Chapter 33: Outcast
Arbus strode out of the mental training room a few moments later as he headed toward the resting area.
Various administrative personnel went about the base like usual, making sure to avoid eye contact with him.
"Oi, don't stare for too long."
Arbus paused for a moment and glanced behind him as he noticed the group of trainees watching him while murmuring amongst themselves.
They quickly looked away from him and began moving again the moment they noticed his emerald gaze on them.
"..."
He remained still for a few moments, then turned and continued on his way.
He did his best to ignore the sneers and disdainful looks targeted at him from both trainees and staff alike.
He said nothing as he kept on moving.
All of this was just the usual for him by now. It had been the same for the past two weeks, as well.
Not even the trained Renegade personnel could hold themselves back from openly expressing their disgust for him.
After a bit, Arbus smiled somberly.
'Why does it still hurt? Their looks. Their gazes. Their expressions. Their words.'
His gaze darkened slightly as his fists clenched by his sides.
'I thought I was already used to it, but I suppose I was just lying to myself, again.'
Arbus's steps slowly came to a halt in the hall where no one else was present.
Suddenly, a memory from a long time ago flashed in his mind for a moment.
"Well I won't accept that! No matter how long it takes, I'll end this pointless war started by a nobody from Millenniums ago! I'll make humans and the people of this universe come together as one peaceful society!"
"No one will ever treat you that way ever again. I promise!"
"So just trust me. Ok?"
BAM!
He felt his ability at work as it hurriedly healed his damaged knuckles.
The wall had caved in slightly from his punch, despite how durable the base was.
He brought his hand back to his side slowly.
"It's... not fair." Arbus muttered softly through gritted teeth.
Several moments passed as he stood silently in the empty corridor leading to the dorm rooms.
'No, what was I expecting really. Of course it was going to be this way."
"..."
'It's... always going to be this way. Isn't it? No matter how strong I become or how high I rise. No matter how many Reincarnators I kill.'
'I'm just a reminder to them.'
"...."
"So you do have emotions, after all."
"I was starting to think you were just a mentally ill half-breed who only knew how to fight."
Arbus's eyes suddenly shot up as they instantly landed on the white mornan girl with long almond shade hair and ocean bright eyes, who was leaning against the wall a few feet away.
He had been too distracted to sense her presence earlier.
He remained motionless for several moments. then, he casually straightened as if nothing had happened.
"Rin, if I remember correctly." He said in a low tone.
"Rin Dune." she responded sharply.
"Does that name ring any bells to you? Half-breed."
Arbus's eyes narrowed for just a second, before quickly returning to normal.
"Of course it does. You're a member of one of the two most powerful families in the entire star system. It's hard not to know anything about it."
Rin said nothing for a few moments, then gritted her teeth in what seemed to be rage.
"Not that! Try again!"
"Try again and remember properly!"
"Remember what your people did to me! To my parents! To my Kingdom, and to my home!"
"Remember what you took from me! Don't you dare act like it was inconsequential!"
"Like their lives weren't important enough to remember!"
Arbus stared at Rin in stunned silence as he noticed the tears forming at the corners of her eyes.
He didn't understand what she wanted from him.
He had no idea about her past, or what happened between Reincarnators and her family.
Quite frankly, it came as a shock to him.
He knew the Dune lineage was more wild spread than his own, but he didn't think a Reincarnator or the second chance group themselves would manage to get to them without it being a huge situation.
He considered his words for several long moments, then said slowly.
"Like I said before, I have no idea about that."
He paused, studying her saddened expression.
"But, I am deeply sorry for your loss. I understand how that must make you feel."
"I didn't lose my planet, but I lost people close to me, as wel–"
"SHUT UP!"
"You... You disgusting abomination!" Rin shouted in anger. She did not bother rephrasing her words that could only be perceived as a curse directed at someone.
Which fulfilled the requirements set by 'him'.
But, Luckily for the both of them, nothing occurred this time.
Her curse had not been chosen.
Arbus's expression froze at Rin's words.
".... I was only trying to help you."
She gritted her teeth as she wiped the small tear away from her eyes.
"I didn't ask for your help, or pity. Especially for a crime your kind committed."
She turned her gaze away from Arbus as she walked forward and strode past him.
"Me and you, have absolutely nothing in common. You're just an accident – rightfully hated by everyone in this universe."
"You should take Ms Solis's advice and quit now, while you still can.
"No one wants you here. And no civilian is going to want to be saved by someone like you."
"You'll never be accepted as a Renegade. No matter how many times you put on the outfit and try and convince yourself."
"So don't bother."
Arbus said nothing in return as he watched her leave, a dark expression colouring his features.
After a long while, he sighed and headed for his dorm room.