"Edward." Vern's voice was quiet but carried clearly as the four of them walked along the stone path toward their lodgings.
Edward tilted his head lazily, not breaking stride. His hands swung at his sides, his expression relaxed, even playful. "What?" he answered casually, his tone carrying no weight, as though Vern had asked about the weather.
"Do you find my actions inappropriate?" Vern asked, his solemn tone smoothing into the night air.
At that, Salena and Charlotte both turned their gazes toward him, eyes narrowing in curiosity. Edward, however, only blinked once before rolling a shoulder in a half-shrug, his face open, untroubled. "What do you mean by inappropriate?" His voice was light, carrying not the faintest hint of amusement.
"Me breaking Dominic's hand when there was no need to." Vern's reply came without the slightest shift in his expression. His eyes swept over the three of them in turn—Edward's easy grin, Salena's sharp stare, Charlotte's unusually quiet composure—before returning forward. His face was calm, his voice even, devoid of expectation, judgment, or guilt.
"Why would that matter to me?" Edward chuckled, his voice light, but there was a steadiness in his eyes that carried weight. He shoved his hands into his pockets and continued, his tone calm yet firm. "It's not as if I knew Dominic, or cared about him. And besides—" his lips curved into a faint smile, "—you're my friend. Now that you're my friend, it doesn't matter what you do, whether it's righteous or evil. There's only one thing that matters—me and you."
His words rang with a surprising composure, not a trace of hesitation.
"In this world, many commit wrongs, and many perform so-called good deeds. But so what?" He lifted his chin slightly, his gaze unwavering. "None of it has anything to do with me. Neither good nor evil will ever decide my path. Only I decide that."
Edward stopped for a moment, turning his head fully toward Vern. His grin had faded into something sharper, more resolute. His voice lowered, steady and serious.
"There is only me, Edward von Zenithara, who chooses what I want. Neither righteousness nor evil will move me from it."
A pause hung in the air, his expression firm, unwavering. Then, with the faintest smile returning to his lips, he added, "And you are my friend. Even if you were to be someone evil… it wouldn't make any difference to me."
Hearing Edward's words, Vern shifted his gaze toward Salena and Charlotte. His calm eyes lingered on them, as though weighing their thoughts in silence.
"It doesn't matter to us either," Salena said firmly, her arms folded across her chest, her tone sharp but unwavering. "We've chosen to share a bond with you. Whether it's a good thing you want to do… or a bad thing, it doesn't change anything."
Charlotte nodded gently, her soft voice following. "Right." Her eyes, usually calm, now carried a quiet certainty that matched Salena's steel.
Both spoke without hesitation, their gazes fixed on Vern with steady conviction.
At their words, a faint smile tugged at Vern's lips. It was small, almost imperceptible, but it softened the edge of his calm expression. Without answering, he turned his eyes forward and resumed walking, his white garments swaying lightly with his steps.
Edward scratched the back of his head, a puzzled look flickering across his face. He glanced at Vern, still confused as to why the question had even been asked. "Hey, so—"
But before he could finish, Vern's voice interrupted, smooth and level.
"You may be curious as to why I asked these questions, right?"
Edward blinked, caught off guard by how directly Vern had read his thoughts. "Well… yes," he admitted reluctantly, his usual carefree tone dimming just slightly under genuine curiosity.
Vern already knew what Charlotte's answer would be. She had never wavered before and never would—no matter what he did. In his previous life, when news of his death reached her, she had ended her own life without hesitation. That kind of bond could not be shaken. Her loyalty was absolute, so her stance was never in doubt.
Edward and Salena, however, were different. He did not know how they would respond. And now that he had chosen to create bonds with them, their answer mattered. If either of them had spoken of righteousness, or tried to judge him by the world's standards, he would have been disappointed. In that case, he would have already begun thinking of ways to use them rather than walk alongside them.
But not now. Not after hearing their replies. He had shown them his intent when he broke Dominic's hand without need, and still, they did not falter.
With that thought, he spoke at last, his voice calm and steady.
"I asked you these questions to know what you think about me. Whether I follow a path full of evil or one of good, I expect you not to see me the way others would. And now that you've answered… I know you will not."
"And in return," Vern continued, his tone as steady as ever, "I will do the same for you. To me, it doesn't matter whether you follow a path of evil or righteousness. If you need my support, I will give it—without hesitation."
