Return Of The Strongest Player

"Where are you going this early in the morning?" Caroline asked in a drowsy voice. One of her eyes was closed, and she was barely holding herself up with her core while in a crunch position on her bed.

It was a weekend, which meant there were no classes. Right at dawn, Arthur crawled out of bed before getting ready. When he turned on the lights of the room, Caroline stirred from her sleep, which resulted in the current situation.

Arthur was dressed in a casual T-shirt and jeans, with a scabbard strapped to his waist.

"I was craving a cake, actually," replied Arthur. "You want me to bring some for you? I'll probably have extra…"

"Cake…" Caroline muttered, licking her lips unconsciously. Watching her unsightly behavior, Arthur couldn't help but let out a chuckle. It was truly comical that a well-maintained lady was displaying such behavior. "Yum… bring me some."

Arthur nodded before quickly turning off the lights. Gary and Evan were deep sleepers… but they also snored quite a lot.

Exiting the dorms, Arthur walked across the school campus.

He hadn't seen Lily in months, and the crimson-eyed man was missing her. He recalled the specific cake she bought when their family first moved to Arcadia… it seemed so distant, although it wasn't.

'I should get that cake,' thought Arthur. When he first tried it, the cake wasn't that tasty. However, Lily loved it, so he decided to give it a second chance, just in case it was a rough diamond in the soil.

In reality, the cake was simply something that diverted his attention from a certain topic that involved morality…

Should he disclose the information Jake offered him or not?

Morally speaking, the act would be utter blasphemy and treason. He would be demolishing Jake's trust by using the information for his personal gain. Moreover, Jake's family would be destroyed if that happened.

However, selfishly speaking, it was a jackpot; a goldmine of sorts. Revealing the information would surely benefit Arthur.

Strictly speaking, Arthur wasn't one to acknowledge morals. But in several years, Jake was his first… friend. In Heaven's Spire, he had allies, troops, underlings, subordinates, superiors (at first), and so on.

But never a friend.

He had already lost his family due to his own mistake… losing a friend would not sit well with him. He would simply be returning to his former lifestyle if that happened. His regression would be wasted, as he wouldn't be rectifying his errors, but reliving them.

'Fuck…'

It was a dilemma.

*

Arriving at the cakeshop, he recalled the incidents of a few months ago. This was where the downward spiral began. Due to his protectiveness towards Lily, Arthur sliced a mere child's fingers…

Although, he could still justify his actions.

But many wouldn't understand. Humans tend to view one side of the story, and judge using emotions rather than logic. If in a court hearing, Arthur was to justify his actions, it would be quite difficult.

Not due to a lack of evidence or morals, but due to the inability of humans to release all of their emotions and simply view something through logic. If a man was faced against a child, the latter was almost certain to win every time.

Because of sympathy.

Since the man had lived longer, he must be in the wrong, right? The child is so angelic!

Wrong!

Jamie was the one who pushed Lily first. Arthur still couldn't figure out why exactly the child committed such an act for no particular reason. It wasn't like his sister was bugging the child… as he witnessed the entire scene.

Swing!

Opening the door and shoving his thoughts to the back of his mind, Arthur entered the cake shop. Immediately, he was greeted by the pleasant fragrances of chocolate, vanilla, pineapple and several other flavors.

But he was interested in a single one.

The one with the red frosting, the velvet cake…

"Arthur?" A voice suddenly entered the crimson-eyed man's ears, and he turned around. His eyes widened as he saw the person who'd spoken his name. "Jake? You like sweets and stuff?"

"I should be asking you that question," said Jake, letting out a lighthearted chuckle. Suddenly, a little girl tugged on his shirt. "Oh, right, he wants me to introduce him. Arthur, he's Sam, my little cousin."

"Hey, Sam," greeted Arthur, bending down a little before mustering the best, innocent smile he could.

"You look terrifying."

"Shut up."

Suddenly, Sam giggled playfully before approaching the crimson-eyed man with glittering eyes. "You're funny! I like you!"

Jake picked Sam up before placing him on his shoulder. He then cast a glance at Arthur, smiling playfully. "Sam, I don't think Arthur would be a good influence on you. He's a bad man, okay? Repeat after me. Arthur is bad man."

"Arthur is bad man," said Sam, giggling.

"And here I thought he actually liked me," said Arthur, letting out a sigh. He then caressed Sam's cheek. "Well, I already have a bad reputation. One more hater isn't going to make a difference. I'll make you regret it, Sam."

"So ominous," said Jake, watching Sam giggle at Arthur's remark.

"Yeah, well, deal with it," said Arthur, heading towards the counter. He quickly bought the velvet cake, packing it in a white box with the shop's label printed atop it. Holding the box, he prepared to leave.

"Arthur is not bad man."

Sam's voice entered his ears, but the crimson-eyed man didn't turn around.

He continued walking, heading towards the dorms. The matter he attempted to divert his attention from had struck him in the face. It was truly unfortunate, but also couldn't be helped. Arthur had made a decision.

Some might refer to him as soft or docile, but he truly did not care. He regressed and swore to rectify his mistakes, not allow them to happen again. He would be merciless when needed… but it wasn't currently needed.

Jake was his first friend…

The benefits of keeping the information to himself outweighed those of disclosing it.