"What do you an by that?" asked Jean innocently. I paused, trying to find the best way to get the answer I was looking for.
"Have you experienced death, Jean?"
Her eyes shot open at the question, the girl slowly understanding that I wasn't simply inventing so fairytale.
"Are you-"
"I'm like you."
I smiled. The final confirmation had now ultimately co down to Jean. What she would say now would either confirm or deny my suspicions. I had simply stated that we were similar, but I still hadn't said anything about reincarnation.
"You're from Earth, aren't you?" she asked. I chuckled at the question, my ears not believing what I was hearing. I wasn't alone.
"Yea..." I said, smiling at the girl. Jean stood up and approached , her eyes gazing right into mine.
"Thank you."
"When did it happen?" I asked. The girl understood my question.
"June 8th, 2145," she responded. I choked on my own breath. The date that she had given was the date of her death, and yet it was rely two days after . So Jean had lived in the sa society as I did?
"What was your na?" I asked.
I was expecting many answers, an infinite amount of numbers actually. She could've been any rank, a simple gladiator who was forced to fight in the arena as I did, or even a noble without a ranking, and yet the number she gave out sent shivers down my spine.
There was a single-digit I didn't want to hear, and it was the word that escaped her mouth.
"One."
Wait, One was a girl?
It was true that she was covered in armor and wore a helt that had a full-face visor, but I thought I'd at least be able to identify her sex through her physique. Jean could tell I was suddenly distressed by her na, a question arising in her mind.
"Wait, who are you?"
"I used to be Two."
Jean gasped at my response, understanding why I was so disturbed.
She was the one who killed .
"Jay, I-"
I put my hand forward, stopping her from continuing.
"I've never harbored any resentnt towards you, Jean, I want to make that clear right now. The only feeling I felt toward you was respect, nothing else."
The girl nodded.
"I'll never forget my fight against you," she said, "till this day, you are the only one I have ever considered an equal in combat."
"Thank you, Jean. So wait, how old are you in this world?"
Jean understood that I ant no disrespect in my question. The fact that Jean had killed and then died two days later, but was sohow older than in Auroria arose all kinds of questions.
"Twenty."
"I see, so roughly nine years," I muttered.
My only conclusion had to do with the void that I had experienced before being born in Auroria. If that darkness was exempt from all ti, then my few seconds that I had stayed there could've been decades for all I knew. Jean seed to be thinking the sa thing as I, her mind focused on drawing a logical conclusion.
It was crazy to think that the two individuals standing in front of each other possessed more knowledge than the entire continent of Auroria combined. Both Jean and I had the ans to revolutionize the world, and it seed like the girl was already beginning to do so.
"Are you trying to change the world?" I asked.
"You an with the concept of gravity? I'm not sure," she answered earnestly.
"We'll have to be careful with what we share."
Jean nodded. I could tell she didn't care whatsoever about the age of the boy standing in front of her. She knew that it was simply a vessel, and the mind speaking to her was that of her equal. There was no need to look down on one another, instead, we chose to respect each other.
Speaking face to face with One was sothing I never believed would co to fruition. The warrior that had slain in battle was sitting right in front of , speaking to casually.
"What do you think of the ergence of the dragons?" I asked. Getting the input from the most powerful individual in Auroria would be crucial if conflict were to break out later on. Depending on Jean's point of view, certain asurents could be put in place to avoid conflict.
"I think it's fascinating. Considering the war is simply history to both of us, I simply see them as another miracle. Who could've imagined I'd et dragons?"
I smiled, understanding her feelings as if they were my own. That being said, my true question wasn't answered, and I didn't want to waste this opportunity.
"And what would you do if a war broke out?" I asked. Jean's face turned serious.
"Do you think that'll happen?"
"I'm not sure. I do believe that there are so tensions arising, though."
"It's only been a few months since the dragons have revealed themselves. If things are starting to beco uncertain now, then it won't take long for hatred to spur," said Jean, trying to analyze the situation.
"Which side will you take, Jean?" I asked bluntly. Jean looked at , seeing the fierce determination burning within my eyes.
"I will protect my family, Jay. They are currently living here, in Eloria. My allegiance will be to this city and its rulers."
I nodded, understanding. I was relieved that Jean had found a family that had loved her unconditionally as I had. It was sothing that we had never experienced on Earth, and it was sothing I had co to cherish dearly.
Regarding Jean's answer, my hopes were lifted ever so slightly. Asthia and Diana had beco extrely close friends, and I believed that the two families were also on good terms. If the humans and the dragons could co together in the events of a war, it ant that the dragons would have the support of the two most powerful S-ranks in all of Auroria.
"And you?" asked Jean, curious about my current stance on the matter.
"I will defend my family, just like you. However, I will never turn against the dragons. If they are attacked, I will not hesitate to retaliate," I said confidently. Jean smiled at my answer.
"I do hope we remain on the sa side, Jay. It would be a sha if we were to beco unnecessary enemies once again."
I got up, extending my hand to the girl.
"Sa here. Let's put the past behind us, Jean."
Jean raised her eyebrows, picking up on the emphasis I had put on her na. One and Two were the nas of warriors who had passed away long ago. There was no need to resent one another for sothing that we had no say in. It was kill or be killed, and at the ti, One was superior.
That wouldn't be the case here.
I'd rise to the top. I'd overtake Jean. To protect myself and my family in the events of a battle, I'd need to be ready.
Beating Alia would be the first step. After that, my next target would be Jean. There was no more ti for hesitation or uncertainty. I had acquired six elents, and I'd use them to support those dear to .
I'd beco the first SS-rank adventurer Auroria had ever seen.
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