Chapter 5 : Planning
Uncle:
Alright, alright… Now that you know the nature of this world, Arner, what will you do?
Arner:
Alright, Uncle. I'll think deeply about it.
Card:
Okay, now that you're done, can we please finish breakfast?
Uncle:
Who's stopping you? The food's right in front of you.
Card:
Aren't we eating together?
Uncle:
Fine, eat, eat.
Arner (to himself):
Card seems like someone who's free of selfishness.
But I need to think carefully. My uncle, according to what my father said, is a Baropatris, always busy with city duties… Wait!
Arner:
Uncle, what are cities, anyway?
Uncle (to himself):
I'm tired. Am I a teacher now? I'm supposed to care for him, not educate him. I need rest first.
Ahem…
Alright, Arner, you'll know when we go there.
Arner:
Alright. Enjoy your breakfast.
Card (to himself):
Ah, I forgot—I need to train.
Okay, Dad, I'm heading to the gym.
Arner:
Card, can I come with you? We're taking the test together, after all.
Card (to himself):
Should I agree? I've never had a friend. Maybe I can use this chance to get to know him and build a good bond.
Alright, let's go. But pack your gear—training clothes, water bottle, towel.
Arner:
Of course.
In the gym, whose shape hadn't changed—still a symbol of discipline and effort—
On a morning that began with a new understanding.
Arner (to himself):
This gym is huge. Alright, I'll train a bit. I've got an average build. I've always liked playing football sometimes, so that helped me stay fit.
Okay, I'll go for a run—twenty to thirty kilometers per hour.
Card:
Alright, I'll join your training.
On two stationary bikes that never moved, Card and Arner pedaled.
Card broke the silence:
Card:
Arner, I heard from my dad about your story with your parents. I hope you can adapt with us.
Arner:
Yes… My birth—every time I remember it, I feel something choking me. I exhaust myself thinking about it, but it's pointless.
It's sad, but I promise you—I don't care about the reason I was born. That reason doesn't justify my goals.
Card (to himself):
What an intriguing person. Calm, intelligent, reflective… and wise. These traits feel familiar. I think they belonged to…
Arner:
I also discovered your reason for wanting to become a Baropatris. It's for your mother, right? I think she disappeared a year before I was born—unless she…
Card:
Please don't say it. My mother is still alive… I've only seen her in pictures, and I only know her nature from my dad, who said she was calm and composed—like you, Arner.
But four months after I was born, she vanished.
Arner:
I feel it too—that she's still alive, so she can meet you.
Arner (to himself):
Card, my cousin, motherless… He seems lively, moody, but smart and wounded. He reminds me of myself.
Card:
Arner, you strike me as very curious. It shows in how you act.
Arner (to himself):
Smart… and observant too.
Arner:
Yes, I've always been curious. Since I was born, I used to break my toys just to see what's inside, how they worked.
But the thing that sparked my curiosity the most was the Evolution Map. Only a small part of it has been solved compared to its size.
What could it be hiding? That question always comes to mind when I think of it.
Card:
That's obvious… So, what are you planning for the future?
Arner:
I'll pass the Patris test to gain strength to defend myself. Then I'll pursue understanding the Evolution Map and become a historian.
Card:
A historian? Why not join the Interpretation Union? And historian… that's a profession lost to time.
Arner:
The Interpretation Union was founded years ago and hasn't achieved any notable results—just one page in all those years, haha.
Card:
How do you know about the Union when you don't even know about Umbriel and this world?
Arner:
My father was a member seventeen years ago. He resigned a year before I was born…
Alright, Card, I understand your feeling of loss. You lost your mother, and I lost my sense of self.
I feel… peace whenever I hear one of your jokes or silly remarks.
So, as your cousin and new friend, I'll help you find your mother, Lady Yaska, as soon as possible.
Card looked at him, surprised and stunned, but his expression gradually shifted to one of comfort and gratitude.
Card:
Arner, you might be someone I'll have a deep connection with—not a shallow one.
Ah… you know, my name Card—doesn't it sound like Karehard?
Arner:
Yes, but not in essence.
Card:
How so? What do you mean?
Arner (calmly, after stopping the pedals that had worn him out):
It means that name similarity doesn't mean similarity in character.
Do you get bullied or harassed because of it?
Card (eyes on the ground):
Yes, but since my mother gave me the name, to hell with their opinions.
Arner (smiling):
That means you're confident in it. You don't need to answer any criticism.
Card (with determined eyes, quickly changing the emotional topic):
Arner, what are you planning for the future?
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