One-Eyed Monster

”How was the journey, quite enjoyable?” Teacher Hadi asked. They were still within the Inner World, under Teacher Hadi’s control. Teacher Hadi could see everything Igor experienced, but he still needed to ask, because this was the real way to communicate.

”Not enjoyable, I saw myself.” Igor said.

”Oh, how did you find yourself? Did you look mighty, handsome?”

”No, a bit filthy, even a bit despicable. This self was solely focused on the outcome, unwilling to think much about the process. In that moment, I almost crossed over.”

”Such thoughts are dangerous, but you walked away from it, that’s enough.”

”Yes, that’s enough. The mirror in between, I almost believed it!” Igor felt a lingering fear, wondering whether a different outcome would ensue if he had believed that evil thought.

”The notion of the mirror isn’t necessarily false. But now you’re back, you can contemplate the mirror at your own pace in the future. At least you can face yourself head-on, and with determination, no alternative you will appear within your body.” Teacher Hadi said.

”Could it be, the mirror...” Igor was a bit lost.

”That matter is beyond my understanding, just like we never fully comprehend where we come from or where we’re heading. Maybe those thoughts are really standing at the same angle as us, they are also looking in the mirror, we are looking in the mirror, yet they are oppressed by the stronger us, so they can never take the initiative. What we choose consistently is our conviction.”

Confusing and tongue-tied, but Igor understood that feeling.

”You mentioned Kuren before, the Bloodlust Seeker seems to be this scenario. Demons always reside within our bodies, only strong faith can keep these demons at bay.”

”I understand now, Teacher, all of this is our own battle with ourselves. When facing true decisions, it’s not a matter of right or wrong, only whether it’s yourself.”

”Yes, this is the true Adventurer.” Teacher Hadi smiled, ”Always remember, you strive for your true self. With an unchanged heart, you can travel far.”

”Stay true to yourself, stay true to yourself...” Igor repeated, as if he had just grasped a profound truth.

”Seeing oneself is not just this, the biggest issue you face right now, Igor, is on this path of decision.” Teacher Hadi said.

”I understand, Teacher. If I choose wrongly, I might stray from the path, and not just any path.”

”You grasp things well, although sometimes you may appear quite silly.” Teacher Hadi said jokingly.

”I’ve always been quite silly, truly so.”

”Alright, it’s about time, my Inner World is about to conclude, we should head out.” Teacher Hadi said.

With that, the clouds in front of Igor disappeared, and everyone returned to Teacher Hadi’s cabin.

Perkins and Stan Sol looked at Igor with smiles.

”Welcome back.” Stan Sol said with a smile.

”Changed a lot, haven’t you? Experienced it, haven’t you? Like I said, I wasn’t lying, was I?” Perkins teased.

In front of these people, Igor didn’t know what to say, as he wasn’t adept in this aspect. He simply smiled broadly and foolishly.

Igor was still the same Igor, they could see it from his smile.

”Alright, let’s just do what needs to be done. Hosting all three of you today was quite tiring.” Teacher Hadi stretched. He had exerted considerable effort.

”Next, we should head to the Academy hall!” Perkins said.

”We’re going to meet Tobin.” Stan Sol chimed in.

”Alright, let’s go.” Igor chuckled, having prepared long ago.

”The road ahead is exceptionally challenging, take care everyone.” Teacher Hadi reclined on the lounge chair, having completed his task, expended considerable Spirit Power, yet feeling content seeing these young people free from their inner struggles.

Time always passes swiftly. Initially, they thought they’d stay with Teacher Hadi a bit longer, but unexpectedly, they were heading to the Academy hall soon. Igor knew he would have to return later since some of his questions to Teacher Hadi remained unasked. For now, his priority was assisting Stan Sol, so he temporarily set his matters aside. Stan Sol remained cautious since he was the main figure now, and with his brother’s situation unknown, he needed to maintain his carefulness. Among the three, Perkins seemed the most carefree, having left several boxes with Teacher Hadi. He felt secure, as Teacher Hadi was very interested in these items, which were enough to occupy him for a while. Perkins felt relieved to have found a keeper, without worrying about losing his hardly-collected treasures.

After a hurried meal, the three of them headed to the Academy to inquire, eagerly anticipating the events about to unfold.

In Yonder Travel Academy’s hall, Governor Rostov had been waiting early on, accompanied by only two people: Hustace and an elderly gentleman with snow-white beard.

The elder was none other than Dean Hoffman.

”You’ve arrived quite early.” Dean Hoffman initiated the conversation.

Igor looked at the old man, seemingly a bit older than before. His previous interactions with Dean Hoffman were infrequent, mostly when punished.

”It’s not really early; it’s almost night.” Perkins replied directly, appearing relaxed, without a trace of nervousness. This made him resemble Dean Hoffman, carrying no mental burdens.

”Still quite fast.” Governor Rostov remarked, ”The matter is rather confidential, I didn’t intend for others to know. Prepare yourselves mentally, as what you face might be larger than imagined.”

While saying this, Rostov kept glancing at his son, for he was most concerned about him.

”Don’t worry, this old man will ensure their safety. I’ve foreseen it; the prospects are good, though I can’t assure much benefit for Lord Governor.”

”Bringing back Tobin is the biggest benefit.” Governor Rostov turned to Dean Hoffman.

”No need for chit-chat, let’s get to the point.” Stan Sol broke the silence, for the matter involved his family, demanding more caution than others.