The two arguing boys had now drawn a small crowd, their banter providing entertainment for the onlookers. The younger students, who had been tense about the upcoming trials, seemed to have forgotten their worries, laughing and cheering as the argument grew more animated.
Levi watched the scene with a faint smile. The lake, the laughter, and the camaraderie among the students created a sense of unity that was rare and precious. For now, the weight of their future responsibilities as Echoes could wait. This moment was about connection, joy, and the simple beauty of being alive.
Dorian, standing beside him, seemed to share the sentiment. "It's moments like these that remind us why we strive to protect this world," he said softly, while looking at the tranquility of the lake.
Levi nodded, his eyes reflecting the calm waters. "Indeed."
Dorian shifted the conversation to a more personal matter. "If I don't show an Order 4 or 5 Echo talent in dream realm, I don't know what my brothers will do with me," he said, his voice tinged with worry.
"They've already started handling the major responsibilities Father left, Big brother in land ownerships and second brother in trade and commerce leaving me with no opportunity to prove myself."
Dorian belonged to an immensely wealthy and influential family, a status that often left him with few genuine friends. Levi was one of the rare ones he could trust, someone with whom he could share his personal worries and frustrations.
Wealth, while a privilege, carried its own burdens, it had the power to strain relationships within families, breeding greed and mistrust if not handled with care. Dorian knew all too well how easily the pursuit of fortune could fracture even the closest bonds.
Levi remained silent, eyes fixed on the lake's quiet shimmer. When Dorian's words faded into the breeze, he finally spoke softly, but with weight, "Don't stress yourself over it. The walls of Zul'vharra City can't bound your future, just as they couldn't bound your father's or your brothers'. Forget about them for now. Your path is your own."
Dorian let out a short, humorless laugh, adjusting his glasses as he turned to face Levi. "You say that so easily because you're sure you'll awaken at least an Order 3 or Order 2 talent. It's in your blood, after all.That's why you're so calm, chilling here without a care in the world," he said, his tone a mix of envy and resignation.
Levi's expression softened, and he shook his head gently. "It's not about the level of talent, Dorian. It's about what you do with it. Even if you awaken order 2 talent, it doesn't define your worth or your potential. The Echo isn't just about power, it's about how you use it to protect, to inspire, and to grow."
Dorian fell silent for a moment, his gaze drifting back to the lake. The water shimmered under the sunlight, its surface reflecting the vast sky above. Levi's words seemed to hang in the air, offering a sense of comfort, even if Dorian wasn't ready to fully accept them.
Around them, the lively atmosphere continued. The two boys who had been arguing earlier were now surrounded by a group of students, their debate having turned into a playful exchange that had everyone laughing. The younger students, who had been nervous about the upcoming trials, seemed to have forgotten their fears, at least for the moment.
Dorian sighed, his shoulders relaxing slightly. "Maybe you're right," he said quietly, though his voice still carried a hint of doubt. "But it's hard not to feel the weight of expectations, especially when everyone around you seems to have it all figured out."
Levi's eyes, always searching for an opening, didn't miss the moment. Instinctively, he began to toy with him, almost subconsciously, "One day, you'll watch the sun set for the last time, savor your favorite meal unknowingly for the final bite, and share a last conversation with someone you love. And the most terrifying part?" He paused, letting the words hang like a storm cloud. "You won't know it's the last time."
"So why let others' expectations weigh you down? Why let their judgments dictate your life? You weren't born to be a footnote in someone else's story, measured by their standards or confined by their opinions."
His voice steady but filled with quiet intensity as he turned to his closest friend, who sat burdened by worry. "You have to ask yourself one question," he said, his words cutting through the noise of doubt and fear.
Dorian, who had been listening intently, leaned forward, his curiosity piqued. "What question?" he asked, his voice barely above a whisper.
Levi replied, "Ask yourself: Does what I'm doing make me feel truly alive? Not just existing, not just going through the motions but alive. If the answer is yes, then keep walking that path, no matter how difficult it may seem. But if the answer is no, then have the courage to change direction.Life is too fleeting, too fragile, to waste on anything that doesn't set your soul on fire."
Dorian didn't respond. He just stared at the lake, as if trying to find his reflection in the ripple of Levi's words. It wasn't about living up to the expectations of others or seeking their approval.
It was about honoring the pulse of his own heart, the quiet voice within that whispered what truly mattered. And sometimes, that meant letting go of what no longer served him, even if it meant walking away from the familiar into the unknown.
He remained deep into thought just as Levi had hoped. He wanted Dorian to follow him, to walk the path he chose. And for that, he carefully crafted his image: someone who seemed to hold all the answers, someone who looked like he had a solution for everything.
His next move? Show Dorian a glimpse of the power he would one day wield.
He knew words alone wouldn't be enough. Not for someone like Dorian. If he wanted him by his side, he had to go deeper nudge his thoughts, shape his doubts, guide him without force. He had no other choice but manipulation, subtle, subconscious. He needed allies. The world was on the verge of bathing in blood, and he couldn't face it alone. He needed strong minds, unshakable wills, inspirations people worthy of inheriting the legacy he'd forged across countless lifetimes in the dream realm.
He wasn't the kind of man who blindly believed that effort alone guaranteed success. But he did believe one truth: if you're pouring more into something than anyone else, if you're willing to bleed for it, then eventually, it becomes yours. For the first time, Dorain felt a shift in their dynamic. This wasn't the carefree, indifferent Levi he had always known.
This was someone who had been paying attention, who saw more than he let on. And for the first time, Dorian wondered if he had been underestimating his friend all along.
"You're different," Dorian said finally, his voice tinged with both surprise and admiration.
Levi smirked, a hint of his old self returning. "Maybe I am. Or maybe you're just seeing me clearly for the first time." He leaned forward, his tone lighter now but still carrying an edge of truth. "The question is, are you ready to see yourself clearly too?"
His words lingered in the air, a reminder that life is not a rehearsal. It is a singular, irreplaceable act, a fleeting chance to live boldly, authentically, and unapologetically.
And in the end, the only question that truly matters is the one you ask yourself: Am I alive, or am I merely existing?
"Don't let my words go in vain", Levi thought, his eyes fixed on Dorian, who sat in silence, lost in his own world. "Wake up, Dorian. Quickly. This isn't just about me. It's about all of us. What I'm stepping into, it's bigger than any one person. I don't want a puppet following me, I need you to rise, not as a follower, but as someone who stands beside me"
beside me"