Chapter 347: Wanna Leave
Chapter 347: Wanna Leave
I am a very selfish guy.
I've known it for a very long time. Everything that I do and every word I say is for what would benefit me in some way, even if it's a small thing.
I don't go around making relationships for fun; I do them for my benefit.
Like Raven. I wasn't supposed to be around her. Ren Hilton was never friends with one of the main heroines. He wasn't even a friend to his own childhood love.
WARNING!
The host has been ensnared by a Curse.
Curse: Fate
Caster: Nature
Current Impact: 55%
Cure: None
Raven's grandfather, her flag that would trigger the phenomenon of her being in love with Adam Stales-the Hero.
He was destined to die by any means. This is only a bit earlier than expected, but like everything else, I am not surprised.
His condition, though... from the day I met Raven, I knew how to save him.
It was not a big deal, but I never spoke about it.
Whenever I saw her doing well in the potion-making class, I didn't feel the guilt that I should feel-not that I am feeling anything now.
If anyone thought, how is her grandfather's death going to help me? What benefit does it do to me?
The answer is, a lot.
Raven turned her face and buried it in my stomach. I held the letter with nothing but four words and the name of the sender that I think wasn't important since his name was not in my memory.
I've known that she doesn't come from a simple background.
Unlike other girls in the game, she was the only one with a family that did hideous stuff, and she knew it.
Something that made her feel attracted to a righteous guy like Adam.
It's not like that anymore, but it would've been if I wasn't here.
And deep down, knowing these things made me feel comfortable too. I felt... relaxed.
I cherish the relationship we have, I really do.
So it makes me question myself: how much of a good friend am I to not save her grandfather, her only family and the person that matters to her the most?Nôv(el)B\\jnn
A pretty bad one, right?
I'm more surprised about how little bad I felt about it, though.
"Mnn." She whimpered as her hand clutched onto my shirt.
A footfall behind me.
"I think—" Adam was the one.
I turned my face towards him. "Stop thinking."
His facial expressions changed to one of hostility. "You are not allowed here."
Adam's eyes flared with anger, his fists clenching at his sides. "You can't just decide that," he said, his voice low but trembling with emotion. "Raven needs people who care about her right now, not someone who treats her-"
I stared back at him. "And you think you're the best person for that?"
"You think you are the best for everyone, right, Adam? Second year at Imperial Academy who gained the support and favor of everyone around him-loved and praised Adam Stales." I looked down at Raven. "Everyone loves and adores you... surrounded by girls who are like goddesses in terms of looks. Must feel like something."
"Something great, something powerful... like a hero."
I didn't say that as much as I do think these words were right; I wouldn't waste a word on this lame guy.
"A hero, a savior..." I involuntarily turned my gaze to Mary Kleine. She flinched when our eyes met. "A close friend to all, a role model."
I could sense silence and even my amazement. It was weird-I was speaking, but I wasn't at the same time.
"How many of the women in this dorm are you sleeping with, hero?"
I saw Adam's face turn red with anger.
I know he wouldn't do that-he's dumb. Like every other hero, he doesn't know how to love, too stupid to pick up on hints until someone confesses to his face or he falls in love with someone completely different than anticipated.
Isn't that how every hero is written? Clueless in love?
"You dare!" Adam dashed forward, his fist cladded in mana.
I felt the grip around my heart loosen for a moment. I raised my palm to the side of my face and prepared for the hit.
THUD
A single punch that didn't land, but I saw mirrors break, lamps hanging lower, and the whole dorm shake.
Same level as me, his strength... I knew in that single punch that he wasn't weaker or stronger but the same as me.
I managed to catch his fist. "You didn't-" I was going to rip him apart right then and there.
"Ruu..."
I saw Raven's eyes open, wide and looking at me.
Raven's eyes were wide, and she looked scared and confused. Her gaze flicked between me and Adam, clearly distressed by the tension in the room.
"Ren..." Her voice was weak, barely a whisper, but it was enough to break the standoff.
I let go of Adam's fist, feeling the anger drain out of me as I looked at her. "Raven, it's okay.
You're safe."
Adam backed off, his expression conflicted. He seemed to realize that this wasn't the time for a confrontation. "Raven, we're all here for you," he said, his voice softer now.
I nodded in agreement, even though I didn't want to. "Yeah, I'm here. Just rest, okay?" Raven's eyes filled with tears again, but this time they seemed more like tears of relief. She clutched my shirt tighter, burying her face in my lap. "Don't go," she whispered.
"I'm not going anywhere," I assured her, my voice steady.
Adam looked like he wanted to say something, but he held back, probably realizing that pushing further wouldn't help. He gave a reluctant nod and stepped back, allowing the tension in the room to dissipate a bit.
Isolde approached slowly, her eyes full of concern. "Raven, do you need anything? Water,
maybe?"
Raven shook her head without lifting her face from my lap. Isolde glanced at me, her expression questioning, but I just shook my head. Right now, Raven needed time and quiet.
Mary finally spoke up, her voice trembling. "Should we call someone? A healer, maybe?" "No," I said firmly. "She just needs rest. Let's give her some space."
The room was silent except for Raven's occasional sniffles. I stroked her hair gently, feeling a strange mix of emotions. Guilt, anger, relief-all swirling inside me, but I pushed them aside. Right now, Raven was my priority.
After a while, Raven's breathing evened out, and she sat up, gathering herself.
"I wanna leave," she said.
"Where?" I looked at her.
"The funeral. I wanna go and see him for the last time," she answered.
"Fine." She wasn't asking for permission, but I didn't know what else to say to her, so I just
nodded.