14 A Choice (1/2)

”So?”

Aaron answered nonchalantly, which made Edmond's eyes pop out of his skill.

So? Did you just really say that? Aren't you supposed to be some sort of primitive guy who would be awed by something like this?

Seeing him look so surprised, Aaron chose to explain.

”It's a common scene in the forest. A female Tera leaves the side of a male one if something else shows that it is stronger. The first male Tera tries to grow stronger and get revenge, but it does that with its own power, as otherwise, it would have no meaning. If other means were used, the female Tera would scoff and start looking for another mate. Power is…I think 'King' is the word. It does not explain why you wanted to enslave my friend.”

The last sentence was uttered in an ice-cold tone, which made Edmond understand that that was something which really touched the bottom line of this guy.

As for the rest, Edmond wasn't that surprised to hear it. 'Common behaviors of Teras' was a class he had had to sit through, but he had never paid that much attention. Now that he thought about it, he vaguely remembered something of the sort, but he couldn't have expected that this guy would associate the actions of those wild evolved animals with his story.

At least, one thing had become clear; the one in front of him was definitely not as primitive and simple as he had thought. True, he might be unaware of social propriety or other complex social topics, but he wasn't a fool either.

So, Edmond firmly decided not to treat him like one. Setting his face into an expression of determination, he decided to just tell the truth.

Aaron watched as the various emotions flashed through Edmond's face. Seeing the determination at the end, he leaned forward, eager to solve this puzzle.

”Desperation. I was desperate. I was cheated out of all my money. I won't be becoming an Ascender, which would qualify me for better materials and a little bit of money. I have barely enough time left to get back before my father will be hanged. So, I just chose the easy way out. I know that your Tera is powerful. All Teras of those who survive in the forest have high potential and battle ability. This was my last chance. Now that it has failed, I don't know what I'll do.”

Towards the end, Edmond sighed sadly and hung his head low. Hearing the reality of his situation, he truly felt lost.

Looking down and thinking for a bit, Aaron said, ”Start from what happened to your parents.”

Nodding, Edmond took a moment to gather his thoughts before speaking.

He still kept the adage from before in his mind, so he made sure that he didn't go into the details too much.

”You're right, it's a pretty cliched tale…it's told in stories everywhere. Cases of women falling for men who are much more powerful than their husbands or boyfriends. But this…is different. My mother and father were happily married! They had been childhood friends for more than a decade before they chose to be wed…I know that my mother would never do something like that. But she saw him in a City Square, and it was as if a spell came over her. My father even tried to enlist the help of a friend who was an Energy Manipulator, but he just said that there was no spell there, but he looked afraid. No one came forward to help. My father tried to take matters into his own hands, but he was imprisoned and sentenced to death because that guy had connections with people in the top echelons of the City. The guard who arrested my father even said that there were no charges! But there, I got my only chance. The Chief Guard said that if I got a strong Tera and managed to beat an Ordinary Ascender that he chose, he would let us leave and tell that guy that we are dead. That is the only chance I have…I wanted to get far away so that my actions wouldn't be known to them. I wanted to surprise them with a strong Tera. But all that was for naught. Everything…is over now.”

BAM!

Edmond had just been about to hang his head with a hopeless expression again, but he got up with a start when he heard a loud noise.

Looking to the side, he stepped back with fear when he saw something lodged in the thick wooden wall right beside him.