"There are always two sides to an action." Teacher Xia stated, "For many years, demigods have coexisted with humans as not all of us can coexist with our celestial parents nor they could coexist with us. We will always live apart from them and many would always bear more children later in life. We are only one of the many they've had throughout history. Few are willing to part from this type of affairs while some belittle such faithless acts. However, this is our reality. As demigods, coexisting with humans are difficult but the only path we can take to survive. We cannot join the sides of celestials or that of nature. Life as a demigod is always filled with hardships and we must live a life in the shadows. Those who rose to the spotlight must not reveal their identities as demigods or it would endanger themselves in the near future. Not them or their children."
Teacher Xia shook his head again with a sigh and touched the beard in deep thought before turning to Willow, "In this scenario, what do you do to confront this problem if it had been your mission?"
What would Willow have done?
She never thought about that too often, so she needed to reimagine herself in their shoes, especially that woman.
During this time, she thought for a while before continuing with a new response, "I would keep close watch over the movements of that man instead from the start. It's not often that demigods we haven't met would come across each other. Who they contact would also be important, but, more importantly, I want to keep in mind what it is that their main goal is and what drove them to want to achieve it. If I was given a set time such as those five had, I'd want to travel to that place carefully while taking note of my surroundings and how to avoid and bait the snakes out of the hole. When Elijah begins his poll event, it would be best to throw the event off, such as using the sprinklers. I saw that they have a demigod with the ability to harness water and a demigod that uses fire. In an enclosed space such as that, it wouldn't matter if they used their abilities there as long as they don't get caught by humans. By setting off the fire alarm and sprinklers and then moving the people out of the room, the other demigod would have the advantage to use his water abilities to his full advantage. Since it looks like he works well next to that demigod with the lightning powers, they'd have a better advantage together. What worries me, however, is that other man that can manipulate the earth. He looks like he's still new to his powers and that other woman can barely control her powers as well. Rather than a battle of powers, it would be better if they could protect themselves with their new abilities and work together in pairs if they've only just came to learn of their powers."
The words slowly spewed out of her mouth as she contemplated her ideas carefully. However, after hearing her own words, she frowned in dissatisfaction, "However, if I were sent into a panic..."
She thought for a bit before having decided her next words, "It would be difficult to process the mind logically. I would need to put what was more important as my first call of action. In this case, stay close to my comrades and having strong trust between them."
She recalled a glitch that showed how Elijah was able to sow the seeds of doubt into the demigods before they began fighting against one another. For what reason would they start fighting against each other if they were able to reach all the way to the UN by working together?
The clips that girl showed certainly wasn't a day old or two. They had time to at least ignore Elijah's words before they could fight one another. That panic had caused the five to run from one another and fight.
Though she couldn't see it off-screen, she could tell that the girl with the straight hair must've been the only survivor if she was able to notify the others of what he was going to do.
In the end, Willow can't completely push the blame on that girl that could barely hold the gun straight when she pointed it at Elijah from his blind spot, but it was clear that, if she didn't come to terms with it soon, she could, not only end up getting killed, but also drag the other four down with her. This was the harsh reality of life as a demigod.
Kill or be killed.
Willow didn't know what that girl thought of after she pulled that trigger, but she would only get into more trouble if it continues to become a bigger problem in the future. If there was one thing she was envious about, it would be that that straight hair girl could turn back time to correct her mistakes while Willow only have these few chances to even live after death. There was no probability of her turning back time, so everything here is something she needs to end in one shot. There were no second chances for her than there were second lives.
"That's where your fault lies."
Hearing his words, Willow froze and turned to the old man in surprise, "My fault? So, one of my flaws?"
She didn't think that her words would hold a lot of flaws, though she agreed it wasn't perfect. But, where could this flaw be from? Unless...
As she began retracing her words, the old man yawned, "It's about time for lunch. The kitchen is to the left. First, get the food ready, then I'll show you to your room later on."
She nodded her head, "I understand, sir."
