Normally, there were four kids at the pool, now there were only three. The heaviness of the atmosphere was like iron weights on their shoulders. The three sat at the edge of the pool with only their feet dipped into the water.

Viers already passed this stage of training, he suspected Farley and Paina too but he did it because he wanted a change of pace. The last two days were stressful so he needed some respite, furthermore, there’s still time to kill before the meeting with Wesk and Abe.

Paina, despite no longer crying, couldn’t fake the sadness plastered on her face. Farley, on the other hand, masked her true feelings masterfully. If Viers didn't know her other face, he would not doubt her grief.

How much did Farley fake and how much is real? I wonder which is her true nature… a cheerful girl of fifteen that shed tears silently because of Terry’s death when I carried her on my shoulder, or the callous fourth daughter of the cult leader that did not flinch when five children were knifed right in front of her.

“Paina,” Viers called the grieving girl. “I won't tell you to stop feeling sad, I will tell you this: stop wasting your time.”

“...What do you mean? Sadness is useless?” Viers picked a bit of scorn on her tone.

“What do you want, Paina?” Viers replied with a question.

“...What? I don't get what you’re trying to say.”

“To see your father, yes? To do that you chose to be an adventurer, this is what it means to be one. Out in the wilderness, a bad call can be the difference between life and death. Learn from this, and move on.” Viers said slowly.

“Mistake? You mean to tell me helping the villagers was a mistake?” Paina’s tone was sharper now.

“The moment you or someone on your team died, it became a mistake.” The boy looked her straight in the eye.

“...There are people who would be dead if we didn't act, like that mother with the baby.” Paina replied after a heartbeat of silence.

“Aye, and Terry might be alive if we didn't,” Viers said it like a matter of course while looking at the water near his feet, no longer staring at her face.

“You-” Paina was agitated but Viers interrupted her.

“It is done. We all made a choice and that choice has consequences. If you don't like it… learn from it then become stronger. Channel that sadness into fuel and train. If we were stronger... Terry might not be dead. If you are stronger, the better your chances of meeting your father. Own your sadness instead of drowning in it. The time we have is limited and most people rarely appreciate its true value.”

Paina didn't answer, there was only silence for almost a minute.

“He’s right. Let’s train seriously, okay Paina? If we’re as strong as Ciel, then things would turn up differently.” Farley hugged her friend on the shoulder.

Paina was given a shoulder to cry on and she took it. The black-haired girl nodded then buried her face in Farley’s chest, accompanied by light sobs and tears. Farley gave her a gentle embrace and softly strokes Paina’s long hair.

Girls… so many tears and dramas. Let's get real, she only knew Terry for a couple of months. It shouldn't be a heavy enough friendship for grand waterworks… unless they got some bond that I didn't know about? A date or two and some heart-thumping moments maybe?

Meh, not my problem. Terry is dead so whatever may come to be is already cut short. I’ve said what I want to say, what’s next is up to her. Time to leave and visit this secret base. I have a lot to deal with and so little time.

Just as he was getting ready to leave, he heard Paina’s voice from behind. “Thank you,” she said, Viers was silent for a while. He didn't expect gratitude for stating something so obvious in his mind. He nodded and went on his way.

On the way back he met Teldo leaning on a big rock, watching him.

“Good advice, hope the girl recover quickly. The death of someone close can leave a scar that remains for a very long time.”

“...She will recover, I think. The strong cope, they always do. Good day, Mr. Teldo.” Viers said his farewell as he left the training ground. When he made a turn, he was out of sight.

Gruf teacher with scarce words but actually care for his students inside? How cliche…

Wait, he heard what I said? I was quite far from him… level 2 Path-seeker, hmn? Since Teldo follows the Earth path, maybe he heard because of the vibration on the ground or something.

After Viers was away, the boulder broke apart, Max was inside.

“You heard what he said?” Teldo asked but more like a confirmation.

“Yes sir,” He was a bit down.

“He is not wrong. Stop wallowing in your loss, turn that into something that drives you forward… and don't place your resentment in the wrong person. You told me you were the first person to charge while he advised caution. In my eyes, Terry’s death was more on you than him.”

“As you say, sir,” Max said while looking at his feet.

“The boy’s death was a tragedy and your reckless action had a hand in sculpting it. Take this painful lesson to your heart and learn from it, else you will experience it again.” Teldo faced the down-looking boy.

“You have the most talent among this batch of students but your mentality is lacking compared to him. Your high aptitude may be something to be proud of but it also makes you impulsive. You have talent but it will only truly bloom after tempering it with practice. Do you understand?”

“Yes sir,” Max accepted the older man’s teaching without any arrogance. He flinched when he felt a hand on his shoulder. Teldo was kneeling on one knee then talked to him on the same eye level.

“That being said, you were not wrong! You chose to help people despite the danger! That is a virtue that fewer and fewer people have. Don't lose that spark of light inside you, young man, for you have something that most people don't. The result is not ideal but you did the RIGHT thing!”

“Sir…” Max was lost for words.

“Train hard, young man. Make full use of the talent Goddess Estelle granted you. Next time, you will be strong enough to help people without someone you know die. Do you understand? Are you going to let Terry’s death be for nothing?” The last two sentences were said with a stern grip on both of Max’s shoulders.

