"I honestly expected a very different question. I can't answer you, at least not yet. One thing for certain is that everything has its reasoning."
"And that reasoning… relates to your revenge, doesn't it?" I pointed out exactly what is on his mind, and Nathan only tilts his head to the side as he grins at me.
"Lily… I'm surprised that you're quite sharp."
"I'm only guessing things. The battles aren't over, right?" I asked, referring to a whole completely different battle than the one happening at the arena.
"The battles are far from over. The real war hasn't even started yet." Nathan said with such a saddened tone, and I realized that he has been keeping all of this on his own.
I took a few steps back and leaned my body to the wall opposite of Nathan, and I began to ponder. If the battle that we had against the headmaster and Zero wasn't the real battle, then what is the real one?
Perhaps…
"The war demon… Omega. Is that the real war that you're talking about?" I asked Nathan, but he only shook his head.
"I-It's not!?"
"Lily, you will know about this quite soon. I ask that you be patient--"
"I'm just curious as to why you're keeping everything a secret. I'm just wondering why you don't even want to ask for help from anyone."
"I have been asking for help. In fact, I have been getting help. The reason why I just haven't asked you, or any of our friends… is because there's nothing you can do."
Hearing Nathan's blunt answer, I only opened my eyes wide. However, seeing the smile on his face, I can tell that is indeed something he genuinely felt.
We are… I… am useless to him.
"Am I really that weak that you'd think of me that way?"
"It depends on how you determine 'weak'. If we're talking strength, talent, and combat capabilities, then no. You're very strong, Lily.
But this… hidden war, it requires so much more than that."
"Then, at what point will you start asking me for help?"
"After this tournament ends. I promise you… Lily. However, I can tell that you probably won't like the result at all." Nathan answered yet again with a sad tone, and I began to grow angry that he is holding it all on his own.
I pushed myself from the wall and arrived in front of him instantly. I placed my fingers on his collar, lifting his face closer to me.
"You're really doing everything that you want… without giving a damn about what other people want." I said to him with genuine annoyance, and Nathan only shook his head.
"What I want is what other people want. It is what you and everybody else wants."
"That is what you think! Stop shouldering everything on your own--"
"And what, Lily? Ask you for help?"
"Yes!! Involve me!! I don't want to see you suffer on your own!!"
I have finally said everything that is inside my chest. I have made it clear to him that I just don't want to see him suffer. I have made it obvious to him that he is more to me than just a friend. And he knew. He knew those things very well.
Even then… he still…
"In that case… let me give you… a hint." Nathan said as he pulled my hand away from his collar, and he placed his back again on the wall.
He turned his cold glare to me, and I know he will share a piece of information that he knows is very important.
"Do you think you're ready… to kill a friend?"
… huh?
The sound of battle happening outside grew louder. The cheering by the people became even more annoying and painful to listen to. Or perhaps, it's because my ears cannot attempt to listen anymore.
As Nathan's mouth kept spitting out the secrets, I was left with utter confusion. I couldn't understand it, and I did not know what to do.
The time we've all spent together… it has been six months. It was far too short for us to even know anything about each other.
Especially if that person was far too enclosed with their personal life.
"Lily? Where did you go?"
Back at the waiting seat for the fighters, I was greeted by Jonah. Since his battle has ended, he is allowed to go anywhere, but he decides to stick around the fighter's waiting area since all his friends are here.
He definitely noticed me going missing, and Nyssa probably told him where I went. But since I went for a long while, it certainly makes him confused.
"I…" I was about to answer, but then my gaze landed on the guy fighting at the arena.
The two lightning masters of class A, Morvolo and Eric, are having a bout. They are deciding which one of them is the best lightning origin, and it looks like the fight is about to be over soon.
"Lily? What's wrong?" Rejulus asked since he too noticed my expression, and I just shook my head before turning away.
I walked back to my seat next to Nyssa and Rejulus, and I sat down before immediately leaning my head to Nyssa's shoulder.
"My head hurts… Can I just skip my battle?" I said with a tired voice to Nyssa, and the girl lifted her hand to pat me in the head.
"Did you get to meet him, at least?" Nyssa asked, which alerted everyone that I could've gone somewhere to visit Nathan.
"Yeah… he's annoying."
"He rejected you again?"
"Yeah… even though I pleaded so many times."
"I'm so sorry. At least you have me." Nyssa hugged my head tighter, and I proceeded with wrapping my hands around her.
"Can you just be mine and not be with that Jonah guy?"
"Huh!?" Next to Nyssa, Jonah turned confused that he got mentioned.
Before I could continue rambling, the battle at the large arena had ended. A large explosion marked the end of it, which threw Marvolo across the dome before finally crashing to the walls under the spectator's area.
"And that's the end of it! Marvolo couldn't even land a single hit on the best student of the first year, Eric Axwell!!" The announcer said with the speaking device just as the crowd turned nuts.
Everybody likes Eric for how strong he is. They all admire him since he was simply too powerful, but so is everyone in class A. But, for him to be untouchable against a fellow class A… that simply puts him at a higher class.
"I knew Eric was the strongest, but wow! He has definitely levelled up!" From the speaker, it seems like Nathan has also returned to his previous position.
"Prince Nathan, Eric is your classmate and the top of the class. What does this win mean for him?"
"It just means one simple step forward, I guess? He is that strong, after all! My thoughts are exactly like everyone's. Eric is going to win it all!" Nathan continued with his honesty, and I'm surprised he was able to talk that well.
Hearing his voice again reminded me of the conversation we just had. The things he said to me were quite… shocking.
However… I'm still finding it hard to follow his wishes. Even so, I will give it a try.
To kill a friend… that's something I've never expected to ever do.