The Crossroads of Departure

Early in the morning, Zoser arrived at Onar's house. The atmosphere was calm, but his heart was filled with anxiety. Standing before the door, he raised his hand to knock. The faint sound of the knock echoed unevenly in his ears as he waited for a response. Soon, the door opened, revealing Onar's familiar face, which at that moment appeared more serious than ever before.

She said calmly, "Come in, Zoser."

Zoser entered cautiously, noticing that Onar was not alone. Governor Aminos was seated there, along with his daughter Kaira, who seemed healthier than before. Their eyes followed Zoser intently, as if every step he took carried significant meaning.

"Sit down, Zoser," Onar commanded firmly. He obeyed quickly, taking a seat. Onar greeted everyone, but the atmosphere was heavy, as if an unspoken tension lingered in the room.

Aminos glanced at Onar, as if seeking confirmation of something in his mind, then said, "Are you sure, Lady Onar? Are you willing to give up the governor's decree for this child?"

Onar responded in a steady voice, "Yes, Aminos."

Aminos shook his head slightly, his gaze shifting to Zoser, scrutinizing him as if searching for something. "It seems you hold this boy in high regard," he remarked.

But Onar remained silent. There was something in that moment that made them realize the matter was far more significant than it seemed. Zoser sat, trying to grasp what was happening around him, but he couldn't figure out how to respond or what was truly going on. Inside, he wondered why he had become the center of such a conversation.

As he observed, his eyes met Kaira's. She looked at him with amusement, though she seemed completely different from before. Her face was brighter, healthier, and her beauty had taken on a strange renewal. This change surprised him, but Kaira didn't seem interested in what he felt. She simply watched his reactions, studying his every move.

Suddenly, Zoser turned to Onar and asked in a trembling voice, "What's going on, Onar?"

Aminos and Kaira were surprised at his direct address of Onar without any honorifics, but no one commented on it.

Onar responded in a calm voice, though it carried a hint of harshness, "Well, Zoser, I've taught you everything you wanted to learn. Now it's time for you to leave."

"Leave? But to where?" Zoser asked in a low, bewildered voice.

"To one of the central cities... the city of Thebes," Onar said, as if she had made a final decision.

"Why?" Zoser asked, astonished. He had no idea what academies were, nor was he familiar with the city of Thebes.

Onar replied swiftly, "You will join one of the major royal academies."

"I don't want to stay here... there are so many things I haven't learned from you yet," Zoser said with a tone of sorrow.

"I've taught you all that you can learn from me," Onar responded irritably. "If you don't wish to leave, you are free to stay."

Zoser fell silent, feeling a deep ache within. He didn't want to leave, yet at the same time, he felt an inexplicable connection to this moment. Onar then whispered harshly, "Please, everyone, leave now. I need some time alone."

Everyone left the house in silence, but Aminos paused briefly at the door. Turning to Zoser, he spoke in a sharp tone, "Do you know what she sacrificed for you?"

Without waiting for a response, he continued, "The governor's decree is absolute. She could have asked for anything from me, and I would not have been able to refuse. She could have demanded any amount of money, and she would have received it. In fact, if it weren't for her desperation to save Kaira, I would never have granted her the decree. But now, she's giving it up… for what? Just so you can accompany Kaira to the royal academy?"

These words struck Zoser deeply, making him feel the weight of the situation more than ever before.

When Zoser returned to Onar's house, the atmosphere was heavy with silence. He entered the room and carefully closed the door behind him. Approaching her, his eyes were filled with determination and doubt at the same time. He sighed before speaking, "Onar... I've decided to leave, but I want you to give me a real reason for doing so."

Onar, who was sitting quietly, looked at him for a moment before starting to speak. Her voice was calm, yet carried wisdom and experience.

"There is a royal academy in every major city, Zoser. These academies gather geniuses from all over the kingdom, and within them, you can learn everything—engineering, medicine, chemistry, sorcery, formations, and of course, combat skills." She paused briefly, then continued firmly, "These academies are not just places of learning; they are factories for brilliance. The academy will help you broaden your horizons and see the world differently. You will discover things that have been hidden from you."

She stopped for a moment, and then added, "There are immense resources in these academies that will aid you in developing yourself. More importantly, you will learn much about the royal system, the royal family, and the gods... all of which will be vital for your future."

Zoser remained silent as Onar continued. "If you stay here, you'll remain a frog at the bottom of a well. Your world here is narrow, and you'll be trapped within your walls. But if you leave, you'll open doors to a new world."

She leaned back slightly, organizing her thoughts before adding, "The requirements to apply to the royal academy aren't complicated, but they demand effort. First, you must reach the trainee stage. Second, you must not be older than 12 years, which means the timing is right for you. Finally, you must make the most important decision: will you choose the military path or the academic path?"

She paused and looked at him with her calm eyes. "The military path requires you to take a real combat test. You will face a mid-tier monster at the trainee stage, and you must defeat it within a set time. The academic path, on the other hand, includes practical and theoretical tests in the field you choose. Kaira, for example, has decided to study medicine and chemistry, so she will take the academic path."

Onar smiled slightly, as if she could see what he was thinking. "As for you, Zoser, your future lies in the military path. You have the potential for it. Imagine how your skills could develop and how much stronger you could become if you decide to go there."

Zoser thought carefully about her words. His choices were now clear, but the bigger question remained: was he ready to leave his place and face what lay ahead in the future?