Cassian looked at Elisa as she cried, her emotions a mix of anger, sadness, guilt, and concern.
*Hic* *Hic*
Suddenly, she ran toward him and hugged him tightly.
*Hic*
"Why didn't you tell me anything about this?"
"That… that you were kidnapped instead of going for training?"
"When you came back I thought that you started hating me."
*Hic* *Hic*
"Sorry."
Elisa hugged him even tighter.
"Sorry for treating you that way."
*Hic*
"I… I just wanted your attention."
*Hic* *Hic* *Hic*
Cassian sighed, then hugged her back.
"It's okay."
"It's not your fault. I should have told you sooner."
Elisa nodded in his embrace.
"And also, I'm sorry that I talked to you so rudely that day."
Cassian had thought about it all again and concluded that he could change things. Looking back, he realized he had overreacted.
But given his circumstances, you couldn't entirely blame him.
He was just a 17-year-old in a 15-year-old's body, having lived with a toxic family before reincarnation and endured bullying.
You couldn't expect a fully mature personality right away.
Elisa shook her head. "No, it's not your fault. I was the one who tried to bully you because you weren't giving me attention."
Cassian replied, "Even then, I shouldn't have talked to you so harshly."
Elisa said, "Yeah, you shouldn't."
Cassian smiled at her response.
They stayed like that for a few more minutes. After breaking their hug, they began walking together.
Though silence fell between them, it gradually grew awkward.
Elisa broke the silence, starting to tell him about what she had been doing, Yuki, and other things.
Cassian occasionally added his thoughts.
Like that, they walked together until they reached Elisa's room. After saying a brief goodbye, Cassian went to his own room.
Once there, he took a shower, then threw himself onto his bed.
Within moments, he was asleep.
____
Next day,
Cassian stood in front of his father in the grand office lined with towering bookshelves and an air of authority.
Mark leaned his face against his palm, his sharp eyes narrowing slightly as he asked, "So, what do you want?"
Cassian took a deep breath and steadied himself. "I want to go to the Forest of Death."
Mark's eyes widened momentarily before his expression shifted to one of calm expression.
He scrutinized Cassian's resolute face, realizing his son had already formed a plan.
With a sigh, Mark relented, "Okay, but..."
Cassian raised an eyebrow. "But?"
Mark replied, "You're not going there alone."
Cassian expected this condition and nodded.
He knew his family would never allow him to venture into such a dangerous place by himself.
Mark snapped his fingers, instantly a man clad in full black attire, his face concealed behind a sleek mask appeared.
"This is Ray," Mark explained.
"He will accompany you and ensure your safety. If you find yourself in danger, he'll step in."
Ray nodded respectfully. "I will not let any harm come to the young master."
Mark turned his gaze back to Cassian, his voice firm. "And you're not allowed to enter the inner zone of the forest. You're restricted to the outer zone only."
Cassian nodded again. He had no intention of venturing into the inner zone... at least, not yet.
Satisfied, Mark leaned back in his chair. "Good. One more thing... why don't you take Helda with you?"
Cassian felt a flicker of irritation but quickly suppressed it.
He couldn't let his personal feelings interfere with the larger picture.
Besides, Helda's role as an [Anomaly] in the game need investigation that at which direction she is heading.
He nodded reluctantly. "I'll inform her myself."
Mark smirked, pleased with his son's compliance. "I'll handle informing her parents."
"Also, don't forget the Awakening Ceremony is in six days. Be back before then."
"Yes, Father," Cassian replied curtly.
"Good. You're dismissed," Mark said, waving a hand.
Cassian turned and left the room, his steps measured.
Upon reaching his quarters, he looked at his phone lying on the table.
"Sometimes I forget this world even has phones," he muttered to himself as he picked it up.
Phones in this world weren't as advanced as those on Earth.
They were purely for calling, devoid of any other features.
Cassian scrolled through his contacts until he found Helda's number and dialed it.
The phone barely rang twice before Helda's voice came through, pouting with indignation. "Now you have time to talk to me? Hmph!"
Cassian sighed audibly.
"Don't 'sigh' me!" Helda continued. "After Vivi's birthday, when I asked you for a date, you said you had some work to do. So, now that your so-called work is over, you finally remember me?"
Cassian replied, his tone even. "I still have that work to do. I called to ask if you wanted to come with me. But from your tone, it seems like you don't. Sigh… It's fine. I'll ask someone else."
Helda's voice shot up in alarm. "Huh?! No, no! Wait! I want to come with you! I want to!"
A smirk tugged at Cassian's lips. "Then come to my house. I'm leaving today."
"Okay, I'm coming!" Helda exclaimed hurriedly before the call disconnected.
As Cassian set the phone down, a faint slithering sensation drew his attention to his wrist.
Coiled there was Rea, her crimson eyes gleaming.
"Where are you even going?" Rea asked, her serpentine voice laced with curiosity.
Cassian smirked, his gaze sharpening with determination. "To your ex-master's legacy.
"And also where Cassian sacrificed himself in the game."