Ch 16 – Purpose
After that shocking explanation, I decided to calm myself. At least, I needed to let myself process all of this thing and figure out what I should do in this era. Indeed, I had agreed to help Shea, but it was her purpose, her goal, not mine.
Going back home was out of my choice since Shea already confirmed that the high priest had died long ago and he didn't have any child since he needed to devote himself to their God. So I needed to find another purpose in this unknown world.
After finishing the dinner, I decided to went up to the rooftop to think. It was my favorite place to think wherever I was back in my original world or Terra.
I lay down on the cold roof and gazed at the evening sky. The stars were visible above the city and the air was cool. Some weird planes or mini ships or whatever they were, passed in the sky. The blue light lines that form a transparent street ensured they were on their line and not breaking the rules.
The skyscrapers were lit with lights, likewise with the roads. The streets were always clean. They must have really good robot cleaners.
The people on the streets were dressed smartly. Some of their faces were covered by masks during the night. I figured some of them were robots and aliens, but they got along well.
I sighed.
'Another unknown world... again...' I thought. I could feel my clear restlessness. I had felt something like this when I arrived in Terra for the first time. Now I had to experience it again. But this time was worse. I didn't have any purpose in this world.
'What should I do?' I wondered. 'There must be something I can do. I know I'm capable of doing more than being a tool for others.'
But I couldn't find anything that would make me excited. It was frustrating.
'Well, first, I need to study how this work,' I gave myself an idea to move forward. Maybe I could check this world's library and learn about a lot of things like their technology or something.' Better, I could create some skills that were suitable for this world.
Amidst my busy thoughts, suddenly, I heard the sound of footsteps approaching from behind. I turned around to look and saw Shea walking towards me, looking worried.
"Hey... Are you okay?" she asked.
"Oh, uh... Yeah. Just thinking," I replied awkwardly.
She frowned. "About what?"
"Uh, nothing," I lied.
She smiled slightly and sat beside me.
"I know we just met, but you can talk to me about anything," she assured me. "Like, maybe you're homesick?" she guessed.
"Huh?" I answered.
"Yeah. You asked me about the high priest. It reminded me that you aren't from Terra to begin with. So I thought that you miss your home. Maybe that's the reason why you seem depressed. Am I right?"
"I guess so," I admitted in a calm tone.
"Then what should I do to cheer you up?"
I shrugged. "Nothing. I'm fine." I said casually. No, I knew I wasn't but I didn't know what to do either. If I told her about it, she might worry about me even more. So I had to keep it secret.
"Then maybe a talk could make you feel better. How's that?" she offered again.
'A talk, huh?' I thought. It was a good offer and I wanted to take it. But... I didn't know where to start.
"How about you tell me about yourself?" I suggested it instead. I didn't want to speak about my current situation since I didn't know how to say it either. It was weird since I never had a hard time conveying what I want and my thought, but all of this confusing situation gave me a hard time saying it since I even didn't know what to do. I felt lost.
She looked into my eyes for a moment before nodding. "Okay. Where should I start?"
"Hmm... Why don't you tell me about your feeling?" I gave another suggestion.
"My feeling?" she repeated with a frown.
"Yes. We are kinda alike, right? You are also away from home like me," I straightened my statement so she didn't misunderstand me.
"Yeah, but..." She hesitated. Then she sighed softly. "Okay."
"I don't know what to say but away from my home is something exciting for me and makes me sad at the same time. " A soft smile was on her lips. "This is my first adventure and my chance to prove myself. I feel this is the perfect time to put good use of all my training and all that I studied so far. I am sure it will lead me somewhere, not only for me but for my family as well."
"And the worst part is that I don't know if I can reach my goal or not. All of this is just my analysis. So I could be wrong," she continued. "But I believe I can do it. I am sure that everything will turn out well. Even though I cannot see it yet. That's why I am here. I want to succeed in this mission." Her eyes shone with determination.
"That's great," I felt happy for her.
She looked me in the eyes. "Yeah. But the bad thing is... I do miss my family. I've been gone for six months and only called them once in a while. I don't want them to know where I am or my dad will send his elite soldiers to take me home." I could catch the clear melancholy gaze from her gaze and the tone of her voice.
"You sound like a runaway troubled kid," I joked.
She giggled in response.
"Well, I do act like one. So I won't deny it. Still..." Her giggle faded with her smile. "I do miss my home..."
"I see..." Another long breath out of my mouth as I closed my eyes. "We are pretty much alike then," I said simply.
"So you do homesick." Her voice sounded like a complaint.
"A bit. I am more confused about what I should do," I admitted.
"Didn't you promise to help me?" she reminded me.
"After that," I pointed out what I meant. "I'm going to stay in this world forever, right? So I need a long-term purpose," I explained.
"Then... How about making your original world's life goal come true here?" she suggested.
That idea made me snap my eyes. 'How come it never occurred to me before?' I asked myself. It was a good idea, especially since I had my Quick Learn skill. I could do anything I wanted here!
I sat down and looked at her. Spontaneously, I hugged her.
"That's brilliant, Shea!" I said happily. It made Shea speechless in confusion.
"Uh, thank you?" she said awkwardly.
I released my hug and smiled at her.
"You know once I---" My smile faded as my gaze caught a figure who was standing on the building rooftop next to us.