It was only after the first day there that she ended up learning that the old man is a pretty picky eater. He's already put her background into consideration, but still dislikes the food she makes. Claiming it was either too salty or too sweet. On the other hand, if it wasn't too spicy, it was too bland.
Well, at least, the room she received was a decent one. It was old and rustic, but a normal-sized bed was in place at the corner and a small table with a lantern. For the twenty-first century, it was rare that she could encounter a place this rural, but she didn't quite dislike it. However, she will admit that it would be an inconvenience to her.
The walls were old and had a couple of cracks, but she wasn't minding that too much since she'll just repair it as soon as she could. As it was already night by the time she entered her new room, she could only think of repairing it in the morning, lest the room collapsed in on her. After making certain of her belongings, she had a long-awaited bath and slept like a log that night.
The next morning, she left her phone to charge in the kitchen as she prepared breakfast. After hearing the complaints of the old man, she was sent to procure the ingredients needed for their lunch and dinner. It was a common thing amongst normal income families. In the morning, the family would have breakfast. Then, someone would head out and buy the vegetables and meat for the next meals each day. This morning, she had been busy with the old man's breakfast that she didn't make a portion for herself.
To make matters worse, the meals the old man had her make were time-consuming as well. When she got the shoulder bag and the money for the food, the old man questioned her at the door, "Speaking of which, have you already came across any other demigods on your way here?"
She raised a brow, "I've made friends with some before, but not a single one is left since a child of Hades found us. I was the last one remaining in the end. There were demigods who betrayed us, but that child didn't want them as pawns and finished them off. We saw their remains during our escape which failed. Other than that..."
"Hurry it up!" The old man scolded her irritatingly.
"I met a tiger and a hound." She responded just as the man was about to pinch her ear.
"A tiger and a hound?" He raised a brow in deep confusion before his eyes widen as waved his cane threatening to smack her with it, "You fool! You actually came across two demigods and they have that sort of heritage?! I can't tell if you really are a fool or purposely seeking death! Nevermind, both are actions of fools!"
"Well, I made them lose track of me, so I guess it's all good for now." She replied with a small smile.
"You!" The old man grumbled under his breath before he sighed and lowered his cane, "Very well. Just don't get caught again and keep those gloves on. Don't use your powers in front of others and keep your identity covered. I wouldn't want a student who can't protect herself."
"I understand..." She sighed in relief that she wasn't beaten by the cane.
"But how did you made them lose track of you?" The elder asked her in alarm as he grabbed her arm in panic, "We're talking about an astral beast and a descendant of the owner of a Heavenly Hound! Even taking into account that the child might not have either a third eye or have a regular hound is still terrifying!"
"I recall a lesson I learned back in History class about World War II." She smiled, "The refugees must've found a way to avoid the detection of the Nazis' dogs. I simply learned the ingredients to it and hunted down a rabbit."
That and she may or may not have left her handkerchief to a drug addict before secretly stealing it back after two days, but let's not mention that. Also, since she obviously never tried it before, she had to be pretty cautious when she was walking around the streets making sure not to come close to the areas they found her in.
"So you handicapped a hound dog?" The old man's eyes widen in horror and scolded, "Do you realize the outcome of handicapping a dog of that man's child?!"
Huh, so her guess might not be wrong after all. Still...
"I didn't handicap them permanently." She responded with a small smile, "I hardly came in contact with the handkerchief before anyway."
Yup. It was only due to one of the wives' efforts that she had been able to make a dandelion look like a dandelion. Otherwise, it'd have looked like a yellow blob of thread stitched carelessly into it. She was careful not to prick her fingers since she didn't know what would happen if she would have to part with the handkerchief in the future.
So, if they really want to track her down with that and somehow got a whiff of the scent, they'd probably have a difficult time with three different scents covering it.
The old man sighed and shook his head, "Very well. As long as you don't get caught and starve this old man."
"Yes, teacher Xia..." She wore a slightly apologetic smile hearing his words.