Inside Herbs & More, Berger and Adam sat at the counter. For the first time, it was the old gnome that was brewing tea for the both of them. Meanwhile, the youth just sat there in a daze, battling his inner turmoil.
As the gnome poured the herbal tea into two white ceramic cups, he stated, "Wine is to uplift your spirit, whereas tea is to calm your soul."
"Mm." Adam nodded as he sniffled. He grabbed the teacup with both hands, glancing at the warm, green liquid inside. He took a sip and felt his worries slightly wash away strangely enough.
"It tastes nice," he murmured.
"So what is it that's still bothering you?" The gnome asked as he took a sip of the tea.
"I don't know, it's just..." Adam thought of the right words to say. "If I had done things differently in the past--"
"Stop right there," Berger interrupted him. "Let me tell you something. This war with the orcs was inevitable. This isn't the first time that it's happening, and it most certainly won't be the last time either."
Adam glanced at him and nodded ever so slightly. Still, the deep guilt coursing through his heart could not be erased. "But it's a fact that because of my past actions, there will be countless more deaths than it originally would have... right?"
"Well, that is indeed true," the gnome spoke nonchalantly as he took another sip from his cup.
Hearing his reply, Adam's heart ached and he clenched his fists tightly, almost breaking the cup in his hands.
"But what can you do about it?" Berger asked.
"What?" The youth glanced at him in confusion. "What do you mean?"
"Can you return to the past and change things?" The old gnome's lips curled up into a smirk.
Adam remained silent.
window.pubfuturetag = window.pubfuturetag || [];window.pubfuturetag.push({unit: "64ce79d606107d003c23ea27", id: "pf-5140-1"})"Let's put it this way." Berger placed the teacup on the counter and continued, "Back then, had you gone after the orc and left your friends to die, would you have been able to live with the consequences?"
"Of course not!" Adam replied instantaneously.
"If both outcomes lead to misery, choosing one that gives you the least distress is the correct one. In life, more often than not, there is no right or wrong decision." Berger smiled. "There is only the journey that each choice sets us on."
"Then... do you think what I did was right?" Adam asked, his eyes flashing with faint hope.
All he needed was an affirmative answer from the gnome and the feeling of guilt in his heart would lessen. However, he didn't get the answer he wanted.
"No, it wasn't." Berger shook his head. He paused before continuing, "But it wasn't wrong either."
"...I see." The youth lowered his head.
"Always remember this, boy," the gnome began, "you cannot change the direction of the wind, but you can change your sails to always reach your destination."
Adam glanced at him, deeply ruminating over his word.
"Dwelling on your past and worrying about the future will only rob you of the present's joy." Berger faintly smiled. "Now, if you're still burdened by guilt, just make sure to kill a few extra orcs."
The youth remained silent for a long time. Then, a smile gradually bloomed on his face. He wiped his tears and spoke with appreciation, "Thank you."
Berger returned to his usual demeanor and waved his hand impatiently. "Now get the hell out of here. I can't stand the sight of your tears and snot."
"Hehe." Adam got to his feet and bowed respectfully. "I'll be back soon."
He then turned around and left, the weight on his shoulders having reduced significantly from before.
window.pubfuturetag = window.pubfuturetag || [];window.pubfuturetag.push({unit: "64cc9e79c7059f003e4ad4b0", id: "pf-5109-1"})Berger glanced at his departing back and hesitated to speak. There were many things he wished to say, but in the end, he only muttered a few words.
"Be careful…"
Adam stopped in his steps in slight shock, not having expected the grumpy old gnome to suddenly say such words. He turned around and looked at him with a bright smile.
"Of course!"
With that said, he walked out of the store, Valerian following behind him. The latter suddenly stopped and turned around to look at the old gnome.
He then waved his tiny paw and smiled. "Myu~"
Berger smiled back and replied with a slight nod.
…
After having bought loads of supplies from the Mercantile Guild, Adam waited for Edward and Lisa at the entrance of Clover Academy.
Standing under the marble archway, the youth glanced at the tense atmosphere that pervaded the city, sighing to himself. However, unlike before, he didn't blame himself.
After speaking to Berger he realized something. If he could really turn back time and go to that moment where he had to choose between saving his friends and chasing the orc, he would have made the same choice.
Thinking so, he raised his head and gazed at the clouds above, recalling the old gnome's words. My soul takes on the color of my thoughts…
"Adam!"
Suddenly, he heard a familiar voice call out to him in concern. The youth lowered his head and looked in the direction of the voice. There, he saw Edward and Lisa rushing toward him, anxiety etched all over their faces.
window.pubfuturetag = window.pubfuturetag || [];window.pubfuturetag.push({unit: "663633fa8ebf7442f0652b33", id: "pf-8817-1"})Seeing Edward, the first friend he had ever made, Adam reaffirmed in his heart. That's right, I would make the same choice.
The next moment, his lips curled up into a mischievous smile.
"What happened to you? You left in a panic? Are you alright?" Edward tightly clasped his shoulders and shot a series of questions.
Adam chuckled. "Of course, I'm alright. Why wouldn't I be?"
"Be honest!" Lisa sternly said, her eyes flashing with worry. "What has gotten into you? I've never seen you like that."
"Hmph!" Adam raised his head at a forty-five-degree angle, his lips curling up into a smug smile. "What do you mean? It was all an illusion. Keke, it's a pretty neat trick, right?"
Edward and Lisa stared at him with serious expressions, not buying his lies.
Suddenly!
A figure appeared behind them and put his arms around their shoulders. The couple were alarmed that someone had managed to get so close to them without them even noticing.
When they turned around to see who it was, they were even more stunned.
"Like I said, it was all an illusion." Adam grinned.
Meanwhile, the 'Adam' that was standing in front of the couple had already dissipated into smoke.
Lisa's eyes turned wide as saucers, "You! How did you do it? I didn't feel any—"
"Ah, let's not waste time." Adam laughed out loud and dragged the couple by the arms. "Let us depart…
"For battle!"
