Rimelion: The Exploiter

"You don't even have to try. People just... flock to you. That's why I took the quest from Irwen," Ian spat, his voice tight with frustration.

"You did what?!" I shot to my feet, nearly knocking over the delicate porcelain teacup in front of me. The sharp clink of it hitting the saucer echoed through the room.

Kai lifted a hand, his fingers gracefully arcing downward as if pressing invisible ripples back into place. "Miss Charlie, embrace calmness, like the moonlight settling over a still lake—gentle, unwavering, and clear."

I clenched my fists, forcing myself to take a deep breath.

Calm, like moonlight... sure.

I exhaled slowly, settling back into my seat, though my heart still hammered in my chest. "You're right..." I muttered, my glare softening as I shot Kai a brief nod. "Fine." I turned back to Ian, narrowing my eyes. "I'm listening, Ian, my former friend. What did you do?"

Ian scoffed, sharp and condescending. "I just played the game," he said, leaning back with an infuriating smirk, his fingers drumming lazily on the table as though he'd just delivered a finishing blow to a boss.

My eyes locked onto his, trying to read the storm behind them.

Where was all this anger coming from? Was it just jealousy, or was there something more? Is there truth in what he said? I wondered, a flicker of self-doubt creeping in. I did have knowledge about the future. I did have a knack for games.

Maybe it was easy for me in ways it wasn't for others.

Am I a proud snob?

Kai interjected, his tone steady, as if oblivious to the rising tension. "Yes, knowing our flaws is the first step toward a better future. It is like seeing cracks in the earth before planting—only with awareness can growth take root."

Ian snorted, slamming his cup down on the table with a force that made the tea ripple. "Nonsense. You always were clueless!" His voice rose. His hands gestured wildly, as if trying to physically throw his frustration at me. "Do you remember Dominica? I was trying to get her attention, but she had eyes only for you!"

"Dominica?" I blinked, thrown completely off-guard by the sudden shift in topic. "Who's that?"

Ian's eyes widened in disbelief, then narrowed with a fury that radiated off him in waves. He rose to his feet, his fists clenched tight, knuckles white. "You bastard! She loved you!"

What?

I opened my mouth to respond, but before I could even process his accusation, Kai's calm yet commanding voice stopped us. "Bèn Dàn. You. Will. Not. Give in to anger—lest you become like a wildfire, burning all without purpose, leaving only ash behind."

Kai's gaze shifted to me, his eyes perceptive, as though he could see straight into my thoughts. "Please, ignore this foolish apprentice. He enters this meeting with a clouded view of you, like mist obscuring the morning sun. But I have seen the real you—both in the way you wield your sword and in the strength of your actions."

I glanced at Ian, whose chest rose and fell with ragged breaths, his anger still simmering just beneath the surface. What the hell is going on? Why is he so angry at me? My mind was spinning, trying to piece together what I'd done to ignite this level of animosity.

A forgotten girl?

A missed signal?

"The last year in high school. She even sent you a Valentine's gift, and you ignored her. She was heartbroken, and I was her friend. It was so frustrating..." Ian said, his voice calmer now, though the tension lingered. "You don't remember her? How cold you were?"