Moros watched without blinking, marveling inwardly at Vill-V's growth.
When the performance ended, the audience broke into thunderous applause, offering Vill-V the highest praise for her brilliant display.
Moros rose to his feet as well, giving his dearest friend his warmest applause.
"What do you think? My performance was pretty good, right?"
"Of course. You're the best!"
Three years together had forged an unspoken understanding between Moros and Vill-V.
They no longer needed many words between them. A single glance was enough for them to understand each other's feelings.
Graduation and Farewell
Happy times passed like a galloping horse. Not long after Vill-V's magic show ended, the graduation ceremony drew to a close.
"Big Brother Moros, where will you be going to school next?"
Standing at the kindergarten entrance, Vill-V tightly held Moros's hand, reluctance written all over her face.
She had not yet changed out of her Magician costume, and it looked somewhat disheveled.
"Don't worry. I'll still be staying in this city for elementary school. Maybe we'll even end up meeting at the same school."
Moros gently stroked Vill-V's head, his eyes full of affection.
He was not just making that up.
Moros had asked his father, Mr. Frakt, for advice about his future path.
Although Moros was already a superpowered individual, Mr. Frakt still believed that he should fully experience the same path of growth as other children on Mu Continent.
According to Frakt, there was never any harm in learning more.
"Really? That's wonderful!"
A bright smile immediately bloomed across Vill-V's face, warm and radiant like spring sunshine.
Her tightly furrowed brow relaxed, as if a huge weight in her heart had finally settled.
Vill-V had been worried that Moros would leave her behind and go somewhere far away for school, separating them forever.
But now that she had heard Moros's words, her worries vanished in an instant.
"Then Big Brother Moros, you have to study hard too! We promised that we'd go to elementary school together in the future!"
Vill-V waved her little fist and spoke with determination in her eyes.
Their years together had already made her aware of the difference between her family circumstances and Moros's.
Compared to her, an orphanage child, Moros's family was clearly much better off.
Even now, Vill-V still had no idea what Moros's father actually did for a living, but the two bodyguards standing in the distance already said plenty.
If she wanted to reunite with Moros at the same school, the effort and sweat she would need to put in went without saying.
"Mm."
Smiling and nodding, Moros believed in Vill-V's potential and talent. He believed that Vill-V would fulfill the promise they had made.
After returning to the mansion district at the very center of the small city, Moros stepped into that familiar home once more.
Over the past few years, Moros had clearly felt that his father, Mr. Frakt, had been spending less and less time with them.
Although their material comforts had grown ever more abundant, this change still made Moros and his mother, Emma, feel somewhat sad.
However, both Moros and Emma understood that Mr. Frakt's busyness was meant to provide them with better living conditions.
As the head of the household, he bore heavy responsibilities. He needed to struggle out in the world and create a better future for the family.
Moros had once used his young age as an excuse to ask Mr. Frakt about his profession.
Unfortunately, the answer he received was extremely vague: merely the simple description of "merchant," with no further details revealed.
Even so, Moros and Emma both trusted Mr. Frakt.
After all, they could both feel this middle-aged man's love for them.
But today was an exception. When Moros entered the estate, the butler immediately came forward and informed him that Mr. Frakt had returned.
Moros did not find anything strange about it.
Today was the day he graduated from kindergarten. It was easy enough to understand why his father would make time for such an important moment in his life.
"I'm sorry, little Moros, but the plan we discussed earlier needs to change."
The moment they met, Mr. Frakt spoke to Moros with a grave expression.
There was a trace of helplessness in his voice, as though something had slipped beyond his control.
"I've discussed it with Emma. For your future, we've decided to send you to study in Changkong City."
Hearing this news, Moros could not help feeling a wave of disappointment.
He had originally thought that he could attend elementary school with Vill-V and enjoy a wonderful childhood.
But now, such a future seemed impossibly distant.
No matter how great Vill-V's potential was, she could not possibly cross continents to attend school at the age of six or seven.
Changkong City was located in the Far East Isles, separated from the Mu Continent beneath Moros's feet by countless mountains and seas.
Moros understood that once he went to study in Changkong City, he would not be able to see adorable Vill-V again for quite some time.
"I understand."
Moros nodded with some difficulty, taking a deep breath and doing his best to calm the disappointment in his heart.
"I'll study hard, Father."
Moros knew well that his father had his own reasons for this decision. He should not make things difficult for Mr. Frakt over his own little wishes.
"Very good, Moros."
