Unwan made his way to the dining hall.
Today was the last day. That meant it was the last day he would be able to enjoy such delicious meals. So, in some sense, today had to feel like a celebration. Or at the very least, a day filled with delicacies. Of course, the dining hall was overflowing with such things. Even a single steak, just like on his very first day would have been enough to make Unwan happy.
He reached the dining hall. As always, the seats were almost completely full. Unwan slipped in between them and sat down somewhere. He took a slice of cake that looked unusual, luxurious, and sweet, and ate it. Then he drank some tea.
Unwan was puzzled.
'Ah… how do my peers even drink that very bitter, strange black liquid called coffee? Tea is clearly better.'
After finishing breakfast, Unwan headed toward the Faculty of Survival in the Night Curse Realm. By now, almost no one looked at him as if he were strange. Everyone had seen him, and his grimoire nearly every day, except for the newcomers. But that didn't mean they felt nothing. Because of the curse labeled [Unliked], people still looked at him with a peculiar mix of dislike and quiet hostility. Still, Unwan had grown used to it.
He reached the faculty building and went inside. Genius was there alone, sitting with a somewhat gloomy expression.
"Did something happen?" Unwan asked.
— No… nothing.
But after a few seconds, Genius began to speak.
— Try to imagine this. You pass on all your knowledge to a single person. You train him with all your strength so he can survive. You advise him, share new information with him… and then, one day, you must part ways. Can you imagine how difficult that feels?'
Unwan almost laughed inwardly. But, It was true. Yet no matter how much he might wish otherwise, Unwan wanted to stay with Genius Nort longer than Nort himself wished.
Who knew how many people Unwan could still become friends with? And besides, the description of [Unliked] clearly said 'everyone'. Everyone.
But he couldn't stay.
— Genius… Master, you know it yourself. I can't stay here longer than one month. It's the academy's rule. So why don't you leave this place yourself? After all, there's no one else here who even tries to preserve the knowledge you possess.
— But someone might appear. If this were an ordinary situation, I would say yes without hesitation. But I still have hope. Before you came, my last student left six years ago. I only heard that he became a Reader. After that… nothing. He vanished without a trace, as if he had never existed.
Seeing that Unwan was quietly listening, Genius continued.
— But then you came. You freed me from six years of solitude. Do you know how terrible loneliness is? It preserves you perfectly on the outside, while eating you away from the inside. And there is nothing a person can do to stop it.
He sighed and then continued.
— Very well, you will leave. No other student will come. Perhaps it will take another six years, or twelve for the next one. As long as I live, I will wait, hoping that another student as good as you will appear.
'What would you even know about loneliness, Master? You said it eats you from the inside while keeping the outside intact? If only. Because of this curse, I am condemned to loneliness. You? I am destined to act alone and independently. You?
No one likes me. No one even wants to work with me. And you? In this regard, you have achieved far more than I ever could.
You have fought countless battles in the Night Curse Realm. You passed the second-tier Caleostra Trial, and now you are here.
And me? Who would ever need an ordinary boy like me?'
But these words would have cut deeply into both of them.
Unwan respected Genius. That was why he asked one final question.
— Master… before we part, may I ask you something? If I were to form a personal cohort - non-standardized, assembled solely for combat, would you join me?
There was a hint of surprise in Genius's eyes. But his answer remained calm.
— No.
— Why, Master? Why do you confine yourself to loneliness like this? Why do you wish to let both of us rot in solitude? You know what my curse entails.
— There is only one reason, Killing people. I have faced many battles. And I am certain that within at least one year, you will clash with another human. Believe me, such battles are common in the Night Curse Realm. Blood is spilled there in vast amounts. So I made a vow to myself: I will never kill anyone. Even if they have murdered a member of the royal family. Even if they have destroyed the entire academy. Even if… they kill you. No matter what happens, I do not have the right to take a life. If you promise me that you will follow the same principle, then I will stand by your side, Unwan.
Unwan was deeply moved by these words. Genius seemed like the embodiment of the highest form of humanity. Someone who tried, as much as possible, to make everything beneficial to others.
— I'm not telling you to be kind to people at all costs, Unwan. Just don't kill them. Leave them be. Right now, you might think, 'I wouldn't kill anyone anyway.' But believe me, the Night Curse Realm is a place that will force you to do things like that… and far worse. When that time comes, you will understand why I asked this of you.
Unwan fell silent. He wanted to say something, to thank his master, but empty words meant nothing to him. He wanted to give something instead. But what? He had almost nothing.
Then, suddenly, a thought crossed his mind. He didn't know how similar it truly was, but he hoped. Yes, hope was a poison, but even water became poison when taken in excess.
— Master… do you know where the fountain with the statue of Rendi von Andel is located?
***
After bidding farewell to Genius Nort, Unwan told him about the Spring of Hope. And now, he stood alone outside the academy gates.
The day was already past noon. The air was warm, but a cool breeze drifted through from time to time.
— Autumn is coming.
With those words, Unwan headed toward the marketplace in the capital of Sunny, for many reasons. By his side floated his violet companion, his grimoire. And within his mind walked another companion, his inner personality.