Aiden stored the cultivation technique in his inventory, and turned back toward the letter. He didn't want to read it, but remembering her concerned face forced him to keep going.
[I can imagine how you would feel over my decision,] she said. [But this is the only way that guarantees our survival. Please seek a different city, where a better master can teach you the cultivation path that you desire.]
[The Guild Master of Argan, Genevieve Solmire]
"The only way?" he muttered with a laugh. "She has no confidence at all for a guild master."
Aiden shoved the letter into his pocket and began walking down the hill. The forest was still muddy after the rain, so Aiden had to use his gloves to climb and jump from one tree to the other.
As he was jumping from one place to the other, he heard a scream from a distance. He turned to spot Bamba being chased by a giant bumblebee that had a humanoid face.
"Monsters here just get creepier," Aiden muttered as he gave chase. Bamba was running around a single tree, and the monster followed behind him.
Aiden sneaked from above and retrieved Promise from his inventory. He waited for the monster to fly underneath him before jumping, slashing the monster's wings apart. It screeched before diving to the ground.
Bamba slid on the mud as it stopped. It looked at Aiden for a second before chirping and running toward him. It rubbed its head on his arm, which Aiden allowed.
"Let me finish the monster, and we can get out of here," Aiden said before killing the human-bee and looting it. The loot was unique this time.
[You have looted Human-Bee and obtained the following:]
[One bronze coin.]
[One Rise Shard.]
[Wings of Freedom (consumable)]
[A pair of glass wings that give temporary ability to flight when crushed. Its duration and efficiency depend on the weight of the user.]
"Sweet," Aiden muttered. "I can fly now. Next on the list: laser beams!"
Aiden then rode on Bamba and they ran out of the forest. The elgorn was faster than before, but Aiden guessed he might be imagining it. Once they reached the city gates, they realized that something was wrong.
Crowds of people were leaving the city, carrying whatever they could carry and fighting over carriages. No one was going into the city, which made Aiden stand with Bamba at a loss.
Then, he walked to the guard in front.
"Excuse me, but what's happening?" he asked.
"Hm? Where have you been?" the guard asked with a frown. "You haven't heard the terrible news?"
"I haven't," Aiden said. "What's wrong?"
"A Radiant Seeker has perished," the guard said. "He died while protecting the city, buying us just enough time to flee. Some kind of monster is heading here as we speak. Gather your things and run, boy!"
The guard slapped him on the back without even inspecting him. Aiden staggered into the city while pulling on Bamba's reins. Then, he looked at the departing people and jumped on its back.
"Let's go straight to the guild, Bamba," Aiden commanded. It let out a chirp before running down the streets of Argan that twisted and turned.
Aiden jumped as soon as they arrived, trusting Bamba to wait for him. He rushed through the gate but someone blocked his path and pushed him back.
"What do you think you are doing?!" shouted a seeker.
Aiden staggered back and looked at the man, who turned out to be Dylan. The latter also recognized Aiden, and stared at him with a mix of confusion and animosity.
"What are you doing here?" he asked. "Come here!"
Dylan grabbed Aiden's arm and dragged him to the nearest alley. Aiden tried to resist, but the man's arm was like an iron grip on his wrist, and he could not fight back.
"Tell me what happened during the trial," Dylan asked as he flung Aiden to slam him on the wall. "Talk — or else."
"She is expecting me," Aiden said with a weak smile. "You don't want to do this, Dylan. This is not the time."
"You know something?" Dylan asked with furrowed brows.
Aiden paused, and then he recognized the desire in Dylan's eyes. It wasn't envy or jealousy — but pure obsession. The target of that obsession could be one and only.
"The Guild Master is planning to invite an Aetherial Seeker to Argan," Aiden said. "In return, she will become his fiancé."
"Fiancé?" Dylan staggered backward. "You are lying."
"Why would I? I came here to stop it," Aiden said. "If anything, she deserves someone who has always been by her side. Someone she could rely on — like you."
Dylan turned back toward Aiden. He stared at him with frenzy and uncertain eyes, but Aiden pushed forward again before he made a decision.
"I heard the Guild Master mention you before. It means something, right?" he whispered as he placed a hand on the man's shoulder. "You have to stop her before it's too late. The mission will be your chance to prove yourself."
"I know that," Dylan said with a frown. "But I don't need you there."
"You do," Aiden corrected. "A man cannot praise himself. You need someone close enough to do it for you, right? The Guild Master is interested in me. I can help plant the seed of affection in her heart."
Aiden saw the man's expression change, and he gave him a slow nod.
"If you do anything funny or say something that would hurt my chances," he glared at Aiden, "I will kill you."
"I wouldn't dare," Aiden said with a smile. Dylan snorted and turned around, walking straight toward the guild. Aiden stared at his back.
He might have created an unhealthy obsession for the time being, but it was better than facing an Aetherial. If push comes to shove, then Dylan would be an excellent sacrifice to save himself.
For a moment, he remembered the Lycanthos' words about being capable of trusting others based on their desires. As long as he knew what others desired, Aiden could manipulate them.