Hearing the explanation from Chris, Ben stared at Chris for a few seconds before once again stating out his doubts.
"Well, even if you said so, your reaction towards that girl's intimacy with Jason said something else. You thought that you had been covered it well by acting like you don't care at all, but your level of indifference towards her are a bit too much during the situation just now, even a stranger would show some reactions when Jason talked about the 'washed her' sort of thing. But you on the other hand don't really show any reactions at all. Maybe for the others, it may look like you don't care at all, but what I saw is that you are trying to hide your feelings towards her through such a cold attitude. Am I right?' Ben asked.
"Ah... Seriously, Ben, your insight is certainly much scarier than your father's." said Chris with a short sigh.
"So... You are admitting that you still have some sort of special feelings on her? Even with your memories mostly recovered, and knowing that she had tricked you? Do you think it's okay to be like this? Rei had been waiting for you for years, I would not allow you to let her down, and I am sure you know about that." said Ben, in a slightly serious and concerned tone.
"Yeah... I know. But it's not like what you think. It's not the same as how I feel about Rei... It's... It's rather complicated. Even I am not very clear about that." said Chris, in a dilemma.
"Seriously, you are good at anything but this. Hah... Never mind. Just make sure you handle everything well, and don't you ever hurt Rei's feelings. Good night." said Ben before covering himself in the blanket...
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The next morning. After everyone had their breakfast, they started doing their own things and preparing for the coming journey. Sky and Seito are out for some simple quests, Ai and Yuki are going for some 'lady's off day' with Maria. Ben and Hoshe are having their own things to do in the infirmary, while Jason is busy as always with an additional job to babysit Ruby who is behaving like a young child.
As for Chris and Itsuki, they are having some important things to do in the training hall.
Itsuki is standing in the middle of the hall with the octagonal star gem on his right palm, Chris is touching that gem with his right hand. Byako, who is in his white tiger form is at their side acting as a support in case any unexpected things happen.
"Alright. Listen carefully. As soon as I activated this stone for you, you just need to stay focus and trust me for the rest. No matter what you will see or encounter later, just stay calm and focus, don't panic, you need to give me your full trust that I will not put you into any life danger. Understand?" said Chris, in a serious tone.
Itsuki nodded sheepishly, obviously, he is still quite nervous to be with Chris.
"Seriously, Itsuki, instead of scared of me, you should be scared of whatever you will be encounter later." said Chris, trying to ease that tension in Itsuki.
"Ah... I am sorry for that." said Itsuki.
And obviously, it doesn't help.
"Haha... Nevermind. Alright. Let's do this." said so, Chris focused his magic onto the octagonal star gem, along with Itsuki's tiny bit of magic, the gem glows and activated successfully.
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As soon as the gem activated for the second time after a relatively long period, Itsuki once again entered that familiar mental state and once again saw those eight familiar faces. As Itsuki saw those faces, he finally remembered how he was attacked, beaten up, and humiliated by them the first time he met them.
"Ah... It's this weakling again. What is he doing in here, I thought we had blocked him last time." said the lady in short hair.
"Who knows? Maybe he had become strong enough to break through our block. But I am kind of doubt that" said the lady in long hair.
"Aww... You two. Look, he certainly looks stronger compared to the last time, although I still think he looks weak." said the chubby lady.
Itsuki remembered in their first met, these three ladies forcibly pressed him down tightly on the dirty ground.
"Ladies, not all those bad mouths again? Even he was like a helpless dog last time, we can't deny that indeed had successfully entered this place again." said that sarcastic gentleman.
"I don't freaking care if he successfully entered here or not. He still looks like a useless piece of crap just like last time." said the muscular man.
And those two men stripped him and beaten him so badly as he was pressed down by the ladies during their first meet.
"Maybe we should..."
"Test him again..."
"Like last time..."
And these triplets actually tested their powers directly on Itsuki who was stripped and badly beaten up...
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In the training hall. Chris and Itsuki are still in their previous position where they are connected with each other through the octagonal star gem in Itsuki's hand.
Chris frowned as he felt the sudden emotional change of Itsuki, he was expecting it but didn't expect it to be this fast. He can't help but wondered how terrifying are those spirits in the gem and is ready to intervene at any moment...
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*Something out of the story
Sky: "Dear readers."
Chris: "Hmm?"
Sky: "This chapter is meant to be released for webnovel.com."
Chris: "Oh! This matter. Yes, if you're reading this chapter on another platform than webnovel.com, know that it's an illegal copy diffused without the Writer's authorization."
Sky: "As what Chris said. Right now, this story is free on the authorized platform, so please read it from authorized platforms as mental support for the writer."
Chris: "Mhm... There are two authorized platforms. One is webnovel.com. And another one is that messy and half-dead Weebly site that she uses for draft and backup... But not recommended."
Sky: "Ah... Haha. Yes, as Chris said."
Chris: "But look out, those scums might change this note to their own website link. So, be cautious.
Sky : "By the way, if the cover page is the old cover page that shows two stickmen, stop reading it, it's cursed and might caused the writer to stop writing."
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