Onward to the Sun

Chapter 17: An Exchange of Thoughts [Part 2]

Chapter 17: An Exchange of Thoughts [Part 2]

I smiled reluctantly, “I am not really much of a fighter... Also, I was only trained on the proper activation of my acnologia and making my mana power increase more. My combat skill is close to zero.” I pursed my lips, “so, I think I shall pass.”

“We cannot have that.” Gaia shook her head and the rest agreed to her.

“Yes, I can help you learn the basics of combat, though.” Thaddeus offered to me, his eyes gleaning with desire and pride for himself. “What do you think?”

“I will take care of that,” Helios replied and looked at me, “right, Luna?” His eyes seem to be demanding for me to agree and I just nodded, this made Helios smile more as if it made him happy that I agreed to train with him, “that settles it then. I will be the one to teach Luna on the basics of combat later on.”

After eating our dinner, we decided to head back to our house and as we walked, I noticed that Helios was walking slower, as if there was something bothering him. He was already being left behind by the rest of us, so, I decided to lower my pace as well—I do not know exactly why. Instead, I just looked at the night sky that was sprinkled with beautiful dots of stars, and the moon was in a crescent shape as well, and it was curved upward, like it was smiling down on us. I looked at the back physiques of the rest of us, and they were already far away.

“Is something bothering you?” I asked Helios.

He shook his head, “no, I am just thinking you are adapting very well in the Academia... And that you are very hardworking and focused on the tasks given to you,” he smiled at me. He did not know though that it was exactly the opposite—I was not adapting at all because I was resisting, and I was very focused on the tasks given to me because that will provide a reason for me to avoid them, especially him. Now, my action is quite contradictory to what I have been manifesting for the past few days. I do not know why I am too drawn towards Helios, I guess because he is the first person I met here, and that he helped a lot during my days here.

“So, you are thinking of me.” That was the words that I unconsciously said, and that made Helios to appear flustered because he did not see it coming. I awkwardly chuckled, “you must be very concerned about me, then, thank you for that, Helios. You are a kind and good friend of mine.”

He simply smiled and nodded. We can no longer see the figure of the rest of our squad, and now it was just us walking on the pathway that was dimly lit by the yellow lamplights at the side of the cobblestone road. We walked at a very slow pace as if taking our time.

“I do not know, perhaps I am just very grateful to you because you saved my life.” Helios said after a few seconds of silence, “I owe you so much, more than you know.”

“You have compensated for it already when you brought me here,” I smiled at Helios, “no need to feel indebted.”

Helios looked at me for a few seconds, then looked away as if he was avoiding to meet my gaze. Seeing this side of Helios made him appear to be vulnerable, but I have already seen different sides of him with this one week of being together. He is very expressive with his emotions and thoughts, and all that he shows are raw and unfiltered version of him.

“What do you think of this world, then?” Helios asked me. “I mean, this is a very absurd question since you rarely saw the world outside and most of your time here is inside the Academia, but still, what do you think of this world?”

“I think it is beautiful.”

“I thought so too.” Helios smiled, “I want to protect its beauty from the evil forces that plans to destroy it, like how they did to my Sunfioree Kingdom.”

“You cannot protect it alone, though.” Somehow, I wanted to laugh at myself for saying this. For someone who used to think ‘I do not need anyone’, this is a big irony. “You need the support of other people though, I guess that is why we are a class and a team.”

“Yeah, I know that... I just do not like the idea of involving other people in my personal affairs in life, especially with my quest for revenge.” Helios sighed, “all of us already have many in our plates.”

“Still, what if something bad happened to you? It will greatly damage our class.” I reasoned out, “you have already caused enough trouble and I wish you already learned your lessons.”

“Actually, I did... The hard way.”

Both of us chuckled because of his declaration. With our talk in the cold night, I unconsciously lowered by guard down and let myself be vulnerable towards him as well. Somehow, having someone to talk with gives a sense of relief... As an introvert, conversing with someone is taxing, but it is not the same when it comes to Helios. I actually enjoy it, rather than resent the idea of socializing with him. I feel bewitched by his charms. He is a good and generous man, and he keeps his words as well.

Despite how he has suffered as well, he remains strong. I admire him. I wish I can also be like him, because I know I cannot be... I miss my Dad and I miss home too.

“Helios, what if the time comes and I will return home?” I asked out of the blue. I do not know why I asked, but a part of me wanted to hear his own thoughts about it.

He stopped walking and stared at me after, “I will miss you.”