"Is something wrong?"
"…No… I'm sorry."
Faced with the question, Elara could only respond with embarrassment, at which point Erik took a step to leave the shelter. He then began to walk toward the small campfire in front of them. Elara hurried after him, and with an even more embarrassed expression, she commented almost in a panic.
"It's not time to change the watch yet, Erik. You can go back to sleep."
"It's fine; I'll keep you company for a while." Erik replied in a casual tone, then grabbed one of the planks he'd cut from the giant tree he cut down at the very beginning. He calmly added.
"I have to finish the tablets that Zoe and Frank will take later anyway, so I was already planning to sleep less tonight."
"…"
At his comment, Elara fell silent and just watched as the starry-haired young man took his machete to start cutting the wooden slats to the same size, then sat down in front of the campfire. At that moment, two runes appeared around his finger, and a dark electric arc flashed from it, pulling her out of her thoughts.
While Erik used his 'electric finger' to write on the tablets, Elara approached him with hesitant, slow steps. Eventually, she reached his side. After a brief moment of deliberation, she sat down beside him and looked at him as she spoke, her expression fragile.
"Erik… do you really think we'll be able to survive this?"
Hearing Elara's question, Erik stopped writing and turned to look at the beautiful girl, who was gazing at him with slightly reddened, somewhat shining eyes—clear evidence that she had been crying. Although she tried to appear strong, her expression was filled with fear and vulnerability.
But Erik didn't judge her for showing that vulnerability. After all, even though the girl was probably about his age if he combined both of his lives, he was fully aware that psychological maturity doesn't always match physical age. In fact, mental age often depended greatly on the environment, and mana users under 300 years old were usually treated as young children by those with millennia of experience.
Therefore, in reality, the young woman in front of him, at best, was not much different from a woman of about 18 or 20 years old—her mental age might even be lower. It was no coincidence that her masters, women who had lived for a thousand or even five thousand years, behaved in such a youthful and almost childlike way—nothing like the monsters they should have been after living for millennia.
So, in a complicated situation like the one they were in where the odds of dying miserably were far greater than those of surviving, it was already impressive that a "young woman" like her was holding on so well and hadn't broken under the pressure. Showing a bit of insecurity and weakness was only natural—character and strength came from experience, something the girl lacked.
But at the same time, Erik didn't want to comfort her by telling a reassuring lie. To him, in cases like this, a harsh truth was better than a comforting lie, since they had no idea what awaited them. It was preferable for her to suffer and break down now rather than in a critical moment—because that could cost all of them their lives, including his own.
"…I won't lie to you; it's complicated." After a few seconds, Erik commented in a calm tone as he looked at Elara, who couldn't help but give a bitter smile before turning to the campfire and speaking in a heavy voice.
"You know… I always thought I was a strong and brave woman, someone who could overcome any situation… but all of this has only shown me that I'm not. I'm terrified. I barely managed to hold myself together in front of the others, but… I can't stop regretting coming to this place. I don't know if I can keep going…" As she spoke, tears started to form in Elara's eyes and began to fall, her voice starting to break, but she kept talking.
"My little sister will turn a hundred next year, and the thought of not being there to see it scares me… I couldn't even sleep… I couldn't even close my eyes, absolutely terrified that someone would suddenly show up to kill me… I'm pathetic… a disgrace to my master and to my family…"
"The fear of death is something natural." Looking at the heartbroken Elara, Erik spoke in a calm and gentle tone, drawing the beautiful girl's attention as she turned to look at him. Erik gave her a warm smile and continued.
"Not being afraid in this situation would be the strange thing. Besides, anyone would regret coming to this place—it's a damn death trap. No one in their right mind would want to be in our shoes.
"But, even though all that's true, we're already caught up in this mess, so we only have two options: either we let fear paralyze us and get ourselves killed, or we grit our teeth and do everything we can for a small chance at survival."
Hearing Erik's words, a strange feeling of comfort began to spread through Elara, who started to look into the young man's green eyes. Suddenly, his eyes turned cold and emotionless, and the star-haired man spoke again in a calm voice, but Elara felt a wintery chill coming from him, making her shiver a little.
"I choose to do everything I can. I refuse to die without at least landing a punch on the face of the one who planned all this, playing with our lives as if we were some kind of worthless cattle. So even if I die here, I'll do everything in my power to make sure that bastard doesn't succeed. I'm going to ruin his plans at any cost, and if I make it out alive, I'll hunt him to the ends of the cosmos. I'll make sure this is the last 'brilliant plan' of his miserable life."
Meanwhile, Ebonique, who was in Erik's head, couldn't help but open her eyes in surprise when she heard Erik's bloodthirsty words. It was the first time, in all the years she'd been by his side, that she'd heard him say something like that. Even more, it was the first time she felt true bloodlust coming from Erik.
