Parenting

Saturday mornings are usually filled with positive activities, such as exercising. It can be jogging, aerobics, gardening, etc. It can also be with slightly more extreme sports like martial arts.

*Clack! Pukk!!

The sound of a baseball bat reverberating behind a shop near the harbor with a sign saying, "Julius Photocopy". In the small garden, Julius was panting so hard that the stick he was holding fell. His opponent was none other than his son.

"Your dodging movements are quite good haah... let's do it again!"

"Yes, sir!"

Zeyn took position. He closed his eyes. He didn't need sight—not when he could feel. Through a technique honed in silence, he read Julius' aura: a shifting rhythm, a presence moving like a predator in tall grass. Right. Then left.

*Whoop~

He deftly dodged with a quick movement. The attack then continued upwards, this time from the left side. Instantly, he dodged again and blocked his opponent's hand.

*Thud!

Julius attacked again more fiercely. Swinging, stabbing, even slashing from various angles as if he was carrying a sharp object. He didn't give any breathing space. But once again, his attack was avoided either by Zeyn dodging in the opposite direction or jumping backwards. His movements were very agile like a skilled close-range fighter.

Suddenly, Julius launched an overhead swing. Zeyn ducked and kicked upward like lightning. The stick flew from Julius' hand. His elbow followed up, striking clean into his mentor's chest.

*THUD...

"Uaagh—bleh—damn dirt!" Julius coughed, spitting out soil as he rolled on the ground.

Zeyn stood over him, concerned. "Are you okay?"

"Well... you really took it seriously, hahahaha. But it's good, I'm glad to help with the training."

Zeyn scratched the back of his head. "I didn't expect you to be that fast either. You had me for a moment."

"Really? Well... maybe next time you should think about what your opponent might be thinking."

"Okay!"

The two shared a short, genuine laugh—the kind that only came from bruises earned in trust.

Julius couldn't understand why he was considered great when his moves were terrible. He knew how skilled this child was in martial arts, especially with the strange style he had learned (Silat).

In the end, he just tried to play the role of a motivator in front of him. He realized that the boy needed a father figure.

"Listen Zeyn, no matter how great you sharpen your knowledge, Greatness is not found in possessing power but in using it humbly. Use it as needed, especially to protect something you believe is right."

"... I understand."

Although it sounded cool, Julius sighed heavily while holding his stomach. Compared to those skinny and muscular packs, he felt like nothing.

"Hah! If only my joints didn't scream like banshees every morning. I miss having a physique like yours."

"Huh? Didn't you say that you often exercised when you were young?" Zeyn asked.

"Well... how can I say it? I used to, but... mehh, it's such a pain."

It was true that he had once stated that he was quite athletic, but it only lasted for a week. Julius realized that maintaining a good body shape was difficult, especially since he liked sugary foods.

"By the way," Julius said, his tone shifting slightly. "About yesterday... I was too harsh. Shouldn't have scolded you in front of others."

"It's okay, sir." Zeyn quickly realize. "I understand everything you said was for my own good. In fact, I should be the one apologizing..."

Julius stroked his hair gently as a sign that he understood what he wanted to convey. "Frustrating, right? Having strange abilities and not using it. Sounds like a waste."

"... Yeah, you're right."

"Same advice as always—be smart with your power. Use your abilities as needed. I trust you."

Along with the conversation, Julius went back into the house with the intention of changing his clothes. All the burden he had felt since yesterday disappeared without a trace because he had let out his frustrations.

He also tried to understand the boy's position based on his discussion with Mr. Hendri yesterday. He couldn't keep forcing him to always obey. Besides, he was also growing more mature.

* *

For a moment, silence fell over the yard. Dew sparkled on the grass, glinting in morning light. Zeyn stared downward, lost in his own thoughts. It was rare for Julius to back down. It made the apology feel heavier, more real.

*Slam!

"BUT STILL!" Julius yelled, now wearing a fresh change of clothes and holding a towel.

Zeyn flinched. "W-what now?"

"Be careful with your power. Just because I trust you, doesn't mean the world will."

"..."

"It's better to hide. You never know if there's someone like you doing something irrational out there."

"Irrational? Like what?" Zeyn asked, confused.

"I don't know... Just be cautious. Yesterday, there was a strange person who suddenly lost his memory and knocked my door early in the morning."

"Lost his memories?"

"Yeah, no idea. But better safe than famous on conspiracy forums. Just promise me you'll keep your teleportation thing under wraps, unless absolutely necessary."

The real reason was that Julius was tired of reminding and opposing him. He didn't want more headaches, so it was better to trust him instead.

"Alright, son. Enough drama. Let's talk money! I haven't given you your allowance yet, right?"

"Oh… right."

The man pulled out a leather wallet and handed him a small wad of bills. "Not much, but enough to survive a week or two. Budget wisely."

Zeyn reached out—then froze. His body stiffened.

"What is it? Just take it." Julius wondering.

Cold sweat slowly began to wet his body as he realized something. For the past week, he couldn't remember anything about his wallet. He didn't know where he put it the last time. Maybe it was at home?

"I'm giving you money, why are you quiet? Is it not enough?"

"Uh... yeah. Thank you, sir."

In awkwardness, he tried to hide his suddenly strange behavior. He took the bill and put it in his pocket. But as someone who had been with Zeyn for a long time, Julius realized that something was amiss. His eyebrows lifted in suspicion,

"By the way, how was your spending last month? Did you remember to save some?"

"Uh... yeah. No worries. Anyway, I have to go out for a bit."

"Uhh ok? But what's with the hurry?"

"Um,.. college assignment. I forgot that it had to be submitted as soon as possible. See you later."

"Really? Sounds suspicious here."

Without further explanation, Zeyn immediately ran inside, his focus now was to find his wallet. Because he felt that it had been a long time since he interacted with it.

"There's something strange about this kid...", muttered Julius, becoming more suspicious as he frowned.

Losing a wallet is actually serious carelessness. Let's put aside the matter of the value of money and even the banking cards inside it. The most worrying thing is his personal data.

In this modern era that is heavily digitalized, personal data is considered a valuable asset that must be guarded closely. If the ID card and even the student card that he owned fell into the wrong hands, we cannot imagine the terrible things that could happen.

Without hesitation, he ran back home. At least he had to make sure that his wallet was there somewhere. If it was indeed there, then his heart could be at ease.

Perhaps he should teleport himself to his house to get there faster.

* * * *