191 Strict Authority (2/2)

At that moment, a gentle knock sounded on the door to a room. After a day of training, Aiguo was limp with exhaustion. Detecting the sound of a knock on his door, he groaned and rolled himself on the side of his bed.

”Come in,” He grumbled.

Following his muffled words, the door slid open. When Rin entered the room, she saw the boy laid out on his bed, limbs sprawled out with no visible movement.

She sighed. ”You're not going to last with this endurance of yours.”

Hearing the girl's voice, Aiguo's eyes opened wide, and he quickly sat upright. He groaned at his sore muscles and rubbed his arms. He looked up to see Rin walking over to sit on the edge of his bed. His face flushed a little. A subtle scent came from her shoulders, making him slightly nervous.

”What…What are you doing here?��

Alone in a room with the girl he likes, his heart couldn't help but race. He straightened himself up, crossed his legs, and looked into those emerald eyes that always captivated him.

Meanwhile, Rin stared at the boy with an unclear expression.

After a long moment of silence, she said: ”I'm leaving.”

Very quickly, the smile on Aiguo's face vanished. His brows furrowed into a tight frown.

”What do you mean you're leaving?” He made a dark expression.

Rin looked at him for a moment then sighed. ”I had mentioned to you before that I came here to find someone. Now that I've found them, I can continue my goal.”

”What's your goal?” Aiguo frowned.

She smiled but could give no answer. Her response only caused Aiguo's frustration to flare. He clenched his fist and finally restrained his erupting emotions.

”Can I come with you?”

”No.” Rin shook her head.

”Why not?!” His voice raised a little.

Facing the boy's anger, Rin's expression remained calm. She emitted a small sigh as if she were dealing with a child's tantrum.

”The journey is too unpredictable. Moreover, your purpose is to stay here and train under my uncle. In a few years, you will be a soldier in his army.”

Aiguo frowned and fiercely said, ”What if I don't want to train? What if I don't want to become a soldier?”

”You won't have a choice. You will obey.” She declared. Her tone was serious.

Unlike her usually soft and kind voice, the Rin now carried the strict authority of a person in power. Aiguo stiffened and gnashed his teeth in frustration, his clenched fingers biting into his palms.

Listening to her words, he could feel for the first time, the difference in not just their age, but status as well. He felt powerless. Weak.

”Is this why you brought me here? To get rid of me so you could go on your journey?” He asked while gritting his teeth.

”Aiguo…” Rin sighed softly.

”No! The moment we left the village, everything you do or say isn't for me but yourself! You don't care whether I'm miserable or not! Everything, all of it is just for yourself!”

His chest rose up and down rapidly with heavy breaths. Rin's face had been stone before he spoke; then it hardened. For a moment, an inkling of affliction surfaced on her face but disappeared the next second. She stared at Aiguo for a moment then stood up from the bed and walked to the window, her hands behind her back.

”You're right. I am doing this for myself. I don't particularly care whether you're happy or not. Is it unreasonable? Perhaps it is.”

She turned around to face Aiguo and her eyes shone with strong emotions.

”But I don't want to see another person I care about to die. When I'm gone, I won't be able to protect you anymore. That's why you need to grow stronger mentally and physically. You may not like it, but this is your only choice.”

Aiguo was stunned for a moment. The anger in his eyes instantly chilled over, but the guilt in his heart only increased. When he met her deep gaze, he looked away. He sat quietly, thinking of her words.

Seeing him fall into deep thought, Rin's expression softened and returned to her usual soft smile.

While her tone remained cold, it just so slightly thawed as she said, ”You won't need to attend tomorrow's training. Take the time to rest.”

Aiguo was silent. He hesitated for a moment before shifting his head to meet her gaze. However, when he lifted his head, she was already exiting his room; the door closing behind her.