Chapter 84: Reality check!

Chapter 84: Reality check!

“I will be fine, so please rest assured.”

Generally, Serena doesn’t leave her mansion since she has no affection regarding those hobbies which a girl of her age considers the norm. She more likes to dwell herself in her training or books since she has a dream for herself as well.

There is also another reason why the blonde maiden doesn’t leave the mansion and that was the high security she was generally surrounded with even though she feels like strolling around for a bit.

It was an unhidden fact that Count Stephen had phenomenal battle experience and a tremendous army at his disposal which makes him stand out at his post the most. And so, being such a high and mighty figure, there were numerous instances in the past where Count was subjected with malicious intents.

The number of attacks and ambushes on Count Stephen is basically uncountable but there were some rats as well who sought to attack the weakness of any man regardless of their position. Their family.

In the past, Serena was a highly vulnerable nerve of Count because, unlike her two older siblings, Serena awakened a skill that was unfit for combat as per what Count and many others believed. And since her family followed the tradition of males in the lead and women pushed as passive, Count Stephen instructed his wife to teach Serena more of knowledge about housework and management.

She wasn’t disheartened but a little bit sad that she failed to make her father proud of her. But that doesn’t mean she ever thought of herself as inferior and always trained herself behind her father’s back so one day she can prove her worth.

The reason she was allowed to attend the Pristine Academy stems from the incident where Serena single-handedly subdued five ambushers who tried to take her carriage as a hostage. That day she made it dead certain that she was not just a mere woman who can only marry some young master and follow their steps to survive in society.

Her father, allowed Serena to attend the academy and show her worth if she wanted her freedom.

However, until she doesn’t proves that she was alone enough to protect herself, Serena was bound with these heavy securities which even came to see her off in the library which was ten minutes from the mansion.

Thankfully, they didn’t pester much and let her roam in the library freely until evening.

‘Sigh* Talk about exaggeration...’

Sighing Serena moved to the first floor of the central library which was one of the biggest establishments in Growmdur.

Generally, Serena comes to this place to venture among different genres and explores new things but today she had a different motive for which she walked casually to the second last row of the first floor which was far enough from the entrance.

She knew her bodyguards would get suspicious if they don’t see her that was why she took a seat at the table which despite being bare, was visible to her guards.

Taking a book from the nearest shelf which was written under the heading ‘Ancient Temples and Discoveries’ Serena seated on the leftmost side chair which had four more seats vacant beside her.

Across her sat a single boy on the rightmost side of the opposite arrangement who had his eyes drawn on Serena with a faint smile over his lips.

“You really did come eh...Thank you, Serena.”

Hearing Arata’s nonchalant remark, Serena frowned slightly as in a whispering voice she responded almost consecutively.

“Sword? Did you break it?”

Serena had heard it from Arata a very long ago that his sword is a legendary weapon that would help him reach heights where no one could match him. Since it was around the age of seven or eight Serena always got fascinated by his words and thought he would be the savior on the white horse and she would follow him wherever he goes.

But time passed and nothing noteworthy transpired which could maintain her belief in Arata’s swords and his promise. Sure she believed in his hard work but with his Skill Tier and his limitation, it was nearly impossible for him to reach the domain he has dreamt of.

“No...more like I am disappointed in its(sword’s) underperformance and have a feeling that I would never trespass this limitation my skill has bound me with.”

Serena took a third glance at her friend and saw the unhidden guilt and sadness overwhelming his gaze.

She somehow could understand how he was feeling at the moment but in place of sympathizing with him, Serena chose to utter facts.

“Yeah, you are weak Aru.”

For a moment, Arata couldn’t believe what he heard since he was expecting to hear words of consolation which in normal circumstances, Serena would have uttered. But as he expected Serena has changed ever since that incident in the temple.

“You are weak since you are depending on a weapon for your progress and blaming everything on your skill tier. You are not doing enough for what it takes to become someone you could be proud of. It might sound like boasting, but ever since I escaped death I have come to know how much I am lacking and how many things I can learn from the people around me. And the same is for you, Arata.”

This time she made direct eye contact with him as Serena stated the words she found helpful for her friend at the moment.

“You need to let go of all of your superficial excuses and put yourself in a situation where you have no other option rather than to fight if you want to get stronger. Ever since entering the Academy, I haven’t seen the spark in your eyes which made Arata a man different from others. You are either after President, or your seniors or sometimes mindlessly chasing Anabelle. You no longer have the passion for what it takes to become a true warrior. And to be honest, I am quite disappointed because of it.”

To say Arata was shocked would be a huge understatement since after hearing such a reality check, Serena slammed on his face, making Arata’s mind numb. He forgot to even breathe for quite a long minute until he felt the stinging sensation in his heart as his body reminded him to respire.

Despite it taking him a long, Arata was able to understand the meaning behind her words and how come, Serena whom he always thought of as his foremost ally, felt disappointed in him.

It might be harsh but what she said was nothing untrue.

“Thanks, Serena.”

Serena who had her eyes back on her book heard the chair across her sliding before Arata got up from his seat and with his fading words, left the library.

“But don’t worry. I will earn your respect once again, by winning the tournament. Just wait for me...”

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A/N:- I hope you guys don’t dislike Serena just because she came to meet Arata. I mean they are childhood friends who have met like this in secrecy before as well.

Anyway, drop a comment if you are liking the story so far~