Chapter 64: Katran and his Master (1/2)

”Master…” Sitting at the veranda of his master's lodging, Katran whined into the air. With his eyes glued to the bright, blue skies, one would be unable to tell in just what kind of plight his soul was in.

”What's wrong, little one?” Not expecting an answer to his whine at all, Katran nearly lost his stability when the familiar voice responded unexpectedly.

”Master!” Instantly standing up from the cold tiles of the veranda, Katran's face brightened up for the first time in a long while. 'Now that I finally admitted defeat… Isn't it a bit easier on my soul?' Puzzled by the reason why his mood managed to improve a bit, Katran attempted to formulate a thesis on this point in his mind.

”Stand down, how many times do I need to tell you not to act like that?” Looking at the youth with a mix of scorn and friendly ridicule in his voice, the elder to the developmental affairs of the outer sect smiled. Ever since he had an extensive debacle with that random stranger behind the appearance of that treasure shrine, his mood couldn't be any better.

'If I manage to paint the picture in just the right way…' There was a proper procedure to dealing with Academy as an outsider. Even if some random Joe on the streets would be suddenly enlightened by one of the gods and wished to pass his teachings inside, it would still take a long time for the elders to decide how to profit off it. 'But now? With the shrine already settled? As long as I claim it as my own initiative…' With those slightly shady thoughts appearing in the middle-aged man's head, his mood only continued to soar.

”Master, what do you need me to do, now?” Given how all his attempts to conquer Irea were foiled, Katran suddenly found himself standing at the crossroads. From one side, he could continue to act like the abusive and authoritative veteran of the outer academy, one never capable to reach the inner academy or even a position of a quasi-teacher, not to speak about becoming an elder. On the other hand, he could stop beating himself down due to how long he stood in the same place and attempt to enjoy his situation any bit.

'Rather than bullying others into submission, why won't I do something productive for once…?' In the end, Katran still required to be beaten down so fully and completely to understand this simple truth. Just a few hours ago, he could still consider bullying others as a viable way of expanding his influence. Right now, it was nothing but a waste of time and energy.

”What do I need you to do? What, do you really think I need you for anything?” While his lips still were curved upwards, indicating just how happy his master was, Katran could tell from the utter confusion in his master's eyes that he really meant what he just said.

”Master, with all due respect, but I won't accept the fact that you took me in as your direct disciple… For no reason. With so many people aiming for your favor day and night…” Taking a moment to calm his own emotions down, Katran swallowed a gulp of saliva before looking directly into his master's eyes. ”Why me?”

Ever since this great defeat broke the young man's soul, he could find the answer to this simple question. Asked the same question just a few hours prior, Katran could claim with confidence that it was his skills and personality that made this academy elder turn him into his disciple. But now? Katran could no longer make such a haughty claim.

”I… I see…” Startled by the sudden change happening to his disciple, the middle-aged man finally looked at the youth seriously. 'While its easy to disregard the problems of the younger generation, it doesn't mean they are meaningless. For a child, loss of candy is a big matter.' Trying to figure out the best way to answer, Katran's master took his time to sort out his thoughts.