Chapter 268 Home



*Gjug! *Gjug! *Gjug! *Gjug! *Gjug! *Gjug! *Gjug! *Gjug! *Gjug!

The sound of the train was a melodic harmony of metal vibrations and thunder that filled the air. As the train started moving, rhythmic footsteps of rolling iron wheels could be heard on the tracks. The sound gave a strong and heavy impression, as if signaling the presence of an unstoppable force.

Every jolt of the train wheels involved the interaction of metal against metal, creating distinctive clinks and rumbles. When the train passed through a railroad crossing, a loud rumble pierced the surrounding silence. The sound intensified the adrenaline and speed, as if the train was racing against time.

It was this sound that filled the silence between two people who were locked in a gaze. Rini bit her lip until it hurt, unable to refute what Artur had said. Meanwhile, Artur could only smile bitterly, seeing the person he loved unable to say anything.

There was a whisper in Artur's heart, hoping that Rini could find a way out of the bleak future he saw. However, for anyone with a functioning brain, a dead-end seemed impenetrable.

"But... But... can't you achieve something that would make my family acknowledge you?" Rini said something she herself doubted.

Artur shook his head. "What achievement? Achievements in war, you mean? It is true that looking at the stories of Stent Gaht and some heroes in the first mana species war, we can find a few PSA-Graduates who were commoners and were raised to the nobility with their families. But do you think I can do it?"

"You can do it, Artur! You are a rare user of the Lightning spell faction! You are strong and capable of fighting on par with Higo!" Rini said, trying to convince both of them.

Artur looked down. "The reason I can fight on par with Higo is that he hasn't learned the special spells from his family. When we all go home, the difference between a commoner mage and a noble mage will become even more evident. I don't have someone to teach me the Lightning spell faction, but Higo does. When we meet again, I probably won't even be worthy to carry his shoe. You know this, don't you, Rini?"

Rini bowed her head in desolation. Artur was right; with the wealth and heritage of noble families, they could create powerful mages. Artur, who had no inheritance from his family, could only self-study the Lightning spell faction. He would quickly fall behind his classmates. Perhaps when they met again, Artur would even be weaker than Dony.

Seeing Rini unable to say anything more, Artur could only let out a long sigh. With a heart that felt shattered, Artur stood up and sat back in his seat. He looked out the window, trying to avoid seeing Rini still bowed in sorrow.

This was the end of their relationship. With a dark future, the only path was to part ways with mutual understanding. Artur could only hope that with the end of this relationship, they would also cease to be friends. He couldn't bear to witness Rini wearing a wedding gown, marrying someone else. He wished there was a spell that could erase his memories of the red-haired girl.

The train wheels kept turning, traversing forests and mountains. The breathtaking scenery eased the pain in Artur's heart slightly. He didn't want to be seen crying in front of the girl he was about to leave behind.

Not long after, Rini stood up from her seat, but instead of leaving the cabin, she sat beside Artur and rested her head on his shoulder. Artur resisted the urge to turn and embrace the girl.

"Where are you going?" Rini asked.

"I'm going back to my hometown, Heles," Artur replied.

"..."

They fell silent again. Artur thought Rini would get off at the next stop. However, when the train halted, Rini didn't leave the cabin and still sat with her head resting on Artur's shoulder. Artur was filled with confusion, but he tried not to turn his head.

However, when the next stop passed, Artur could no longer remain silent. He immediately turned and found Rini looking at him with a mischievous smile.

"Rini, what are you doing?" Artur asked hesitantly.

"I'm going back to your hometown, Heles," Rini casually answered.

"Huh? What did you just say?" Artur's eyes blinked rapidly.

"I'm going back to your hometown, Heles," Rini repeated.

"...Forgive me, I think I misheard. What did you say earlier?"

With the same expression and intonation, Rini repeated her words, "I'm going back to your hometown, Hel--"

"WHAT THE FUCK ARE YOU THINKING!!!!" Artur shouted in frustration.

