"More than what you promised? What do you mean?" Rion asked with a puzzled expression.

Marin sat back in his chair and replied, "Don't worry about it and go take care of your group."

Rion frowned and muttered, "What's the need for useless secrecy? I've been waiting for one year already."

Marin chuckled and said, "Your curiosity is too much. I want you to focus on what's important right now," he pointed towards the door and added, "and that is your group."

Rion's frown deepened, and he thought, 'He is right, but I don't like the way he is saying this.'

To him, Marin's words sounded similar to an adult telling a kid not to eat too many candies. But at the same time, he was also giving him a duty no different than lifting a mountain on his shoulders.

'He recognises my strength and leadership but he still sees me as a child...'

By all rights, Rion was indeed a child, but a reincarnated one. Even though he didn't experience anything monumental or average in his last life, he still had his memories and knowledge.

He might have a broken sense of humour and habits others found strange, but his conscience was still that of a fifteen-year-old — and that was precisely why he refused to be treated like a child.

He exhaled softly, and his eyes cleared, becoming similar to a calm pond as he spoke, "You don't have to recite the importance of MY people to me."

Marin's smile cracked instantly and he replied, "That wasn't my intention—"

Bang!

He struck the table, his voice turning cold.

"You want me to stand as a beacon of hope for our people yet you treat me like a child. Are you truly using your so-called 'most sane' mind, or is this all done on a whim?"

Marin fell silent and stared at Rion with complicated thoughts blazing in the crucible of his orange eyes.

A few moments later, he spoke, "I don't know how to treat you. You aren't like any of us."

"What do you mean?" Rion questioned.

He didn't answer right away. Instead, he stood up from his chair and walked over to Rion while his words continued,

"Unlike us, you don't worship strength; instead, you worship knowledge. Instead of forcing your strength on others you give them the choice to follow you."

He jabbed his finger at his chest and continued, "The way you act is different from a Dhaevrak... you are different from anyone I've ever seen, and that is why I am so invested in your growth because for me you are like a... lightning star."

The hut fell silent as his words drifted like heavy smoke.

Rion stared into his eyes and muttered in a tone no different than before, "So your decisions are based on your curiosity yet you tell me to keep my own? There is a limit to hypocrisy."

"Ha... ha..." A dry chuckle escaped Marin as he turned around and said, "Alright, I'll teach you whenever you want."

"You should've said so from the start," Rion commented and turned around to leave.

His steps halted before the door and he said, "Also promote Dora, Karhun, Tarun and Yuura to squad leaders."

Marin didn't object and replied in his useless soft tone, "Alright."

Creak!

Rion stepped out and the wind brushed aside his hair. He dug his spear into the ground and tied his night-like raven hair into a small ponytail with a joyous smile.

"Much better," he whispered and his eyes shifted towards his group members before they still at Dora.

His expression hardened for a moment before he forced out a smile and pulled out his spear from the ground.

Seeing him coming, everyone fell silent and straightened their backs.

He walked past his previous squad members and stopped before the previous members of Tarek's group.

He studied them for a few moments and said, "Many of you don't trust me, and I understand that, but..." his voice went cold, and he added, "If any of you believe I am unworthy of this role, then prove it — defeat me."

None of them stepped forward as they had already seen him blast through countless kareths with just his fists and he was the one who had saved them from the being who controls the purple fog, even though they still don't know that being.

Seeing that there was no objection, he smiled and said, "We should get to know each other." Others nodded, and he added, "But before that, follow behind me."

He stepped and began to walk towards a place that he had been to once, yet it held more importance than most.

The others followed him. They walked past the wild bushes, jumped over the logs and climbed the steep mountain and after a few minutes, they reached their destination.

It was a cliff that wasn't visible from the sides and from its edge one could gaze at the vast northwestern forest that looked wondrous because of the orderly blend of Redwood, Whitewood and Greybeard trees.

Everyone stared at the scene before them as if they were enthralled by it and Yuura asked, "When did you find this place?"

Rion grinned proudly and answered, "I found it on my first day in den... I came here to make the greatest decision of my life, and now I want to use this place as the spot for our group."

The others nodded, and Balak, one of Tarek's squad leaders, knelt and asked, "My liege, please allow me to spar with Yuura."

"Hahaha!" Rion burst out laughing.

Balak frowned and muttered while gritting his anger, "Are you laughing at my determination?"

Rion shook his head and answered, "Do you believe that you can get your revenge by defeating Yuura? No, you cannot!"

He lifted his hand and pointed at everyone as he said, "You. You. You. You. All of you are important to me. You are my limbs, my eyes and my mind. So tell me — how can I reach greater heights if my own body keeps tearing itself apart over petty ranks?"

—

A/N:

Meeh-llo! LazyGoat here!

We have finally reached the milestone of 100 chapters and I would like to thank all of the readers for the support they have provided me during this!

Now to 200!

Have a great day/night!

—

Merry Christmas!

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