Zeeta and the Wizarding World
New Life

The blue sky stretched wide. The clouds danced with the wind, bringing coolness and peace to creatures on land. The birds don't want to lose. Like being freed from a prison commonly called a cage, they fly very brightly. Meanwhile, the birds in the shade of trees, his whistles echoed together to greet the day with a melodious chirp.

The long river without a loud roar of tears, adds peace to a village called Lazuli. This morning the villagers were fishing, accompanied by women who were picking their crops across the river. The result of the plantation is an apple, a pink orange-shaped fruit called renjie, which is rich in water and very sweet, as well as various types of vegetables.

Of the group that fished, there was one man who fished in an unusual way. While his comrades had to wear fishing rods, the man was wearing bare hands.

Nope, no.

He did not take the fish with his bare hands, but by removing something like red flakes from his palms.

This flake is called mana. With his imagination, the man pulled out the fish due to the magic created from his mana without the need to wait for the fish to be lured. This makes the fish catch more than his friends.

Mana is a much needed power when a human wants to cast magic. Each individual has mana, but their capacity varies. Without mana, the existence of magic will be lost.

“Hei, Arthur! Even if you have more mana than us, leave the fish for us!” exclaimed a red-haired and black-eyed man who did not accept saw the catch less than the man named Arthur.

Arthur smiled. “Hey, hey, just relax, Recko! I'm done, really. Besides, I also have to open my shop immediately."

He again used his magic to lift the entire catch. If without the help of his magic, those fish would have weighed nearly ten kilograms.

Arthur has long blackish-brown straight hair. He tied his hair back like a ponytail. His nose looked like he wanted to part from his face. Thin beards decorate his face starting from the edge of the ear, his eyes are orange yellow.

Arthur is a famous man in the village of Lazuli. Not only among women because of his high stature, quite muscular, and handsome face, Arthur is also famous among men because of his ability in work. There was almost nothing he could not do with his magic. In addition, Arthur was the only person in the village of Lazuli who had a large mana, so he was among the rare people among the commoners.

As he was about to get up from the side of the river, he saw something from the left corner of his view—a picnic basket drifting away.

Of course, this caused Arthur's curiosity. He again imagined that the magic that brought all these fish, arrived safely at his residence. Then he immediately rushed to the basket.

The closer he got to the basket, the more he realized that the basket he was supposed to have for the picnic contained creatures that were not supposed to be there. He immediately lifted his basket from the river, then checked if the creature was okay.

“Who, anyway, in an age like this that still washed away babies .. have the heart,” he said grumbling. He did not know what he had just found.

A baby looks warm because it is covered with diapers in layers from behind to above his body. In addition to diapers, it is also warmed by a blanket. On top of his blanket was a purple earring that was still too big to wear. The pattern of the full moon engraved on the earrings surprised Arthur. In addition to the earrings, there was a piece of paper next to it.

Putting aside the pattern of earrings that he knew, he immediately told the people around him. How shocked the people there were after hearing Arthur. They approach Arthur to see him in person. Like he said, there was a baby in the basket. They also looked shocked when they saw the earrings patterned with the full moon.

“Hey, he's this..” said someone from the crowd.

“The earring problem was put aside first. Someone please read the contents of the letter, my hands are busy to carry this basket,” pinta Arthur.

Recko who was nearby also helped him. When it had opened, Recko immediately read out what was written there.

..."Whoever found this baby, I'm sure you're all surprised or maybe mad at me. However, there is a strong reason why I did this to my own flesh and blood. I, Alicia, the mother of this baby named Zeeta, was forced to wash away my daughter...

Hearing this, everyone who was there was shocked. “Alicia? Isn't he...,” murmured people. They seem to know who the woman named Alicia is.

“Forward,” pinta Arthur with serious face.

...“As you know, our family's whereabouts are in a complicated state right now. When I wrote this letter, we didn't have much time. For that, please keep the identity of my son a secret, until my son is eight years old and when the full moon arrives for the first time that year. There's an obligation that my son has to settle and you know what it is. Please, take good care of my son. He's the only hope.......

"Message ends," recko closed while folding the paper held to the initial shape again.

Everyone there was silent. The look on their faces seemed to give empathy to this beautiful baby.

Arthur made a decision. “Let's tell the Village Chief."

Those who were there agreed and rushed over to the Village Chief's house.

......................

