Chapter 1643: Gratitude [2]

For the crowd, it really was an event to remember. The entire thing seemed to be plotted out well, keeping a sort of continuity that let them feel like they were really part of the action.

For the geniuses, on the other hand, it was a completely different experience.

They showed up, heard the horns, fought, and left.

At first, they were too focused. By the end, they were too weary to pay attention to anything else.

There was no closing ceremony. After all, they were all winners, so there wasn't much of a ceremony to hold.

They stood shoulder to shoulder and listened to the crowd for a few minutes before being ushered off through a door embedded in the side of the arena. It led to a place that visitors couldn't reach.

Only then were they allowed to relax.

August immediately collapsed against a nearby wall, creating water to drink.

It tasted like mana, but that was fine, since he didn't really mind it. Others usually felt awkward about drinking water they created.

"Damn! I wish we got to finish."

Valerie stood next to him. She hadn't been able to complain about their battle being cut short since they were in front of a crowd, but now that they were alone, she could truly let loose.

"I mean, I get that the battle had to end. Those two went overboard. But, still! They could've waited for a few more minutes, right?"

"That was never going to happen."

August wasn't the one talking.

At some point, the two in question had walked up to them and decided to join the conversation.

"You are...August Void, correct?" Lucas said, looking at him.

He was looking down since August was the only one seated, but his gaze didn't contain any notes of condescension.

If he was able to survive for so long against Valerie and even wound her a bit, then he was someone worth respecting.

"That is indeed my name," August replied with a smile, holding his hand out.

Lucas nodded as he shook it.

"I look forward to seeing what you're capable of."

"You as well."

August and Ophelia exchanged similar greetings, though she was a bit more direct than the icy Lucas.

Her words were something along the lines of:

"Next round, you'll fight me. I want to see what you're made of."

...though, she didn't sound like she was being intentionally rude, so August didn't take it to heart.

The geniuses were being kept in this room. They were resting, sure, but they weren't allowed to leave.

It wasn't made clear yet why exactly this was the case, but since it was probably related to the heir wars, none of them made a fuss about it.

August sat and breathed calmly, focusing on that more than anything else while a conversation budded around him.

'These three...'

They were treating him kindly because they saw him as an equal.

'That's a lot of pressure.'

August knew they were stronger than him. His advantages were only enough to let him fight them.

Whether he could win or not was...not really a question in his mind.

'I know the answer, and the fact that the heir wars aren't going to start a few months from now makes that a difficult thing to think about.'

August needed to reach 4th class. Now more than ever, it was important.

'The elimination round isn't over.'

No, the entire heir wars was an elimination round. He had to pass and pass and pass, never losing even once.

Otherwise, all of his goals would go up in flames. A new Dragon Emperor heir would be chosen, and if he tried to rise up as a competitor to that person, he'd have to face a far harsher and less heroic path.

August had a lot to think about. It was a relatively short battle, but it was more than enough to teach him the things he needed to improve on.

'I was focusing on the wrong things all along.'

His techniques weren't the main problem. If he continued to use them in the way that fit him best, then they would naturally be molded as he grew.

'I need to focus on the foundational parts of the manual.'

He was already prepared to go into the mountains and train.

The question was...

How much time would he have?

As August pondered on it, a certain head peeked around the corner.

"August...?"

His gaze was drawn, along with those around him, who stopped their conversation to see who'd arrived.

After realizing that she was a face they didn't know, Lucas and Ophelia lost interest.

As for Valerie, she looked at August to see his reaction.

"I'll be right back," he said, excusing himself.

Valerie nodded and returned to her conversation with the other two.

Occupying them was better for him, since their views towards the less talented were...not so friendly.

August slipped away from the group and turned the corner.

Melania was already gone, but she'd left a path for him to follow.

'What's up with this?'

He didn't really understand her actions, but perhaps that was because he wasn't in her position.

To her, Lucas and Ophelia meant something completely different.

Nevertheless, August followed the trail and eventually found himself in a different connected room, where Melania was waiting for him.

When he arrived, her face instantly lit up.

"I knew you wouldn't be eliminated so easily!"

"You thought I was eliminated?" August replied, looking slightly offended.

"I couldn't find you, so I had no choice."

August shrugged. It was understandable indeed.

A slight lull fell between them. August didn't really know what to talk about, considering their last interaction.

Melania, on the other hand, just needed a few moments to prepare herself.

Once she had, she immediately bowed a full ninety degrees in his direction.

"Thank you!"

She had been dying to say it.

"I'm really sorry for the way I acted back then. For you to still come back and give me gratitude...you don't understand how much that meant for me and my family."

She didn't want to bore him with her life story. She also wasn't trying to appeal to his pity by letting him know what she'd been through.

All Melania wanted was to convey her gratitude to him by any means possible.

"Even if you want me to serve you for life, I'll do it without hesitation. If you have anything you want, then please ask me without worry. I can't let a favor as big as this one go unrepaid."

August was shocked by her sincerity.

It came out of nowhere, especially when he considered his actions nothing more than a small act of kindness.

But Melania was serious. The look in her eyes told him that nothing could convince her otherwise.

He smiled somewhat helplessly.

"Actually, there is one thing I wanted."

"Really? What is it? I'll really do anything, as long as it's not...well, never mind."

August snickered a little. He didn't remember Melania being this jittery, but it was definitely fun seeing a side of her that acted more her age.

'Is this what Valerie was thinking when we met?'

He couldn't say he didn't understand the sentiment.

'Acting more my age...'

Maybe he could try it sometime.

But for now, there was something more important.

"The one thing I've wanted since you showed me kindness back then...how about becoming friends?"

"Friends?" Melania echoed.

"Yeah. Friends and allies who support each other when things get difficult. That's what I want us to be."

Melania's eyes widened slightly.

Of all the requests she was expecting to hear, this was not one of them.

She couldn't help but smile.

"Friends, huh...?" she muttered.

"That doesn't sound too bad at all."

August returned her smile.

Yes, friends. That was all they were now.

But eventually, they would become allies who would conquer the world together.

And that...

That was August's one true wish.