Chapter 4. Master Elric

Gray didn’t really remember his life before he met his master. All he knew for sure was that he was an orphan. Back then he used to find foods from the garbage pails or pitifully begged the people, some would drive him away and some would throw him the leftovers. He didn’t mind being kicked or cursed at, as long as he could fill his stomach. After all, it’s human natures to feel hungry… He knew not many children at his age would survive living at the streets. Hence, he made a big promise in his heart, when he grew up, he didn’t want to live pathetically like this anymore.

He did remember how his master at that time, gave him a lot of foods, water, and even patiently told him to eat slowly. The foods were not leftovers, it was newly prepared, thus the small Gray could still feel the warmth of the meatbuns, entering his stomach. Eating warmth foods may be trivial thing for others, but for him, it was the happiest moment ever. Never in his life, someone’s being that kind to him. And thankfully, he didn’t remember the taste of the meatbuns since it was mixed with his own tears and snots. (´Д｀。

Not wanting to lose the warmth, Gray shamelessly followed his master every day at the town. He would wait in front of his master’s inn and every morning; he would stupidly greet him. But the funny thing was, although master would pretend like he didn’t see Gray, he never drove him away, unlike the grownups the small Gray met every day. Gray was stupid and didn’t think too much, the only thing he liked from this man was that if he followed him, with a little begging, his stomach would be full! He innocently thought that this would last forever until he grew up and could defend himself.

His fantasy did scatter immediately. After weeks staying and his business finally over, naturally his master would go back to where he came from. When he told the poor kid not to wait for him anymore, of course the little kid refused it firmly. Gray was throwing tantrums and clinging to his master’s robe. The small kid begged the man to take him wherever he went, saying so many coaxes, like he swore to be a nice kid. Sadly, all of it didn’t work out because his master did leave at that time. He shrieked at his master’s back one last time, “Mister, if you’re coming back now, I’ll forgive you!” While sobbing, he saw his master’s back getting smaller from the town’s gate. It was his first time feeling that way, when his heart ached so much, it made him hard to breathe. He didn’t cry when he couldn’t eat for days, but now why did the tears kept flowing?

He didn’t have the energy to continue his life for days after that. He avoided people and only lied down and hugged his knees between the piles of garbage. He thought angrily that the only stupid people to believe in kindness was him. He didn’t want to live anymore, let him be a malicious ghost and he’d haunt all the people who had done bad things to him!! He swore that the mister would be his first target!! Just wait and see!!

Not knowing how many days had passed, Gray only lied miserably. He didn’t even bother to open his eyes anymore, only to listen the surroundings. From time to time, he could hear beggars, digging the garbage piles to find foods – just like him before. They didn’t bother to check if the small kid still alive or not, well, it’s a common thing to find a death body. What made a dead child different? Gray could hear the sounds of footsteps again and continued to close his eyes. This time, the footsteps stopped beside his body. Having no energy left, he stayed motionless, until two strong hands picked him up. Startled, Gray opened his eyes, only to see the source of his sadness, carried him along without feeling disgusted at all. Reflexively, Gray wrapped his small hands between his master’s neck, clutching so tight like an octopus.

He heard him said, “You said you’ll forgive me,” Gray only muttered a hmm. His future master asked him calmly as he walked in an unhurried pace, “Tell me more, what kind of things will you forgive in the future?” Being asked like that, Gray at that time didn’t understand anything and murmured carelessly, “Even if you don’t give me food, it’s okay,” He hesitated for a moment and added, “And if one day, when you wake up and suddenly want to beat me, you can do it too,” His master laughed and continued to ask, “What if one day you’ll find out that I’m a bad man?”

“It doesn’t matter!” Gray exclaimed, “I’ll forgive you for everything, as long as you don’t abandon me again,” Gray didn’t know whether his answer pleased him or not, but his master did take him to his house. Not only giving him a place to live, his master also taught him so many things, like reading, writing, and martial arts. Even down to Gray’s name, everything was thanked to his master. Regrettably, after living together for some years, his master fell sick and died. Since then, Gray used the skills he got from his master to hunt and survive by himself.

Leon felt sorry for suddenly mentioning his master. It had been 4 years, but he knew Gray still sad from time to time. Things were never easy after his master’s death. Thus, he tried to change to topic by saying, “Anyway, I need to go. I need to stay as a smart-handsome soon to be a scholar, not ‘a barbarian who only knew to swing his sword,’” he said that by imitating his mother’s way of talking. Hearing that, Gray couldn’t help, but laughing. Well, now that the mood was getting brighter again, Leon felt relieved, but when he already went out from the door, he remembered something, “Hey, do you hear the rumours this morning?” he cautiously asked Gray.

“Huh? What rumours?” Clueless as always, Gray only gave a shrug on his shoulders. “Oh man, it’s actually nothing important, but it’s about you-“ Leon wore a sorry expression on his face. “Me? AGAIN?!” (／‵Д′)／~ ╧╧  “What’s the rumours this time?” He asked while covering his face. “It’s funny actually. I don’t know where this came from, but people were saying that someone said you’re selling cyclops meats,”

“What?!! Cyclops doesn’t exist, it’s only a myth! How could the townsfolks believe this? I’m an honest boar hunter!!” Gray face was showing a mixed between helplessness and amused. Leon also found this ridiculous. He could only shake his head and pat his friend’s shoulder, “The townsfolks always lose their ability to think when it comes to slandering you. Like always, just stay quiet and they’ll soon forget it.” After Gray locked his front door, he could only sigh and lie down on his bed. When his master was still alive, even though people didn’t like him, still they didn’t bother him at all. His master always treated the townsfolks kindly and even helped them from time to time, just like what Gray did right now. However, no matter how many times he helped the townsfolks, the treatments towards him and his master were totally like heaven and earth. Gray couldn’t help, but missing his master more. He thought miserably, if only his master was still alive…