Chapter 90: To Travel The Chaotic Lands (2)

T/W: Disturbing themes

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Ayen did not know why the two liked to pinch his chin. At first, he was unaccustomed to it, but he gradually got so used to it that sometimes he did not even notice it.

Khal returned a few minutes later, and they started to eat. They were in the wilderness; the only light source was coming from the fire.

The sky was pitch black; the moonlight was not very visible.

“What do you think? Can you travel in the wild?” Devion asked after they ate dinner as they sat around the campfire. “It’s still the trial run; you can back out.”

Traveling was not very popular in this era due to various reasons. Unless someone was wealthy enough to hire espers as escorts, the citizens never thought of making a trip to the distant lands.

This question was to sound out Ayen’s decision again. While Khal and Devion could travel at this pace, Ayen might not stand it.

Ayen leaned on the seat while looking at the sky. At this question, he quickly looks at Devion’s side. He could see that Devion was genuinely concerned about his well-being.

This area they were in was much more tolerable, since only a few monsters and beasts could be able to survive in an extreme cold environment. The cold beasts were also territorial, and so they did not fight along the way.

However, it might not be the case later on.

“Mm, it’s tiring,” Ayen honestly answered. Of course, he was tired. He walked for three hours; he was not used to it. “But I enjoyed it.”

Ayen was not someone who would say things that he did not mean, although that did not mean he could not lie. It was more like he did not need to.

“Also, this scenery isn’t new to me.” Ayen fidgeted with his fingers for a few seconds, then he let go.

His eyes landed on the fire as he continued in a low tone.

“I’ve traveled alone before.” Ayen swallowed and blinked. He found that while his breathing slowed down, his voice was stable. Ayen felt it was getting easier to let out his experiences to the two.

Their silence helped, and Ayen did not need to look at them to know that they were listening seriously and intently to his words, just like usual.

And this was enough.

“When… I awakened as an E-class Guide, I already knew what my fate was going to be. My fa…no, the Nevaris Clan Leader, will surely abandon me. That’s how it is as part of an elite clan.”

Ayen was a genius, but then he fell from grace, and he was quickly abandoned. That was when he realized that for his parents, he was merely a commodity.

There was no parental affection. They quickly and decisively let go of Ayen. After all, he was a disgrace, the first ever E-class awakened from the Nevaris Clan. The clan leader was extremely ashamed of that.

“I thought… That was the end of it.” Ayen clasped his hands and trailed off. He was not hesitant, but he was choosing his words appropriately.

Ayen was not really good at expressing himself, and with years of bottled emotions, he was even more unfamiliar with talking about his past.

“I can leave the clan; my name will be erased from the family registry… But I was too naive. Maybe my parents won’t bother with me, but the others had other ideas.”

Ayen was truly a resounding name in the clan, and his father was the current clan leader. While he received admiration, it was certain that envy and jealousy also followed him.

At this moment, Ayen paused. He suddenly did not know whether he needed to tell this part to his two espers. Yet, deep inside him, he wanted to see what their reactions would be.

In fact, Ayen did not really feel concerned for the people involved if Devion and Khal targeted them.

He looked up and turned to the two, who were sitting across from him. Ayen suddenly paused his thoughts, and even his heartbeat thumped loudly.

Devion and Khal’s expressions had already darkened since Ayen had started his story. The fire had barely illuminated their faces, and their shadows seemed to become a shade darker under the light.

This was also his first time seeing them wearing this kind of expression, so he was taken aback.

While Khal acted cold before to him at that tavern, Ayen realized once more that Khal still held back that time. Not to mention Devion; his angelic appearance did not have the slightest hint of warmth.

One would think that Ayen would stop his story, especially seeing his espers’ dark emotions. However, Ayen was merely encouraged.

He already started, so why not continue? Since they would have known of this eventually, once they started dealing with the Nevaris clan.

The real truth of why he was still being pursued to this day.

“An S-class esper took a liking to me.” The word “liking” was a gentle way to put it. Ayen noticed the flicker in Khal and Devion’s eyes. He continued despite the racing of his heart. “He’s an elder. And he did not need me as a guide.”

Ayen was an E-class Guide, but he had an exquisite face. He was aware of that, of course. He did not have an issue with someone liking him because of his appearance; the problem was that Ayen had only turned adult at that time. He was 18 years old.

And that Esper was twenty years older than him. In fact, not only him. The other espers were like predators that suddenly spawned after he was abandoned, but the elder was more powerful, and he had more to say.

Now that Ayen did not have the protection of his parents, he was powerless to do anything.

The majority wanted to offer him, since he was useless anyway. The last straw was when Ayen heard the clan leader tacitly approve of their actions.

That was the second biggest betrayal, other than the abandonment. He went there to ask to leave, but Ayen suddenly realized… He could not rely on anyone.

And so Ayen escaped.

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