The sky looks so big since we left the large fortress. The rain had stopped, tall walls no longer blocked our view of the dark sky. Both of our main bags had lamps attached to them, illuminating the path ahead.

Claud posture was a little hunched over, appearing sad. Is he worried about the friends we left behind? Silly, you warned me not to be so emotionally invested, didn't you? In spite of himself, he's the one being melancholic.

"Don't worry, Claud. I'm sure we'll meet them again someday." I said that, but the truth was probably something else.

Claud's Empathy trait kept activating when he was glaring at Paige's father. I don't really understand the context behind it but, perhaps his father wasn't so kind to him as well. Appearances and traits can be deceiving. Paige's father had terrible traits, and he turned out to be a pleasant albeit flawed person, similarly to Claud.

The more I see of the world, the stronger my conviction becomes.

I did not like living in this world where status determined everything. My faith in the Gods had been shaken. That was only due to my lack of experience, and meagre, narrow perspective from living in one house my entire life. This is a wide world with lots of different people who behave differently, regardless of who they are and what they can do.

Because of people like this, like Claud, I have to save the world from the encroaching threats. I must do it. I've been given a great gift.

-Willpower increased to 26-

Momentarily, Claud's eyes shifted towards me, and his brows lifted slightly, as if relaxing. He was in a better mood.

"Hey~! That reminds me! How do you know?"

He doesn't have a status viewing skill like mine.

-Claud's Willpower: 32/52-

"I don't understand what you're talking about..."

"You knew my status changed!"

-Claud's Willpower: 31/52-

"That so?" He awkwardly scratched the side of his cheek.

"Don't play dumb! And yours did too. Come on~ Tell me already~"

Claud refused to budge and continued trotting along. We already know so many secrets about each other... He's so petty when he wants to be. I wish my skill were a little higher level so I could peek at more of his details.

"Unveil your secrets, dark paladin, Claud!" I launched myself, grabbing by the waist to prevent him from walking away.

Did I go too far with the teasing? Claud paused far longer than I thought he would.

-Claud's Willpower: 30/52-

"Tsk! Silence, hero of light, Sophie! Lest the creatures of the night feast upon you!"

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Eh? Pardon? Claud called me by my title, a hero of light, as if he were a stranger. That last line definitely sounded evil. And his pose is a little... over exaggerated.

Oh! Claud is acting out a role as if he were the antagonist of an opera. I have to keep up.

"Hoh! So, you're the cowardly tamer commanding these dastardly beasts? I will rehabilitate you, dark paladin, Claud! Admit your faults and return to your righteous self!" I clinched a little harder with my grip. His right eye winced. Sorry! I didn't mean to squeeze so hard.

My Justice trait lets me overpower him in stats. I feel happy that I can compete with him, in this way.

It's a little bit conflicting. If Claud loses his evil traits, I won't be able to win against him anymore. But I don't want others to look down on him for having those traits.

-Claud's Willpower: 29/52-

"Cowardly? I can accept such insults. But to call these magnificent creatures, beasts? Nay, these are natural beings in their rightful place. You fail to see the truth, hero! Submit to me! Join in this grand plot to change the world. We can make a difference, together, you and I! Let's create a world of no suffering!"

... Wow. That was, intense. This is the most expressive he has been since I've known him.

Though, I want to make a comment on his pose... A truly evil person would not assume such a comical posture.

"Never! Hurting others is wrong, it doesn't matter if you want to bring about change in this world. No good can ever arise out of evil deeds!" I strike a corresponding pose.

This kind of playing is fun.

-Claud's Willpower: 28/52-

"Naive hero! You haven't seen the horrors of this world yet! It is impossible to reform the evils of this world without bloodshed!" He punctuated every sentence with an overboard pose.

"Even so, we must try! That's why I am a hero! Please, don't forsake our present for the future!" It was a little embarrassing, but I kept up with him.

Claud looked a little stunned, dropping the pretense of play acting. His face turned a little red.

Seeing him behave awkwardly, my face flushed red as well, reflecting on the passionate words that had sprouted from within.

-Claud's Willpower: 27/52-

"Ahem, we should be careful. Loud noises could attract some predators."

"Mmm. Yes."

That may have just been acting but definitely, there was a little bit of our true inner thoughts sprinkled throughout.

"Hey, Claud. Do you really believe that it's impossible to fix the world without fighting?"

-Claud's Willpower: 27/52-

"I do. I don't mean to disparage you, it's just the way the world is designed. No matter what we do, all living beings are inclined to fight. Even non-sentient plants compete with each other for nutrient in the soil."

I still can't agree, despite his very profound observation. I couldn't put it into coherent words, however.

"Aren't there animals from different species that work together?"

-Claud's Willpower: 26/52-

"Yes, but not for any altruistic reason. They hunt together to take down bigger, more dangerous threats or for food. There's always a prerequisite condition that needs to be fulfilled."

"That's... Mmm... I still think there's something else to it..."

I couldn't formulate a reasonable argument, but I felt as if he was partially wrong...

-Claud's Willpower: 25/52-

"Then you should be a bit more articulate, if you want me to change my mind."

"You're so annoying~ Let me win!"

"Hahaha~!" He let out a hearty laughter that he would never have in front of other people. His dignity and obsession over his image would never allow him that freedom. He spends lots of time, analyzing his reflection in the mirror. Practicing his speech and actions when he thinks I'm still asleep, early in the morning.

-Claud's Willpower: 24/52-

"I won't let you win so easily, Sophie. You'll have to fight for it."

Such a smug face. I can't believe it!

"I'll get you tongue twisted for sure one of these days! Hmph!" I pouted for extra emphasis, but Claud chuckled knowingly and focused on the road again.

Ah, it's so vexing. He knows I'll forgive him so easily. At least this time it didn't lead to fighting, thankfully. These moments are fun.

Claud's class of Inquisitor really suits him. I thought as a military student who would be in conflicts and territorial disputes, he'd seek out the best possible combat class. Instead, he chose a non-combatant class that specializes in philosophy and questioning everything about the world.

I really can't understand you very well yet, Claud. It's not fair that you know my secrets while I remain ignorant of yours. One day, I'll make you spill all of it.