The scenery outside of the window kept shifting as the car continued to move through the streets of Ashton city.
There was an unusual silence inside the car as it passed each street.
"Are you okay?"
The silence was only broken by Amanda's voice, which contained hints of worry.
"...If you're worried about my safety, you shouldn't be. I'm about to reach rank soon. I can hold my ow—"
"That's not it."
I cut her off before she could continue speaking.
I then turned my attention in her direction.
"Your safety isn't what is bothering me. I already know just how strong you are. There's no need for me to protect you."
Amanda was one of the last people that needed my protection.
With a big guild backing her up, and her father, who was now rank helping her, she was safer than anyone else I knew.
Not only that, but her strength wasn't anything to scoff at. Even I would have trouble fighting against her if she started attacking me from a long distance.
She was the worst opponent for me.
"Then what are you worried about?"
"My strength."
I truthfully replied. Lowering my head to gaze at my hands, I quietly whispered.
"...I need more strength."
I was strong, yet so weak at the same time.
If only I could become stronger, faster...
Sadly, time wasn't on my side. With only two years left, I didn't see much hope in the dark tunnel that I was walking in.
Nonetheless, I still continued to walk. I had no choice but to.
"..."
Amanda didn't say anything after overhearing my words.
Her gaze was on me, but she didn't say anything. It seemed as though she understood my sentiments.
The last thing I heard from her throughout the ride back home was her soft whisper.
"Me too..."
***
Union tower, executive floor.
that stretched from one end
seemed like hours until he raised his head
"...What am I missing?"
low, monotonous voice echoed
that time, Octavious watched as more
also breaking through their previous talent limits, Octavious knew that this was the
was in a state
Octavious was a patient man, and in a normal situation, he wouldn't have given a damn about how long it took for
situation was different
"I can't feel it."
close to reaching the next level. Octavious
only meant one thing. He was still far from
I give up
at the azure blue sky. Traces of
he turned around to face his
eyes paused on a certain frame. On the frame
post-it notes in his handwriting. One
children. Even if you lose your emotions, you should try
the head when she cries. It should appease her, if
her milk when
that candy makes children happy. Try giving them to
sure to show her some affection even if you can't feel anything for her. It's the least you can do for giving
up to
though he couldn't understand them, he felt like they were important. He just didn't know
"Soul...Soul...Soul..."
a large brown leather book from one
had an inkling that the reason why he couldn't break
***
The next day.
"Are you guys ready?"
in front of a large expanse of grass. Beside me
and fluctuated in
to open the portal that
accompany you guys, but that shouldn't be a problem. When you people are finished,
"That will do."
nodded my head in
meeting time was supposed to be in seven human
Kevin would teleport to us and he would set up
couldn't come was because his presence would definitely arouse Jezebeth's interest and in turn, raise the possibility of him
"Are you ready?"
Kevin called out.
the others behind me, I
"Yes, we're ready."
"Okay."
color grew quickly this time, unlike the previous times he attempted to open the portals, before gently creating a net to enclose a white ball that formed in
my lesson from last
Kevin started to speak.
up the portal, I have found a way to use my mana alone instead
sentence and looked at
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