4 Does it?

After finishing breakfast, Master stood up while looking at me and said "Follow me to the underground training room. You are still weak to light therefore you will be training there until you develop some resistance." He then went for the double doors that we came from.

I looked at Shel, who stood still behind Master's seat during breakfast and since I'll be seeing her almost everyday I should show courtesy, with what I think is the best smile that I could try, told her "Thank you for the meal. It was great." I then followed my Master.

Walking through the halls, I remembered Master explaining that he read my memories, meaning, he knows that this world is a work of fiction.

I worriedly stare at Master's back while thinking 'How could he be calm about this? Knowing that everything you did and will do is just fictitious, Sh-should I ask him? I mean I should, I'm in the same boat now, dammit! But what if asking him causes a mental breakdown for some reason and starts berserking and kill me.'

Senex turned to look elsewhere while still plagued by the thought of potential red flag and his now apparent meaningless existence. He did not notice that his father was observing his semi-paranoia attack. He abruptly stopped and turned to confront his son about what troubles him as to not have his training obstructed by unimportant matters.

*Bump*

"Oof" I let out reactively.

'Did I walk into a wall? Damn embarrassing.' I thought while rubbing my forehead. I look forward finding black cloth and then look up, facing an old wrinkly face of my 'father'.

"Ah, sorry. I was distracted for a moment." I hurriedly say.

He then replies " What troubles you, my boy?" while staring at my face with inquisitive look.

"N-nothing I was just thinking about what sort of training I'll be going through, hopefully nothing too hard, e-ehehe" I say and try to laugh in a natural way which clearly failed.

Not happy with his son's attempt at bluffing his way out.

He said in a demanding tone of voice "Senex, you will tell me what thoughts occupy your mind to the point of distracting you."

I say nothing and simply stare into his crimson eyes with sweat forming on my forehead.

…

.…

...…

.....…

And so, the staring contest between Father and Son went on for several minutes.

"Haaah~" I sighed while breaking eye contact, seeing that my 'father' won't budge is admirable but kinda annoying since I admitted defeat.

Seems like he's hell-bent on knowing what's weighing on my mind. It's kinda heart-warming, having someone care for me in this foreign world. His eyes do look like they contain concern for me, guess it's true what they say 'the eyes are the window to your soul'

Taking a deep breath, I confessed about my worries.

After my confession, it is now his turn to sigh.

"fuuu~"

He pulled back his black cloak's right sleeve, lifted his right arm and brought it down like a hammer on my head.

*Smack!*

"Gah!" Grabbing my head in pain, I yelled "What the hell was that for!?"

He yelled back "That is for thinking of foolish matters!"

Hearing that, I was agitated and glared at him "How is that foolish!? Y-you just found out that your whole world is a damned book created by some guy in a different world. Everything you did, everything you accomplished, BECAUSE OF SOME FUCKING RANDOM MAN!!

Doesn't that make you question anything, EVERYTHING!?"

I panted after that sudden outburst.

He nonchalantly said "Does it matter?"

"Huh?" I let out, stupefied.

Forming a smile, he continued "As I told you, does it matter?

Whether you do acknowledge the fact or not, does it matter?

It is as you said, everything was created by someone.

The same can be said to your previous world, does it not?

Not much difference in our two worlds after all.

Everything was created by someone, be they God or Man, does it still matter?

All you have to do now is live this life that you have been given to the fullest.

You are, after all, quite lucky, do you not agree?

Becoming a Devil, do you not consider it a blessing?

I saw your previous life, rather boring Hahaha!"

He started ruffling my hair while saying "Do not think much about that rubbish, what ifs or what is beyond the unknown, even I do not know and I have lived for a millennia Hahaha!"

I stood, mouth agape, eyes gazing upon the man who I now consider my Father laughing away a fact that would make most, if not all, people mad.

Listening to what he declared made the weight on my mind disappear, as if it was never there in the first place.

I giggle while thinking 'fufufu, such simplicity.

Quite endearing, really.

Guess I was thinking too damn hard.

No, it never mattered.

I'll start living this life to the fullest now!'

I resolutely vowed.

I smacked his hand away from my head, glared at him with a toothy smile and declared "Thanks for that Father."

He replied with his own signature smile.

Father turned around, walked away jubilantly shouting "Onward, to the underground training room, my boy!"

I chased after the man I now respect and consider as my Father.