Chapter 82: Those Who Falter at the Threshold Will Never See Beyond the Gate
There it was—that spark of hope. Sure, it was small, but it was undeniably there.
So my smile was all teeth.
"You’re asking the right person."
Aeron blinked.
"In fact—" I waved a hand "—it’s simple. You just need to solve the problem."
?
His brows furrowed in adorable confusion, like a puppy hearing a strange noise.
I coughed to hide a chuckle. "Well, ’simple’ might be overselling it for someone of your intellect—"
Aeron’s glare could have melted steel.
"—Alright, alright!" I raised my hands in surrender. "Stop looking at me like you’re deciding between stabbing or strangling me."
After a deep breath, I met his gaze squarely.
"Here’s the plan: You fight the curse. Not by running—by facing it head-on."
Aeron’s pupils dilated.
"What? Isn’t this what you are proficient at?"
His lips twitched, but he nodded, gesturing for me to continue.
"First," I held up a finger, "you train yourself properly this time. I mean not just your body or your swordsmanship." I tapped my chest, then my temple. "But also your spirit, your heart, and your mind."
Aeron’s golden eyes narrowed slightly in confusion mixed with realization.
I sighed inwardly.
This guy really is hopeless without me. He should be grateful I’m not some winged serpent, or else...
"Let me dumb it down for you," I said, rolling my shoulders. "If there’s a curse, there’s always a way to break it. That’s how these things work."
A spark of understanding flickered in his gaze.
"Which means," I continued, "your curse can be broken too. You just need to find out how." I counted off on my fingers. "Research the curse. Learn everything about that sword spirit and the sword itself. Understand what really happened that day at the lake. And why exactly did those incidents happen?"
Aeron’s fingers twitched at the mention of the lake and incidents.
"Sure, it won’t be easy, heck, it will be incredibly difficult for you," I admitted. "And your options will be limited."
"But we both know that it’s a thousand times better than your current plan of becoming a hermit and waiting to die."
The corner of his mouth twitched - almost a smile.
Progress.
"Now, about getting stronger." I leaned forward. "It’s not just about swinging a sword better. Remember well - strength opens doors of countless possibilities and opportunities. Of course, there will be dangers accompanying them."
Aeron tilted his head slightly, like an intrigued hawk.
"But with real strength," I explained, "you can meet powerful people - the kind who might know about curses. You can travel to ancient libraries or hidden ruins where answers might be buried. You can—"
"Reach places where the truth is kept," Aeron finished quietly, his voice gaining strength.
"Exactly." I grinned. "See? You’re not completely hopeless."
"And you already met such a person, didn’t you?"
"...Who?"
This damn-!
A ghost of a smirk tugged at Aeron’s lips.
His golden eyes, still slightly red-rimmed, glittered with something dangerously close to amusement.
I froze.
"Y-you—" My finger jabbed at his chest. "You did that on purpose, didn’t you?!"
Aeron’s smirk widened just enough to be infuriating.
"So, this is how you thank your master, huh?" I crossed my arms. "Guess I’ve got myself an ungrateful student after all."
A sound escaped Aeron—half laugh, half sob—as he wiped at his lashes with the back of his hand. "T-thank you... M-master Aman."
The words came out rough but sincere.
I reached over and patted his shoulder, nodding sagely. "Good. You’re finally worthy of my teachings."
This only made him laugh harder. But it came unrestrained and full of emotions, echoing off the waterfall stones. It was bright, alive, like sunlight breaking through storm clouds.
My glare returned instantly. "Why are you laughing, huh? Is my face funny? My words?" I huffed, turning away with exaggerated offense. "You scoundrel of a student!"
Aeron only laughed even harder, shoulders shaking as if years of tension were pouring out of him. The sound was messy, imperfect, but utterly genuine.
I leaned back, hiding my satisfied smile behind a scowl.
Mission accomplished.
When his laughter finally subsided, something in Aeron’s posture had changed.
The weight on his shoulders seemed lighter, the hollowness in his cheeks remained, but his gaze, where before there had been only shattered glass, now held the barest glimmer of steel reforged.
