Nightmare Mythos

Chapter 121: That Piece Of Advice

Cesar was left speechless at the news, thinking it was the most absurd thing he had heard. Even after he had woken up, this seemed to be the stupidest, at the same time, an unbelievable statement that had shaken his beliefs of 'normality'.

It sounded absurd but… he isn't really surprised to hear it.

After experiencing the Mansion, Cesar realized there is much more than what this world contained. If he doesn't want to be played or moved around by the currents of a phenomenon that he knows will continue to happen, he has to gear himself up and continue training.

Cesar looked at Arnold and retorted with a slight smirk, "Does that mean I already graduated from the Academy's Curriculum? I'll get to be deployed to different sites to retake some lands here and there?"

Arnold and Nas stared at Cesar with a blank expression, thinking that he was just throwing a façade to hide his nervousness but upon seeing that he was excluding confidence and willingness to adjust to the situation, they didn't dwell on his well-being any longer, and the two both smiled.

"I didn't know you have this type of humor, Cesar," Nas responded in an amused tone as if he liked where this was going before turning his back against the two, "Arnold, whatever he asked you, just answer it. You can also tell him 'that'. I don't mind at all,"

Nas glanced at Cesar, "I'll leave now, Sparrow. The rest will be explained by Arnold. It was nice meeting you again and I hope we can talk later in the future,"

Cesar silently stared at Nas before nodding once, "It was nice seeing you as well, Nas,"

Nas nodded back before slowly making his way out. As he did, the guards around the place did a respectful bow, making Cesar change his impression about Nas, appearing like he wasn't just a normal informant at all.

"You must be surprised that Nas is being respected like that, well because he deserved to be so. Don't think too negatively about it, instead, you really should be glad that he was the one who is tasked to handle you,"

Cesar pondered Arnold's words in his head before asking, "Who is sir Nas though?"

"Since he told me that he wouldn't mind telling you 'that', I guess it's fine," Arnold massaged the bridge of his nose before revealing his superior's identity with a tired sigh, "Nas… just Nas, is one of the Administrators of the Academy. Amongst the other Administrators that I met throughout my whole life, Nas is the most amiable, caring, and ambitious but in a good way,"

Arnold halted, "But I heard all around that… he is also the strongest amongst the rest of the Administrators and a person that really cared about his students. Believe me, if other Administrators were to discover you first, you wouldn't be lying comfortably in a bed. Of course, Administrators aren't really bad people. It's just… some of them are really rough when showing care for their students,"

'Strongest amongst the Administrators? Wouldn't that mean he's their leader? And… you're telling me I'm getting intel from a really authoritative person?'

Cesar shook, 'I didn't do something disrespectful to him right? Yeah, as far as I can remember, we maintained a really good relationship. That's good…'

Watching Cesar deep in thought, Arnold remained silent for a while before continuing, "Anyway, enough of Nas. He would've stayed a bit longer if he wasn't busy so I'm here to do his bidding,"

Arnold was about to ask, thinking of doing anything that had been asked for him to do when he clicked his tongue.

Scratching any of that while convincing himself not doing it on someone who just went back, he spoke outrightly without minding if the guards were to hear it.

"Actually, screw that. I was about to ask you a lot of questions but I changed my mind. I don't want to interrogate you the same way as those survivors have been interrogated by the higher-ups."

Arnold massaged the back of his head before adding, "Do you remember the piece of advice I gave you when you received your memories from your Facet?"

Cesar pondered for a couple of seconds before replying, "The thing about 'treasure those secrets yourself. They might become your lifeline in the future'? Is that it?"

"Yes, that's it," Arnold smiled, "That's what I tell everyone throughout my whole life, you see. It really sounded cool,"

Cesar blankly stared at Arnold for a brief moment before a chuckle escaped his lips. Arnold did as well, keeping the conversation carefree and elated.

But then again, another issue pressed Cesar's mind as he couldn't help but ask, "If you're not going to interrogate me, wouldn't that mean you'll get a lot of trouble from your superiors?"

Arnold let out an arrogant smile and replied, "That's for sure but I'm me. I can handle my old ass in front of some people. Besides, even Nas will be there to back you up. Those words he said earlier are only a formality in case one of these guards, who were loyal to him, were spies for other Administrators. Who knows if we're going to catch some strays later on,"

Cesar glanced toward the guards that were guarding the room and couldn't help but be wary of them.

What if they are all spies and not a single one of them can be trusted to hear Arnold's words that seemed to undermine the other Administrators power?

Nonetheless, Cesar felt they were bold enough to confront some of them.

"Anyways, since you are the one who disappeared for a year, you can ask me questions that you are interested in knowing. I will answer them to the best of my ability,"

For some reason, with Arnold here and Nas to back both of them in case there was a problem, Cesar couldn't help but feel at ease. Even though his situation is very weird, he has clues as to how it happened.

But he didn't want to talk about them for now.

He had another thing he was curious about. Discover stories at ???

"About the fifty-three survivors… how are they holding up?"

"Oh…"

Upon remembering their situation almost a year after the City of Wheels accident, Arnold chuckled and informed with a string tone.

"They've become a powerhouse on their own, you see,"