Present Day

Nouma: Well Super old man, I have now done everything you asked me to do without hesitation. This sure took a while! Bet you never thought I would come this far.

A smile appears on Oji's face, "Indeed! I am pleasantly surprised that you kept following my directions for 14 years. No matter how tedious it was, you kept chasing me after me like a loyal pet!"

Nouma starts laughing hysterically, "Haha! Hahaha! Very funny. I can't stop laughing."

"Initially, my guess was that you would give up in 5 years."

Oji glares at Nouma as he continues, "Since you have made it this far, I think it is time for your Final Test."

Nouma replies Oji with astonishing confidence, "No test can top the struggles that I have endured in the past 14 years. Bring it on!"

Both of them head towards an empty field near their hut. There is a river nearby that is crystal clear. The river is the main source of drinking water in GeMEMEba.

Oji speaks as he holds his index finger up, "Simple rule - Use of Fento is prohibited. Having said that, let's get started!"

1 km dash:
Completed in 1 minute.
High jump:
441 cm high off the ground.
1 km swim upstream:
1 minute and 20 seconds.
Hold your breath as long as you can:
4 minutes and 2 seconds.

"I see. Just as I expected, you are a completely different person compared to that weakling you were 14 years ago!"

Oji continues with wide open eyes and raised eyebrows, "Your fastest running speed is 60 km/hr and swimming speed while going upstream is 45 km/hr. This is without using 'Fento' at all! Impressive! It's not perfect by any means, you still have a lot of room to grow. But it is pretty decent for a novice. Just a tip: When you have to run for longer distances, I suggest you do not push yourself to the extremes. Stamina is a very integral part of consistency."

"Haven't you said that to me more than a hundred times already?" questions Nouma.

Oji replies, "That is because it's that important. These are things that you should never forget, hence I keep repeating them. The same goes for using 'Fento'. Don't use it until it is absolutely necessary."

"I know. You've said that ever since the day you started teaching me Fento. By the way, I passed right?"

Oji proudly replies, "I am honoured to say yes. Your dad rejected my offer to train him. You, accepting to train under me was my biggest victory in life. Look at yourself, you've grown up hastily!"

This was the moment Nouma was waiting for! Ever since Nouma was a little boy, Oji had never complimented him or applauded his efforts. It was just the same comment - "Do better next time." every single time, every single day. Oji was overwhelmed by somebody after many years.

"So, now you have no reason to stop me from heading out, right?"

Oji replies in a low tone, "I hate to admit that you are correct. However, you will still need my help regarding which group to visit first and how to travel. I haven't been out of 'GeMEMEba' for 15 years now, so things must have changed quite a bit outside."

"I don't know the location of the other Groups and I need to start somewhere, so I guess a headstart would be very helpful. You can actually be useful for once!"

He still pisses me off at least once daily. When is this going to stop? Calm down, Oji. Don't let it get to you.

"Okay, enough for today. Get all of your stuff ready, I've already told you what you need to carry. Have a sound sleep and leave at sunrise tomorrow, like you always dreamed."

Nouma happily replies, "Yoohoo! Can't wait for tomorrow to come by! It's finally happening."

The next day, Oji wakes up before Nouma. He is drawing something on a piece of paper.

Nouma wakes up at his usual time and approaches Oji, "What is this?"

"Don't you need directions of the 4 groups I know about? I am making a map from my memory. If the location of the groups has not changed, this map is completely accurate."

"Give me a break! How can you remember all of this yet forget what you ate for dinner yesterday? I am often amazed by your ability. You are so stupid sometimes and completely mindblowing otherwise. I am truly honoured that you taught me."

Oji is delighted to see Nouma acknowledge him but as usual, he doesn't express his emotions. He replies with a straight face, "Cut out the sweet talk kid. But I can't deny that it was a pleasure having you as my disciple for these 14 years."

Pleasure for you old man! I had to do all the hard work while you had fun bossing me around. Always laughing when I broke any of my bones, cheering up your Obunga whenever he knocked me out. You didn't even massage me once in these 14 years.

A smile appears on Nouma's face.

But you were always there for me.

Oji questions, "What are you smiling about?"

"Why should I tell you? That's none of your business. Let me get ready to leave."

Oji places his right hand on Nouma's shoulder, who has surpassed Oji's height, "Always remember the the first goal that you are trying to achieve - the 'Explorer Badge'. Until 15 years ago, people from every group were allowed to attempt the 'Explorer Exam'. I would suggest going to Group 15 - 'Eclipso' first. It has a port and people who work near the port know whether people from our Group are allowed to give the Explorer Exam. Things will most likely be the same and you can board a ship to 'NorkYew'. If that is not the case, go to Group 12 - 'Dorom' next. People there have continuous contact with Group 7 - 'Ceprad City'. Some of the people in 'Dorom' know about the current status of Groups 2 and 7 so you'll get valuable information. You will have to decide your course from there on by yourself. You're capable of doing that. I can't just tell you everything! Just don-"

"I know. Just don't panic. Everything will work out fine. Just keep your cool and find a way to deal with the situation at hand. You've said it many times, I even know it by heart!"

