41 Planning For The Future

What a weird girl...

I really don't want anything to do with her. If it weren't for the fact that she was Sapphire's Personal Maid and childhood friend, then I would've killed this insect already... No, it's not that I failed my attempt at assassinating her. I let her off...!

I may not be able to win against this weird psychopath in a straightforward fight, but that doesn't mean I don't have my methods to eliminate her... I'll get working on an ambush later...

I don't like how she looks at me. When I think of the top three things I hate in this world. That bloody psychopathic Personal Maid takes the top spot. She takes the gold medal at infuriating me!

Well... It's a good thing I found out the identity of my hidden enemy. The amount of danger 'Sylphy' now posed is a lot lower now that I'm keeping an eye on her. I didn't feel bad about ignoring her passionate speech since it's not like she'll blow her cover and actually try to personally kill me considering her status.

I'm not naive enough to believe Sapphire or even the House Master wouldn't be able to deal with her if she was to get out of line. There's even a chance they aren't completely ignorant about her...

She may have terrifying origins and unfathomable swordsmanship, but that doesn't change the fact that Sapphire's Intrinsic Art- Infinite Swords was her bane. No matter how much she sharpens her swordsmanship, it can't compare to Infinite Swords.

She also seemed to have a good relationship with Sapphire, so it's probably fine if I leave her alone for now. I am not going to be her pawn!

"You're done?" A surprised voice resounded as soon as I walked out.

"Errr..." After experiencing Sylphy's true nature, I didn't know what to say to this innocent girl who was supposed to be her friend. Even my overwhelming killing intent towards Sylphy subsided as I didn't know how to handle these two girls. Should I even be thinking of killing Sylphy and causing grief to Sapphire who only had few friends?

Wouldn't Sapphire be hurt if I killed her?

No, I shouldn't be thinking that way. I should be thinking about my family before this first 'friend' I made... Though why is it I'm unable to think of anything else but how Sapphire would react...?

"Were you listening in?" I smiled and pretended to act casually. Displaying none of the negativity that filled my heart after realising that my so-called 'sibling' aimed to siphon out my strength.

"I'm a Fire Specialist, remember?" Her response reminded me of how Fire Spells tended to make loud noises due to their explosive nature. No wonder she didn't hear anything... Her training grounds must have been built and enchanted be soundproof so she could train without having to mind about causing a ruckus.

"Looking at that face of yours, it seems it didn't go as well as I thought." She seemed to look past my outward façade and see my depression underneath...

"Aren't you going to comfort me~? Oh how lonely is my heart~ I'm sure a broken hearted man like me would fall for anyone who decided to use this chance to get closer to me~" I spoke melodramatically and winked at her. The best way to keep something a secret is by fooling oneself.... After all, I didn't want her to figure out what truly happened...

Telling Sapphire of Sylphy's true nature would be a foolish thing to do considering her straightforward personality. There's a chance Sapphire may even die if Sylphy was to use the chance created from my carelessness to eliminate her biggest threat...!

I'm not sure how Sapphire has been able to avoid being mind-controlled but there's no evidence to suggest that Sylphy wouldn't harm her if given the opportunity. I'd best be more careful...

Well, that's if she isn't in-the-know. If she is, then that will be a whole other set of problems...

"Now aren't you pitiful~?!" Sapphire seemed amused by my casual flirtation and didn't take it to heart. It looks like she truly doesn't see me as husband material despite my talents and handsome looks...

Yeah, I called myself handsome. Mark can go fall in a ditch for all I care.

"There there~ Don't cry." She used this opportunity to pat my head, which immediately made me take a step back in shock! I feel like she reversed the situation in some strange way...

My hand traced the area where she put her hand... I felt quite awkward...

"What's wrong? Didn't you pat my head without permission not too long ago? Think of this as a little payback for back then~" She laughed after seeing how I couldn't process her actions.

These girls are really weird...

How long has it been since someone other than Mother had patted my head?

It really is a strange feeling... Is this how 'friends' are supposed to act like?

