"Edward Olphean Falkrona, will you take a seat so we can discuss?"
I nodded and sat on one of the chairs.
"Mr. Falkrona, you seem to have undergone quite a transformation," commented Geoffrey, his fingers interlacing as he spoke. "Can you tell me how and why?"
He ended his statement with a narrowed gaze, indicating that he was not one to be underestimated - just like in the game.
I smiled in response and shook my head. "Before I answer that, I need to know why the headmaster of my academy is keeping tabs on me," I said, leaning back in my chair.
Geoffrey smirked. "I wouldn't use the word 'tabs,' more like keeping an eye on a potential threat," he replied.
"A threat? Me? Are you worried that I might make a move on Maria?" I asked, crossing my legs and bringing up the name of the headmaster's granddaughter - Maria Reina Paradis.
Maria was one of the main heroines in the Third Game, and even though she wouldn't appear in the story until later, I had to bring her into the conversation. Not only was she the headmaster's granddaughter, but she was also the future Saintess of one of the three Holy Treasures left by Eden, putting her on par with royalty like Aurora. And, to be clear, I am not a scum. She was just fourteen.
"Don't worry, old man," I continued. "As expected, I wouldn't dare to lay a finger on the Saintess of the Garden of Eden."
She will appear when the Third Game begins, which will be in two years, but she will not appear until then. She is most likely studying at the Holy Church of Eden right now.
"..."
The old man continued to stare at me with a certain intensity that made me feel uneasy. I hoped he wouldn't attack me; after all, he was a demigod who had transcended humanity and achieved the tenth ascension. Only a select few people knew about his true power, and I was one of them, thanks to my understanding of the game.
After what seemed like an eternity, he finally spoke. "No sane young man would willingly give up the blessing bestowed upon them by their God," he said, his tone serious.
I couldn't help but wonder if he saw me as a threat because of my decision to reject the blessing. "I did it for my friend," I replied, hoping to ease any concerns he might have.
Geoffrey's expression remained unchanged. "You may be able to fool your naive friends, but I know enough about you, Edward Falkrona - or at least I thought I did," he said, clearly searching for my true intentions.
I decided to cut to the chase. "If you see me as a threat, then why did you give me such a valuable weapon?" I asked, taking out my staff and showing it to him.
The old man smiled at me, his eyes twinkling with a hint of amusement. "I said you were a potential threat, but I also believe that you won't stray from the path of righteousness now that Belle has taken you under her wing," he said.
I nodded in agreement. Aunt Bell was always watching over me, and I knew I couldn't disappoint her.
But in the game, things were different. I had already made my decision, and Ante-Eden had found me before Belle could intervene. It was too late to change my mind now.
"Should I be honored that you trust me, headmaster?" I asked, feeling a bit curious.
"More than honored, you should be grateful and relieved," he replied. "The probability of you choosing the wrong path and forcing me to kill you is very low."
"Ahahaha!"
I couldn't help but burst out laughing at his words. If only he knew the truth. I was the one who indirectly caused his death in the Third Game. Even dead, I caused the death of a Demigod. What a freak I had been...wait it's not me.
The old man didn't seem disturbed by my sudden outburst, but I could tell he was annoyed by the way he furrowed his brows. "Have you finished laughing yet, young man?" he asked.
I grinned confidently. "You won't be able to kill me, old man, even if I become a threat," I stated firmly.
"Your mother was also brazen but she had strength to defend that trait of her while you are still weak, boy."
The old man's words about my mother caught my attention. I don't remember much about her, just that she passed away when I was very young. I wonder what kind of person she was, and if I inherited anything else from her besides my attitude.
"I don't recall my mother being brazen, but perhaps you knew her better than I did," I said, trying to hide my curiosity.
The old man chuckled softly. "Your mother was a brave and bold woman. She fought for what she believed in and never backed down. I see that same spirit in you, young Falkrona."
"You won't get me on your side by praising mom, headmaster."
I shrugged off his comment and focused on his response to my question. "So you gave me this staff because you saw potential in me, right?" I asked.
"Yes, that is correct," he replied with a hint of regret in his voice. "I fear that the peaceful era of our kingdom is coming to an end."