Arthur was sitting next to two neighbors who were married on a brown sofa. The two are Recko and Grilda.

Grilda had long blonde hair along her back and green-eyed jewels. This couple represented the previous group of people to discuss with the Village Chief about this baby named Zeeta.

A silent atmosphere swept over them as the Village Chief read the letter that was washed away with the basket. Like the man over half a century in general, the Village Chief had some white hair around his forehead and ears.

Accompanied by a radio voice that had been slightly sounded in the upper right corner of the table, the Village Chief was also shocked when he read the name of Zeeta's mother. He glanced a little at the baby. “If he does have those earrings.show me,” he said asking.

Arthur who was busy carrying the baby girl was represented by Grilda. He took the earrings from the basket carried by Recko. “It...” Grilda showed me her earrings.

“Paste the earring into his ear, if it shines, then he is our hope."

Grilda immediately followed the direction of the Village Chief. Moments after it was affixed, the pattern of the full moon shone blue. Unaware of the situation in the room, Zeeta begins to act like a normal baby by showing her a smile and the movements of her hands and feet. It was like reacting to her earrings.

The Village Chief closed his eyes, then decided, “If only adding a baby, it won't be a problem, will it? Arthur, can you take care of this baby?”

“Hah? Me?” Arthur furrowed his brows.

“Yes, of course you. You are the only person in the village who has a large mana. If aware

small he has been cared for by people like you, then when he grows up later, he will have no trouble in using his mana.”

“Yah... about that you were right, Village Chief! But I've never taken care of a child, even married just yet!” Arthur insisted on refusing it.

“After all, if the problem is where, Recko and Grilda can take care of him while I'm his teacher. Yes, ‘kan?” arthur asked for support.

Recko who looked at Zeeta's behavior that couldn't stand still since her earrings shone said, “Arthur has a point, Village Chief."

Upon hearing this, Arthur gives Zeeta to Grilda. However, it was only after being carried by her that Zeeta started crying.

“Cup cup ... calm, dear ... rest easy ...” like an experienced mother, Grilda tried to calm Zeeta by swinging her sling to the right and left, but her efforts were fruitless. Then, Grilda returned Zeeta to Arthur and she immediately calmed down with a smile that was so sweet.

“Haah... I do not believe in being a parent before marriage.. Then, please help, experienced parents...” With a heavy heart, Arthur inevitably adopts Zeeta.

“Leave it to us!” reply Recko gave her left thumb as well as a five-finger smile.

“If you're in trouble, there'll be us helping. You see all the people in the village are family, fufufu.” Grilda giggled, thinking her days would be more and more amused.

“Yes, since she is the only hope, we should really take care of her.” The village chief ended the conversation.

......................

Five years have passed since the day Arthur adopted Zeeta. Zeeta has grown beautiful with hair already along the nape. At that time, the color of his hair was not clear, but now, the color of violet was clearly displayed. With part of her hair tied one to the side using a red ball-shaped pinch, it added a cute impression to her. The purple earrings that he had previously worn were too large, having adorned his left ear. One thing is different, the pattern in the earrings that were previously full moon, now turned into a crescent moon. No doubt, those earrings are special earrings.

He currently wears a slightly oversized hoodie bear pajama for him. The pajamas are predominantly white with a brown pattern on the sides of the arms, hoodie, pouch, and pants.

From his seat at the customer's table, Zeeta takes seriously the figure of his father who is cooking. Without going through the slightest steps, his blue eyes sparkled when his father was just busy moving his hands and fingers there and here to prepare ingredients while cooking, and prepare dishes simultaneously. Accompanied by the crimson flakes coming out of her hands, Zeeta was more and more fixated on looking at her.

“Daddy is so cool...,” muttered Zeeta who was stunned.

The shop has an open kitchen design. What is cooked and made by the chef can be seen directly by the customer. This store is not luxurious, but arguably elegant, because this store has unique trinkets such as small lanterns installed in every corner of the ceiling of the room.

The lanterns themselves are pale black, the lanterns are still left to light even though they are not dark with a small blue flame. But if the night has been welcomed, the fire will be raised. With its location in the village, although this is a tavern, this place is home to Arthur. Even so, he sleeps and does other daily activities with Zeeta on the second floor.

“Zeeta, are you thirsty?” ask her father who made Zeeta a little jolt because he was too focused.

“U-uhm-fr. Little...,” reply Zeeta.

