Dense silence greeted my response to Aquarius' proposal, and I could feel the shock of the twelve Constellations erupting all at once.
"WHAAAAAAT?!"
The overlapping voices of the shouting entities forced me to shut my ears in recoil.
One by one, they all began to murmur and whisper speculations about my refusal, their surprise palpable as they exchanged glances between me and Aquarius.
"I see. Then let's leave it at that." She responded calmly.
As expected of the oldest Constellation, she was quite understanding.
"You really need to tell us the source of your confidence, Jared Leonard." I smiled once I heard Virgo say this to me.
Her pretty face and irresistible eyes settled on me as she made a soft smile. The way she looked at me with such interest made me shiver a little.
Especially because I could feel a chill from behind me.
"What do you mean, Virgo?" I asked, now trying my hardest to maintain my smile.
"You aren't training alongside everyone, you aren't interested in having Constellations as Familiars or even Friendly Aids. It is intriguing…"
Virgo must have noticed I had another motive. She always had a sort of keen interest in me for some reason, so it made sense that she picked up on that.
"Hmph! I hope you don't let all that power you have get to your head. Don't get too cocky, Jared." Taurus declared with a snort.
"SHUT UP, TAURUS!"
An unexpected duo of both Aquarius and Virgo both raised their voices and silenced the usually imposing figure of Taurus.
"S-sorry…" He shrunk back instantly, suddenly not seeing as intimidating as he was before.
It made me relieved to see two Constellations stand up to me. However, before my thoughts completely settled, Aquarius kept on speaking.
"You have all fought with Jared, so you should already know he isn't cocky. Even I have to admit that he knows what he is doing… I-I mean, that's obvious if you think about it properly! Right?"
At this point, I knew the message had been passed across already. I gave her a smile and nodded in appreciation.
It wasn't out of hubris that I challenged the Constellations, though I knew a good number of them thought that was my motivation.
I didn't even think I would win against them, to begin with. I just wanted to last as long as possible.
My first few fights had their flaws, but the more I fought, the more I learned.
My final fight with Aquarius was quite difficult because most of what I learned was rendered ineffective when I fought against her, but I still did my best to last as long as possible.
'With everything I have gained thus far… I think it should be enough.'
"Don't worry… I'll soon begin my training." My calm words echoed through the vast expanse, and I put both my hands in my pockets while staring cooly at everyone present.
My gaze slowly shifted to the several screens that floated in midair, and I watched everyone training in their respective dimension.
It was inspiring.
"I just wanted to check up on my friends before leaving."
They were all trying their hardest in their trials, so it only made sense for me to give my all in the next phase of my plan as well.
While I couldn't guarantee them the results they desired, I would be rooting for them on my end.
'I sincerely wish you all the best in your endeavors.
"Where will you be undergoing your training?" Aquarius asked, returning my mind to reality.
I turned to her and smiled.
"The Great Sage's Archives." In essence, my personal domain.
"I figured you wouldn't want to train here." She responded with what I could only assume to be a smile.
This Constellation, I didn't really get her.
One moment, Aquarius would act very hostile, and at the next instance, she would be sweet and understanding.
"It's not intentional. The Archives is just the optimal place for me since it possesses the required conditions for me to achieve my desired results."
"We understand."
Hearing Virgo say that, while seeing the Constellations all nod their heads—even Taurus—granted me some form of reassurance.
"You won't be able to reach me until I am done. Just giving you a heads up." I added.
"And how long will that be?"
"I'm actually not sure of how long it'll take me to conclude my training."
What I was about to undertake had probably never been done before, so I couldn't even put an estimate on it either.
"Since your territory is also outside the bounds of time, I am unsure of the point I will appear in the flow of this place."
Time functioned quite differently in the Great Sage's Archives, so I was sure that not much time would pass in reality before I was done with my task.
'I can't rush this either.'
"Watch my allies closely and take care of them, okay?"
"We will. You have my word." Aquarius readily responded, and I could sense some a measure of reverence in her tone.
I didn't notice it until now, but all the Constellations were staring at me much differently from the way they did when I first appeared before them.
From condescending gazes to that of some measure of respect.
'It feels nice…'
"I'm sure you'll be impressed by at least one person from the group. They're exceptional people, so I'm sure even you will find someone who catches your fancy… Aquarius."
"Hmph! I highly doubt it!" Aquarius sharply responded.
It made me chuckle slightly.
"Well, we'll see about that, won't we?"
I actually wasn't sure if anyone among the group could shatter Aquarius' impossible expectations, especially because I was unable to achieve that.
However… that wasn't my problem anymore.
~VWUUUUSH!~
A shimmering golden portal layered with multiple colors colliding and merging instantly appeared before me once I called for it.
It was the conventional gateway to the Great Sage's Archives.
"Farewell! I'll see you all very soon." I waved goodbye as I slowly stepped into the portal
Time was often said to be relative. I only hoped my statement could apply to that inscrutable proposition.
'When next we meet… I wonder how you'll look at me.'
There was only one way to find out.
~VWUUUUSH!~
*
*
*
[A/N]
Thank you all for reading!
Now then… I wonder what will happen next. You'll want to stick around to find out!
Comments