The Awakening Of The Shadows
Chapter 34: A Decision To Be Made

Chapter 34: A Decision To Be Made

Lian was lying on the infirmary bed. He had already been treated by Vida, but his pain wasn’t physical, it was psychological. Knowing he had nearly killed a friend because he lost control weighed heavily on Lian’s mind. He couldn’t allow himself to be around others until he learned to control this other personality.

"I can’t stay here," Lian murmured to himself. "Not having control over powers I don’t even understand could cost not only my life but also the lives of those around me." Lian felt melancholic. He tried to get up, but this time, his fatigue was too much, preventing him from standing.

As he struggled to rise, Vida entered the infirmary and saw him trying to get up. She immediately rushed over and pushed him gently back onto the bed. "I already told you not to strain yourself during recovery. I can heal your wounds, but I can’t cure your body’s exhaustion, so stop being so stubborn," she said, trying to sound stern.

Lian let out a sigh of frustration. "Seems like you’re still lively," said a familiar voice from outside the room.

"I wouldn’t call it liveliness, Master," Lian replied, glancing to the side to see Lena leaning against the doorway. "Have you come to scold me?"

"No, I just need to talk to my disciple," Lena said as she pulled up a chair and sat next to Lian. "Vida, I need to speak with Lian," Lena said, locking eyes with her. Vida, intimidated by the headmistress, simply nodded and left.

"Master, I’m so, so sorry..." Lena could see that he was genuinely upset, but she didn’t like seeing her disciple in such a state.

"That’s enough with the sadness. No one died, so there’s no need to be this upset. This wasn’t your fault."

"You know that’s not true. You don’t need to lie to make me feel better," Lian said, grateful at least that his master didn’t see him as a threat. But that didn’t make him feel much better.

"Oblivion, the Abyssal Blade." When Lena said those words, Lian looked at her with shock, unsure of how to respond.

Regaining his composure, he let out a small, dry laugh. "So, you already knew everything? There’s really no way to hide anything from you."

With a very serious expression, Lena continued. "Lian, everyone who has ever wielded this power has gone mad, to the point where they ended up taking their own lives because of the insanity. They say there’s a curse tied to these powers, and I don’t want you to meet the same fate as the others."

Lian realized that she genuinely cared about him. Even though she was a demon when it came to training, she truly worried about him.

"And what can I do? I didn’t ask for this, and yet my fate has been decided by people who don’t even know me. Is there a way to rid myself of this curse?" Lian looked at her, desperate for an answer, anything that could prevent him from going mad.

"There is one thing..." Lian hung onto her every word, eager to learn how to deal with his problem. "The only way to stop the curse from affecting you is to stop using your powers."

At those words, silence filled the room. Lian simply stared at the ceiling without saying anything. He had only two options: abandon his goal to save his sanity or pursue his goal and risk losing his life in the process. Several seconds of complete silence passed.

"I can’t."

At that moment, Lena stood up, her face filled with anger. "What do you mean you can’t?! Do you want to die? What’s the point of achieving your revenge if you die afterward?" She couldn’t understand. Even though she knew his goal, there was a chance he’d die before even achieving it.

"Ever since that day, I’ve no longer been living for myself. Sometimes, I wonder why I didn’t die too. Sometimes, I wish my life had ended that day, it would’ve been so much easier... But that’s not what happened, and now I have to deal with it."

"Even so! What makes you think this curse won’t kill you first?!" Lena was furious, watching her student march toward his own demise.

Lian let out a small laugh. "When I was a child, my father once told me: Limitations are destiny’s way of trying not to be defied. He was always a joker, but he was also the wisest man I ever knew. If these powers are going to impose limits on me, then I’ll break them. And if I can’t... then I’ll die trying."

Lena sighed and sat back down. "You really are an idiot. What else could I expect from my disciple?" Lian managed a small smile at that. "I thought giving you that book would make you stop on your own, but you’re just a stubborn idiot in the end." The two shared a small laugh.

"Thank you for everything, Master, but I can’t stay at the academy, not until I learn to control myself. If I stay here, I’ll only hurt more people." This decision broke his heart. Even though he sometimes acted coldly, he had formed bonds here. But staying could cause more pain to the people he cared about, and he knew a decision had to be made.

Lena placed her hand on Lian’s shoulder. "I understand, and I’ll help you. But you’re not alone, disciple. I know of a place where you can train your mind and body. I had a mission prepared in case you didn’t give up, I just didn’t expect it to come this soon."

"I really can’t underestimate you."

"You should’ve learned that by now. Anyway, it was good talking to you. Get well soon." Lena spoke as she left the room, but before she walked out, she stopped. "Don’t forget to talk to Elios." With that, she was gone.

Lian leaned back on the bed and looked at his hand, thinking to himself, Did I... make the right choice?