“Do you want chocolate? Or would you prefer juice?” ask Arthur to be sure.

“Ehm …." Zeeta's worried. "I choose chocolate!” after steadying what he wanted, Zeeta answered him excitedly while raising her right hand. When he lifted her up, the hoodie from his pajamas covered his face.

“Alright ... hold the glass tightly yes!” Arthur left a little stir-fry in his vase and flicked his fingers. After that, a special children's glass and a bottle of chocolate from the refrigerator lifted from its place towards the table where Zeeta was.

When the glass reached the small hands of Zeeta through the same shard from her father, Zeeta held the glass tightly as her father said. Soon, a bottle of chocolate, which is the processed product of the village, was set out in the same way. Glad to see how the magic works that he thinks is great, he immediately drank his chocolate until it runs out.

"Wah!" the voice heard from Zeeta showed how satisfied she was with the rest of the chocolate around her lips.

Witnessing the whole wholesome incident, Arthur's customers smiled warmly with Zeeta's innocence and how cute her behavior was.

“Haahh... In addition to your delicious cuisine, I want to come here more and more if I can continue to see your daily life with Zeeta like this ..” A man carrying a basket for gardening has not been able to remove his smile for Zeeta. The place he was sitting was currently right in front of Arthur who was cooking.

“As long as you know, I don't intend to show my own daughter to promote my shop, I just have no other choice but to bring her here so that you can keep an eye on her!” sahut Arthur who then serves the man a meal.

The man welcomed his food. “Oh, thank you!

"I know, everyone at Lazuli knows that too, take it easy!” the man immediately ate his meal. “Uuuhh... so delicious!"

“Hei, Arthur! I've added the beer!” Recko, who was also Arthur's customer, had to yell to order because he was at a table near the entrance.

Zeeta turns her head to Recko. “Why does Uncle add his beer? It's still morning! Dad says that if someone drinks too much, it's not good for the body!” he puffed his cheeks a sign of pouting.

“Ahahaha.. alright. What if juice, can I?” asked Recko with a wry smile.

“Uhm! Of course!” her smile returned naturally.

“As you have heard, this time I will reduce my habits,” said Recko.

“Hahaha, even Recko the Hunter lost to Zeeta, yes!” exchange someone commented which then became the laughter of the entire store.

Arthur felt the pull on his apron from below. He looked and found Zeeta. “What's up?” tanyakanya.

“I want to help!” reply Zeeta with a twinkle in her pretty blue eyes.

“It's okay, Dad can do it alone. After all Dad will use magic, so it's not too much of a hassle." Arthur's reply, which was accompanied by a smile, actually got a frown from Zeeta.

“I want to help!” he wiggled back his apron.

Seeing his persistence, Arthur sighed. He surrendered. “Alright, can you take this to Uncle Recko's desk?” Arthur prepared a full glass of guava juice on a tray.

“Good!”

“Then, hold the tray tightly and take it slowly. Okay?” Arthur handed his tramp to Zeeta while crouched down.

“OK. Leave it to me!” Zeeta takes the tray step by step to get to the destination. When he arrived, Recko picked up his glass and thanked Zeeta.

“Sama-sama. After this, his hunting spirit huh, Uncle Recko!” Zetas once again showed her smile.

A red hue appeared slightly on Recko's cheeks. “Y-yes, of course! I'm the Hunter, Recko!” he was fascinated by Zeeta's smile. He felt energized and empowered by that smile.

“Recko?!” arthur's cynical gaze was felt by Recko's hair.

“A-what can I do, right?! Don't be suddenly angry!” recko who then became laughter back in the store. Zeeta could only laugh with them.

......................

Arthur, who had previously refused to take care of Zeeta, had become a reliable father figure. For the sake of caring for Zeeta, he did not mind even having to lack sleep so as to cause blackness around his eyes. His regional name has also been changed to "A n’ Z", although impressed unattractive, he decided to change it for his love for Zeeta.

His daily life, which was previously just a bachelor who opened a shop and gathered materials, had turned into a busier figure. Buy the equipment needed by children such as fairy tale books, cutlery, clothes, eating and drinking, and collect suggestions such as what he should do as a single parent. Not to forget also he set aside time to train Zeeta in using magic.

Arthur thinks that his new life is not so bad even though at first he had enough difficulties. He vows to continue caring for and loving her as a father until the time that Zeeta's biological mother has delayed has arrived.