What the hell was that? This was the man whom I respected for so long and even just a minute ago he seemed to be a great man. Why wouldn’t he listen to me? If the Shriekers attack, with a strength like that we’ll be in a great danger, especially if we aren’t prepared! Besides the later that crazy cult is dealt with, the more difficult it’ll be. It’s been quite dangerous even before, but now they even have the support of the Shriekers!

What was it that he said? That he can’t allow someone to cause mass panic. Is he really that short-sighted? Maybe it’d indeed cause something like that at first, but it’s still better compared to the alternative, in which they'd only realize that the enemy is way stronger than what they would've imagined when they get to face them. Now that’s what will definitely cause mass panic, and right in the middle of the battle!

And what about the activity of that sect? They’ll just go around and kidnap talented youth during their Coming of Age ceremony and consequently, in just mere decades our strength will dwindle!

No matter how much I think about it, I just can’t understand him. How can be someone so incapable and ignorant our governor?

I should go and tell the people myself what happened, but... Would they even believe me? Maybe if I was the same Quin as before, the martial genius of our nation, but that’s not the case. Even if the majority of them don’t know that my condition is permanent, they’ll probably just see a broken, pitiable kid, who wants some attention. Even Leyn had found it hard to believe me, then how can I expect the others, strangers, to do so?

Damn! Why does it always have to be so complicated!

During his whole first week at home, he stayed in their house. It was not what he wanted to do, however his body was still weak, and at first even a few minutes of walk in their garden was exhausting. Though his body was still in the Qi Condensation sub-stage, he had been lying in bed for several weeks and it needed some time -- especially without his Lightning Qi there to help -- to recover.

Leyn visited him nearly everyday, and even Alinor came over twice. Honestly, Quin was quite grateful for those visits, and despite how he felt previously toward Leyn, their friendship seemed to be quickly back to almost how it had been years ago. There were still some lingering awkwardness, but mostly on his side, it seemed Leyn was not one to held grudges.

On the third day of the second week he decided that he would finally go outside for a bit. It was only the local library he visited, which was within ten minutes of walk. Quin did not go there for fun, but to search through the various books.

He knew obviously, that there was virtually no chance that he would find something on how to restore his cultivation, however he still had to try. Besides he needed to do something, as sitting at home and lazing around could be quite enjoyable, but not for weeks. He would also be exempt from school for about a month, so he needed to find some kind of task or goal that would occupy him.

Afterward, he visited the library every second day and stayed the whole afternoon there, unfortunately -- but not surprisingly -- he did not find anything useful.

One day when he was going home, something unexpected happened. A middle-aged man and woman -- both of them were wearing black formal clothes --, were walking toward him. After briefly looking at their faces, Quin realized that they were Dreon’s parents.

When they looked back to Quin, they noticed him as well, and the woman’s expression turned instantly into one filled with disgust and anger.

“Good D-” Just as he was about to greet them, the woman stepped closer and grabbing him by his collar, started yelling at him.

“You! It’s all your fault!” she shouted and she was filled with so much anger that even the veins on her head bulged out. “We’ve heard everything about what happened and how you’ve chased our Dreon away, straight into the Danger Zone, just because he said something like you didn’t like! How did you dare to do something like this?! You’re a scum, a worthless trash! But I’m still happy that you got what you had deserved at least! Though having your cultivation destroyed couldn’t compare to our son’s life, it’s still a start!”

At this point a smaller crowd gathered around them, eagerly watching what was happening.

“That’s enough, dear. Let’s go,” the man said, and putting his arm around her, escorted her away.

“I just hope you will live your whole life in suffering!” turning back, the woman shouted one last time before leaving.

Quin was completely dumbstruck and just stood there for moments. Why? Why would I be the one responsible for what happened? I didn’t chase Dreon away, it was his decision! I’m not the one at fault! I’m not!

Despite his thoughts, he felt overflown with guilt, because deep down he knew that even if it had not been intentional and there was no way he would have known what would happen, it was still his actions what eventually led to this outcome.

Realizing that everyone’s eyes were on him, he ran quickly away. When he got home he was totally exhausted and felt that his body was craving for energy, for something to fuel it. However he did not have qi anymore, and only felt as his main Core was pulsating, bringing an unimaginable pain. Shit! Why does it hurt so much!

Quin shut himself in his room, and was barely able to lie down on his bed. He wallowed and groveled in pain, which just did not leave him in peace. Although he felt it only in his stomach, it was one of the worst ones he ever felt and nothing he did proved to be useful. He tried moving into one position after another, he tried massaging that area and even tried bashing his head against the bed’s headboard to lessen his suffering, but all was to no avail.

He had been proud of his exceptional pain tolerance ever since he began his training in the first grade, but now even tears began to drop from his eyes. After a while, he even started to beg for someone, be it a Spirit or God, to take pity on him and stop this suffering. Unfortunately there was no one who listened to his plea and he spent the entire night like that.

When her mother called him for dinner, he told her with the last usable part of his consciousness, that he was quite tired and would instead go to bed early. Maybe he would feel better with her at his side, but he perfectly remembered the times his mother visited him during his coma, and there would be no way he would make his mother cry again.

“Quin, it’s already noon! Come down to eat!”

He woke up to his mother’s shout and reflexively grabbed his stomach. It ended? Oh god, finally. Man, for some time I even thought I’d die, but thanks to the heavens I’m still alive and the pain is no more! It was definitely the worst night I ever had... I should’ve went to the hospital straight away, but it didn’t even occur to me yesterday. He sighed. Should I go now? Nah, I don’t feel it anymore, and there won’t be a next time as I just probably overexerted myself. What a crappy day! He remembered what happened before and his mood got instantly sour. As if it could not get any worse, thanks to yesterday’s events he would not be able to avoid it anymore.

Naturally he was aware of that his friend died, and it was not like he did not care about it at all. The truth was that he simply tried to forget it, to hide it deep inside his mind. He had enough reason these days to be sad and depressed, so he did not want to have another one.

Just thinking about Dreon made it difficult for him to not start crying like a child. It feels so similar to that time, when Pharren died... So empty and sad. They aren’t anymore, I can’t go to talk to them, play with them or just do something fun together. If only we didn’t decide to go in that direction but to somewhere else, or I could’ve just contained my fucking anger a bit better! I’m so stupid...

“Hey, Quin, why aren’t you coming, are you alright?” His mother stood in front of his door, knocking.

Oh, right, I totally forgot about that.

“Yeah, I’m fine, sorry. It just felt so great to lie in the bed for a few more minutes, but I’m coming now.”