354 Rowan
After our conversation, Selena and I split up. She had some disciples to train while I had to return to the old man's training hall and hope that he wouldn't break too many of my bones for being late.
My mind, however, was elsewhere. I was still thinking about the talk I had with the Queen of Webs.
I felt like when I had come to this world, I was more indifferent than I thought. I was ready to make tough decisions for the sake of winning.
Even after all the time I had spent in this world, I was the same. My track record was enough to prove my callous mental state.
The choices I made in Silveserine and then what I did to Liz Snyder during the King's Tournament.
Up until this point in time, I had been able to achieve whatever was necessary for the sake of a future where my survival was ensured.
But… would I be able to continue doing so in the future too?
Lately, I had been thinking about what that bloodsucker said in the Hideout cafe. She said that I shouldn't trust Amelia.
Obviously, I thought about why I should trust her. However, on the off chance that she was right, what was I going to do?
Would I be able to kill her?
Although, my gut says that I shouldn't be concerned about Amelia. I could tell that she wasn't the kind of person to betray a friend.
So, yeah. I could be at ease around her because my gut is usually right and if not then at least I knew I could trust my own logical judgment of her.
However, it was not just about her. I knew how twisted this strife-ridden world was. I did not have many friends and allies now, but what if in the future I would have to fight one?
Would I then be able to make the right call?
And what about in the future, when I achieve my goal of reaching a commanding position in the military?
If I become a strategist or a commander, I would have to send the people I know into hopeless situations. Many units would go dark under my command.
Would I break?
"No, I won't!" I exclaimed with a shake of my head as if telling myself that. "I won't break."
Of course. It wasn't like I had a choice in the matter anyway. If I break, it will be over.
I'm the chosen one. I'm one of the three prophesied heroes. I will save the world and fulfill my destiny.
No matter what I had to do…
"...I will do it–"
Right before I could finish my resolute declaration, I crashed into someone. The person I collided with reeled back and fell to the ground because of my speed.
"Ah, my bad!" I immediately shouted an apology. "Sorry, I didn't see you there… Wait, have I seen you somewhere?"
"Ouch! Ouch! Ouch!" The individual on the ground was actually a boy around the age of twelve to thirteen.
He had neck-long black hair and eyes of matching shade that were narrowed right now because of pain.
The boy looked as if he was extremely malnourished until now and had just started to get in shape.
His thin, slender frame was draped in the distinctive red and black robes belonging to Mount Hua and currently, he was running his back.
After a moment of groaning, the boy heard my voice and a look of recognition crossed his face. He instantly whipped his head up and cast a scrutinizing glance at me.
Almost instantly, his eyes widened and sparkled as if he had met his god. "Sir Lucas! It's you!"
"You know me?" I inquired with a frown on my puzzled face, still trying to recall where I had seen this boy.
The boy in question jumped back to his feet and patted his chest vigorously. "It's me, Sir Lucas! Rowan! I'm Rowan! I'm the boy you met–"
Before he could even finish his sentence, something clicked in my head and a smile flickered on my lips as I interjected.
"Ahh, yes! I remember! You're the weak, pitiful, scrawny, and pathetic boy I met in the slums of Silveserine! Rohan!"
Rowan looked at me with a deadpan expression plastered on his slightly skinny face before correcting me, "Rowan!"
He let out a sigh of resignation and then added. "Also, I wouldn't exactly describe myself as you did, but fine… whatever helps you remember me, I guess."
"Ahh," I threw my head back a little as a guilty smile tugged at my lips. I took a long breath before slowly raising my voice with each word until I was practically yelling:
"Sorry, I tend to forget people who don't FUCKING REPLY TO MY TEXTS!"
Yes, Rowan and I had been texting after I came back from Silveserine. It was mostly him giving me updates on his life.
But one day, he suddenly went offline and stopped texting me. Since I was worried, I sent him several messages but he replied to none.
After returning to the academy, I was going to start searching for him using Kai's resources.
"I'm sorry!" Rowan instantly started whimpering with apologies. "As you said, I joined a sect! But only after I joined did they tell me that I can't use phones here! They even broke the new phone I bought!"
I furrowed my brow. "Yeah, what's up with them breaking phones and smart bracelets of their disciples?"
Rowan rolled his eyes. "Ah, it's their whole thing. They think getting away from all the technology makes us closer to nature."
"That's…" I was about to retort but then I recalled how much time I had been spending on my smart bracelet lately before I came here.
Since coming here, not only have I been more focused on my training but my mind has been at ease for the most part too.
I had even been sighing less!
In the end, I had no choice but to shrug and say: "Okay, I guess that's true."
I then turned to Rowan and asked, "Shall we catch up, then?"
