Chapter 71
Kaya returned from washing up nearby as Lucas, who had been looking the other way to give her privacy, kept watch on their surroundings.
His gaze settled on Austin and Ethan, who were cooking meat, and a look of warmth filled his eyes before he sighed.
His mind was elsewhere until he glanced to his side and saw Kaya looking in the same direction, watching the two laughing and chatting.
"Why do you like to be a loner all the time?" Kaya questioned as she sat down.
Her hair was still damp as she looked into Lucas's blue eyes.
His handsome face regarded her with a small smile.
"Why do you always want to be with me instead of everyone else?" Lucas questioned back, causing Kaya to blush slightly.
"My question first," Kaya replied, lightly hitting his arm.
"Hmmm." Lucas looked toward Austin and Ethan. "If I said I was guarding you, would that let the question slide?" He looked back to find her wearing a 'seriously?' expression.
"I'm not talking about just today. Even in the city, you only stay around the woman you live with, her daughter, and Nora. No one else. You don't connect with other guys much," Kaya said, thinking it over.
"Hmm, how would you know that? In a city of millions, you suddenly have information about me?" Lucas questioned with a chuckle, looking into her eyes. She quickly turned her gaze away.
"I asked around about you after the competition," Kaya admitted nervously.
"You were investigating me?" Lucas asked with a shocked expression.
"No, it's not like that. I was just curious about you," Kaya answered, wanting to justify her actions.
"Hahahaha, that's what crazy chicks say," Lucas shot back.
"I am not crazy!" Kaya retorted quickly, irritation showing on her face.
"Just joking, sweetheart. You can investigate all you want, but I'd rather you come and ask me about it first. It's a way to show respect. Besides, why ask other people when we can just get to know each other?" Lucas replied with a smile, watching as she chuckled lightly and shook her head.
"Okay, I'm sorry for the disrespect. Also… sweetheart?" Kaya questioned with a smile.
"What?" Lucas asked, then added, "Aren't you a sweetheart?"
Kaya played with her hair for a moment. "Yes, I am." She blushed briefly before saying, "Can you answer me now?"
"Hmm, it's because I don't see any of them being on the same path as me. We'll always go different ways and want different things from life. They want to be recognized by the city; I want absolute power. Recognition is just a side benefit," Lucas answered, his eyes shining brightly as he looked at the sky.
"What do you need power for? There's always a reason for wanting power, isn't there?" Kaya questioned.
"My main reason is myself. I want to see my limits, my growth, my path, and realize who I was meant to become. A person can only realize that when the world doesn't dictate their actions. Not the laws, not the kings—just you and your mind. Those who have fully accepted themselves become the greatest in history, like Solas, for example," Lucas answered, his eyes matching the color of the sky.
"Hmmm." Kaya thought about it but couldn't fully grasp Lucas's meaning. All she said was, "What if you die? Like in the war we were just in—we could have died. What would be the use of power then? All the people in high positions with physical power want war for more power and influence. What if the world ends tomorrow? What would be the point? Why not just live in peace and be happy? Understanding each other would take us a long way forward, you know." She retorted with an annoyed expression.
Lucas chuckled a little and looked at her annoyed face. He held her leg, getting her attention and making her body jolt slightly. "Sweetheart, you're right—that might be the best solution. But the truth is, man will never be at peace, not with themselves or with others. Men who chase peace find it only after war, and those who want power seek to destroy peace. It's an unending circle. You shouldn't try to understand people because that's impossible—you should aim for agreement. We are all free; it's just a matter of what you accept and what you want. As selfless as we can be, we are also the most selfish beings.
Because only by being selfish can you be selfless. It just depends on how you are selfish. Will you do it by sneaking around, lying, or destroying others? Or will you do it through respect, honor, affection, care, and fear? That will make you into someone entirely different in the end." Lucas spoke, then let her go, looking ahead.
"So we are the problem. I know why, but… still, why?" Kaya questioned, somewhat confused.
Lucas shrugged. "There's a story about a kid who lived his life in a different world from ours—one with no mana at all."
"Hmm, how does this connect to what we're talking about?" Kaya was further confused.
"Just listen," Lucas said. "He grew up kneeling to what others wanted, or losing himself in his own distractions—which was better for one single reason: he didn't want to face the truth that he felt worthless. No woman wanted him. All his friends would betray him in a heartbeat. He was consumed by what he felt was important. That world was designed so that people who weren't mentally strong could never rise, no matter their talent. Not because they couldn't, but because they would have been fearsome if they tried. But everyone told them they weren't trying hard enough or blamed the world when things went wrong, instead of blaming themselves."
"When that kid grew into a man, he suffered heartbreak, betrayal by friends, and became even more consumed by his feelings. He used different things just to feel something. More years passed, and he realized how much he had wasted—listening to other people's stories or following the lives of others, never wanting that to be his life, yet it became exactly that. He wanted things too easily, and then he died."
Kaya listened intently.
"He woke up in a different world. From the moment he opened his eyes, he was thrust into the worst parts of life—things he never thought existed. He was pushed so close to death's door that all he wanted was to never lose someone he cared about because of weakness—mental, physical, or financial. His goal was to have everything that makes the world move so he wouldn't suffer from lacking it. Unlike in his previous world, where he realized what he was lacking only after 38 years—right before he died—he didn't want the same outcome here. Even with the worst talent and a pathetic start, he pushed forward, almost dying many times in the process. And his story is still going." Lucas finished with a chuckle.
"I didn't understand a single thing you said," Kaya spoke nervously, tilting her head.
"That's okay. Now you answer me," Lucas said, not minding her confusion. He expected it. How could someone understand if they didn't understand themselves?
"Oh, about that…" Kaya began to blush again, but someone shouted from afar.
"Hey, guys! The food is ready—come and eat!" Austin called, waving.
Kaya stood up and rushed over quickly. "Coming!"
"You're dodging my question," Lucas shouted after Kaya, who was running away with a smile.
"No, I'm not!" Kaya said, turning around with a cute smile. "Come on, let's eat."