“Yes, sir! I won't let Terry’s death be in vain!” The boy said resolutely. There was a light in his eyes now, something that wasn't there before.

“Good… now continue your training. If you have anything to ask, don't hesitate to call me.”

A bit away from them, Viers was able to pick up some words of their conversation, his enhanced hearing was at work.

I only get the gist of it but I guess the goody-two-shoes shounen hero boy has conquered his depression and will train with zeal in the future. The start of a story twenty comic books long. Well, it has nothing to do with me.

I DEFINITELY do not predict we will somehow meet as enemies, either because I’m a cultist or because I’m just a plain bad person. When the cult gives me a mission to kill someone, Max definitely won't be in the area because of some providence. Yep, most assuredly won't.

Our path won't ever cross again and we each live our own lives without interfering with each other like my previous classmates on Earth. Yep, that is going to happen…

Damn it, can’t a guy catch a break? How come there are so many foreshadowing of the future? And most of them are bad for me… Haaahhh.

Viers sighed and walked with heavy steps to the safehouse. He needed to take his yesterday’s spoil of war to the secret base. The first hundred steps were plagued with worries but those worries gradually became an afterthought.

Viers thought that as long as he was strong enough, any problem was solvable. If someone told him otherwise, he wouldn't believe them. Even if that person was Goddess Estelle herself.

***

Just like a normal kid at his age, Viers had plans after his classes were over. He had plans of going to meet with his bad friends that do bad things such as orchestrating the tragedy yesterday that resulted in the loss of lives of almost a hundred people.

On modern Earth, an incident with fifty person casualties can be international news. Here though? Not so much. The people seem to be more… used to this kind of incident. With monsters all around, in the form of beasts and men, death should be more familiar. Hard world makes hard people, I suppose.

Viers walked with a big potato sack containing his rightfully obtained loot on his back, the signs of the incident yesterday still scarred some places but the townsfolk were doing what they can to mend it. Some people even use magic arts while working.

Hm, by the way, where are the demi-humans? I know this world has elves, dwarves, beastfolks, demons, and others but I never met any of them.

I wonder which is the setting in this world…

First, the other races are weaker than humans and seen as lesser beings. This usually means slavery and oppression of said demi-humans and the remaining free demis lives in hiding from humanity. The MC comes along, a human race, obviously, he or she manages to be buddy-buddy with other races. Global crisis struck, humans and demi-humans make alliances because of MC, crisis averted, all the people in the world hold hands and sing a happy song while the words ‘THE END’ plastered in the middle of the screen.

Second, humans are weaker than other races. This usually means humanity is on the brink of extinction and oppressed. Evil other races like the demon-folk are set as the antagonist while the good other races like elves and dwarves are depicted as indifferent to humanity’s plight or have some difficulties on their own to send their aid. Enter the MC, again, a human race, obviously… or at least half-human. A mix blood with an elf, or a demon, or a dragon, yada-yada, comes along. He or she will lead humanity to equal footing with other races. One of the evil races, demons, most likely, will unleash some terrible catastrophe to end the world. MC strikes alliances with other races to end the threat. Catastrophe averted, other races accept humanity as equal. While looking at human children and children from other races happily playing with each other, the MC smiles and the credits roll.

The common point in those two stories is they both live in harmony with each other. It's always all about family, friendship, cooperation, unity. Because everybody loves being buddy-buddy with everyone…

Well, whichever the case. With me in this world, it won't be so simple, huhhuhuhu.

Back on topic, information about other races or even other places are quite scarce. And it's not like I could open a wiki right at this moment…

God, I miss technology… Information Age! Computers, smartphones, electricity, pizza deliveries, new movies, web novels continuation, manga serials, new games…

Well, it's not all bad. In exchange for those technological advancements, I got Artes. Magical arts for doing magical things!

There must be a bunch of abracadabra with wondrous effects that I can do since Arte is not limited to combat use, although I must admit turning some arrogant ass to charcoal with a lightning bolt could be satisfying. The sky's the limit and I shall reach it!

Viers continued walking while daydreaming and eventually reached the place Wesk gave him, a tavern with the name ‘The Golden Piglet’. It was a medium-sized two-story building. Viers entered through the cowboy door in the front, it was almost sunset so the tavern only had a couple of patrons. A cozy tavern with lots of wooden barrels behind the counter.

Viers approached the table where Wesk and Abe were drinking, a third untouched mug filled to the brim with ale was on the table.

“You know someone of my age shouldn't be drinking alcohol, right?” Viers smiled.

“Hahah, what are you afraid of? No one is going to stop you. Here, drink! Hahah.” Wesk chugged his own ale down his throat.

Huh, Wesk is certainly cheerful enough.

Viers sat down and took only a few sips of his ale to be polite. They made small talks for sometime before telling the barkeep a coded message. The three of them were led to the back without raising any suspicions. In a storeroom full of barrels, the barkeep rotated the barrels in a specific order before a secret entrance on the floor opened before them.

Time to raise my power. Power is good. Viva la Power.

After Wesk and Abe went inside, Viers started his descent into the dark tunnel.