329 Confronting The Past [1]
"Wait, really? She just transformed into a human child? Just like that? Is that even possible?" Amelia furrowed her brow and whispered in a surprised tone.
I shrugged, sweeping my long black hair back. "Apparently it is. I asked my Master, and he said that some mythical creatures possessed transformation abilities."
Amelia fell into deep thought. "If that's true, then I think I can understand why the Central Government eliminated all the Mythical-ranked creatures."
Her gaze landed on Sera, who was clinging to my pinky finger as she flashed a bright smile back at Amelia.
I nodded, a smile forming on my face. "Yes, they were considered too great a threat to be left alive."
Amelia's eyes briefly darkened as she continued, "It's still disgusting how they drove a species to extinction just because they might have been a threat."
I tilted my head, a hint of a frown creasing my disguised face. "Well, not exactly. I can see their reasoning."
"What?!" Amelia widened her eyes. "You can't be serious. Do you truly think it was okay to kill so many creatures just because they were more powerful than us?"
"It's often wiser to deal with a potential threat before it becomes a danger to us," I replied, my gaze fixed on the road ahead. "All those mythical creatures could have easily driven us to extinction if we hadn't acted first. Luckily, their numbers were low and they were scattered across the world, preventing them from banding together against us."
"But still…" Amelia seemed to want to continue arguing but she couldn't find the words to do so.
I shook my head at her naive idealism, and continued, "I know it wasn't the morally right thing to do, so I won't try to defend it. But I'd rather eliminate a potential enemy before it becomes a threat."
I took a deep breath and shrugged again. "I think the Central Government did what was necessary. Besides, throughout history, humanity has driven any species that was a threat to extinction. That's how humans not only survived but also ascended to become the apex predators."
As Amelia listened to my words, I went on, "Even in this new world, elves and dwarves fear humans, despite their magical talents and craftsmanship skills, because they are well aware of the twisted side of human nature. We might look greedy and foul from the outside, but humans know how to endure and prevail."
Amelia sighed. "I suppose you're right. If I didn't know you any better, I might have mistaken you for a human supremacist."
I chuckled. "Oh, no, not at all. I love other species. Mana beasts are fascinating and cool, especially my Sera here. Dwarves are endearingly short and cute. What's not to like?"
Sera's ears perked up when I mentioned her name, but she soon returned to looking around at her surroundings.
The bustling street was now filled with people. It was a novel experience for her to be among so many people in her human form. Naturally, she was fascinated by everything around her.
Amelia, on the other hand, gave me a long look before inquiring, "Oh, and what about elves?"
I took a moment to think of a response, then clenched my jaw and narrowed my eyes.
After some thought, I replied, "Well, I think elves are alright. I mean, one of my friends is an elf. But in general, they can be quite haughty, and I don't particularly like people who are more arrogant than me."
Amelia threw her head back and let out a hearty laugh. "So, you admit you're arrogant?"
Grinning, I simply shrugged. "Rightfully so."
Like that, our conversation then steered to our plans for the rest of the break. Amelia said that she was going to take a trip to the Eastern Continent to train at Shaolin.
Naturally, it surprised me since Amelia did not do anything like that in the novel.
In the story, she stayed in the Western Continent and trained by herself there until the end of the break.
Curious, I asked her why she had chosen Shaolin, and Amelia explained that Nero and Anastasia were there.
For a brief moment, my mood soured, but I quickly inquired, "But don't they just focus on polearm weapons and hand-to-hand combat in Shaolin?"
"Yeah, but I'm thinking of diversifying my skill set. I mean, I can already handle close combat, but not as efficiently as I'd like."
"Yeah, you're meh in close combat."
"Excuse me?! Have you seen my axe kick?"
"That's the only impressive move you know, and it's effective mostly because you infuse your leg with wind magic!"
"Huh?! What about the time I beat you in hand-to-hand combat?! I flipped you over my shoulder and had you whimpering like a baby!"
"Hah! I let you win! Otherwise, I was this close to winning!"
"Close to winning, how? By trying to bite my leg off?!"
Like that, we bickered back and forth for a while until Amelia frowned and asked in a confused tone, "Hold on, if you can change your appearance, why did you go with that lame disguise for the Hideout Cafe?"
