Dex arrived back at the inn when the night was already very late.
The grand mansion was now illuminated by thousands of crystal lanterns that created an atmosphere like a dream too beautiful to be real.
Some participants were still seen in the garden, sitting on marble benches while chatting or practicing their cards on a small scale.
Dex didn't pay attention to them, He walked straight to his room, a room on the second floor with a large window overlooking the garden.
The room was far more luxurious than anything he had ever lived in, A large bed with white silk sheets, a mahogany wood desk, a carved wardrobe, even a private bathroom with a marble bathtub.
But Dex didn't care about any of that,
He simply lay down on the bed, staring at the ceiling adorned with a painting of a starry sky.
In his hand, the crystal bracelet glimmered with a faint blue light, a reminder that in two days, he would have to fight again.
Dex closed his eyes, trying to sleep,
But the thought came again, as usual.
The face of that boy. Eyes blazing with fire, A vow that sounded so… sincere.
So foolish, So… alive.
'A hero, huh' Dex thought as he stared at the crystal bracelet in his hand.
He raised his hand, letting the blue light from the bracelet reflect off the ceiling.
'What am I doing all this for?'
The question had haunted him for months, Even after training endlessly, after passing the first stage,
the question never went away.
'What am I getting stronger for?'
Back then the answer was simple, so he would never be stepped on again, So he would never feel helpless like when he saw his family killed.
After becoming stronger And then… then what comes next?
Enter Aetherion Academy? Become one of the thousand selected students? Trained by the best instructors? Gain access to dungeons and the chance to obtain more cards?
'And after that?'
Become even stronger? Rise in rank? Gain reputation? Become a famous adventurer? Maybe even become a Guardian of Balance promised by the Academy?
'Then what?'
Like chasing a shadow that can never be caught.
Dex closed his eyes tighter, trying to push the thought away, But the thought didn't leave, and instead grew louder.
'I'm not seeking justice for my village, I'm not even sure I care anymore'
'I'm not seeking revenge, The Vaundrel family might not even remember the name Taren Village'
'I'm not seeking recognition, I don't care what people think about me'
'So, what for?'
The silence of the room felt suffocating.
No matter how Dex imagined it, all of it felt empty.
Dex didn't want to live a boring life where when he died, it wouldn't matter at all.
If he died now would anyone care?
The world would keep spinning, People would continue living, Aunt Mera and Uncle Rold might be sad for a moment, but they would move on with their lives.
And his village, his village was already ashes, Nothing could bring back those who had died.
Dex sat up slowly, feet dangling at the edge of the bed, head lowered.
His hand moved to the crystal bracelet, his fingers touching its cold surface.
Dex stared at the bracelet for a long time.
Then, slowly, very slowly, he began to remove it.
The bracelet felt cold on his skin, but not locked, he could remove it at any time, the Magic system inside would notify which participant withdrew.
The Academy didn't force anyone to continue the test, If participants decided to quit, they were free to do so.
His fingers touched the edge of the bracelet, and pulled it off.
The bracelet came off with a soft sound, the blue light on its surface extinguished instantly.
Dex stared at it for a moment in his palm, that small object representing an opportunity chased by millions, then placed it on the table with an indifferent motion.
There was no regret nor Sadness on his face.
"I'm tired of staying silent" he murmured softly to the emptiness of the room.
Dex walked to the table beside the bed, pulled open the small drawer, and took a blank sheet of paper along with an ink pen.
He had to write something, at least to Aunt Mera and Uncle Rold, for breaking his promise.
Dex sat in the luxurious chair that was slightly comfortable, too comfortable, straightened his back, and prepared to write.
The pen hovered above the paper.
Dex stared at the blank white paper for long, too long, until the ink at the tip began to dry.
Then, slowly, he began to write.
Sorry Forgive me for having to break the promise I made, I decided not to continue the test.
I know this is not what you expected, I know you hoped I could change my life by entering the Academy, I know you have given everything, time, money, hope, to help me get this far.
But I'm tired of surrendering to hypocrisy, before my eyes I see various suffering, yet I remain silent and can't do anything, I can no longer close my eyes to the suffering I see every day, children starving on the streets while nobles eat on golden plates, old people dying from the cold in dark alleys while grand mansions stand tall with heaters that never go out.
I can no longer pretend that I care about all that.
I'm tired of being someone who stays silent when a sword is pointed at the neck of the innocent.
Sorry for being a disappointing nephew, Uncle Rold, Sorry for not being able to make you proud, Aunt Mera.
Thank you, You both gave me a second life when I had already given up on my first one.
It might take a long time before we meet again. Or maybe we won't.
I will fight for the rights of the oppressed, I'm tired of watching everything from afar without doing anything.
I don't know if I will survive.
But at least, I will not stay silent anymore.
If someday we meet again, I hope you can forgive me.
But if we never meet again…
…thank you, Thank you for giving me a home when I had nothing.
Thank you for believing in me when I didn't even believe in myself.
Thank you for everything.
— Dex
Dex placed the pen down with a slow motion.
Dex folded the letter neatly, He wrote with clear handwriting on the outside fold.
For Aunt Mera & Uncle Rold Lumiran, East District.
Then he placed it on the table, right beside the crystal bracelet that had gone dark, two objects representing two different paths he abandoned tonight.
Dex turned, walking to the carved wooden wardrobe that was too luxurious, and opened it, Inside were only a few spare clothes provided by the inn, high-quality clothing made of fine fabric, too good for someone like him.
He didn't bring much, spare clothes, a small knife for safety, a few bandages left from Ronan's gift, and some silver coins remaining in his pocket.