Free Web Novel“It’s fine. Calling you Senior Sister or whatever... it’s all fine,” Rania said softly, head lowered, her tone subdued.
Vieya froze without realizing it, her hands momentarily slowing.
She had expected some tug-of-war with the girl—or perhaps a firm, straightforward refusal.
She hadn’t expected her to agree so easily... even offhandedly.
Was it because she’d finally accepted that her teacher was truly gone, and now wanted to find some sense of comfort in someone who felt close to—or resembled—him?
That was... strange.
Lost in thought, she didn’t notice the pot starting to boil until steam began to gush upward, bubbling wildly.
The noodles were done—any later and they’d become a soggy lump. Vieya hurriedly turned off the fire, shoving away the unnecessary thoughts.
Whatever she called her didn’t matter anyway.
As long as things didn’t become strained again like those past few days, it was fine. Even if she was only looking for traces of her teacher in Vieya...
So be it.
Vieya didn’t mind. It didn’t matter. The person she had once been was long gone; now she was only Vieya—and would remain only Vieya.
“Sigh.”
With a quiet exhale, she carried the steaming noodles out and set them on the table.
“One, two... three?”
Helcat Red blinked, rubbing her eyes in disbelief. “Why are there only three bowls? None for me? I wanna eat too.”
Four of them sat around the table. Three steaming bowls before three people. Only Helcat’s spot was empty.
Unfair treatment. Too cruel to a cat!
She looked at Vieya with pitiful eyes. “Don’t make me sit here watching you eat. Don’t exclude me... I’m just a cat, this is too heartless.”
And yet when you were stuffing down the cake earlier all by yourself, you didn’t seem to mind being the only one eating, did you?
Vieya said nothing, calmly eating her noodles, mind already drifting toward how to improve the flavor next time.
If she didn’t discipline this cat a little, she’d never realize she was only a pet.
Talking nicely never worked—she’d just keep running her mouth without respect. If anyone saw them, they might think Vieya was the one being raised.
Even Jasmine gave her cat-sister a helpless look that clearly said: See what happens when you make Mom angry? Serves you right.
As for Rania—of course the cat’s misery was a delight. Not only did she have nothing to eat tonight, but ideally she’d keep going hungry tomorrow, and the day after, and the day after that too!
“Meow...” The catgirl drooped her ears and flopped over the table, trying to earn pity.
But that night, not a single person spoke up for her.
Halfway through the meal, Vieya suddenly set down her chopsticks and looked at Rania. “Aside from what you asked me in the kitchen earlier, was there something else you came here for?”
Rania nodded, slurped the last of her noodles, and lifted her head after a brief pause.
In truth, the reason she had chosen to become a Hero in the first place was to be closer to her teacher. Only by doing that could she one day uncover the truth about what really happened.
But once she finally obtained the truth she’d longed for, she realized there was nothing she could do to change it.
The one who had murdered her teacher was long dead—nothing left but dust and memory.
Even if she wanted revenge, she could only vent her fury on countless other monsters. But... what meaning was there in that?
The one she truly wanted vengeance against—the Demon King—was already gone.
Killing more monsters would only polish her résumé with a few extra lines of hollow glory.
She was never like her teacher—never had that immense sense of justice, endlessly traveling from place to place to fight monsters.
Nor did she hunger for fame and achievements.
So, after learning the full truth and realizing she was powerless to change anything, the thought of retiring had begun to take root.
She didn’t want to return to the Royal Capital. In truth, she couldn’t. She didn’t know where her future lay.
People, when young, really do have no idea what lies ahead.
Just newly of age this year, for the first time she felt the depth of her own confusion. freeweɓnøvel.com
She had lost her home before she was eight, and had been taken in by her teacher as a student, following at her side ever since.
Wherever her teacher went, she followed... until the day she entered the Tower of Knowledge to study, and they finally parted.
Her teacher kept on with the expeditions and hunts, while she, safe within the Tower, spent her days waiting—thinking.
Thinking about what to eat that day, and what gift her teacher might bring back next time.
Simple, easy days.
If her teacher were still alive, she wouldn’t have to think about anything at all... she could just keep following in her shadow forever.
But—
That shadow was gone.
Now, the path ahead was hers alone to walk.
Rania sipped the broth from her bowl and said quietly, “I actually don’t want to keep being a Hero. But Sister Lilian told me to think it over more carefully... and if I really can’t go on, I can just become a nun with her under the Church, live quietly for the rest of my life...”
“But I feel unsatisfied doing nothing. After all, my teacher was the Chief Hero. I’m her only...”
She hesitated, then glanced at Vieya. “Fine—one of two students. You’re better than me. In every way, you’re better. I thought... if it were you, you’d do better than I ever could, and everyone would like you more.”
“And just because of that... you want to quit?” Vieya asked, her tone going flat.
“That’s not the only reason!”
Rania grew flustered, then sighed. The anger faded into a helpless, self-mocking smile.
“I’ve thought [N O V E L I G H T] about it for a long time,” she said, lowering her head, unable to meet those calm, deep emerald eyes. Her voice sounded hollow. “If my teacher saw me like this, she’d definitely be disappointed.”
“Perhaps,” Vieya murmured in quiet agreement.
Rania lifted her head, purple eyes glimmering with moisture. “So you think so too?”
Vieya didn’t answer. She only repeated her earlier question, “So this is your reason?”
Rania’s expression shifted slightly. She fidgeted with her fingers, suddenly unable to speak.
“Rania, there was never any formal teacher-student relationship between me and your teacher. He was him, I’m me,” Vieya said plainly. “I won’t carry the responsibility that belonged to him.”
A long silence followed.
Then Rania stood and bowed slightly.
“I understand... I’m sorry for bothering you.”
“Your teacher might not have cared whether you remained a Hero or not,” Vieya said, “but he definitely wouldn’t want you to abandon everything you’ve worked for just because of this.”
“And you don’t have to carry the burdens he bore while he was alive.”
“It doesn’t matter what my teacher thought. I’m her student,” Rania said softly. “To guard her honor and her duty—that’s my reason for being.”
“Thank you for dinner. I should go.”
“What if your teacher’s path was the wrong one?” Vieya frowned.
Rania turned slightly, catching the faint tension on Vieya’s face. She smiled gently, as if in reassurance.
“Right or wrong, my teacher’s path has nothing to do with my resolve.”
Damn it.
Vieya’s heart skipped. Why was this student so stubborn? Stubborn to the point of idiocy! What on earth had been wrong with her back then—how could she have gone soft and decided to take her in as a student?!
Just as Rania pushed the door open to leave, Vieya sighed faintly.
“How about this—don’t call me Senior Sister anymore. Just take me as your teacher again. I’ll teach you what a teacher should truly teach.”
“?”
Rania’s hand froze on the door handle. She turned, her expression tinged with irritation. “What do you mean by that?”