I'm not quite sure considering the fact that I only had 'comrades' in my past life... The bond created from surviving together was stronger than the bond a person could form with words alone...

"I guess I can't argue with that..." I sighed in return and stopped thinking about it. My motto is that there's no need for me to think too deeply about things that I can't emotionally comprehend...

"Are you disappointed in how I couldn't snag a wife?" My composure returned as I tried to tease her once again. I felt like I lost somehow and wanted regain a little of my pride.

"No, this result is quite good in my opinion." She answered unexpectedly.

"Why so?" I asked with curiosity.

"Nothing really." She shook her head and spoke so softly I almost missed it.

"Sorry, did you say something?" I lied through my teeth to see if I could get anything out of her. My inquisitive nature popped up as I wanted to know more. Half answers are dissatisfying to any listener!

"You're such a weirdo, so you wouldn't really suit Sylphy, that's all!" She blushed before covering her momentary loss of composure with a laugh. I feel like she's not being honest with me at all..,

"How could you call your friend a weirdo?! I-" And then I was interrupted by Sylphy's left eye glaring at me through a small opening from the door behind me. I almost forgot this girl exists...

Sapphire turned to look as Sylphy came out of her Training Grounds with a frown and stood behind her. I wasn't really scared of what she'd do since it wasn't like she would suddenly be able to act against me now that I had uncovered her identity. She seemed to be playing her 'mute' role as usual.

"Hah... Aren't YOU the one who rejected him? Why is it you look more depressed than he is? Don't tell me you're regretting your decision now...?" Sapphire spoke after noticing her maid's deep sadness.

Sylphy didn't speak to her as usual and just gestured her hands in return.

"I won't pry then." Sapphire shook her head since Sylphy didn't want to say anything about it. It looks like she wanted to give her some privacy. I wonder if their relationship is sincere or just a camouflage...

"Can you leave us alone for a bit? I want to talk to her about something."

"Is it about my sudden 'confession'?" I asked with deeper meaning that only Sylphy was able to understand. Her eyes only gazed at me with a mixture of hatred and affection before looking away... I really shouldn't get involved with her since-

She gave me that look again! Creepy!

I somehow feel like using a knife to cut those eyes out whenever I see them...! I think it would be best if only hatred was mutual between us.

Oh yeah, she owes me a new knife as well! I better hide Anna's present under my bed... Who knows how she'll react once she finds out it broke? Hopefully she won't try and ask me about it...

"You're confession? There's no way I'd pry into something so deliciously interesting, right~?" Sapphire asked sarcastically with a teasing smile...

"Go meet your parents for now... They have been waiting in their room for a long time. All I needed to do was walk past their door to feel the heavy atmosphere surrounding it." She continued by changing the subject masterfully. For the first time since I had learned of Sylphy's true nature, I smiled from the bottom of my heart.

Looks like I will have to alter my plans to give up on this household for a bit for Sapphire's sake... No, I need to find away to leave get her to place with me. We'll leave here together!

I no longer felt safe in this household after Merilin's sudden 'assassination'.

If a mere child could get by our defences undetected, then there's no telling how many more assassin's could be sent to kill Merilin in my absence...

I didn't head to my parent's room first since my little sister was more important at the moment. That and the fact that I didn't really know how to look her in the eyes right now...

I feel a little guilty for mercilessly killing that assassin now... Maybe I should have captured her instead of executing her on the spot? I wouldn't have to deal with this situation if I at least had mercy...

After seeing how Merilin was just playing with the other servant's as usual... I grabbed her hand and dragged her to our parent's room.

"Mom and Dad want to meet us?" She seemed back to normal as she asked.

"Yeah... It looks like I'm going to get told off." I said with complicated emotions... A part of me wanted to run away while another was making me want to face everything head-on. I guess my experience from my past life is telling me not to repeat the same mistakes...

No more running away...

No more...!

I could feel an ominous amount of magical energy radiating out of their room our we reached our parent's door... It looked like they were worried so much they couldn't control their strength. Well... at least no damage could be done to living beings by pure Attribute-less Internal Energy (Mana) alone.

