A few minutes after Arthur left, Reva entered the throne hall through the main door.
Ruthren, who was expecting her presence, softened his expression a bit as he saw her.
"Reva, my child, take a seat. I have some things to talk to you about," Ruthren gestured towards one of the seats as he sat down on the throne.
His demeanor was still that of an emperor, but the way he was talking to Reva totally contrasted with how he spoke to Arthur.
Reva nodded as she gracefully took a seat on one of the marble benches.
Even though she didn't sit on the seat meant for imperial family members, Ruthren didn't mind as he asked in a warm tone befitting that of a loving father, "Reva, you know how much I care about you, right?"
Reva's azure eyes slowly narrowed as she nodded, "Yes, royal father. I know."
"Do you have anything you want to tell me about?" Ruthren asked as his gaze focused on her.
Despite feeling the soft yet heavy gaze of her father, her expression remained the same as she shook her head, "No. Everything is fine."
window.pubfuturetag = window.pubfuturetag || [];window.pubfuturetag.push({unit: "64ce79d606107d003c23ea27", id: "pf-5140-1"}) However, Reva inwardly wondered why her father was asking these things as she knew he wouldn't ask anything without reason.
"Okay, let it be. I summoned you here to tell you that the annual rising sun meet is going to take place soon, and I want you to be present this time since almost everyone is going to be there, including your future step-mother," Ruthren casually said as if he was stating something set in stone.
He added, "There is still enough time before the meet, but I wanted to let you know just in case you are planning to cultivate during that time."
Reva understood why Ruthren asked her to come with him this time. She speculated that Ruthren wanted her to meet Lily and get familiar with her so that she would get used to her in the future as well.
An imperceptible cold glint flashed through her eyes before turning her gaze towards Ruthren, "Yes, royal father. I will keep that in mind."
He then asked straightforwardly, "And what do you think about Damien?"
Reva's heart suddenly felt heavy, but she managed not to get discomposed and said in a restrained tone, "He is an extremely talented disciple."
Reva was worried if she did something out of the norm for Ruthren to ask about Damien suddenly.
"I see. I suppose holding extra classes for him means that he is still not as brilliant as you in alchemy," Ruthren said casually as if it was a given that Reva was extremely brilliant in alchemy.
window.pubfuturetag = window.pubfuturetag || [];window.pubfuturetag.push({unit: "64cc9e79c7059f003e4ad4b0", id: "pf-5109-1"})Reva shook her head, "He is a genius in alchemy, but still, as his teacher, I also got to learn a different side of alchemy from him. I don't consider myself as the number one expert in alchemy but someone who doesn't mind learning new things even from her students."
Her tone was neither too humble nor too proud but someone who was open-minded enough to learn from others no matter her status and knowledge.
Ruthren narrowed his gaze as he rested his face on his hand, "So it seems like he is brilliant enough to be a teacher as well. In your opinion, do you really think he is really that great as the people say? Some even say he is the incarnation of the lightning deity. I can't believe how the people can make someone a legend just by exaggerating his achievements," Ruthren said with a satirical smile.
Ruthren's tone seemed as if he wasn't that impressed with Damien despite his marvelous performance and how the people even began to praise him highly.
"But is it really exaggerated? I have never seen anyone fight practitioners more than a whole realm stronger than them," Reva was a bit surprised at herself, thinking why she defended Damien so readily. It was as if the subtle ridicule she noticed in Ruthren's tone when talking about Damien stung her heart.
"Oh?" Ruthren raised one of his brows as he continued, "It seems like you are fond of him. I guess it's true what they say about instructors always having a favorite disciple. I didn't think you would get into teaching so much or that someone would be worthy enough to catch your eye."
Ruthren's expression didn't change at all and his tone was still light as before but one could notice that his gaze was becoming sharper as he spoke.
Reva realized that she almost made a blunder and said in a calm tone, "It's not that he is my favorite disciple or anything. It's because, as his teacher, I am proud of his achievements and abilities. Since he is my disciple, not only can I point out his shortcomings but also give him due credit when he deserves it. And this is applicable to all my disciples. It's just that the rest of my disciples lack a certain driving force that is present in Damien."
Reva's words sounded as if they were coming from a dedicated and sincere teacher who was partial to all her disciples.
window.pubfuturetag = window.pubfuturetag || [];window.pubfuturetag.push({unit: "663633fa8ebf7442f0652b33", id: "pf-8817-1"})In fact, Reva was truly partial to her disciples, and just as she said, she indeed points out the mistakes of all her disciples, including Damien, and praises them according to their abilities.
It was just that Damien took enough liberties to get close with her, which was not something other disciples would dare to do.
Ruthren leaned back and nodded as he lifted his gaze, "You are right. Among the youngsters here, Damien is indeed an extremely rare genius. But do you think he is really from the Rong Empire?"
Before she could answer, he turned his gaze back towards Reva and asked her in a serious tone, "You already know that a world exists outside this continent. But what do you really know about it or even the people there?"
With a blank look, Reva asked, "What do you mean?" She knew that Ruthren obviously knew the fact that a world existed beyond the barriers of the continent.
But what she didn't understand was why Ruthren was talking in a way as if he really knew about what kind of world beyond the barrier was like.
Other than knowing that the outside world potentially has stronger practitioners, she really didn't know much.
With a deep sigh, Ruthren said, "Your vision is too narrow, Reva. The outside world is nothing as you think. And you also know that we are incomparable to the practitioners out there. And this Damien, there is a very low chance that he is an outsider but even if he is, let me tell you that his cultivation would be just a joke in the outside world. And that's why I want you to be ready to face the outside world in your lifetime. I don't want you to be unprepared."
Reva felt that something was off and wondered why Ruthren seemed to know more than she does. And why he was talking in such a way that he seemed sure she would visit the outside world one day.
Ruthren continued with a disappointed expression, "Our ancestors knew what I already know now. But still, they were too lazy to do anything about it and just enjoyed their lives as rulers of this empire. After all, who wouldn't be satisfied to lead a comfortable life, ruling above everyone? That's why I am ashamed of them because they weren't worthy of being called emperors. They never cared about the future, and their thinking was too small without much ambition."
He looked at Reva, and with a pensive expression, he added, "I don't want you to turn out like them. Remember that whatever I do, is for your own good. Every decision I make and action I do is because I consider your future as well as this empire. You understand, right?"
Reva's mind was racing, searching for answers to why Ruthren was suddenly telling her all this.
However, having no other choice, she nodded and was also surprised that Ruthren didn't hesitate to mock his ancestors since everyone, including the imperial family, revered them.
This was the first time she heard her father talk about his ancestors in this way, and if anyone else said the same things, they would be lucky if they were granted a quick death.
But who was going to question Ruthren anyway?
More than that, Reva inwardly became pensive as she mused on Ruthren's words and his motive for saying these things to her.
Ruthren then cleared his voice and said, "You may go now. Just keep in mind the things I said and do accordingly."
Reva slowly got up, bowed slightly before walking away. But as she walked towards the door, she had a glazed expression on her face, thinking whether she should be worried or not.
However, she decided to ask someone who might know these things for sure.