"It wasn't lame!" I retorted, irritated. "And besides, maintaining a disguise like this takes a lot of mana. I can't sustain this state and fight at the same time."
As we conversed, we stopped by an item shop along the way. It was a cozy, wooden establishment.
Inside, the shop was impeccably clean, and countless enchanted items and relics were neatly displayed on wooden shelves.
The aroma of burning incense sticks and the presence of only a few patrons added an ambiance to the shop's atmosphere.
Amelia had some items she needed to buy here. I also took a look around the shop with Sera, keeping her away from anything shiny, but didn't find anything particularly eye-catching.
As I strolled around the shop, an elderly man dressed in a neat linen shirt and black pants came up to me and asked, "Are you searching for something, young man?"
I turned to him, slightly puzzled. He met my gaze and offered a warm smile before introducing himself, "I'm the owner of this establishment."
He then pointed toward the cashier's counter where Amelia was standing, presumably done with her shopping.
Behind the counter, there was an adult woman busily preparing a receipt for whatever items Amelia had purchased.
"That woman is my daughter," the elderly man continued. "She insists that I no longer need to come to the shop, but I find comfort in spending my time here."
Listening to the old man's gentle, paternal tone, my expression softened, and I couldn't help but smile. "Your daughter is correct, you know. It's time to relax and enjoy your golden years."
The old man's wrinkled face twisted as his lips curled up and he let out a hearty laugh. "I suppose you're right, young man. But there's something about this place that brings me peace."
As I nodded with a warm smile, the old man continued, "So, what are you searching for? You see, I'm a diviner. Perhaps I can help you."
My eyebrows shot up in surprise. "You're a diviner?"
"Yes," the old man affirmed. "Don't tell me you don't believe in fortune-
telling?"
My mind immediately went back to the old elven lady I had met in Silveserine who had offered to reveal my future. I involuntarily swallowed and shook my head.
"I used to be," I admitted with a shrug. "But lately, I'm starting to believe in it."
"I see," the old man said with a smile. "Would you like me to divine something for you? I won't charge you."
I paused for a moment before shaking my head again, "No, thanks. If fate is real, which I'm beginning to think it is, I'd rather not catch a glimpse of it again."
The old man regarded me with a gentle gaze before nodding. "I understand. If fate is indeed real, as I know it to be, then may its threads always be in your favor."
I smiled appreciatively.
"Thank you," I said before spinning around. "Oh, but since you're so nice I guess I can buy something. A mirror or a watch. I don't know."
"Oh, so you like mirrors?" he asked. "You know, in mysticism, mirrors are often associated with the unknown and harrowing dangers. However, in some long-forgotten cultures, the realm of reflection was also seen as a path to glimpse the divine deities."
"Interesting," I remarked. "But all I see in my mirrors is a very handsome young man staring back at me."
The old man and I locked eyes, staring at each other seriously, before bursting into laughter.
"Good one! Good one, young man!"
After Amelia settled her bill, I bid farewell to the old man and exited the shop.
As we walked through a quiet street, I asked Sera to transform into her phoenix form and soar through the skies.
I planned to call her into my room later or meet up with her outside the mansion after I had packed my things.
Sera did as I told her.
She transformed into her Phoenix form. Her dress didn't burn this time. Instead, it turned into a collar around her neck as she changed forms before soaring high into the clear blue sky.
After that, Amelia and I continued on our way to the Wolf's Den, engaged in casual conversation along the way.
"So, where will you be heading?" asked Amelia.
"First, I'll go back to the academy and find out where the hell Master is," I replied. "Then, he'll train me until I'm at death's door."
Amelia chuckled. "What's it like having Leo Kurogami as your master, though?"
"Well," I began, "unless he's training me, it's actually quite good. And besides—"
But before I could finish my sentence, a sharp, irritating voice interrupted me.
"Finally, you're here."
"...." I instantly recognized that voice.
Letting out a sigh, I looked ahead and noticed that we were right in front of the Wolf's Den.
I saw Adel and Yelena standing near the gates of the Morningstar mansion as if they were waiting for someone.
