74 Reflections (3)

After Lina and Arkenvalle left, Lancell stayed within the training grounds for a while. He talked with Siri regarding their circumstances for the past week, and found out they'd been treated quite... unwell.

Apparently, ever since their arrival, they had been avoided by everyone within the castle, as if they were sources of plagues. For no reason at all, they would get occasional hostile stares from the soldiers, as well as bloodlust from unknown sources. Perhaps it was only done to wear them off mentally, but it was horrible.

Whoever did it was lucky he hadn't done that to Lancell. At least not twice.

In any case, Lancell was a bit upset of the treatment, but Siri comforted that Aria was doing her best to address the matter. Another thing Lancell was grateful for.

And so, after their quite lengthy talk, Argos was finally about done with training, so Lancell ended their talk there.

And now, with nothing to do, Lancell sat within a small bench inside the gardens inside Selvenia Castle.

◇ ◇ ◇

Lancell glanced at the direction of upwards, and watched as the gradually darkened, as cloud wandered over and blocked the sunrays to the entire Selvenia Castle.

His aquamarine pupils shrank as it adjusted to the light exposure, and his mind began to think of what to do. Since Arkenvalle wasn't here, he couldn't train. And Lancell doubted he'd make any progress using other swords. He'd tried once, but he couldn't even circulate properly the practice method for the Severing Blade. It was pathetic.

'Why am I still fighting, I wonder?...' he thought.

Now that he noticed it, it had been a year since the Great Shift began, and he'd devoted each and every effort to make himself stronger. Stronger than anyone else.

Yet strangely, he hadn't even questioned why he fought and wanted to be stronger.

Lancell closed his eyes, and pondered for a while.

'Come to think of it, when was the last time I relaxed alone just like this moment..? I feel like it's been ages.'

Indeed. He hadn't done so ever since his return to the present timeline, as the tension about his future fight with the Calamity Dragon was like a nightmare that had latched onto him. Every time he slept, it was there, showing up in his dreams as if reminding him of his duty.

'I don't like this...'

However, no matter what he tries to reason against it, it was still something he indeed needed to do. And he wanted to do it too. He wanted to end the Waves, and...

And...

And then what..?

What happens after he ends the Waves..? Would there really anything else for him to do?

Realizing that, Lancell's eyes snapped open. His mind spun at high speed, as he now felt a lot emptier than before. He clutched his chest which felt a hollow aching, as he clenched his teeth.

But after a while, he sighed. It was pointless thinking about it. He could worry about it later, so for now, he only needed to do what he needed to do.

'Yeah. It doesn't matter what happens afterwards. I just have to end the Waves, and the rest will be a matter of the future. I simply have to do what I must...—"

"Lancell..? Is that you?"

As Lancell reaffirmed his resolve, a voice from behind called out to him. Lancell was confused on what she was doing here.

"Aerym?" he called out. "This place is Aria's private gardens. What are you doing here?"

"That's rude," Aerym furrowed her brows in displeasure. "I properly have permission, but I haven't heard about you being allowed here."

"Don't worry. She's a tolerant person. Or at the very least she won't drive me out." Lancell said as he relaxed in the bench once more.

"Hmm... Is that so?" said Aerym. She sounded suspicious of him, "I don't get where you're getting that confidence of yours. Mind sharing some to me?"

Aerym said so as she sat on the other side of the bench.

"Don't worry. At the very least, you're a lot more confident than your fellow knights who's even afraid of seeing me."

Aerym made a dry laugh at his comment. Although he spoke of it casually, Aerym couldn't imagine what it would feel to get treated like a monster. At the very least, she knew she wouldn't be able to withstand her it if was just her.

"You're an amazing person, Lancell..." she praised, "You really are."

Lancell turned to her with raised brows, and spoke, "Let me guess. You want to be my disciple?"

"How'd you find out?! Or more like, how do you see through me every single time?!"

"Well... it's a matter of experience..." Lancell answered vaguely.

"Am I really that simple..?" Aerym muttered as her shoulders slumped in dejection.

Lancell made a small laugh, but didn't say anything. He then stood, and started walking to the direction of the exit.

"Follow me." Lancell spoke without turning to Aerym.

"Huh?" Aerym uttered in confusion, "Follow where?"

Lancell turned his head to her, "Well, if you want to be my disciple, then you'll need to meet the others."

Aerym was dumbfounded.