"Do you really think it's worth it?"
The expression on Eric Modernson's face froze. He was familiar with that voice, too familiar. Eric turned around, and all he saw was a light orb floating in front of a wall. But there was no surprise on his face, just genuine excitement and satisfaction.
"Total Lightification," he announced slowly, articulating each word deliberately. "No one can wield this Rune Art effectively without risking their life. Except for you, Adam."
As he spoke, the light orb brightened, gradually taking shape until a slender, blond figure materialized in Eric's living room. It was the same person who had delivered Nathan's invitation letter from the Imperial Academy.
"Um, excuse me," Adam smirked, noting the joy on Eric's face. "It's 'Pilgrim' now, Vice President."
"We are no longer members of the student council, nor am I part of the Rune Arts Federation," Eric shrugged, rising from his seat. "So, to me, you will always be Adam Carlson, my old friend."
Adam sighed and took in his surroundings, the excitement in his eyes dimming with each glance. "Is this where you're living now? How is this even habitably functional? I respect your choice from twenty years ago, but… isn't this too much of a sacrifice?"
Adam's words did not erase the smile from Eric's face. "I'm barely worthy of being the subject here. Let's talk about you. Have you ranked up a seat in the Rune Arts Federation?"
Adam paused and shook his head. "I'm still only in the fifth seat. You know how strong the monsters above me are. The seat above me can completely alter human senses, and the third seat has theoretically already achieved immortality."
As the fifth strongest Rune Artist of the current day, Adam Carlson, or "Pilgrim," didn't even bother to mention the first and second seats. He knew that Eric understood how powerful they truly were. Furthermore, Eric knew those two well enough.
"Hey, look, I'm not really here for a casual catch-up session with you. Boss gave me very specific orders," Adam suddenly turned serious.
"Alright, alright," Eric laughed and gestured toward the table, pulling out a chair and signaling Adam to sit. "Now, out of all the seven seats, I'd suppose you are the freest. A conversation won't hurt. What's the big idea?"
Adam lazily pushed himself into the seat, though slightly annoyed at the cracking noise the chair made. He smiled joyfully at Eric, who sat opposite him. "I'll have to return that question back to you."
Eric raised his eyebrows. "Didn't your boss give you very specific orders?"
"Yeah, her command was 'Go find Eric; he will tell you exactly what to do,'" Adam replied with a slight sense of resignation.
Eric laughed again, so loud that the houses around probably heard. "As I expected! But hey, you already know what the command is, don't you?"
Adam nodded with his signature smirk. "Wow, I really hoped that the mission for the fifth seat would be a bit more interesting than that."
Eric's smile suddenly turned cold in a mocking fashion. Seeing this, Adam quickly shook his head in explanation. "I'm joking, I'm joking. I'll protect your son seriously. Come on, I know what his identity is. If I dare let him get hurt, I'll be dead meat."
"Hahaha, why do you seem so afraid?" Eric returned to normal and smiled brightly. "You know you're much stronger than me. My elemental trait is just light. I don't even have a single offensive Rune Art I could use."
Before Adam could reply, Eric continued. "You weren't the only one, right?"
Adam planted his head into his arms on the table. "The experimental project will also be put to use, but its reliability is still yet to be decided."
"The Heaven's Child Project?" Eric asked curiously. "I thought it wasn't going too well."
"It was delayed slightly, but boss managed to get it to work. There are just problems that simply couldn't be overcome. Unless the Rune Artist is a seven-element one, there will always be problems." Adam shrugged.
Eric nodded thoughtfully. For a brief moment, a shade of annoyance flashed through his eyes.
Adam noticed the slight change in Eric's expression and quickly shifted the subject. "By the way, do you know who the current Student Council President is?"
Eric shook his head. "Who? Do I know them or something?"
"Of course, you do," Adam's smirk widened as he lowered his voice. "A quick hint: it's the child of one of the five of us."
Eric froze, and after realizing who Adam was referring to, his face twisted in disbelief and distress.
"Agnes's son?"
Adam nodded.
"Oh, come on!" Eric leaned back in his chair and covered his face with his hands. "Hell nah! If her son has anything like her, my son surely won't have a great time. Had I known earlier, I could have prepared him better."
"What do you mean? You and Agnes are still great friends, right? If you two get along well, I don't see how your son and her son wouldn't," Adam tilted his head, slightly confused.
"Have you not seen my son? He's clearly more like his mother. And did Agnes get along well with her?" Eric was still irritated. He shook his head. "My son's identity directly challenges the Paradox family's ideology. Adam, do me a favour: go visit Agnes as soon as possible, and tell her to keep an eye on her son."
"I guess you're right. I'll make sure to do that," Adam sighed as he remembered the times of the past. "We used to be so close back then, but now… I've almost forgotten what Agnes looks like."
Eric nodded with slight sadness. "At least we all got what we wanted."
"You haven't, yet," Adam pointed out sharply.
"Yeah, you're right." Eric's eyes shifted outside the window. "Just a matter of time now. Once the Heaven's Child Project comes to completion, my dream could finally be achieved."
Adam didn't respond, his eyes fixed on Eric's face. It had been so long since they had seen each other, and he could sense the fatigue and weariness etched into his friend's features. He couldn't really comment on whether his decision in the past had been correct or not, but deep in his heart, he genuinely pitied his friend, who had sacrificed almost everything just to achieve a simple dream—a dream that seemed so oddly straightforward and unambitious that anyone could easily reach it, except for him.
The two men sat in silence. Whether they were reminiscing about the past or fantasizing about the future? No one could tell, not even themselves.