The scene switches from Kasim trying to engage in combat forward to the time that he is
knocked out and being carried like a sack of grain by Kassandra.
Kassandra has put away her string and is holding her torch with one hand while keeping Kasim
on her back with the other hand.
Imogyeran has offered multiple times to help carry the guy but she refused saying that it was
her obligation as his friend and company, causing Imog to simply shrug and leave the story at
that.
[“She was a strange one, I will give her that. Actually, the two of them were. But I liked it.”]
In hindsight, Imogyeran would eventually notice about himself, that he is always attracted to
the outliers in society. Basically, Imog possesses the closest analogy to a ‘crazy-human-
attractive-force’.
Regardless, in this very moment the boy simply shrugs and looks the other way since this
basically is none of his business.
Still, the two of them continue to make their way to the inn, that Kassandra, Kasim and
entourage are sleeping in. Perhaps out of consideration? Or guilt?
Imogyeran just embraces the unknown feeling and goes along to make sure that nothing
happens.
Along the way the two of them have a nice chat about each other and they eventually decide
to deliberately take an alternative path to the inn to gain more time for their little chat.
Imogyeran is genuinely interested in the two of them, while Kassandra just happens to be the
extroverted type of person, who likes to talk with new people.
<
Along the way, the obvious issue was addressed multiple times by Kassandra in a soothing
attempt.
At first Imogyeran just repeatedly makes light of the situation saying things along the line of
‘water under the bridge’ or ‘it’s fine, who cares?’ and the likes.
[“Of course, eventually the topic of the fight came up. I just brushed it away since it didn’t
really matter to me. But since the girl was this insistent about it, I got just the slightest bit
angry.”]
< unconsciously on your back, probably having pissed his pants from the shock, or am I?>>, he retorts. After repeatedly being reminded of the topic, Imogyeran’s bad personality was showing through, while his manner of speech is getting more aggressive and provocative. If it were anyone else his age, they might have either taken a step back or started a fight with the guy but luckily for the both of them, Kassandra possesses decent social skills! < She takes a look at the boy on her back before slightly tilting her head and continuing in an innocent manner. < She changes her expression into a sadistic grin before continuing < Wouldn’t you agree, little boy?>> Wellll… This needs no further words to elaborate. Imogyeran’s first impression after receiving such a blatant and sadistic provocation is… a wide smile. The two of them suddenly come to a standstill on the middle of the road. Nobody is doing anything, both people are looking into each other’s eyes with smiling expressions that could make a grown man cry. And then… They just laugh it off. The two of them might like to be provocative and they both might have some special Did you know this story is from Royal Road? Read the official version for free and support the author. tendencies in that field but the fact still remains, that the situation is really not that serious for them to get that worked up over it. [“She responded with the same energy as me! I thought it was hilarious! During our talk the two of us had a great time together. I am looking forward to meeting her next time we see each other!”] [(What exactly do you mean ‘with the same energy’?)] [“Well, at that moment I had a strong urge to shield my wiener and run away if that helps get some context.”] [(Whaaat?)(What did you do, young man?)] [“I was 5 1/2!“] [(Exactly!)] [“What do you mean, exactly?!”] Kassandra and Imogyeran just use this moment as a nice bonding moment with each other. Since Imogyeran is a lot younger than her, he does feel some kind of connection with her, like a child would feel for its older sister. Does that make the previous situation even more obscure? Yes. < She asks the question in her mind in a straightforward manner. The guy, who suddenly appeared in front of them while limping, spontaneously beat a top- contender to win the tournament with relatively little effort. < A straightforward question prompts a straightforward answer <> Kassandra lets out a long drawn out sigh. Imogyeran is tempted to question her about it but in the end he decides not to put his nose too much into another person’s problems. Even if he did hear her out, his participation probably would not change and he also would not deliberately lose against Kasim like that. Kasim’s friend just met the boy a few minutes ago but she can tell already tell by his personality that trying to convince him otherwise would be a lost cause. [“Eventually, the boy woke up again and after some fooling around we waved each other off until tomorrow.”] < Kassandra asked the boy, who showed courtesy to even the boy, that attacked him mere moments ago. < < < You don’t feel human enough for me to feel an emotion like liking to another person.>> The girl’s smile never wavers, always looking straight ahead while carrying Kasim on her back. Imogyeran freezes for a second at the unexpected response but he quickly resumed walking and talking with a smile on his face. Nothing seems to have changed but at the same time everything seems different to Kassandra. As if walking on a tightrope without anything to lean on, she continues to walk without showing the sprouting unease inside her heart. <> The voice that has been energetic and uplifting loses its emotions and devolves into something hollow, almost ghostly sounding. It feels like a cold washing over its surroundings. Kassandra has acquired basic perception of the spirits in the surrounding environment, so she can feel it. The spirits around the three of them have changed trajectory and alignment: Everything is changed to slightly point into the boy’s direction; it is not clear, whether this is a good or bad thing for the young kid. Nevertheless, Kassandra continues to smile and the three of them continue to take their time on their walk. She herself does not understand her behavior. The aspiring warrior and young noblewoman simply does what feels right to her. Suddenly, Imogyeran starts turning his body in her direction while walking backwards and tells her the this: < He starts bobbing from side to side with a slight smile. The atmosphere is getting warmer again and the freezing feeling inside Kassandra’s body slowly diminishes while he keeps on talking. < a really cool guy!>> The words spoken are in a stark contrast to the atmosphere she is feeling. <> Imogyeran starts speaking a bit faster and his erratic movements intensify as he makes a backwards-flip while walking. <> He takes both of his arms and puts them behind the back of his head while smiling from ear to ear. < Kassandra is confused but at the same time, the smart girl also realizes the core of the boy’s little rant. (Kassandra:) < (Imogyeran): < they have purple eyes. Either I hate people with purple eyes or I hate people, who are similar to me. Does that make sense?>> (Kassandra:) < That is the essence, that Kassandra has filtered out of the conversation. She is staring down at the boy with a dangerous smile, while the atmosphere is heavier than before. If Imog decides to answer the wrong way, Kassandra has decided to start a fight against the guy, no further pretexts necessary. Imog decides to keep silent for a long time, smiling the entire time. Suddenly he drops his smile. The expression he is making now is neither happy nor angry. It could almost be called sad as he answers her question. < She wants to retort, to dig deeper into the matter but it is at this time that Kasim starts to wake up. Before she has any opportunity to say anything, Imogyeran starts changing his face, gestures and behavior as he becomes the silently smiling person, as if the conversation between them had never happened. The three of them decide to part ways again and they do not meet until tomorrow at noon, shortly before the adult tournament starts. They meat at a canyon, around 200 meters distance away from Medalia. Imogyeran is holding a small pebble. [“That was the day, that I made my third friend! His name is ‘Raul’!”]