Chapter 150 - Borrowed Time

“Alastor.” Timber softly said.

Alastor frowned at him. He is yet to reclaim his sanity.

“Yes?” Alastor asked, shrugging.

“You seem to be different. I can’t quite put my finger on it. But you feel different after we met back in Vesoga Plain. I wonder why a daunting man like you became so… how to put it in words? You’re much open than I thought of you last time.”

“Do I look like someone who’s out open?”

“Yeah.. I was expecting you’d be more resistant.”

Alastor chuckle. “What can I say? They gain my trust, even though we screwed up a lot.”

“I can see that.”

Alastor smirked over the thoughts. “I despise them at first, but I realized after that, there isn’t something I can do, that is why I just have to learn how to ride the tide. ” Alastor explained. “But it doesn’t mean we’re quits. You may have helped us, but I will compensate it, doubled.”

Timber stifled a laughed.

“You don’t have to. I didn’t do it just to get paid. I have my reasons.”

“Yeah, yeah. I know. So, what now?”

The heavy sensation has finally gone. Alastor stood sharply.

“You’re going to train. Not only the visual kinetic ability. There are useful abilities that I passed unto you.”

“Is it permanent?” Alastor asked.

Instantly, Timber laughed. “You’d wish. While it is true that Tribunal Hunters can copy and give an ability, it’s only temporary.”

Alastor stabbed him with a glare.

“Then why did you gave it to me? You’re basically wasting our time.”

Timber waves his hand in the air. “Don’t get hasty friend. I didn’t say you can’t make it on your own.”

“I’m loss at words.”

“You see, what I did to you is basically giving your mind the blueprint of a spell, making you familiar with it. In that way, you can access that magic until you’re able to master it.”

“Sounds like cheating. I like it.”

Timber grunted.

“Damn it, kid. Don’t get hooked up by the idea. This is only a consideration. Besides, not all of those abilities you may consider has a strong affinity.”

Alastor’s enthusiastic expression did not desist. “So, what? At least I have more options other than my overused spells.”

“It appeared that it’s already 9 pm. You might as well rest.”

A cool breeze had ruffle Alastor’s hair as he turned his back.

“I had a nap earlier. It would take more than a breeze to bore me. I want to know more about the Hunters you spoke of.”

Timber yawn. “If you want to know more about them, then you can go to the library.”

“And where would that be?”

“Enter the hallway, next to that is the small section of the cafeteria. Walk past that and you’ll see a creaky wooden door, you’ll find the library.”

“You have a library?”

His judgment is uncalled for.

“This is our base, after all. It’s normal to keep our passage remain intact.”

“That’s not what I meant.”

Alastor shrugged his shoulders and walked back to the Temple. On his way, he met Caroline sitting on the stairway. The beacon of light encores her presence. Her eyes looming over the horizon.

All her mindful gaze halted when she heard the rustling leaves. Her eyes quickly settled on Alastor.

“Is something wrong?”

He’s observant as ever.

Caroline declined and shakes her head.

“I’m fine.”

Alastor looked back at the people having a revelry around the bonfire. He moved back and sat down next to her.

“I thought you like to make friends?”

It wasn’t a question for her. Alastor's exclamation is far-fetched for what she’s thinking.

“Nah. They’re good people. Even welcoming that I have thought. I’m sure you’ve heard about the three tribes living in the same region on our kingdom’s domain?”

Alastor nodded. “I don’t know anything much about them. I’ve heard only that they cause an only ruckus.”

“But the truth is, they’re far from that.”

“I was kind of surprised you went along with them.”

“Hey, we may have differences, but I never discriminate even they’re foreign.”

“I know,” Alastor replied.

“You know, I just realized, the truth isn’t something everyone can perceive right.”

“What do you mean?” Alastor had asked.

Caroline was silent for a while. Her eyes brimmed in enthusiasm as she remembered the people she met on her journey.

“Even people that are out of our familiar state, they have something to say for themselves despite whatever what other people say to them.”

“What’s the point?” Alastor asked.

“What do you mean?”

“You’re saying that we should shift our gears and look on the other side, but you didn’t present any conclusion out of what you’ve said.”

“Hmm.” Caroline pondered and flick her fingers. “I guess what I’m trying to say is that we must learn to be open despite how heavy the tragedy is. In that way, we can understand each other. If we understand each other more, I doubt anyone would let go.”

“So you’re saying, we should be more rational rather than emotional?”

“It’s a yes and no. It should be balanced. We can’t abandon our morality just to be more intellectual.” Caroline continued. “If we are more considerable about people’s position then we would be able to solve our problem more easily.”

“But aren’t that just being hypocritical? Pretending to care about other people? I think you’re missing a piece here.” Alastor darted his eyes on her. “Not all people desire peace. Some others wanted to prosper on conflict, no matter if it is trivial or not.”

“Then we will stop them.”

Alastor snickered. “That’s not easy.”

“What are you saying?”

“Not all people share the same interest.”

“I doubt that there are no people who wanted peace.”

“Trust me, lady,” Alastor said. “Everyone has their own agenda and agenda ruin people’s bonds, no matter how small or big.”

Caroline replied. “That’s only true for someone who is pessimistic as you. But if we work together, we can change how the world works, or if not within our reach.”

Alastor snorted. “That’s not gonna happen.”

“You’re still going with your opinion, aren’t you? Fine. We are entitled to our opinion. I’m not gonna force you.”

“It’s 9 pm. Go to sleep.”

“I think I’m gonna stay here for a while,” Caroline replied ignoring his remarks.

“Darling, you’re 5’2, you need a lot of sleep.”

Caroline threw him a glare and smiled bashfully to play off how much he loathes his statement.

“I’m over 20. I don’t think I need to sleep early. You, on the other hand, are injured and needed bed rest.”

Alastor slowly rose. His eyes allay from hers. Alastor turned and sauntered up to the temple before looking back at her.

“Since when did you become a nurse? You know what? Never mind.” Alastor pretentiously ignoring her and walk away, but he wasn’t going to be left with the ties uncut. “Perhaps you’re right. You’re over 20, so I don’t think you need to sleep early just gain an inch.”

Caroline flinches and furiously looked back at him. She snapped. “What does that mean?”

Alastor smiled smugly and made his way to the library.