I felt like I was being watched at all times, wherever I went, there was a shadow observing me from the darkness. I couldn't see it, smell it, or perceive it, but I knew that someone was nearby, watching me even while I slept.
Rudeus's eyes turned towards Gilgamesh, who was talking in the distance with Sauros. He thought that this prince was just like him but with completely different circumstances. Although he didn't know why Gilgamesh seemed familiar to him, as if he had known who he was before coming to this world.
Gilgamesh seemed to know exactly who he was, so Rudeus felt very uncomfortable in this place and couldn't wait for the right moment to leave with Sylphy for the magic school.
He assumed that Gilgamesh was telling the truth when he referred to him directly, but he didn't know how bad he really was because he only knew his own bubble in which he was still trapped.
Rudeus envied Gilgamesh, who was only a few years older than him but excelled in everything he did. Needless to say, when it came to the sword, he probably had no rival in the whole world if he waited a few more years.
On the other hand, Rudeus was good at magic, but most of his talent was credited to the fact that he understood certain factors of that power because he was a reincarnate in this world. If he ever stood out in this place, it was mainly because he was more aware of his surroundings at an early age.
As for Gilgamesh, he seemed to have everything around him... He was engaged to Eris, who would be beautiful in the future, and he was most likely to become the next King of the Asura kingdom. Everything seemed so easy for him, while Rudeus was still immersed in absolute darkness.
He had a lot to learn, too many things to see, and new emotions to feel. He was just an adult trapped in a child's body, someone who needed help quickly to get out of that darkness and live in the present, not in the past.
However, Rudeus couldn't stop thinking about Gilgamesh and what that God had told him. If he let the next King of the Asura kingdom become the ruler of this realm, seas of blood would rise worldwide, and millions would die.
"He must be lying for sure; there would be no possibility of starting another large-scale war..." Rudeus murmured this as he ate his blackberry tart.
That being called Hitogami appeared to him at the age of six, after he asked his father how to get a job to start making money. At that moment, that terrifying dream invaded him, and he introduced himself as the Human God, called Hitogami.
This man spoke to him about a Red Prince, a young man who, like him, was a reincarnate from another world. Unlike his situation, he arrived six years later than his reincarnation, so it's easy to think that Gilgamesh had incarnated into the body of the fourth prince.
But he had no evidence, nor the desire to fight for someone who might be using him, so he decided to simply postpone his decision on that irrational request.
He couldn't trust Hitogami; that being and the attitude surrounding him made it more than obvious that he wanted to control him. Supposedly, from his words, he knew that a tragedy would soon occur, and Gilgamesh would be the cause of it.
The following months turned into peaceful days. He taught magic to Eris alongside Ghislaine and learned magic himself. Many times, Gilgamesh was not around, so he felt somewhat more comfortable.
"It's hard to believe he's just like me; maybe he was happy in his past life..." Rudeus glanced at Gilgamesh, who returned his gaze.
The idea of trying to eliminate someone like Gilgamesh, who was surrounded by guards much more powerful than Ghislaine, was a fatal one. Now and forever, he wouldn't even have the ability to eliminate him.
He couldn't risk what he had for a request without reward; he wasn't someone who would help people in need. He would simply live for himself, enjoy the things he liked, protect those he cared about, and not get involved in things that didn't concern him.
"Impossible, I'm definitely out..." Rudeus didn't want to dwell on this topic any longer; he knew what kind of results would come from taking a step forward in this foolish request.
For now, all he wanted to do was enjoy himself and go to the magic school with Sylphy. The rest honestly didn't matter to him. Since he couldn't do anything more than teach magic, it was best to stay on the sidelines in this regard.
When the engagement was finally announced, Rudeus smiled bitterly. Eris was truly a beauty in his eyes. If it weren't for Gilgamesh, maybe he would have crossed a line with her just to satisfy his personal desires. However, due to the feeling of being watched from all sides, he did nothing.
"Well, he's a prince, and I'm just a simple magician... There was no chance," Rudeus smiled bitterly as he stood up and walked over to the table where Eris and Gilgamesh were sitting.
Not to mention that this was embarrassing, Rudeus didn't want to approach and greet them. But as Eris's magic teacher, he was obliged to wish her a good future.
When people approached them, Rudeus stood firm and, with his hand on his chest, bowed respectfully. "I wish you both a happy future; if your desire is to be together, destiny will smile upon you both."
This congratulation was embarrassing, but he could only resort to beautiful and philosophical words to make a simple yet profound impression. At least, Rudeus thought it sounded good.
Among all possible endings, he wished to never be an enemy of Gilgamesh, and on the other hand, to try to get to know him. After all, he had threatened him first.
Rudeus knew that his mental age was much higher than Eris's, so it would be very wrong to cross a certain line with her. Moreover, if someone else in his situation approached Sylphy, his reaction would be very similar.
Still, as someone understanding, he let this pass and, instead, took the first step to have a different kind of approach with Gilgamesh.