Peter couldn't help but notice the commanding tone in her voice, dripping with arrogance and self-assuredness. It didn't rub him in any wrong way though, he felt compelled to answer. After all, she had saved his life, and what harm could a simple introduction do?
"I'm Peter," he began, his voice steady but curt. "No second name. I live in the slums of Aurola City. An orphan, talentless… well—used to be." He spat the last part out like it burned.
He rattled off the words in a single breath, eager to finish. Talking about his life wasn't something he enjoyed.
Talking about his past was a wound he didn't like to reopen. Still, she had saved his life, and a little introduction was the least he could give.
"I see," she replied, her sharp eyes softening ever so slightly. She didn't miss the uneasiness in his tone. He clearly didn't want to dwell on it.
To ease the tension, she hesitated a bit but offered her own introduction. "I am Sylvie. Sylvie Delphyne."
Her words dropped with a sense of pride, the kind that demanded recognition. The way she said her name with deliberate emphasis, as if expecting some sort of reaction.
She watched him carefully, expecting a spark of realization. But Peter simply nodded, his expression unreadable.
"That's it?" she asked, her brow furrowing.
"What's what?" he replied, genuinely confused.
"You mean to tell me… you don't know me? Sylvie Delphyne Dragonia?" Her tone was laced with disbelief. Surely, everyone knew her.
Peter shook his head. "No, I don't."
'I'm supposed to know something?' Asking himself in his mind.
Sylvie froze, stunned. For a moment, she seemed to deflate, the pride that filled her chest moments ago evaporating. Her chest, once puffed with pride, visibly deflated. She stared at him as though he'd just declared the sky was green.
"Has he been leaving under a rock or something?" She wondered.
Noticing her reaction, Peter leaned forward slightly. "Did I say something wrong? If I offended you—"
She interrupted him with a soft laugh. "No, no. You didn't offend me. I just…" Her voice trailed off, quieter now. "I naively thought everyone knew me, like the world revolved around me. I see now how narrow-minded that was... I see now how… flawed that thinking was."
Peter hesitated, unsure how to respond. She seemed genuinely humbled, which caught him off guard.
Eventually, he said, "I don't know much about the world outside the slums, but if you thought that, it's probably true for most people. It's just me. I've been… busy surviving. No time for much else."
His words seemed to steady her. His few thoughtful words seemed to soothe her bruised pride. She smiled faintly, nodding in acknowledgment."Thank you," she said softly.
For a moment, the room fell into an awkward silence.
Sylvie broke it first, her tone shifting to something more serious. "You're lucky, you know. Awakening so late is practically unheard of. Was it because of… your "accident"?"
Peter hesitated but nodded. "It wasn't an accident, exactly. But yeah, it triggered it. And if you hadn't found me, I wouldn't have made it through the process. So, I wanted to thank you."
She smiled faintly, accepting his gratitude. Then her eyes narrowed, her expression turning serious. "As someone who helped you awaken, I think I have the right to know."
Her smile softened. "It's indeed a miracle you survived. So will you tell me—what race did you awaken to? You look mostly human. Aside from the red eyes, pale skin, and, well…" She gestured vaguely toward him. "…your unnaturally perfect appearance. You don't feel human, though."
Peter stiffened, caught off guard by the directness of her question. He tensed at the question. His thoughts raced.
Her gaze was steady, but Peter's discomfort grew.
His eyes darted to the corner of the room, following her gesture to a camera mounted on the wall.
"Don't worry," Sylvie said, catching his glance. "The cameras are off. I made sure of it."
Even so, Peter hesitated, but before he could respond, Elena's voice cut in.
[She could be a good ally if you handle this right. Remember, trust is a card to play carefully. You can trust her,] Elena murmured, her voice slipping into his thoughts.
Peter cleared his throat, his gaze flicking toward the camera Sylvie had subtly pointed at. "This is… a big secret of mine. I need to know I can trust you before I say anything."
Elena facepalmed in his mind.
Sylvie studied him for a moment, then nodded. "Fair enough. I can't give you proof, but I understand why you'd want to keep that to yourself. In this world, secrets like that can mean life or death. I understand if you want to keep it to yourself. Take your time." She smiled, but this time it felt different—calculating. Her smile this time was brighter, as if to ease his worry.
Peter relaxed slightly. "Thank you for understanding," he said.
Peter's unease grew, though she showed no signs of malice.
"Thank you for understanding," he said carefully.
Sylvie waved off his words. "No need for thanks. I just hope, when you're ready, you'll trust me enough to share."
The look in her eyes unsettled him. She wasn't offended at his secrecy. If anything, she seemed… amused.
Peter suppressed a grimace. He'd been too vague, but he wasn't about to spill everything to someone he'd just met. Not yet.
He simply was hoping the conversation would shift to safer territory. Sylvie, on the other hand, couldn't stop smiling. Whatever he's hiding, it must be huge.
Sylvie's mind, however, was racing. Awakening a new race wasn't rare in the post-apocalypse world. Every thirteen-year-old went through the process, and many shifted into something beyond human. Even demons didn't hide their nature.
So why was Peter being so secretive? He had unknowingly let himself in the maws of her investigative persona.
Sylvie tilted her head, her mind made up. Whatever his secret was, she'd find a way to stay on his good side.
Elena was about to warn him before he spoke but she was too late and he had made himself suspicious to Sylvie.
[Fine...I think I know a way,] Elena said quietly, after a sigh her voice filled with helplessness, she understood Peter was still naive for now, so a single mistake—she will let it pass and just guide him later on not to make the same mistake again.
Peter stayed silent, his thoughts clouded with caution.
Whatever Sylvie was thinking, he wasn't sure if he could trust her yet. But he was given hope by Elena.
*****
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