Chapter 74: Persuading Lumi
Lumi happily snuggled closer to Rin as though she had no idea she was being discussed.
Rin continued petting her, his expression gradually becoming more fascinated. He had already known that Ethan was strange, but this was something else entirely.
A spiritual companion.
Rin knew exactly what that meant.
Only B-class or A-class Guides could normally possess spiritual companions, while Sentinels needed to reach S-class or even SSS-class before they could manifest one. That was precisely why Rin, despite being an A-class Sentinel, did not have a spiritual companion of his own.
Yet here Ethan was, casually sitting beside him with one.
And somehow, that wasn’t even the most shocking thing Ethan had revealed today.
At this point, Rin was almost becoming numb to his surprises.
Ethan being an F-rank Guide had already been one of the most obvious facts about him, so discovering that he wasn’t actually an F-rank anymore should have been enough to leave Rin speechless.
But instead, Rin found himself more happy than shocked.
His best friend had finally escaped the miserable position he had been trapped in for so long.
And if Ethan really had managed to rise that quickly, Rin needed answers or rather the whole tea of everything for entertainment purposes.
Lots of them.
"So," Rin said, narrowing his eyes.
Ethan immediately became suspicious. "That tone doesn’t sound good."
"Tell me triple everything now."
"Everything?"
"Everything."
Ethan sighed. He knew that look. It meant Rin wasn’t going to let this go. So, with no other choice, Ethan began explaining.
He told Rin about Aster’s book and how it had helped him improve his strength, explaining the discoveries he had made from it and how it had contributed to his rapid growth. He also told him about the rift mission, carefully explaining how the experience had become the major factor behind his recent increase in rank, along with the other things that had happened during the mission.
He still kept certain details to himself, especially the things he wasn’t ready to explain yet, but he gave Rin enough information to understand just how much had changed.
By the time Ethan finished, Rin was staring at him with an expression somewhere between disbelief and pride.
"So you’re really not an F-rank anymore."
"Nope."
"So let me get this straight! You’re telling me that while I was lying unconscious, you went from being the weakest Guide everyone looked down on to someone who can actually fight inside a Rift, has a spiritual companion, and is probably already a B-class Guide?"
Ethan rubbed the back of his neck. "When you say it like that, it sounds a little crazy."
"It is crazy."
Rin’s face slowly broke into a grin.
"So does that mean you’ll be the one taking care of me now?"
Ethan laughed. "If you need me to, then of course."
"I’ll need you."
Ethan shook his head, smiling. "Then I’ll take care of you. If need be, I’ll do anything for you, Rin."
The words came out naturally.
There was no hesitation behind them because Rin was his best friend, and after everything that had happened, Ethan didn’t need a second reason to make that promise.
Rin went quiet. Then something seemed to click in his mind.
"Oh."
Ethan looked at him. "What?"
Rin’s expression softened. "There was something else I heard while I was unconscious."
"What is it?"
Rin swallowed, his voice quieter now. "When everything happened, you were the one who saved my life."
"Rin—"
"No, let me say it." Rin reached out and pulled Ethan into a hug. "Thank you."
Ethan froze for a second before relaxing into the embrace. "You’re my best friend, idiot. Of course I’d save you."
Rin laughed softly against his shoulder. "You really are a damn good friend."
They stayed like that for a moment before Ethan eventually pulled away.
His gaze drifted toward Lumi. It was getting late, and Rin clearly needed to rest.
Ethan knew he should leave and let him recover properly, but there was one small problem.
Lumi still had absolutely no intention of leaving Rin’s side.
"Lumi," Ethan called.
The fluffy creature ignored him.
"Come on, it’s time to go."
Nothing.
"Lumi." Ethan sighed. "I’m sorry, okay?"
Lumi’s ears twitched.
"I didn’t mean to make you upset."
She looked at him briefly before turning back toward Rin.
"I know you like Rin, but you can’t just abandon me for him."
Lumi’s glow dimmed slightly.
Ethan almost laughed.
"You’re seriously holding a grudge?"
Lumi turned her head away.
"Okay, okay. I’ll make it up to you."
Ethan thought for a moment. Then an idea came to him.
He smiled.
"Come on, Lumi. If you come with me now, I promise I’ll never ever deny you again."
Both of Lumi’s ears instantly perked up and her entire body began glowing.
Ethan raised an eyebrow, the next second Lumi floated up from Rin’s arms almost immediately.
Rin stared at her as he laughed "You traitor. You abandoned me that quickly?"
Ethan smiled triumphantly. "That’s what happens when you know how to negotiate."
Lumi ignored him and happily drifted toward Ethan. He caught her gently, shaking his head with a laugh. "So that’s what it takes to convince you."
Lumi gave a tiny chirp and Ethan laughed more.
"Come on." He gave Rin one last look. Before muttering "Get some rest."
"I will Mum."
After saying his goodbyes to Rin and reminding him to rest properly, Ethan finally left the ward with Lumi following closely behind.
Once he returned to his dorm room, however, his excitement from earlier slowly returned.
There was something far more important he needed to check.
His Mental Sea.
If he had truly absorbed that much purified spiritual energy inside the Rift, then he needed to see exactly what had changed.
Ethan closed the door behind him, walked toward his bed, and sat down.
His expression became serious as he prepared himself.
Whatever had happened inside the Rift had changed him.
And now, for the first time, he was finally going to see just how much.