A chill slithered down my spine as I stared at the wax tablet in Callister’s hand. This felt like that horror movie trope – you know, where the creepy doll you swore you destroyed mysteriously reappears. Except this wasn’t a doll, it was that damn wax tablet. And it was back.
You expect me to accept a blessing from a god convicted of treason? A god currently serving his sentence? Are you out of your mind?
I can’t imagine a faster way to utterly destroy my life.
Nope, not happening. Not in a million years.
Huh? The Research Director?
Why on earth would the Research Director be here of all places?
[Meaning... Yes, that’s it! Meaning arises from difference. Information is born from these ‘differences’ and distinctions. If we filter out the meaningless and retain only that which holds significance...]
What did Athanas realize?
Is Callister dangerous? Should I be worried about what he might find out?
I couldn’t resist sneaking a peek at Callister, only to catch him staring right back, eyes locked on us like a hawk.
We finally made it to the math room, which was about as big as a lecture hall that could fit around 150 people. One wall was covered in black spotted slate, being used as a giant blackboard. People were scurrying up and down ladders, scribbling or erasing stuff on that slate. And there, in a prominent spot, was the exact solution I’d seen on the wax tablet earlier.
Let’s take a deep breath and think this through logically.
Sure, the person who brought up this single stroke problem is definitely a ‘player’, but that doesn’t mean Fabio’s automatically one too.
Maybe ‘Fabio’ just stumbled across the problem somewhere and thought it’d be a good idea to write it down!
…So, are you saying that if I keep landing myself in these perilous situations, you won’t even pretend to hear me out the next time I claim I’ve got it under control?
He can’t even say who he made the promise to?
I racked my brain, trying to piece together the clues buried in Athanas’ cryptic silence.
Just a few hours ago, when he handed me the reliquary, he wasn’t this haggard.
What could have happened in such a short time?
Isn’t there usually a satisfying *Ding!* when you acquire a new skill in a game? I could’ve sworn that in Conclude, every time the cult leader unit gained an ability, that iconic sound would ring out.
Athanas does have some romantic comedy heroine-like qualities - at least, based on this totally made-up setting.
It roughly goes like this:
Athanasia is this insanely talented holy knight who pretty much makes everyone else green with envy. Her only sanctuary from the relentless admiration and jealousy is an old, deserted library where none of her classmates ever step foot in.
“Why won’t you use it?” he finally managed, his face twisted with confusion. “Was this our last chance?”
Fabio’s labored breathing filled the room, each ragged gasp ripping through the silence like a jagged knife. The scent of blood hung thick in the air, its coppery tang assaulting Athanas’ senses and causing his stomach to churn.