————50 years later—————
After I had obtained Alchemy, my progress stagnated severely.
I had used my unique skills to their full potential and no indication of evolution.
I had decided that what I needed to do was finally leave, I couldn't stay here anymore.
Velzard's doting attitude had made me complacent.
My progress fully stopped 20 years ago when I had already learnt how to use every element, except for time and holy magic, even the former one stumps me a little and the latter seems to be something I lack a sort of affinity for. That does not mean I haven't used temporal magic, in fact I applied it to some of my machines.
My farms are completely automated with a ridiculous amount of factorial type shit. I had several dolls that had inputed artificial consciousness, basically a living being without a soul, the harvest is stored in boxes that bend the flow of time, boxes for wine speed up time so the wine is aged centuries in a couple of weeks. Everything else was stored in boxes that slow down time to preserve them and prevent spoiling.
On occasion, the wine is transported to the frost palace through spatial gates.
The fields themselves have automatically adjustable environments.
Velzard has stopped any pretense of personal space, although our relationship hasn't developed further, Velzard has lost all need to stay away from me. She's even stopped staying in her child form, I guess I replaced Guy's position in her heart.
My training had stopped as I had perfected use of both my physical and spiritual body, to the point my mind basically acts like an ai. Who needs Raphael when you can just be Raphael.
But alas, all good things must came to an end.
——————————————
"What did you want from me today o'lovely prince." Guy teased again about the title.
"I'm leaving the continent permanently."
"…"
Guy looked at me with a smile, "mhm, I was expecting this, have I failed as your teacher now."
"No, you've been an excellent teacher, it's just… I think that I've reached the current best I can be in this place. I think what I have to do is try and get more outside experience."
"Well said, I had noticed your growth stagnating and was worried you would stay here forever."
"Please, I know if that happened, you would eventually kick me out."
Guy inquired further, "So what are your plans?"
"Probably try and find the Labyrinth, contract with a spirit, and if I'm lucky, convince Ramiris to allow me the heroes egg."
" You're quite ambitious, seems like that part of you hasn't changed."
"We both know that it's impossible for me not to be ambitious… Guy can I say something sentimental without judgement, laughter or making fun of me of any kind?"
" No promises, what did you want to say?"
" I just wanted to say that I am incredibly grateful for you taking me in… and although I might have just been a stray in your eyes…
You've made me feel like family and made this place feel like home."
Guy's smile didn't change in the slightest which I will admit disappointed me a little. I got up to walk out.
" Wait." Guy's words stopped me in my tracks, he got up and started walking towards me.
Guy pulled me into a hug that left me speechless, 'Elysia really did a number on him.'
" If you ever feel lost, if you ever feel tired of your travels, just remember, you will always have a home here."
It felt incredible to think that this is the oldest demon in existence.
I walked out the palace as fast as possible, mainly because I wanted to hide my manly tears of joy.
I looked down into the frozen ground, looking at my reflection, 'Jeez, I can't even remember who I was.' Even my clothes changed, currently I was wearing a black shirt, white jacket, white trousers, a black belt and a metal chain.
(A/N: basically imagine Anos Voldigoad's school uniform.)
Suddenly an unhappy voice came from behind, "Gonna leave without saying goodbye?"
I turned around to a very downcast Velzard, "uh, Zarry I…"
"Don't, I know why, I'm just upset you tried to hide away from me."
"Zarry, you know that the chances of you preventing me to leave was very high."
"Still, was it necessary to avoid me like a kid."
"I'm sorry, but I can't stay here any longer, I've become too complacent. And no offense but it's kinda your fault."
Velzard smiled brightly, "So if I coddle you more, then you won't leave?"
"Take this seriously, I have to get stronger, I have to survive and to do that I have to go out and move… ok I guess my logic doesn't exactly makes sense but…I don't want to stay in one place, I want to explore the world." I spoke excitedly while turning around.
" Can you understa-" I felt arms wrap around me from behind, " Will you visit me often?"
I smiled at her inquiry, "Did you assume I was leaving for good."
Velzard let go and looked confused, " Was that not your plan?"
" You dumbass, I live here. Why would I just abandon my home and more importantly, my family." I took Velzard's hand in mine and kissed it gently, than I put my hand on the unhealable frost bite on my shoulder and spoke in a sarcastic tone, " After all, you did mark me as your own possession, didn't you."
Velzard gave a quick peck on the lips and offered a gentle smile, "Make sure you come back home every once in a while."
I turned around, walked into the blinding blizzard and teleported away.
I kept on moving through space until I felt unfamiliar land, " Well, it seems I have finally come to human land."
I looked back to the direction out to sea, " Next time I come back Zarry, maybe I'll have a few stories to tell you."