Karry lowered his head, lost in thought.
He had never imagined Arnold would put him in a situation like this.
Karry: "Sasha... how long are you staying?"
Sasha: "About a month. I'm training with Kernel."
Karry hesitated before asking another question.
Karry: "Do you remember your father's face?"
Sasha fell silent for a moment.
Sasha: "No."
"I think I've forgotten what he looked like."
"I believe he's dead."
"If I ever saw him again... maybe I'd remember."
"But that's impossible."
She smiled faintly.
Sasha: "I still remember his name."
"I think it was... Kermish."
She looked curiously at Karry.
Sasha: "Why do you ask?"
Karry immediately shook his head.
Karry: "No... it's nothing."
"Does she really think her father is dead?" Karry wondered.
"Maybe Arnold made her believe that."
"Arnold always has a reason for everything."
"He's not the type of person who helps the weak without a purpose."
"I need to ask him myself."
Karry stood up.
Karry: "Sorry, Sasha."
"I think I need to see Arnold."
"I'll make it up to you another time."
Sasha smiled.
Sasha: "That's alright."
"This concerns your future."
"Don't waste your precious time on me."
They left together.
At the end of the hallway, they went their separate ways.
Sasha headed toward the training hall.
Karry walked toward Arnold's office.
[Arnold's Office]
Arnold looked up from his desk.
Arnold: "What brings you here, Karry?"
Karry stepped forward.
Karry: "I have something I want to ask."
Arnold: "Go ahead."
Karry looked directly into Arnold's eyes.
Karry: "Why didn't you tell me about the point system?"
"Were you planning to force me into the tournament?"
"How can you use me like this?"
Arnold smiled calmly.
Arnold: "Oh... that."
"Don't worry."
"You don't have to participate in the tournament."
He leaned back in his chair.
Arnold: "But starting today..."
"You'll complete at least three missions."
"No failures."
"Every failure means a deduction in points."
He glanced at Karry.
Arnold: "You've already reached Aura Enhancement Rank A."
"So I don't have to hold back anymore."
He paused briefly.
Arnold: "Unfortunately..."
"It seems every easy mission has already been taken."
"But I do have one mission."
"It carries rewards equal to an A-Class mission."
Karry frowned.
Karry: "What is it?"
Arnold folded his hands.
Arnold: "Don't worry about the difficulty."
Then his expression became completely serious.
Arnold: "But remember this."
"If you fail..."
"We will execute you."
"That's the truth."
"The only other option is becoming a stray."
"And that life is far worse."
Karry clenched his fists.
Karry: "So... I don't have a choice."
Arnold nodded.
Arnold: "Correct."
He slid a file across the desk.
Arnold: "Your mission..."
"...is to locate Frank."
"Observe him without him ever realizing you're there."
"This mission will take time."
"So you'll have to grow stronger while searching."
"Find your own Aura teachings during the journey."
"You'll report to us once every week."
"You have one month to locate him."
"At the moment..."
"Even our information satellites have no idea where he is."
Karry slowly picked up the file.
Karry: "So..."
"I have to become much stronger..."
"...while surviving on my own."
Arnold nodded.
Arnold: "Exactly."
"Without learning new Aura techniques..."
"Frank will find you first."
"And if that happens..."
A faint smile appeared on Arnold's face.
Arnold: "We won't need to execute you."
"He'll do it for us."
Karry fell silent.
As he left the office, only one thought echoed in his mind.
"Will I ever survive long enough... to uncover the truth?"
[End of chapter]