The laughter around the table was light and easy as Nile helped himself to the abundant dishes spread out before him. The savory aroma of cooked meats and spices filled the air, making his earlier embarrassment fade away.
"Sid, Maya, Rony," Nile greeted, raising his head to catch their attention, "What brings you all here tonight?"
Sid, sitting across from him, smiled half-heartedly, but there was a faint shadow in his eyes. "We're here to celebrate," Sid said, pushing his plate aside to speak more freely. "We all managed to secure spots at the town school. They're letting us in with a 15-day head start, so we've been preparing to make the most of it."
Maya nodded enthusiastically, her eyes alight with excitement. "Yes, the Level 3 Cultivation Rooms are a big deal! We'll have more space to cultivate, and the facilities here are way better than anything we've had access to before."
Rony, usually quiet, chimed in, his voice tinged with pride. "It's a huge opportunity. Not many get this chance. The town school only prepared Nine lv 3 cultivation rooms throughout the town each one for excellent achievers of the one of the 9 villages. The one we got appointed is the one reserved in this inn. The others who didn't get admission will have to pass exams first, which gives us a real advantage."
Nile listened intently, nodding in understanding. "Sounds like a great opportunity for all of you. I'm glad to hear it. But… what about the rest? What's next for you?"
Sid's expression tightened for a brief moment before he responded. "Well, that's part of the problem," Sid admitted, glancing at his friends. "I'm stuck here, without much direction. All that happened with the heir situation—it just knocked me off balance. And now... it's like I'm at a crossroads."
As the others continued discussing their plans, Nile could see the subtle tension in Sid's posture. After a few moments, Sid seemed to collapse inwardly, his shoulders slumping in guilt. Nile could feel the change, the weight of the situation pressing down on Sid. It wasn't just the pressure of his admission; something deeper was affecting him.
Breaking the silence, Sid looked directly at Nile. "I owe you an apology," Sid began, his voice strained. "Everything I did that day… trying to push you away, mocking you for things that weren't your fault, spreading those rumors about your mother… I was wrong. I was selfish. I didn't understand what I was doing."
Nile stared at him, his calm gaze unwavering. Sid's eyes were full of regret, and Nile could see the conflict in his friend's face.
"I thought I could make you the scapegoat," Sid continued, his voice cracking slightly. "But then... when I saw how calm you were, how you handled everything with such... grace... it made me realize how far out of line I'd been. I was trying to isolate you, but all I really did was hurt myself."
Sid paused, swallowing hard. "Nile, I'm sorry. I'm truly sorry for everything I did. I was a fool, and I don't deserve your forgiveness."
Nile didn't rush to answer, but the warmth in his eyes softened the edges of Sid's guilt. There was no bitterness in Nile's expression—just understanding. He had sensed Sid's turmoil before, and now, it was clear that Sid was truly remorseful.
"It's alright, Sid," Nile said, his voice calm and measured. "We all make mistakes. It's how we learn from them that matters."
Sid's eyes widened, and a small, thankful smile appeared on his face. "You… you're really not angry?"
"No," Nile replied. "But I do think you need to learn from this. We all do. The path ahead is never clear, and sometimes, we act out of fear or insecurity. But it's never too late to change."
Nile, sensing Sid's lingering sense of helplessness, decided to change the course of their conversation. "So, what are your plans for the future, Sid? What do you want to do next?"
Sid shifted uncomfortably, unsure of what to say. The weight of his past mistakes still lingered in the air between them. "I don't know… I feel like I've messed things up so badly. Cultivation, school, work... I'm not sure where I belong anymore."
Nile watched Sid carefully, his gaze thoughtful. "Well, you could start by working at the inn," Nile said, his voice firm with conviction. "Jennifer, aren't there any vacancies available?"
Jennifer, sitting quietly beside Nile, raised an eyebrow, surprised by his suggestion. But Nile's gaze was steady, and she understood immediately.
"Of course," Jennifer said, smiling warmly at Sid. "You're more than welcome to join us at the inn. We could use the extra hands. And it could be a good place for you to start fresh."
Sid's eyes widened with gratitude, the shock clear on his face. "You'd really let me—after everything?"
Nile nodded. "It's the best way to start over, Sid. We all have our journeys, but sometimes, it's the simple, steady steps that matter most."
Jennifer smiled knowingly, her sharp intuition telling her this was the right thing. "No one's perfect," she said. "But everyone deserves a chance. Consider this a fresh start for you."
Sid, his face now brighter with hope, turned to Jennifer. "What about Lars and Dain? Would they be able to work with me at the inn too? They're good at manual work, and we've been through a lot together."
Jennifer laughed lightly, the sound filling the room. "The more, the merrier! Honestly, I could use all the help I can get around here. If they're willing to work, they're more than welcome to join."
Sid felt a wave of relief wash over him. He had just been given a chance—a real chance. The weight of his past mistakes was still there, but for the first time in a long while, he felt as though he could begin to build something better.
Nile observed the shift in Sid's demeanor, his heart lifting slightly. He knew this wasn't the end of Sid's journey—it was only the beginning. But this first step was important.
The mood at the table lightened as everyone began to laugh and share stories. Maya and Rony excitedly spoke about their upcoming training, while Sid and Nile continued to chat more casually. The tension that had plagued their earlier interactions seemed to dissipate.
Jennifer, watching Sid's change in demeanor, felt a quiet, introspective thought stir in her. She wondered about the long-term consequences of this opportunity she was offering. Would Sid truly take this chance to redeem himself? Would Lars and Dain rise to the occasion?
Whatever the case, Jennifer knew one thing for certain—this inn could become a place for personal growth, for both the workers and the guests. And maybe, just maybe, it would become a sanctuary for those seeking redemption.
Sid, his heart lighter than it had been in days, silently vowed to start fresh. He knew he couldn't afford to repeat his past mistakes. This was his chance to do better—to be better.
As the dinner came to a close, Nile sat back, reflecting on the events of the day. He had helped Sid in his own way, but more importantly, he had learned something too. It wasn't just about the path of cultivation. It was about the journey of understanding others—of finding empathy, and knowing when to offer a helping hand.
Nile smiled to himself. He was determined to continue growing—not just in power, but in wisdom. And if he could help others along the way, even better.
Sid, sitting quietly beside him, felt the same realization. His past manipulations, born from insecurity, were now something he could learn from. The importance of honesty and integrity had become clearer to him than ever before.
The group was moving forward, each person taking the next step in their journey, with Nile and Sid at the forefront of a new, stronger bond.