Goals of the Philosopher [Part 3]

“Next question: How relevant are the Seven Pneuma to the other Infernalior?”

“They are relevant to a few, some more than others. One Infernalior is claiming that they are the latest Incarnation of one of the Seven… Which is utterly false”

Great, so that means that there are others that probably want the Artifacts too.

“This last one isn’t much of a question; more of just something to think about. How do you know that there are only seven of them?”

“Hmm… Explain yourself.” He squinted his eyes in skepticism.

“Well, it’s just an idea. There are just so many potential artifacts, and I have the feeling that there isn’t too much information about them. All of the resources that are about them are likely extremely old. Meaning, unintentional variations, unclear interpretations, and potential mistranslations.” I posited, as Vapula looked out the window to ponder.

In all honesty, I have no clue if this idea is even kinda right. Call it a hunch. This idea is based on a few things. One: If Consciousness is used in the same way psychology or emotion can be used. Psychology is no easy topic and there are dozens of emotions, so there’s no way that these entities can be reduced to only seven.

Two: mythology. I first thought of the Abrahamic concept of Sin when he mentioned that there are seven. Additionally, many other religions have the concept of Sin as well; some have more, some have less than seven. Furthermore, the Greeks alone had dozens of Personifications of thought, ideas, and emotions. These Seven just seem like something from myth in my world. Except they might be tangible.

This is all conceptual, of course. I’m sure Vapula has more information than I could ever obtain.

“You seem to be quite interested in the Seven.” He mentioned.

Well, yeah! How do you even know they're real? I wrote in my notes annoyed.

“I just want to check the validity of your faith in these Seven entities.” I expressed.

“Understandable, but I assure you they are real.” He glared with promise.

“How do you know?” I can tell that it bothered him how quickly I asked that question.

“Long ago, I tried to do the same thing I’m doing right now. Yet, back then I failed.” He got out of his chair to walk around the room.

“Yes, it was a failure, but… With every failure still brings knowledge. I succeeded in one of their resurrections, regrettably, they suffered and died instantly. It was incomplete and flawed. Now, after centuries, I’ve finally solved the bane of their rebirth.”

Alright, I think I’ll end it here with the Frankenstein mysticism.

“... Thank you for your time today, Vapula.” I gathered my things and started to walk out. I think that's enough for today.

“Before you leave, I have something for you to think about.” He announced.

I stopped to give him my attention again.

“Try to converse with one of the Seven when you have some alone time… Through your Artifact.”

“Converse? You mean talk to my ring” I asked in confusion, glancing at my ring.

“Yes.” He said softly but with seriousness.

“Alright, I’ll give that a try.” I replied as I left the room.

⧫⧫⧫

I dropped my things off at my room and then went straight to Quen’s room.

I waited for a moment, then tried again. Knocking obviously isn’t working.

“Huh, she must not be in there.” I whispered.

I then went to Írui’s room. The only other place she would probably be.

Haah… Maybe I should just tell her exactly how I feel.

I just don't know what the exact thing is I want to say. I just had a super long and intense conversation with the devil himself. And made it through that no problem! But the moment I have to talk about my feelings; I get all flustered! I just have to tell her that I’m not ready for a relationship. And I want to remain good friends. I just can’t be in a relationship right now, there is just too much uncertainty in the future.

The saddest part, something I just realized too, is that I do like Quen. I may not show it, but I like her a lot actually. I’m not even sure that I can say that. Also, it's a little embarrassing to admit, but this is the first time I've felt like this towards someone. I've been developing feelings for her ever since the day I met her, but I kept brushing it off. This is just another thing that I have to deal with.

Well, I arrived at Írui’s door. And Quen is probably in there.

“Yes, coming!”

That sounds like Írui. The door then opened.

“Oh, hey, Ryosuke. What’s up?” Írui greeted me with glee.

“Hi, have you seen Quen?” I asked.

“Yeah! She’s in here with me.” She answered.

“Hi, Quen. Um, do you mind if we talk for a minute?” I asked. Oh, great, my heart rate just spiked.

“Ohhh… Here Ryosuke, come on in. You two can chat in my room, and I’ll go somewhere else.” Írui grinned smugly.

I walked in and sat next to Quen.

“Hey...”

“Hey...”

“So, uh… Sorry I haven’t been stretching with you lately.” I swiftly apologized.

“Oh, it’s no big deal. I just figured you wanted more time to heal.” Quen replied.

“So, the real reason I want to talk with you was about the-the—”

“—Kiss?” She finished my sentence.

“Yeah, it's just I haven’t been with too many people, and I, uh, don’t know how to navigate topics like this, so… Uh.” I verbally stumbled.

Oh, my goodness! I suck at this. Why the hell did I not prepare more for this?

“Haha, it's alright, and you know I’m the one that took the opportunity, right?” Quen giggled, with a light blush.

“Well, um, yeah… It was pretty… Nice… I just.” Stuttering, I smiled slightly. “... I just wanted to say that I’m sorry if it felt like I was avoiding you, is all.” I revealed.

“You thought that? I, uh, felt like I was the one avoiding you.” She responded with surprise.

“What? Hah. You did too?”

“Heh, yeah. I was thinking a whole lot of weird stuff.” She scratched the back of her head with a silly smile.

“Oh, wow. That’s funny.” I giggled.

We both laughed for a moment.

“So, Quen, I want to also say that I think you are one of the coolest people I’ve ever met and I want our friendship to be one of the best.”

“Yeah, me too!” She beamed, to then release a breath of solace.

We embraced each other with a warm hug for a few minutes. Chasing out any worries or anxieties we may have. Thoughts and feelings that were not only from this small interaction we shared, but from the frightening experiences we all had to endure. Quietly reassuring one another in the fact that we are part of a team that is able to work together.

“So, Quen, I'll see you tomorrow morning for some early stretches!” I grinned.

“Okay… Oh, you know what?” She asked with glee.

“What?”

“Why don’t we stretch right now, so that way we can make up for lost time?”

“Okay, sure!”

“Awesome! I just have to do a few things, and then you can just come to my room in a little bit!” She explained as we both smiled at each other.

I nodded in agreement and walked out of the room.

I left the room feeling a lot better than I did when I went in. I walked a little down the hall to then be stopped by Vahaemarr.

“Lady Ryosuke, you have a guest.” Vahaemarr told me.

“Oh, who is it?” I asked in genuine confusion.

“Galu, the woman that you offered your help for. She arrived with our carriage.” Vahaemarr explained.

“Okay thanks for letting me know.” I had to forcibly stop myself from forming a sinister grin of pride and disbelief.

“What shall I ask of her?“ Vahaemarr questioned.

“Tell her to wait. I have something I must take care of first before I can talk to her.” I instructed Vahaemarr.

“As you wish.” He bowed and then walked away.

How interesting. She actually came back. Wonderful…

Our future is looking more vivid than ever. Even for this Worthless World.