Chapter 71 Truth is not pretty

Words : 1378 Updated : Sep 12th, 2025

Noah sat there, caught off guard by the sudden question. 'She really doesn't get it,' he thought. 'She sees what she wants to see - some hero who saved her life. But that's not me. That's never been me.' The silence stretched between them, heavy with expectation. Lila's hopeful expression made something twist uncomfortably in his chest. Not guilt - he didn't do guilt. But something else, something that reminded him just how far apart their worlds really were. 'She deserves better than this,' he thought, studying her face. 'Better than some fabricated hero she's built up in her mind. Better than someone who'd play along just to avoid an awkward moment.' He thought about the kiss on Cannadah, how genuine her relief had been. How real her emotions were, even now. That was the problem, wasn't it? She was honest, open, wearing her heart on her sleeve. Meanwhile, he calculated every move, every word, every action. 'And that's exactly why this would never work.' Noah leaned forward slightly, his voice soft but clear. "You don't want me as your date, Lila." Before she could protest, he continued. "You want the person you think saved you back in that cave. The hero who fought off Harbingers and lived to tell about it." He shook his head, a small, knowing smile playing at his lips. "But that's not who I am. I survived because I had to. Because that's what I do. There was nothing heroic about it." He met her eyes directly. "You deserve someone who'll give you the fairy tale you're looking for. I'm not that person. I never will be. And I respect you too much to pretend otherwise." 'There,' he thought, watching the impact of his words settle. 'Sometimes the kindest cut is the cleanest one,' Lila's smile didn't fade. If anything, it softened, becoming almost tender. But there was something else in her eyes - a flash of something that didn't quite match her gentle expression. It was gone so quickly that Noah thought he might have imagined it. "You really think that's why I like you?" she asked, her voice carrying a warmth that seemed to fill the space between them. "Because you saved us both?" She laughed lightly, the sound like wind chimes. "Noah, I like you because you're exactly who you are. The guy who doesn't pretend, who doesn't play games." Her fingers traced patterns on the table's surface. "Do you know how rare that is?" 'This isn't how this conversation was supposed to go,' Noah thought, watching her carefully. "You think you're pushing me away by being honest," she continued, her smile taking on an almost knowing edge. "But that just makes me..." She paused, biting her lower lip. "Well, it just makes me want you even more. I want to know you, Noah Eclipse," She stood up, smoothing her skirt. "I won't push about the gala. But Noah?" Her eyes met his, and for a split second, they seemed to burn with an intensity that didn't match her cheerful demeanor. "I'm more patient than you think." As she walked away, Noah sat there, feeling like he'd somehow lost control of the situation without realizing it. 'What just happened?' For the first time since their conversation began, he felt a flicker of uncertainty. He'd expected tears, anger, maybe even a scene. Instead, he got... whatever that was. 'Why do I feel like I just made things more complicated?' he wondered, watching her disappear around the corner, her blonde hair catching the light one last time before she was gone. Noah stood up slowly, grabbing the ice cream Lila had ordered. 'No point wasting good food,' he thought, though something about eating it now felt... different. As he walked out of the restaurant, the afternoon sun hitting his face, he replayed their conversation in his head. Something wasn't adding up. He'd seen people give that speech before - not those exact words, but similar ones. To lovers who'd gotten the wrong idea. Usually, it ended in tears or angry accusations.@@@@ But Lila? 'I'm more patient than you think.' Her words echoed in his mind, carrying a weight he couldn't quite define. 'She didn't just accept the rejection,' he realized, taking a bite of the color-changing ice cream. 'She turned it around completely. Like she was... amused by it?' The memory of that flash in her eyes made him pause mid-step. He'd seen a lot of looks directed his way - admiration, fear, anger, jealousy. But that look? That was something new. 'I just told her I'm not the hero she thinks I am,' he thought, continuing his walk. 'And instead of being disappointed, she acted like I'd given her exactly what she wanted.' He shook his head. 'Now shit's just crazy.' The container yard appeared ahead as dusk settled in, the massive metal boxes casting long shadows across the ground. This place had seen its share of "unofficial meetings" - including his own fight with Raven. Speaking of whom... Raven stood waiting, his figure a dark silhouette against the dying light. "You have them?" Noah asked without preamble. Raven's response was to drop a heavy pouch, dust rising from the impact. Noah checked inside, nodding at the contents. 'Perfect.' "We're done here," he said, straightening up. "You're free to go." Instead of leaving, Raven dropped to his knees, the proud 1A student prostrating himself before a 1B nobody. "Please, Boss! Let me stay under your wing!" 'And here we go again,' Noah thought, watching his former rival beg. The sight should have been satisfying - the guy who'd once looked down on him now literally looking up. Instead, it just felt... hollow. Noah stared down at Raven's prostrated form, feeling a mix of irritation and amusement. The proud 1A student had been groveling for a solid minute now. "Fine, you can hang around," Noah said staring at Raven without the slightest sign of emotion. "What?" He said seeing Raven stare at the bag the latter had just handed him. Raven finally lifted his head to face Noah asked out of curiosity, "what do you plan to do with all of them?" Noah's expression remained neutral. "That's for me to worry about." He shifted the heavy pouch in his grip. "If you're so keen on staying under my wing, just focus on getting me more of these. Think you can handle that?" "Y-yes, Boss!" Raven's eyes lit up with renewed purpose. "I won't let you down!" 'Like a puppy waiting for a treat,' Noah thought, turning away from the scene. He could feel Raven's worshipful gaze boring into his back as he walked, the weight of the bag a constant reminder of his purpose. Once he'd rounded the corner of a shipping container, safely out of sight, Noah came to a stop. 'Can't exactly stroll around campus with this thing. Time to lock it away,'' "Void store," he uttered quietly. A familiar sensation washed over him as dark purplish energy materialized around his hand. It writhed and pulsed, consuming the bag until it vanished completely into what seemed like thin air. Immediately, a translucent notification appeared in his field of vision: [30 beast cores stored of different grades] [20 category 1 beast cores. 8 category 2 beast cores. 2 category 3 beast cores] A smirk played across Noah's lips. "Excellent." 'This'll do for now,' he thought, flexing his empty hand. 'Just the beginning of what I need.' The sun had almost completely set now, casting long shadows between the containers. One month ago, he would've laughed if someone told him he'd be collecting beast cores through an underling who used to despise him. But then again, one month ago, he'd been a very different person. *** **Note: Normal daily update of two (2) chapters will resume from the 1st of February. I'm trying to stuck pile until then! Happy new month everyone!!

Chapter 71 Truth is not pretty

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