Nota comes outside with Nouma's backpack in her hand, "You really are leaving, aren't you? Just yesterday, you were a small boy wandering in the fields and look at yourself now, all grown up."

Nota starts tearing up as she hugs Nouma, "You don't have to go away from me. We can live together. I'll cook you food everyday. I'll twist your ear everyday. Don't leave me behind like this. Nothing will be the same without you."

Nouma opens his mouth, but he can't speak, his eyes are watery. He tries to speak again, "I'll miss you, mom. But I won't be able to achieve my dream if I don't go. I'm not going forever. I'll return as soon as I get the Explorer Badge and then you're going to be a proud mom!"

"The world is an unfamiliar entity yet our daily activities are familiar. There is a limit to our abilities but our imagination is limitless. Not winning and losing are not the same. You lose only when you don't possess the will to fight anymore. So don't give up!"

"Your pep talks never end, do they? I'll be leaving now. But I will hopefully return in about a year, as a completely different and stronger person. Do wait for me! Take care of your health mom. Don't let this old man get the better of you. Keep him in check and take care of him as well. I don't want him in a dreadful state until I come back!

Nota replies, "Sure. Just don't push yourself too hard and be safe."

Nota wipes the tears that are constantly flowing from her eyes, "Don't forget us. If anything happens, remember that we are always there for you."

"I'll remind you again, don't use Fento until extremely necessary. If others discover your true strength, they might want to take advantage. Be careful regarding to whom you reveal your secrets. The world is a cruel place. It is nothing like what you have seen so far. Be safe and alert. No matter what the situation is, DON'T LOSE."

Why does my heart feel so heavy? The source of most of my problems is finally leaving, yet I don't want him to leave. Not gonna lie, it will be weird to not have you around, Nouma. I might really end up missing you after all these years that we have spent together. It's almost as if I don't want you to leave. I hope I can see you one more time, Nouma.

Nouma has begun his journey. He is carrying the directions given by Oji and certain emergency medicinal herbs in a backpack. The path Nouma is travelling through is a forest, with fruit trees everywhere. Hence, food is not an issue. He did not carry any food with him.

Nouma is following Oji's directions by moving towards Group 'Eclipso'. He is extremely confident but feels empty inside. This is the first time that he is all by himself. 

"It hasn't even been a day and I already miss both of them. For some reason, I miss Grandpa more than mom. Was it right to leave them just to fulfill my dream? No, my decision was correct. I need to become an Explorer, that's the only thing I need to focus on right now."

In order to conserve stamina, he is walking instead of running at his extraordinary speed. At this rate he will reach his destination in about 5 days, considering that he sleeps 8 hours daily and walks for about 12 hours daily.

Most creatures show up at night. The creatures found near 'GeMEMEba' cannot climb trees. Nouma knows this since he has been spending nights in the forest for a year as a part of his training. There are no houses in the unpopulated regions, so the only option for Nouma is to sleep on trees. 

2 days have passed since Nouma left. Nouma has been consistent with his walking pace. Whenever he sleeps, he uses 'Pattern Breathing' to be immediately notified when there is a living being within 250m of his vicinity. He follows the revised training schedule provided by Oji.

The sun has set and the forest is illuminated by the full moon. He climbs up a tree as usual, he suddenly notices two living beings consecutively entering his vicinity in the interval of 5 seconds. He rushes to the place where the air pattern changed. Upon looking closely, he sees that a person is being chased by a 'Chungus'. Nouma has never encountered a Chungus before!

TO BE CONTINUED

NOTEARTH VOCABULARY #3

EXPLORER BADGE: It is made of the same material as the Group badges. Anyone from group 1 to 11 found in the unpopulated regions without the Explorer Badge is considered to be a traitor of numanity. However, they can travel from one group to another by hiring a Navigator and getting approval from the Group Council.

CHUNGUS: A wild creature with extremely hard skin. It's skin is on of the raw materials used to make badges.

WHAT WE KNOW SO FAR #1

Group 15 - Eclipso.
Group 14 - geMEMEba.
Group 12 - Dorom.
Group 7 - Ceprad City.
Group 2 - NorkYew.

FUN FACTS #2

In his prime, Oji had a PATTERN BREATHING range of radius 400m.