Night had arrived. You would think the night would be quiet but there were still students running around either practicing, hanging out, or fucking in the toilets.
The magic lamp above his head flickered as he surveyed the academy. It might be nighttime, but the academy looked as bright as during the day, magic lights everywhere the eyes could see.
Just before leaving Melissa's lab, he had a little chat with Rosalyn while Rachel was asleep.
She asked: "Are you planning on giving this flower to researchers for a price?"
The reason he had the Weetle Flower was because of assurance. He wasn't planning on letting anyone take it to clone it and make it publicly available. He doesn't need the money, after all.
He took it from the World Tree Forest for two reasons. The first reason isn't important right now but the second reason is because there's a divine ritual that he wants to conduct once Oriel is out of his body. This is to release all the demonic lifeforce within his body, finally ridding his body of the weakness that made him suffer defeat at the hands of a 14-year-old brat—
Divine power.
It might sound counterproductive to use a divine ritual to get rid of a divine energy weakness but as long as he knows what he's doing, his body won't be disintegrated by the amount of divine energy that the ritual will send into his body. The flower is actually important in the sense that it will increase his body's regenerative capabilities and his vitality. Even if his body suffers some damage, it won't be too much or won't last for too long.
Maybe it won't be as extreme as losing limbs or organs so a Weetle Flower isn't necessary but when it comes to his body, he wants to make sure he can secure it properly.
He's been haunted and used by the Failed King for far too long.
Well, it hadn't even been a year since his fight with Lancelot but it felt considerably longer thinking every minute how a being stronger than Arsnoria was on the loose.
..
Arnold wasn't waiting for someone. He was mentally preparing for his encounter tonight with Elizabeth. Though he decided it was best to listen to any demands she had, actually going through with them is taxing on his mental health just a little.
It was times like these, he would smoke a cigarette like during high school and college back on earth but after trying it here, he was disgusted by the taste and smell so he never tried it again.
It seems that, despite inheriting the earthling's soul, memories and some traits to create a new identity, some things just won't carry over.
He heard footsteps coming from the right. They sounded weak and unsteady, like an injured animal.
"…You should've stayed at the lab until medical staff from the school gave the okay for you to walk around again." He told Rachel when she stopped in front of him.
"I… I wanted to…"
"Stop. I don't need thanks. I did what anyone in the Student Disciplinary Committee would've done."
"That's not it…"
"?"
He looked up at her, noticing the serious expression on her face.
"…After tonight, my reputation will go downhill and… and I may get expelled… The life waiting for me won't be the wife of some rich politician or noble's son, but of a disgraced maid of my cousin's family… At least until my sister holds up her promise to give both of us a better life… Before my life changes… I wanted to express… what I feel. Even if I get laughed at, ridiculed and rejected, I still want to go through with it…"
He waited for her to continue.
She looked him straight in the eyes.
"I… I like you…"
"…"
She didn't break eye contact.
Honestly, that isn't a surprise to him.
Rachel had been very open about how she felt about him. Whenever they got classes together, she would sit either next to him or behind him and always strike up conversation. Grace is rarely part of these conversations but she was always nearby, maybe acting as "support" for her friend.
But like many girls, he assumed she acted this way because he's from a prestigious family and his father is a Great Noble. Even if Rachel's family was one of the wealthiest merchant households, there is always a good reason to ally oneself with a ducal household, especially the Berkleys.
Many of them were gold digging whores in his eyes. Some were decent girls but their parents manipulated them into trying to win his heart over and trap him in responsibility cycle he will never escape since the law is on their side—child support.
Sadly, it worked for several girls who managed to convince him and his family that they had his children. The courts that approved of it probably got bribed as well. Why else would the whores' parents demand thousands of gold every month.
The Arnold before the soul assimilation thought more with his dick and money than anything else. Or maybe he just didn't give a fuck about their motivations? After all, he just threw money at them, giving them what they want and brushing it under the rug.
Since his eyes were now opened, he will make sure they pay for this fraud they cooked up to milk his family dry. For now, he's waiting to hear back from Celeste to hear about his son.
The two maintained eye contact. Each second passing by felt like an eternity in his mind as his thoughts raced.
Is Rachel trying to do the same thing? Trap him?
Thinking about her, she's been by Grace's side since the two were children. Grace didn't just make friends with Rachel one day since the two grew up together. Well, to Arnold and everyone else at the time it looked more like she was that snake's attendant.
But the two grew closer and became friends. Grace can call Rachel a pawn and tool all she wants, he knows she cares for her friend and doesn't see money every time she looks at her.
She wasn't being cold right now. She wanted Rachel to figure things out and mature—that's what a good friend does, even if her friend crosses the line and is in danger.
She's just hoping Rachel grows up.
Arnold could see that growth a little since, unlike during all their previous interactions, she was being honest and straightforward—a first for him.
But could she be thinking of her future as the member of the Rynald House? Using his immense wealth and political influence—granted to him by his crystals that are going to appear on the market soon—Arnold is going to buy out her family and take over their lands and city. A smart woman would try to use her charms to get in his bed and become more powerful than even her father, and when Arnold isn't around, she would be the most powerful figure in the land.
But knowing Rachel and how easy she is to read, Arnold shut that suspicion down.
She is… the splitting image of Melina, after all. Innocence corrupted and betrayed by the worst of human nature.
However, how could one ever fall in love with a tyrant and criminal?