Mr. Frakt looked at him, his eyes full of relief and encouragement.
"Emma and I both believe that you'll be able to take good care of yourself in Changkong City."
Hearing that, Moros could not help feeling confused.
"Wait, Father. Mother isn't coming to Changkong City with me?"
He had assumed that his mother would stay by his side at such an important time.
Mr. Frakt gently shook his head.
"No. Emma will stay here to handle some matters."
Mr. Frakt picked up the teacup on the desk, took a sip, and added,
"But you don't need to worry. If circumstances permit, Emma will visit you often."
Moros fell silent, struck by one piece of bad news after another.
Mr. Frakt stood up and smiled as he patted his child's shoulder, seemingly conveying his trust and encouragement.
"I believe in you, Moros. Don't disappoint me."
Gazing at his parents' faces, Moros simply could not bring himself to say no.
If Moros had been an ordinary young child, then of course he could have thrown a tantrum and had his way. But as a transmigrator, he needed to respect and understand his parents' decision.
"I will. I'll never let you down!"
Moros's words were filled with determination. He understood that this was a promise to his parents, and also a promise to himself.
He could not disappoint his parents, much less himself.
Perhaps sensing Moros's resolve, or perhaps for some other reason, Mr. Frakt immediately laid out his arrangements after expressing his satisfaction.
"Go pack your things now. I've already bought your ticket; it's for a ship leaving tonight. I'll have the butler prepare your luggage and send someone to escort you to the harbor..."
After his father finished explaining the arrangements, Moros asked,
"Father, can I go say goodbye to Vill-V?"
There was a trace of pleading in his voice. He truly wanted to give Vill-V a proper farewell.
After all, once he left, it would be difficult for him to see her again anytime soon.
Mr. Frakt fell silent for a while, seemingly considering something.
But in the end, he rejected Moros's request.
"It's already late. You have a lot to pack, so don't waste time. As for Vill-V, we'll pass the message along for you."
Frakt's Secret
After Moros left the room with the butler, Mr. Frakt seemed to lose all strength in his body and collapsed into the rattan chair in the study.
Emma walked lightly to his side, worry and concern in her eyes.
She reached out and gently massaged Frakt's temples, trying to ease his taut nerves.
"Dear, are you sure your plan is the right one?"
She asked softly, uncertainty in her tone.
Mr. Frakt was silent for a moment, staring blankly ahead.
Then he let out a deep sigh and turned to look at his wife.
"Don't worry. As long as we stay here, they won't go looking for little Moros."
Mr. Frakt took Emma's hand and gazed deeply into her eyes, unable to hide the apology in his own.
"I'm just sorry that I made you stay with me through all this..."
Before Mr. Frakt could finish, Emma raised her other hand and covered his mouth.
"Don't say any more. Since I chose you back then, I won't regret it now."
Gently stroking Mr. Frakt's cheek, Emma continued,
"I just wonder whether our esteemed Godfather can tell me now what exactly has been hidden behind all of this?"
"You already knew?"
The slight tremble in Mr. Frakt's voice revealed the turmoil in his heart.
"Of course. I'm your wife. As long as I paid a little attention and thought about it a little, it wasn't hard to figure out what you really did."
"Then why did you still..."
Remembering all the lies he had told to conceal his identity from his wife, Mr. Frakt fell silent.
"Since you didn't want me to know, I was willing to know nothing."
Emma's voice was full of understanding and tolerance, but that only made Mr. Frakt feel guiltier than ever before.
He took a deep breath and decided to tell Emma everything.
"Emma, actually..."
As Mr. Frakt spoke, Emma came to learn the secret of the man beside her pillow.
After Emma became pregnant, Mr. Frakt weighed the pros and cons and accepted an invitation from the mafia, becoming one of them in order to provide a more stable and superior living environment for their unborn child.
As time passed, he relied on his intelligence and decisive nature to weather a series of thrilling, dangerous events. He gradually made a name for himself in the mafia and eventually rose successfully to the position of Godfather.
However, only after becoming the Godfather did Mr. Frakt discover that the gang he led had already fallen into trouble.
Beset by internal strife and external threats, the gang was gradually declining.
Everyone knew that there was no such thing as leaving the mafia.
To protect the hard-won happiness of his life, Mr. Frakt could only use his talents to desperately save this gang, which seemed doomed.
Unfortunately, Mr. Frakt failed.
Despite his exceptional talents, he was unable to reverse the gang's decline amid countless difficulties, internal strife, and external threats.
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