Chapter 478: Wistful Conversation
Northern and Annette discussed a bit more about ocular abilities. Throughout it all, Annette was uncautiously divulging all the information about her own ocular abilities.
And it seemed like hers was still mediocre compared to what other members of her clan usually awakened.
It wasn't like she didn't have a family; she had just been cast out for some shameful things she did.
Although she refused to tell Northern these shameful things.
Northern couldn't begin to imagine the disgraceful things she must have done. She was a drunkard after all. People like her were always up to shameful acts.
Their conversation became less serious as Northern tried to pry into what she had done to be sent away from her family at the age of nineteen.
But Annette didn't budge. After a while, Northern then asked about what her plans were.
The question caused suspense in the atmosphere between the two of them.
She paused, seeming to seriously consider some things. After a while, she scratched her hair and sighed, then she put back her eye patch and began explaining to Northern.
"You remember when you first met me, right, when you first came to the citadel."
Northern nodded, "Of course, I do. Why would I forget something like that? It was the beginning of my hell."
Annette's expression was choleric as she continued, "Well, it seemed that the headmaster and Rughsbourgh shared knew something. Because he was the main reason why we came here."
Northern folded his arms, "I know that Gilbert and Rughsbourgh had something together. And I don't think I care about that fact anymore. I'm asking what you are going to do if Rughsbourgh shows up. He's a Paragon. You can't fight him."
"Well, he wouldn't fight me too."
Northern raised a brow, "You guys didn't particularly follow through what I assume his plan would be. Even if Rughsbourgh wanted us to come back, I don't assume it'd be anytime soon. Moreover, I am pretty sure he threw me in that rift to die. However, here I am and neither you nor Gilbert did anything about it. Although Gilbert did try."
Northern's memory juggled back to the two guys that tailed him into the forest. That must have been when Gilbert withdrew his future attempts.
"Gilbert tried to do what?" Annette asked with a scowl.
But Northern was quick to dismiss her stern concern.
"Don't worry about it, he didn't even get a chance to act. Answer the question I'm asking you."
"Well…" Annette suddenly paused, she frowned, belatedly realizing something.
Northern stared at her indifferently, his devilish eyes slightly widened, "What?"
"Who do you think you are using that tone with? I'm more than ten years older than you!"
Northern rolled his eyes, "Yeah sure. Forgive me."
"That does not sound genuine."
"That's as genuine as you'd get."
"What the hell, you think I can't beat the shit out of you because you are Master? I am a Sage now, remember?"
Northern's eyes rounded, "Oh? You crossed again?"
Annette grinned proudly, "Yes. I crossed again." She folded her arms again.
Northern looked at her with an acknowledging smile on his own face.
"That's very impressive. How did you manage such a feat?"
"The sea was not an easy traverse, you know, with how active I was in the monster outpour at Lotheliwan, I took the opportunity again and stood on the frontline. It was thanks to people like me, Zephyr and Helena that no one was lost."
Northern raised his eyes in glee, "That is a serious achievement. It's wonderful!"
Annette gave one more giggle before her expression became somewhat despondent.
Noticing it, Northern inquired, "What's wrong? You lost someone after all?"
Annette shook her head, "No, no, some things are just quite sad."
"Like?"
"Aside from the fact that I was standing on the frontline, Braham was another strong reason why we had no loss of healing. His healing abilities really are amazing. It would have done the world a good if it was given to someone else, someone like Ellis for example."
Northern looked at her blankly. Hearing her, he could understand the change of her expression.
'It must have been hard accepting someone that caused a major drift and disaster in the stronghold.'
However, Braham must have known his worth and used it to present a reasonable offer. Which in the end turned out to work in the benefit of the entire cohort.
'He is a value through and through but a disgusting human. If his talent is that good perhaps I should copy it?'
Annette raised her head, trying to suppress the bitterness her decision to accept Braham was causing her.
"Don't worry. I think you made a good call. And your decision kind of saved a lot of people. So, I don't think there's anything you should be beating yourself up for."
Annette blinked at him, frozen for a moment.
"What?" Northern frowned.
"I never thought you would ever be capable of sympathy."
"I don't know what you mean."
"Oh, you definitely have grown."
"Like I said, I don't know what you mean." Northern looked away from her with a calm and collected front.
Ever since he returned, everything about him had been composed and mature. For some reason, he didn't even look like he was sixteen.
Annette took a long gaze at him. She averted her gaze and hesitated then said in a melancholic tone.
"So… Raven and Terence… did you see them?"
Northern's expression became blithe, he breathed and deadpanned.
"No, I didn't. But I was told that they are being held captive in Luinngard."
Annette nodded her head somberly at his words.
"What? Do you want to go back to rescue them?"
"It's not funny. I know you and Rain had your stuff but cut the young lady some slack."
"What do you know?" He said with a slightly irritated tone.
An awkward silence hung between the two of them for a while.
Northern sighed and interrupted the tense peace.
"So, what is really your plan against Rughsbourgh? He's a Paragon. You know you being a Sage won't make much of a difference."
Annette looked at his face, "Well. I plan to go to the academy. And become an Instructor there."
Northern's mouth fell, "Huh? How many screws did you lose?"