6 - Reasons To Stay - OCIEN (2)
"Accepting my fate, I didn't let myself be shaken, I decided to arrive at my new school as a 2 Star Mage, so no one could treat me badly because I had been expelled from an academy." – I continued without noticing the angry tone that took over my voice at that moment.
"I spent all the resources I had at my disposal, which totaled more than one hundred and thirty mana points, but I was unable to overcome the barrier." – at this point I was already grinding my teeth.
Reina seemed worried about me, only then did I notice my breathing was labored.
It took me a few seconds to calm down and be able to continue counting the facts.
"The instructor who would accompany me to my new school found me sitting on the floor and tried to resolve the situation in the most logical way he could find, making me absorb two more mana stones to ensure that what I was saying was true." – I continued to let my shoulders slump in exhaustion.
"When there was no change in my situation, he called the director of the academy and they assessed my body thoroughly until they came to the conclusion that my path as a Mage was a dead end and I would never advance in it." – I continued explaining what had happened in my past.
"They then informed my father of this and the transfer arrangements had to be redone. I was no longer a Lent but a shame that needed to be hidden and that's how I ended up in Almage." – I concluded, putting an end to my origin story.
Reina looked me up and down thinking seriously.
"Your path as a Warrior?" – She asked worriedly.
I gave a discouraged smile that confirmed her doubts.
"I'm just a two-star Warrior, I have no right to judge you." – she said, trying to comfort me.
At that moment we were probably the weakest among all our colleagues. Her family's problems did not allow her the luxury of acquiring resources with the money from the jobs she managed to do, while I would not advance no matter how much money was spent by me.
She gave me an inquisitive look as if asking what I would do from now on.
Reina knew very well that if it weren't for her locking me in that room, I wouldn't be here anymore. Her look was a mix of curiosity and anticipation, when I saw that expression I didn't know how to respond.
"I'm not someone you want around." – I finally had the courage to say what I felt was the best answer.
She laughed and shook her head denying my words.
"This may be one of the only things you don't have the power to decide." – she declared, finding the situation funny.
She reached out with her left hand and grabbed my right.
"My father left, or is probably dead in some gutter in the city. Without it, my mother doesn't have to worry about feeding my siblings because she earns enough and you've already solved the house problem. – she said in a mix of calm and seriousness.
The direction this conversation was taking only made me more confused. Nothing about me was attractive enough for a girl to want to sacrifice any possibility of a future to be with me.
Both of my paths were dead ends and would never move forward, even the idea of children with the same fate horrified me.
"I don't understand." – I said lost.
Reina smiled wistfully.
"One day the Lumiere Guild issued a mission to clean up a battlefield, anyone could volunteer, a heavy and unhealthy work, I applied." – she began to explain.
"No one noticed at first glance that Pointed Deer are the Breeze Wolves' favorite food." – she continued.
Breeze Wolves are extremely fast, their speed is almost the same as a Warrior one star above them. Adult Pointe Deer are second-circle creatures, which means the Breeze Wolves that hunted them were just as strong.
I felt a chill run down my spine imagining the scene of destruction and carnage caused by the creatures.
"I still don't know how I survived, but in that moment where our whole life flashes before my eyes, the only person that came to mind besides my family was you." – she completed with a smile of relief and satisfaction at what she had just said.
I don't know what came over me at that moment, but I knew I wanted to protect her. With all the strength I had left, I pulled her into my arms and hugged her as best I could.
Maybe two lost people could have their own path, but at the same time I still felt like I would make her suffer more than she would need to if she stayed away from me.
Reina linked her arms around my torso and we slowly fell onto the bed.
We stayed like that for what could have been minutes or even hours, until a question came to mind.
"Where are we exactly?" – I asked curiously.
She rubbed her head against my chest as if she was chasing away sleep.
"My room, I left home when I turned eighteen to escape the problems my father caused. We are in an inn in the eastern district." – she explained with visible sleepiness in her voice.
"Is there no problem if you bring me here?" – I asked with slight concern.
If this is a women's inn, men are generally prohibited from entering, which could lead to Reina being evicted from here.
The house where I live is not big, but it must be better than an inn room… What exactly am I thinking at this moment?
I left the house leaving the door open, the few things that were inside must no longer be there, I would be lucky if the bed and mattress are still there when I return.
But that's not the main point, am I thinking about taking her to live with me?
"It's a mixed inn, there's no problem with you being here, it's not like you're going to eat and drink at the owner's expense." – she said laughing, waking me up from my confused thoughts.
I tightened my arms around her even more and planted a kiss on her hair.
Despite not having any experience in romantic relationships, I only knew what my mother did when she wanted to show affection for me and this was the most appropriate way to do it at that moment.
Reina snuggled up next to my body and we stayed there without noticing the time passing.