Artur shook Rini's shoulders forcefully, causing the red-haired girl to nod repeatedly. However, the mischievous smile froze on Rini's face. Her eyes remained fixed on Artur as if a cat lover staring at a stray cat perched on a tree.

"Hehehe... what did you think?" Rini chuckled casually.

"Didn't you hear what I said? We live in two different worlds! Why do you keep following me like this?" Artur gripped Rini's shoulders tightly.

Rini continued to smile, gently stroking Artur's cheek and wiping away his almost-spilling tears. "I always thought your heart was as dry as a desert. But I never imagined tears could fall from this place."

Artur shook his head, trying to remove Rini's hand from his face, or perhaps he was trying to hide his own tears. "Rini, I'm not joking. What do you really think? There's no future for both of us! It's better if we separate rather than hurt each other!"

Rini held Artur's cheek firmly, preventing him from averting his gaze. "Artur, I won't hurt you, and you'll never hurt me. We love each other, and that's enough for me!" Rini said firmly.

Artur clenched his teeth in frustration. "Don't you understand what I just said? I'm a commoner, and you're a noble! Your family will never accept me! We can't be together!"

"Bla Bla Bla, you talk too much like a woman!" Rini mocked Artur angrily. She pulled Artur's face closer to hers, "Enough talking, let's make love!"

"FUCK THIS IDIOT!!" With one hand, Artur pushed Rini's pouting lips away.

Unable to fulfill her desire, Rini became extremely angry. Grinding her teeth, she slapped Artur's hand away from her face. "Grr... you really frustrate me!!! What's wrong with you being a commoner!! If you can't marry me, then I'll be the one to marry you!!!"

Artur was startled by Rini's outburst. "W..what the hell are you saying?" His face was filled with question marks.

Standing with hands on her hips, Rini puffed out her chest. "Artur, the possibility of you achieving something that my family would acknowledge may be small. But I'm different from you! I am a noble!"

Artur's expression conveyed what he wanted to say without needing words. "I already know that, and that's the problem we have now. Is your head really just filled with dirt?"

Ignoring Artur's mocking expression, Rini continued her passionate speech. "My family still doesn't have a legitimate heir, so the seat is temporarily vacant! Initially, I wasn't interested in getting involved in that stupid seat competition, but because of you, I changed my mind! I will become the rightful heir of my family and marry you! Who can forbid the head of the family from getting married!"

Rini stared at Artur with a sense of pride, waiting for his praise for her brilliant plan. However, Artur only looked at Rini with his mouth agape, as if he were witnessing the winner of the Miss Idiot of the Century contest.

But Rini interpreted Artur's dumbfounded expression differently. She thought that Artur was simply shocked by the brilliance of her just-disclosed plan. A smug smile appeared on Rini's face.

"Rini, do you think that becoming the head of your family will solve all the problems just like that?" Artur tried to keep himself steady and avoid uttering profanities.

A head of a noble family is not just a family leader but also a symbol of the noble family. They must be an example that can be followed by their family members and bear the burden of the family's future.

A head of a family who acts recklessly would tarnish the noble family's reputation among the mass. Moreover, the head of a noble family is responsible for ensuring the continuity of their family for future generations, so it doesn't end with their generation.

There are many more responsibilities for a head of a noble family. But Artur didn't know where to start explaining, so he asked Rini to gauge her understanding.

Rini nodded innocently, believing it from the depths of her heart.

From her reaction, Artur realized that Rini had no knowledge about the responsibilities of a family head. Her family would crumble within months if Rini took on the role of the family head. Therefore, Artur had to save the unfortunate noble family before the mischievous fingers of his beloved destroyed it.

"Rini, do you know the phrase 'with great power comes great responsibility'?" Artur asked hesitantly.

Rini snorted in response, "What kind of fool says something like that? The truth is, with great power comes—ah, whatever, all I know is that I can do anything once I become the heir of my family! Now, stop talking, and let's make a baby!" Like a lion pouncing on its prey, Rini leaped towards Artur.

"Rini.. Rini.. Stop! Stop! This cabin is not soundproof!"