Moreover, surprisingly, Erik's 'bloodlust' was far too manic and crazed—less like something born from a righteous thirst for vengeance and more like that of a beast addicted to blood who had finally been given a chance to taste it again after who knows how long of abstinence. It was a completely new side of the contractor she valued so much.
For her part, Elara couldn't help but tremble all over, deeply affected by that wild bloodlust. She had never imagined that someone as cultured, refined, and intelligent as Erik could have that side to him—almost as if he were a completely different person, as if a mad and ruthless killer had awakened inside him. But at that moment, the bloodlust vanished, and Erik spoke again, this time with an embarrassed smile.
"Sorry, I got a little carried away, but I think you get my point. Being scared is okay—just hold on to your survival instinct and fight to carve a way out with your own hands. A 'strong and brave woman' isn't someone who isn't afraid; it's someone who, even while terrified, grits her teeth and takes a step forward to achieve her goals."
"…"
Deeply shaken by the changes in Erik, Elara couldn't help but look at him in silence, realizing that this wasn't actually the first time she'd seen such a change in him. Previously, during the selection tournament, she had already witnessed a similar shift, though back then Erik had seemed melancholic, like an old man glimpsing his past. Once again, she became aware of how mysterious the young man before her really was.
"…I understand what you mean, Erik."
After a while, Elara looked at the fire again and spoke in a low voice, deciding not to mention anything about that bloodlust. After all, she also wanted to kill the bastard who had set the trap for them with her own hands. Then she explained.
"My mind understands it perfectly, but I can't stop feeling afraid… I don't want to die; I don't want any of us to die. But, as I am right now, it's almost certain that at a crucial moment, I'll end up making a fatal mistake… I really don't know if I should stay with you all… my cowardice could cost you your lives…"
"You're not the only one with thoughts like that."
Erik commented calmly, which made Elara look at him again, only to find that he was discreetly pointing towards the shelters. So she turned to look and realized that from each shelter a pair of eyes was watching them in secret.
Zoe and Frank, realizing they'd been discovered, came out of the shelters with somewhat bitter and embarrassed smiles. At that moment, Elara heard Erik's voice again.
"Even during my time on that deserted island, I never felt as in danger as I do now. It's perfectly normal to be afraid, but if we want to survive, all we can do is keep moving forward however we can."
Without saying a word, Zoe and Frank came over and sat down by the campfire. Elara looked at them with an understanding smile and asked.
"Can't you sleep either?"
"Who could, in a situation like this?" Zoe replied with a somewhat bitter smile, feeling a sense of insecurity and weakness she'd never experienced in her life. At that moment, Frank spoke up in an embarrassed voice.
"Honestly, my turn on watch was torture. Every shadow and sound made me jump—it was awful, and I haven't been able to sleep at all…"
"You should try to rest, at least a little." Erik said in a calm voice, looking at each of them before adding.
"If you want, stay here and try to get a few hours of sleep. I'll take watch while I finish writing the tablets you'll be taking tomorrow."
Hearing Erik, Elara, Zoe, and Frank looked at each other, visibly embarrassed, realizing that the difference between them and Erik went far beyond just talent. At barely thirty years old—practically a baby by mana users' standards—he was almost like an experienced adult guiding inexperienced children, even though they were three or four times his age. Noticing this, Erik spoke in a serious tone.
"Once morning comes, we'll have a mountain of things to do. It's better to get some rest now while you can—it's a matter of life and death for all of us."
"…I'm sorry, Erik." Zoe said at that moment in a serious tone, looking Erik directly in the eyes before adding.
"But you're right—we need to rest. And even though I'm embarrassed by my weak mindset, surviving is more important than anything else right now, so I'll take you up on your offer."
"I'll shamefully accept too, Boss. I promise I'll work on getting better…" Frank added a moment later, embarrassed, which made Erik chuckle a little as he replied calmly.
"Don't worry. I know you're all capable, and you'll be able to get through this."
Although embarrassed, Zoe and Frank thanked him, then sat a little closer to Erik and closed their eyes, managing to fall asleep with impressive speed. At that moment, Elara looked at Erik and spoke softly.
"Erik, you should get some sleep too—it's my turn for the watch…"
"Don't worry about it, get some rest. I'll call you in a couple of hours; I still have to finish these tablets."
As he continued writing on the tablets, Erik spoke in a casual tone, to which Elara nodded and then closed her eyes, eventually falling asleep as well. Erik kept quietly working on the tablets, and after a while, Ebonique spoke to him through their contract.
[Erik… Are you sure about sticking with these kids…? The only truly useful one is that newborn spirit; the others, while not completely useless, aren't much of an asset for you either. You'd be able to move around more easily on your own, and with the wolves and me, you basically have a strong and agile enough team… Besides, I'm worried you'll forget that kindness isn't always repaid…]
[Well, I'm not really doing it out of 'kindness'.] Without stopping his writing, Erik replied calmly, then explained.
