Nightmare Mythos

Chapter 128: One Of A Kind

'A price to pay, huh? Is that why you willingly hid your condition, continued running with us, and felt that what was happening at that time was no different from that?'

Cesar couldn't help but muse inwardly as he felt this was the exact answer to why Erin was very determined for us to cross the table, in exchange for his life.

His squad sacrificed themselves, and upon seeing the same situation flashing through his eyes, Erin felt that he needed to return the favor.

There was probably lingering guilt inside of him for leaving his men behind.

Cesar couldn't help but sigh as he voiced out, "It is very stupid of him to do it. Why would he feel guilty about his squad's death when they were the ones who were very eager? It's not like he forced them to abide by his orders,"

Arnold who could understand Cesar's side of the story, knew he was forgetting something. Thinking about the reply he had to answer, he then retorted with an even tone.

"It's because you haven't felt the graveness of losing one of your very own men. When you graduate from the Academy, I'm sure you will be in a position where a squad will form around you. Being a good leader is a responsible leader, Cesar,"

Arnold paused," When Joshua died, what did you feel? Nothing, right? Yes, he might be part of your squad but what, you just knew each other for a couple of weeks. That's the difference between the Army as your squad will be always at your side. Bond is very important for a squad to succeed. And for it to form, you'll get to know each and every one of your men,"

Cesar shifted his gaze to the side before responding back, "I guess you've been in the Army as well before serving as the Administrator of the Academy?"

Arnold chuckled and nodded, "Yeah, but my squad is still alive today. I took care of them very well and they are thriving in the Army now, you see. Nonetheless, I could understand the pain of the other squad leaders who had their members wiped out in their missions,"

Cesar who was now able to understand his words silently stared at Erin's tombstones and what seemed to be his deceased gravestone. Experience exclusive tales on M V L

When Arnold said he felt nothing after Joshua's loss, Cesar felt very responsible for them. After all, he was the squad leader that they had chosen yet he couldn't even rescue them when they needed.

It was eating him on the inside, the same as Erin's death.

Because he was an orphan, he couldn't understand the meaning of 'care' from anyone. Cesar even made a rule to himself to never make friends since it would be something that would betray him in times of need.

But it seemed he was the one doing it at them.

Cesar might've never considered everyone a friend but for others, they already did at him. Yet he couldn't do something to help them.

He didn't want to feel shit again.

"Then…"

Arnold heard Cesar stop himself from speaking, waiting for him to continue.

As if he finally decided what to do, Cesar continued.

"Then what if I don't get squad members? What if I wanted to be alone since I'm capable enough to handle Nightmares with my strength? I don't want to feel responsible for others again aside from myself."

Cesar directly gazes at Arnold's eyes with an indifferent expression, "Your training. I want to be taught by the best of the best people. Not a third-rate or a second-rate. Bring me someone that can be considered good in your opinion that can increase my strength tenfold if they decide to teach me,"

'Ah…'

Arnold couldn't help but remember himself in Cesar's position when he was a kid. It felt like reminiscing to himself as he talked his way out of the previous Headmaster to train himself with the sole mission of eradicating the Nightmares.

'There's really no choice other than trusting another one of my students, I guess,'

Arnold also remembered at the time that he interviewed Jeremiah, a squad leader from the Army who was taking a break, after a series of interrogations from other men.

-Cesar, a student of yours who managed us to get out of here, killed an Intermediate Nightmare Creature alone. It's something we are struggling to avoid as we crossed the table which I explained many times to them. He must've reasons why he wasn't able to do so fast but I've seen it with my own eyes.

-Others might've given up on him returning but believe me when I say this. When Cesar came back, the ones who really were taking care of this student should get a hold of him. Other people will be greedy for his capability and will want to handle him but themselves but I want others to nurture his talent and make it bloom.

-Can you do that, Headmaster of the Academy?

Arnold didn't believe Jeremiah's words at first since he was the only one who had this kind of story but the ones that knew Cesar agreed to his statement without hesitation.

Still, a kid who brought down an Intermediate Nightmare while being a First Order who hasn't fully digested his potion?

That's absolutely unheard of.

But there's always a first on everything.

"Hey, Arnold. Are you listening to me?"

Waking up from his reverie after being called by him, Arnold then put his attention on Cesar before finally answering.

"You arrogant brat. Don't you order me around. I'll provide you with the best facilities you can use and heavily rated teachers. I'll start making contacts along the way so the moment you come back to the Academy, the very thing you'll do is train,"

Cesar felt delighted upon hearing that piece of information before grabbing something from his pocket.

It was Erin's Artifact, Source of Light.

He bent his knee and placed it right beside Erin's tombstone while looking around to see if anyone was daring to steal it.

It was the only thing that anyone could remember about Erin after all.

"Let's go,"

Cesar stood up from the pasture and turned around with Arnold at his back. As they made their way towards their vehicle, Arnold suddenly raised a matter.

"It will be stolen, you know?"

Cesar pondered for a bit before answering with hesitation, "Should've I just dug it right under his coffin? Wouldn't that be disrespectful?"

Arnold shook his head, "It's all right. I'll handle it,"

After reassuring Cesar that it would be all right, both of them went to their transportation vehicle and were finally ready to be back at the Academy.