Mei rubbed her temples, trying to keep her voice calm. "All I'm saying is we need to exercise more caution. The restrictions exist for a reason."
Sofia threw up her hands in exasperation. "You sound just like the bloated regulators, choking innovators with red tape!"
Mei crossed her arms. "And you seem to have forgotten what unchecked ambition led to before. People suffered because of it."
"A necessary evil when progress is at stake," Sofia countered.
Mei looked at her mentor sadly. "What happened to you? The Sofia I knew cared about right and wrong, not just results."
Sofia's expression softened slightly. "Mei, you know I just want what's best for our people. But the process is messy sometimes."
"It doesn't have to be," Mei implored. "We can find a better way, together. One that doesn't sacrifice values."
Sofia sighed heavily. "You're still so idealistic. It's an admirable trait, if naive." She clasped Mei's shoulder. "Just try to have a little more faith in me."
Mei managed a small nod, unconvinced but unwilling to argue further. Her guts told her Sofia's pragmatism had curdled into something harder and crueler lately. But challenging her adoptive aunt's authority felt daunting.
For now, she could only make her moral misgivings known and hope Sofia still had some willingness to listen. Perhaps this was merely a difficult stretch on their shared road, and Sofia would regain her wisdom.
But privately, Mei worried her beloved teacher was losing sight of the light that had once so clearly guided her. And she knew from bitter experience how quickly ambition could corrupt even the noblest spirit when unchecked by conscience.
You could be reading stolen content. Head to the original site for the genuine story.
Still, hope flickered that Sofia could yet turn back from this precarious edge. Mei would stand by her if so, however difficult the road ahead. Their bond was strong enough to weather coming storms, and she had to believe.
Yet she could not ignore the whispers of doubt and dread lurking in her heart. Dark tempests brewed on the horizon, and Mei prayed Sofia's lantern would not sputter out completely when night fell at last. Flickering at the precipice, at times, the fierce winds seemed poised to extinguish what frail lights still remained.
"Hey, you had it for a second there! We'll call it progress."
They continued practicing, kind encouragement replacing harsh commands. There was still much work ahead, but the joy returning to Selena's eyes filled Booker with hope.
----------------------------------------
----------------------------------------
Davis tensed as the monstrous creature emerged from the swirling portal, rows of razor-sharp teeth glinting in the strange light. Around him, the rest of the Flowers Guild expedition team stood frozen in fear.
"Stay behind me!" Davis shouted, stepping forward and focusing his energy. He had discovered his aura abilities only a week earlier, but he hoped they would be enough to protect the others now.
Activating his Leap skill, Davis bounded forward with superhuman speed and agility, sailing over the lunging creature's head and landing on its back. The beast reared and thrashed, trying to dislodge him. Davis clung on desperately, fingers digging into the coarse fur.
"Run, all of you!" he yelled to the expedition team. They finally unfroze and turned to flee towards the portal exit. Davis just had to distract the monster long enough for them to escape.
Davis ricocheted off the cavern walls with another burst of Leap, evading the creature's snapping jaws. But he could feel his aura reserves draining fast. He wouldn't be able to keep this up much longer.
Where was Sofia? As the leader of this disastrous expedition, she at least owed it to rescue her endangered followers. Rage simmered within Davis at her callous disregard for the lives she put at risk.
With an angry bellow, the beast reared up, finally swatting Davis out of the air to crash painfully on the stone floor. Looming over him, the creature drew back for the killing blow, rancid drool dripping from its maw.
This was it. Davis braced himself, determined not to show fear in his final moments. He had sacrificed himself so the others could escape. It would be enough.
Suddenly brilliant golden flames engulfed the monster from behind. Sofia strode forward, expression cold as she mercilessly incinerated the creature until only ashes remained.
"Cutting it a bit close there!" Davis said angrily, pulling himself to his feet.
Sofia shrugged. "You had the situation under control." Her golden aura faded as she turned back towards the portal.
Davis shook his head bitterly. How far his mentor had fallen, willing to use him and anyone else as tools. He saw the true face behind her noble image now.
Gritting his teeth, Davis limped after Sofia. Their expedition may have failed, but his vow remained - to protect the innocent from the cold ambition lurking within her heart. Davis would stand as her conscience. However, she tried to silence the doubts and regret churning within.