A faint, satisfied smile curved his lips as he finished, the expression subtle but unmistakably genuine.
Edward tilted his head, curiosity flickering across his face. "So… what if our answers had been different?" he asked, his voice light but edged with a seriousness that betrayed his need to know.
"Then I would have created distance between us," Vern replied without pause, his tone calm, his eyes unwavering. "And I would have severed every bond I had with you." Not a speck of hesitation touched his words.
It was no bluff—these were genuine thoughts from his heart. If Edward or Salena had chosen to judge him based on his actions, then there would have been no need for Vern to consider them close. In that case, he would have simply made use of them, squeezing every drop of value they had before discarding them without regret.
But now… there was no need. Their answers had shown him enough.
And when he said he would support them no matter the path they chose—be it righteous or evil—those words, too, were true. Vern did not speak lightly, nor did he deal in empty promises. If they were willing to accept him as he was, then in return, he would stand with them as firmly as he expected them to stand with him.
The quiet certainty in his answer pressed down on the air around them. Salena's breath caught in her throat, and she gulped audibly. Charlotte, too, felt her lips part as she drew in a small, sharp breath.
Thank the heavens… they both thought in unison, their hearts tightening. If I had answered like the others… I would have lost him before I even had the chance to truly reach him.
The silence stretched, heavy yet strangely binding, as the four of them continued walking.
"Hahaha!" Breaking the silence, Edward suddenly burst into laughter, his voice echoing down the quiet path. He clapped a hand against his chest, grinning broadly. "You're right. I, too, expect the same things from the people I consider close. From my father, my mother, and the siblings I have—I expect nothing but unwavering loyalty."
His grin softened into something almost nostalgic as he tilted his head toward Vern. "Maybe you should meet my mother sometime. She's exactly like this. It was she who taught me these things when I was little."
Edward's tone grew calmer as he continued, his words carrying the weight of memory rather than the usual carefreeness. "She always said: No matter what, if a person you share a bond with cannot give you unwavering loyalty, then it is better to sever all ties with that person. That lesson stuck with me. It's why I live the way I do now."
His eyes glinted with quiet conviction, though his familiar smile quickly returned, lighting up his face once more.
"Such coincidence, huh? Mother, you also taught me that when I was little…" Vern thought, his expression unreadable. But in my past life, I believed it wasn't necessary. That mistake cost me dearly—I was betrayed and lost everything I held dear. Never again. In this life, I won't make choices that leave me with regret.
His resolve hardened, and for a moment his eyes grew distant, as though he was staring not at Edward but at shadows only he could see.
"Vern Kael!"
An ear-piercing shout shattered his thoughts, dragging him back to the present.
Following that shout, a figure stepped forward—his features strikingly similar to Dominic's.
"How dare you break my brother's hand when he had already lost, huh?" His voice thundered with rage, each word laced with venom.
"..." Vern remained silent, his expression calm, unreadable.
"That's Tanvir Gossen," Salena whispered, her tone carrying both awe and worry. "Dominic's twin brother… and the top-ranked among the third years."
Vern's eyes narrowed slightly, but before he could speak, Edward let out a derisive snort and stepped forward.
"Hmm? So what? Are you here to avenge him?" Edward's voice was sharp, mocking. "You should be ashamed. Your brother lost to someone three years younger, still at first severance, with just a single kick. How pitiful."
"Shut up! Don't get arrogant over a victory that was nothing but luck," Tanvir spat, his glare burning. "Tomorrow is the semifinals. I'll make sure I reach it—and when I do, I'll break every bone in your body. I'll make an example out of you."
"This bastard…" Edward's fists clenched, and he was just about to lunge at him, but Vern raised a hand, stopping him.
"Let him be." Vern's tone was calm, almost cold. He turned his gaze to Tanvir, his eyes steady. "I'll make sure I reach the semifinals. Then you can take your revenge—if you're capable of it."
Tanvir let out a sharp snort. "Make sure you don't hide in a corner. I'll crush you and force you to bow before me."
Without waiting for a reply, he spun on his heel and stormed off, leaving the tension heavy in the air.
The fire in Edward's eyes hadn't dimmed, but Vern only smiled faintly, as though Tanvir's words were nothing more than a breeze.