Arnold's voice cut through the silence.
"…When did you start liking me?"
Her fingers started twisting at her dress. Her lips quivered, but she forced herself to meet his gaze.
"Hehe… It was years ago. You probably don't even remember." She scratched her cheek with a small smile.
"I have a good memory so try me."
"Six years ago…Grace and I were twelve. Her father had taken us to the capital for a festival. There was… an attack. Someone who wanted to ransom the two of us pulled a knife on us in the alley when we got separated from the guards. We were full of adventure and curiosity that we ignored her father's warning to never leave his side. We were taken through the streets, screaming for our parents while no one was there to help us. The streets were so empty because of the festival. The assailant could march through the streets without a care because even the city guards had their hands full at the festival. We arrived on a corner where… you and another girl sat enjoying cake with a Lumourge bag next to you. I yelled for you two to run, get help. Get my Papa, Grace's father and the city guards."
"…The assailant thought he could take me as well." He added, "I was just a kid, after all."
A kid, but a Transcendent with growth that surpassed anyone else in history.
Arnold remembered that day. He was sitting outside a Lumourge café with Elizabeth after coming back from the palace. The two would visit every café in Toril city and buy every cake on the menu—only from his pushing of course since he wanted Elizabeth to taste what luxury nobility gives you.
Strange, that person felt so different.
After a moment of silence and looking at each other, Rachel continued.
"That man threw Grace and me aside. We couldn't escape because we were bound. I knew you were the only one fast enough to get help. Even if the capital is so big, the gates would close and the guards would look through every building in the city to find two nobles' daughters. But… you didn't run. You told the girl behind you to close her eyes. Then, you pointed your spoon at the man, which you covered in a small amount of energy." As if it was a precious memory, a small smile tugged at her lips, "Then you said you would save us."
Ah, the day he used Sword Intent for the first time. It could turn a spoon into a dagger but since it's so small, vitals would need to be targeted.
Arnold saw that man as a guinea pig.
"I thought you were such an idiot for trying to be a hero. The assailant laughed it off and pulled out his own weapon, seeing you as an equal. But I remembered your eyes when you looked at that short sword in his hand—you weren't afraid. Anything but, it was determination. And seeing that, I cheered you on. I wanted you to win. Up until that day, I only looked at you from afar because I never had interest in boys but… seeing you risk your own life for us, I wanted to get to know you better. I was still so scared because you were still in training and your master never gave you a weapon—meaning that you were not ready for combat."
Her smile vanished as she closed her eyes.
"One second you stood between us and him, like it was the most natural thing in the world. Then the next, he was flailing on the ground grabbing as his neck as blood spurted."
Arnold said nothing.
Rachel's eyes glistened, and she didn't look away.
"That was the moment I knew you were dangerous, and maybe cruel… but I also knew you had the strength to protect people. Even if you never meant to be anyone's hero… you were mine and Grace's, that day. That's the Arnold I fell in love with. Not the one who wants to burn the world, or chase after the Hero's blood. The boy who saved us when no one else could."
A wry smile appeared on her face, "I'm so… weird, aren't I? Even though you are the most wanted man, these feelings are still eating away at me. But… that's fine… because I can never stand beside you…"
Arnold stood up and approached her. She looked up at him, her eyes glistening in the magic lamp's light.
"Six years… People can change a lot in that amount of time, children especially. I grew up watching plays about the hero slaying the dragon and saving the princess. The servants read stories of heroic figures saving people indiscriminately. And like any child, these stories grew on me. I thought that's what I was supposed to become to be loved by everyone. Younger me though maybe the girls will like a man more if he's heroic and I'll have my own palace harem full of women who love my heroism and strength." He didn't break away and continued calmly, "But maybe I got scared of the responsibilities that comes with trying to act like a hero so I stopped seeing my future self becoming one and just let my own fate and the world itself decide it for me."
Maybe he was just a sponge in his younger years—anything rubbed off on him if he's exposed to it enough. Which could be why he was such a tyrant of a child. It happens to every child out there.
Just like how the stories of heroes influenced him, certain character archetypes influenced him as well. This isn't uncommon for youth—whether that's on earth or in another world. They consume any form of entertainment and begin to see themselves as the characters within the specific media they've consumed.
Maybe young Arnold was like that. He certainly didn't become that way because of his father or other family members who were nothing but kind to him (except for Judith, that is).
Both hands on Rachel's shoulders, he said in a quiet voice:
"…The boy that you fell for is dead."
She nodded slowly.
"And the man standing in front of you can never make you happy."
He then turned and began to walk away.
She had clearly expected that answer but the moment he turned and left, he faintly heard her whimpering.
It's not that he wanted something out of a relationship before accepting a confession. Even he can love. He loves Victoria and wants to make it work with Siana and even Rafaela once Ragnarok is avoided.
The reason he rejected her is simple—she deserves happiness and a good ending, like Melina, both girls who were just ignorant and were taken advantage of by the worst humans.
Will his decision change in the future? Maybe, once he doesn't have every nation aiming for his head and a demon more powerful than Arsnoria looking to take over his body.
But as mentioned before, "love and admiration are feeble and fleeting". These can change, unlike hatred.
If Rachel wants to prove him wrong in the future, he's looking forward to it.
Maybe he will be able to give her the happiness she deserves if that love of hers, that had been strong for almost a decade, holds on a little longer.