I nodded in agreement. I could feel the tension in the air, the anticipation of the impending threats that our kingdom would face. It was a feeling that was all too familiar to me, having played through the Third Game countless times.
The Kingdom was about to face an unprecedented number of threats this year. The headmaster of the academy was deep in thought, his wrinkled face adorned with a grave expression. He was a man who worried a lot about his students, and the security of the kingdom was of the utmost importance to him.
"The youth of our kingdom might not have enough time to grow," he said, "that's why we have to consider helping the outstanding ones. They will be the future leaders of what is brewing outside and inside our kingdom."
I listened intently but didn't answer. The headmaster continued, "I don't know why you give away your blessing to that boy Jayden. Indeed, he is a great talent of our kingdom that we have to groom, but I have a strange certainty that you've done this for a reason, and not a selfish one."
I remained silent, taken aback by his words. He then said, "Moreover, you might have a better growth perspective than him."
I was surprised by his statement, considering that I was weaker than Jayden. He was going to become a true freak in the Third Game, while I was supposed to die at his and the Second Protagonist's hands in the Second Game.
Then Cleenah spoke, breaking my train of thought,
[<Yes, but the one you are talking about hadn't us.>]
Her reply brought a smile to my lips, and I agreed with her. Edward of the Game was a freak because of the evil god with him, and I still didn't know how I would fare in the future.
The headmaster then interrupted my thoughts and said, "And I was proved right. You handled a weapon made of Eden's tree perfectly on your first try."
He had a habit of stalking me, and I wondered what he was going to say next. "Then that weapon is mine now?" I asked, expecting a straightforward answer.
The old man chuckled at my question, "Yes, it's yours," but he didn't finish his sentence. "I hope you won't betray my trust. I don't want to have your grandfather as an enemy."
Is that a joke?
"Hell would freeze before that old man shows an ounce of care for me."
I scoffed at the idea of my shitty grandfather coming to avenge me. Rather, he would be happy.
The headmaster merely smiled at my words.
As I contemplated whether or not to reveal the impending tragedy to the old man, I couldn't help but think about the potential benefits of having him as an ally. With his knowledge and connections, he could be a powerful asset in case of any future threats from Ante-Eden or other enemies.
But then there was the matter of his granddaughter's death. Not Maria, but her cousin, the daughter of the old man's second son. It was clear that she was going to be killed by a traitor within the Holy Church, and the fallout from this event could cause major problems in the upcoming Third Game.
I knew that if I could prevent the traitor from carrying out their plan, the old man would be forever grateful to me and would likely trust me even more. But should I risk revealing such sensitive information to him?
As I pondered this, the old man interrupted my thoughts with a question. "Now that I said why I chose to give such a weapon, can you tell me your reason? Julian told me that you wanted to speak to me absolutely. I hope you don't want me to use my power to stop the stupid match you asked against the Chancellor's son?"
My expression twisted in annoyance at the mention of the match. "No, it's not about the match," I replied, trying to keep my frustration in check. "It's about something else entirely. Something important."
I let out a deep sigh in response to the old man's question, preparing myself to reveal a troubling truth.
"Your granddaughters are in danger," I said, my voice serious and solemn.
The old man's eyes widened in shock. "What do you mean?"
"There is a traitor working for Ante-Eden who has infiltrated the Holy Church," I explained. "If you continue to leave him near your granddaughters, they will soon die."
The old man looked skeptical, but I knew I had to convince him. "I know it's hard to believe, but I swear on my mother that it's the truth."
The old man's expression hardened slightly at my words. "Your mother means that much to you?"
"More than anything," I confirmed. "I won't swear on her for empty words."
The old man fell silent for a moment before finally standing up. "Very well."
"Good." I smiled, feeling relieved that he believed at least a little. "I will give you his nam-eh?"
Before I could finish, the old man had grabbed the collar of my tracksuit, pulling me close. "You're coming with me," he growled. "If you're lying, you'll face the consequences."
"What?!"
"The Holy Church," the old man answered, his grip on my collar tight. "You're going to show me this traitor and face the consequences of your words."
Are you kidding me?!
I don't want to go there!
I tried to wriggle out of his hands but-
"Shitty old man! I won't com- ahaaaaaaaaaaaa!"