias and his wife Tanya. Most of all, he was surprised when Zack suddenly asked to borrow books last fall. At first, he ordered his son to lend easy books, but Zack quickly became bored and said he wanted any kind of book.

Gowvan, in a playful mood, lent him a specialized book titled "Geopolitical Issues and Historical Background in the Tria Continent." This was a book that his former superior, Lord Razwell, had recommended for knights to read, but Gowvan himself had found it difficult to understand. He had lent it to Nicholas for study, but even Nicholas had taken several months to understand it. Zack, however, understood the content almost entirely after just listening to the difficult words.

When Gowvan playfully asked about the relationship between the Kingdom of Calm and the League of City-States, Zack responded that the League appeared to be obedient to the Empire but was actually seeking practical benefits. On the surface, the League seemed to be an independent state with full autonomy, but in reality, they were concerned about how to maintain their independence without spending too much money and did not claim ownership of territories outside the cities. There were also rumors that Arela, the central commercial city of the League, was secretly supporting the Holy Kingdom of Lux, which had gained independence from the Empire, to divert the Empire's attention. Arela had also worked hard to abolish the tolls on the Arela Road, which the Empire had tried to impose, to gain practical benefits. The book Gowvan lent mentioned similar points, but the author, a scholar from the academic city, had subtly blurred the details.

Gowvan was also surprised by the stories Zack created and told to Mel and the others. The story of the North Wind and the Sun emphasized the importance of combining force and persuasion in diplomacy, while the story of the cunning fox suggested that conflicts among close friends could benefit others. When Claire, the caretaker of Zack (Claire Jakes, the mother of Dan and Sharon), told him about these stories, he even asked all the retainers who had taught Zack. When he learned that Zack had created the stories himself, he was even more surprised than when Zack had read the books he lent.

When Zack started to speak on his own, Gowvan felt relieved. At first, he thought it was far-fetched, but Zack had received an education comparable to that of a scholar in another world and had worked in a large city with hundreds of thousands of people until he was about the same age as Gowvan. He thought it was natural to believe this. However, he also felt a sense of danger. Zack certainly had knowledge and the qualities of someone chosen by a god, but if someone with such talent lived in a way that no one could believe, they would surely go astray. When the topic of magic came up, Gowvan thought that Zack needed a trustworthy friend for the future. That's why he decided to call Lydia. He believed she could guide and understand Zack. No matter what, he would call Lydia and talk to her honestly. He believed she would understand.

The surprises continued even after the story ended. When the topic of sword training came up, Gowvan had intended to let Zack experience failure that day. Zack could probably complete the training normally, but he needed to experience failure to become stronger. He ordered the monotonous training that even his brother Rod would give up on. As expected, Guy (Guy Jakes, the father of Dan and Sharon) gave up quickly. However, Zack, along with Hector (Hector Marlon, the father of Mel), completed the training to the end. Both showed great potential and had the qualities to become swordsmen surpassing Gowvan with proper training. They showed such determination.

Gowvan's purpose in life was to train these two and brighten Zack's future. It was a truly good day.

---

When my son said he wanted to talk, I looked at my husband Matt, and we both shuddered, thinking the moment had finally come. When our son was three, we noticed a sudden change in his behavior. As his mother, I naturally noticed even the smallest changes.

First, he became very clean. He kept his hands and body clean and was often found cleaning. Then, he started asking for books to be read to him and learned to read at an astonishing speed. Once he learned to read, he started reading on his own, which made me feel a bit lonely.

I was surprised by his ability to read, but what surprised me most was that he started taking care of Mel and the others. Before, he was always the one being taken care of, but now he would talk to Sharon if she looked sad and play with Dan if he seemed bored. He no longer treated Mel's clinginess with indifference and stopped bothering Rod and the others. It felt like he was looking after the children like an adult.

When Zack said he was a forty-something adult from another world, I was surprised but also convinced. It felt like, "Ah, I knew it." My father-in-law seemed a bit worried, but I wasn't at all. The pure, small children like Mel, Dan, and Sharon played with Zack without any doubt. While it's true that adults can deceive children, Zack spent every day with no ulterior motives, so he couldn't be a bad person. When I saw my worried son, I couldn't help but hug him.

"Zack is my son. If he was chosen by a god, that's a wonderful thing."

Then, I hugged him tightly.

"Besides, I didn't feel any evil from you. So, we were waiting for you to tell us."

Yes, you are my son. My precious son. Your soul may be much older than mine, but that doesn't matter. I will continue to love you and protect you, no matter what...

---

My son was chosen by a god. My wife Tanya acts as if it's normal, but I still can't believe it. There's a possibility that Zack is making it up, but a four-year-old child can't tell such a bold lie with such clarity.

But is this a good thing?

He was born into a poor family on the border, the Lockhart family. If he had been born into a wealthier family, he could have studied more freely. In fact, he has learned so much on his own and achieved so much. If he had attended a school in the capital...

However, it doesn't seem like he wants that.

He seems genuinely relieved to be in our home.

If that's the case, what I can do is give my son a chance.

He doesn't need to learn general knowledge. He probably knows more than anyone in this village, and perhaps even in the nearby towns.

In that case, it's magic. My father said he would call Lydia, but it's best to learn specialized knowledge at a school.

The closest magic school to Rasmoa is the Tilia Magic Academy in the academic city of Doctus. Admission is accepted from around twelve years old.

Zack will definitely be accepted, but studying abroad requires funds.

Tuition and living expenses. I've heard that the admission fee isn't too high, but that's what wealthy noble families say. The tuition and living expenses will continue for a long time.

However, our family doesn't have the funds.

From now until admission, it's eight years. Saving up the funds by then is my mission as a father.

---

My younger brother is amazing.

Without me knowing, he became better at studying than me and sometimes tells interesting stories.

And today.

Finally, Zack became my grandfather's disciple.

At four years old, he was able to swing a wooden sword for an hour, even though he is five years younger than me, who is nine.

I started training at five. At first, I cried after just a little practice and was scolded by my grandfather.

My sister Melissa, Sim's sister, also worked hard, but Zack never complained or gave up, and he completed the training without kneeling.

I don't like thinking about myself, but I think the first time I completed my grandfather's strict training was probably when I was six.

I couldn't do it for over a year. Yet, my younger brother, at four, did it on the first day.

I thought my brother was cute, but I didn't pay much attention to him.

But today, I realized something.

I am Zack's older brother. I need to work hard so I don't lose to him.

From today, I won't complain.

As the eldest son of the Lockhart family and the grandson of the great grandfather, I will work hard so I don't lose to my brother.