He bowed his head. "Thank you, Aman. Truly. I... can’t express..." His voice caught. "How do I repay—"
"Tch." I waved him off. "I did this because I wanted to. If you really need to repay me?" A pointed look. "Just stop causing trouble."
Aeron chuckled, the sound warmer than I’d heard since the last time we talked. "Your words are my order, Master Aman."
"Good."
A beat of comfortable silence passed before Aeron shifted. "...Can I ask one more thing?" He rubbed his neck. "Last one, I promise."
I rolled my eyes. "Hurry up. My wisdom-giving time is almost up."
Aeron’s lips quirked, but his question came out earnest: "...Where do I start?"
I stared at Aeron for a long moment before allowing my smile to return.
"First," I held up a finger, "think about everything we just discussed. With a clear head this time." My second finger joined the first. "Then, tidy yourself up and take a bath, I don’t have to tell you why, right? Good, and then do your homework before evening because you will be busy."
Aeron leaned forward slightly. "And then...?"
"Do what you must do."
He blinked at me blankly.
"Urgh!" I threw my hands up. "Do I have to spell out every little—"
"Sorry," he mumbled, looking genuinely chastised.
I sighed dramatically. "Fine. You should properly apologize to those girls. Show some sincerity for once." I counted off on my fingers. "Take them to dinner. Or cook for them if you’re capable—though I doubt that."
Aeron opened his mouth to protest, but thought better of it.
"And share whatever you feel comfortable sharing from your past or your future goals." My voice softened. "Let your heart guide you—but use your brain first."
A slow, warm smile spread across Aeron’s face—the first real one I’d seen in weeks. The sunlight caught his golden eyes just right, and damn if he didn’t look every bit the handsome protagonist again.
"Thank you. Truly."
"Don’t thank me yet," I grumbled, suddenly needing to look away from that radiant expression. "I almost forgot the most important rule—"
I leveled a stern finger at his face.
"—Keep. Proper. Distance. Be. Appropriate."
Aeron’s smile didn’t falter. "Understood."
"No holding hands, no physical contact, no being lovey-dovey-"
"I get it," he laughed, raising his hands in surrender. "I’ll be appropriate."
"You’d better." I crossed my arms. "And until you get married to them."
"I... I... M-marry?! W-we’re not even—"
"Alright, alright," I waved my hand dismissively, watching as Aeron’s face flushed at the marriage comment. "Don’t overheat that simple brain of yours."
Standing up, I stretched my arms overhead, feeling my joints pop. "Well then," I dusted off my pants, "I’m heading back to the library. You can return that lunchbox yourself and thank her properly on my behalf. Sandwiches were really good."
Aeron opened his mouth. "What about you—"
"I’ve got matters to attend to," I cut him off, my face twisting slightly. "Urgh..."
The hesitation in my expression didn’t escape Aeron’s notice. His eyes narrowed as he studied me, clearly wanting to ask something but holding back.
Damn, perceptive now, are we?
I knew exactly what he was wondering—why I looked so reluctant. The answer burned in my chest: Because I don’t want to get beaten to a pulp again, damnit!
But with people like you, Cassandra, Zephyr, and whatever unknown dangers lurk in this academy, in the world... I have no choice.
I have to get stronger too.
Turning on my heel, I began walking away, the grass crunching underfoot. Four steps. Ten. Then—
I stopped dead in my tracks.
Aeron hadn’t moved from his spot by the waterfall, watching me with that same searching gaze.
Sighing, I turned back to face him fully. The words came out before I could stop them.
"Listen..."
________
Alternative Title: Indeed, the Beginning of Strength Is to Accept One’s Weakness.
Author Note:
"This scenario ended up longer than planned, but I’m happy with how it turned out! Aeron’s emotional breakdown and gradual recovery were challenging but rewarding to write. The dynamic between him and our Background Character remains one of my favorites—equal parts heartfelt and snarky.
What did you think? Did the emotional beats land? Let me know your thoughts! I’d love to hear them.
And thank you for your support, and stay tuned—bigger challenges (and more chaos/humor) are yet to come!"