"Mother, Father..." I spoke after entering the room with Merilin.

"Son..." "My child..." Both of them reacted and suddenly hugged me.

How long has it been since I was hugged like this...? Five years?

They seemed to have calmed down as soon as they were saw me unharmed.

"..." No, it's different. Although they were intimate like usual, there was now a heaviness to the atmosphere around them as they restrained their strong Light Mana that was leaking out.

The higher the Magical Talent, the higher control a person needed over their own emotions. It was normal they were unable to hide their thoughts once their emotions reached a certain level...

"Are you disappointed in me?" For the first time in my life, I wasn't given an immediate answer by them. They were hesitant to respond as they let me go. Though I don't exactly blame them for this.

I wasn't a child anymore... They couldn't just attribute what I did with words like 'immaturity' or that I 'had no choice'. The fact that I was able to break anti-magic bricks was proof that I had been hiding my capabilities from them... There's no way someone who had recently created their Skill Root would possess my ridiculous power. And having 'no choice' was only a laughable excuse...

"We aren't." Father responded after Mother lowered her head in thought.

Maybe this answer would satisfy most children my age... but I wasn't fool.

"Haha... hahahaha!" I laughed humorously after hearing his words.

What truly sad laugh I let out... It was only after calming down did I shake my head bitterly. Mother also seemed to be surprised by my laughter as she looked at me with puzzlement in her eyes.

Father, you can't fool my instincts...

"You lied." I actually felt quite hurt.

Was there really a need to lie...?

"Son...!" Father bit his tongue after realising his mistake. It looked like the man himself didn't realise he was lying to comfort himself... How could I expect him to say something sincere?

An awkward silence enveloped the room as his careless words affected all of us. Even Merilin seemed hurt by how Father lied to me personally without even noticing it himself...

"Just ignore your father." Mother's gentle voice broke the silence as she kneeled down to put her hand on my shoulder. It was then she made eye-contact with me to show her sincere eyes.

"You did what you thought was the right thing to do. I- No... 'We' are proud of you, my child. You protected your little sister from danger... and that is all that matters now." She continued sincerely before putting her forehead on my own.

She then shifted her eyes to Merilin who had been standing there all along and gave her a cuddle. As Mother comforted her after she had went through such an experience, my eyes locked with my Father's wordlessly as I felt our relationship had damaged...

"Honey, don't you agree?" Mother asked with some heaviness in her tone.

"Of course." Although Father spoke his agreement with an expressionless face, my instincts could tell that he was lying again. He walked forward and gave me a pat on the shoulder before leaving the room...

I wanted to follow him and ask him why he was still disappointed in me but couldn't find the courage... I have fought a thousand battles, but family matters like this have never been my forte.

I have no idea why my father isn't satisfied despite him being the most enthusiastic about putting me through arduous training at a young age... What isn't he satisfied about?! I did what HAD to be done!

I was clearly in the right! I fought in self-defence and protected Merilin...!

"Mother." I put my complicated feelings to side for now and called out.

"Yes?" Mother, who was telling Merilin about just how worried she had felt after hearing of the incident, responded with a hint of confusion in her voice.

"I want to take Merilin away from this place." I straightforwardly requested.

"What do you mean by 'this place'? You were born and raised here... This is your 'home'!" Mother felt agitated at my words as she covered my mouth.

It was almost like she treated what I said as something horrifying to hear...

"No... You, Father, Merilin, Mark and Anna, are my family. However, this isn't my 'home'..." I spoke resolutely. No matter how deeply I tried to integrate into the mindset of the youth who now went by the name of 'Simon Rainglow', I could never forget my former family and original home. This place... this 'world'... After Merilin's assassination attempt, had now become a battlefield in my eyes.

My 'home' is on Earth... and I've already decided that once I'm strong enough... I'll take my 'new family' back there. Whether it's Void or Enigma, no one will be able to stop this ambition!

"I'm sorry... I have no other choice."