[Although Lirio has been the one to stand out the most so far, that's only because the situation has allowed it. Each and every one of these 'kids' is a real genius; I'm sure they'll all have their moment to shine soon enough. Besides, I'm not perfect or anything like that—I have flaws and weaknesses just like everyone else, so working as a team is essential. I'm sure you'll see that sooner rather than later.]
[If you say so…] Ebonique replied, not entirely convinced, then added in a serious and solemn tone.
[I just hope that, if the time comes to run, you won't hesitate to put your own safety first. Don't try to be a hero—you're still too weak to afford that kind of mentality, and you only have one life.]
[I know.]
Erik replied calmly without taking his eyes off the tablets, which made Ebonique feel a bit uncomfortable. She wanted to say something in response, but, finding nothing to add, she hid herself among Erik's hair. Still feeling restless, she tried to calm down by thinking about how she would torture those responsible for the trap once she got out—they had to die in the most miserable way possible.
Meanwhile, Erik cast an unreadable look at the sleeping youths around him, then gazed up at the starry sky for a few minutes, almost lost in his thoughts. But soon, he shook his head and went back to focusing on writing on the tablets in complete silence.
…
…
…
In what appeared to be a minimalist and elegant tea room—with white walls adorned by a few paintings, a grayish wooden floor, and large, comfortable white sofas filled with cushions, all illuminated by a huge window that revealed a beautifully decorated garden on the other side—Sigrún set a porcelain cup down from her lips and sighed heavily. At that moment, a melodious feminine voice echoed with a slightly playful tone.
"Do you miss your Erik that much?"
Hearing the voice, Sigrún turned to her left with a frown, where Thalia was sitting, also holding a cup of tea. Sigrún replied with a visibly irritated and defiant tone.
"Yes, why? Is there a problem?"
"Fufu, not at all. I'm just surprised to see how attached you've become to your 'disciple'."
Thalia replied with a mocking little laugh. At that moment, Eleonora, who was sitting across from Sigrún with Jessica to her left, spoke in a calm voice after taking her teacup away from her lips.
"You talk as if you're not glancing toward the asteroid every five minutes, Thalia."
At Eleonora's comment, Thalia just smiled without saying a word. Although she was worried about her little Elara, her feelings were a genuine maternal love for her disciple—quite different from the scandalous infatuation those two troublemakers had for their shared disciple. Jessica set her teacup down on the table and commented with a small smile.
"Worrying about the little ones is inevitable—we raise them as if they were our own children. Even I, going through this experience for a second time, can't help but feel a little uneasy."
"You're absolutely right." Eleonora nodded in understanding at Jessica's words and added with a smile.
"No matter how many times you go through it, watching them venture out on their own is always hard on the heart. I have to admit, I'm actually glad my Liliana decided not to enter; otherwise, the worry would have been too much."
"I wonder how they're doing now… Is my Erik eating well?"
Sigrún asked in a voice that was both worried and longing, to which Jessica replied with a smile, while Seraphina—who had been standing behind Sigrún like a shadow just moments ago—appeared by her side and began refilling her cup with freshly made tea.
"Each of our disciples entered fully equipped—from defensive tools to supplies for several decades—and the greatest danger identified was magical creatures at Revealed-Peak level. They're perfectly fine; this is just a rather unique experience for them to grow and maybe gain some renown if they manage to find something interesting in that strange ruin."
"Yes, but ancient ruins are unpredictable… and for some reason, I just can't stop feeling uneasy…"
Sigrún commented in a heavy voice, which darkened Eleonora's expression a bit, as she felt the same way. It was something she hadn't experienced when Desmond first started venturing out on his own. Although she worried a lot when her first disciple set out for the first time, this time was different. This time, she felt a sinister premonition that made it hard for her to even breathe.
Originally, Eleonora attributed that difference to the type of love she felt for her disciples. While she loved Desmond as her disciple, it was a maternal and protective love, whereas her love for Erik was romantic—a feeling she was experiencing for the first time. But now, after hearing Sigrún's words, she wasn't so sure anymore, so she spoke in a somewhat heavy voice.
"The truth is, I feel the same way. I have a strange premonition."
"You too, Eli?"
Hearing Eleonora, Sigrún's eyes widened, and she asked with a hint of panic in her tone. Eleonora nodded with a serious expression, which made Sigrún's heart race even more. She glanced over her shoulder, where Seraphina met her gaze with an equally dark expression, showing no trace of her usual perfect maid demeanor.
"Something must be happening." Sigrún said, her expression and voice heavy with worry as she stood up from her seat. At that moment, Thalia spoke in a reassuring tone.
"Don't panic, calm down. You all went several levels overboard with the defensive measures for Erik—you literally loaded him with treasures, including several at the Master-level. He's even safer than my Elara, who only has Arcane-level scrolls and a Master-level shield."
"No, my heart tells me—my Erik is in danger."
***
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