"Sure."
He was quiet for a long moment, organizing his thoughts. When he spoke, his voice was careful, like he was handling something fragile.
"I never had real friends. Growing up, I mean. Every person who got close to me wanted something. My father's influence. My power. Connection to the future hero. Everyone treated me like a resource to be exploited rather than a person."
"That sounds lonely."
"It was. Is. Even now, with my team, sometimes I wonder if they're loyal to me or to the idea of me. The hero. The SSS-rank prodigy. The protagonist." He stared into the fire. "Then the Council sent their Emissary and offered to replace me with a new hero. Said they'd kill me and transfer my power to someone more obedient. Like I'm interchangeable. Like Adrian Celestius doesn't matter, only the hero role matters."
"That's horrifying."
