Seed of Titan-Chapter 92: Breaking Up

"What’s the matter?" Drai asked Jian, who had been staring at him.

Jian flinched and immediately shifted his gaze. He actually felt a bit embarrassed for still envying Drai, but he was able to brush it off quickly by blaming his class, as he believed it had significantly affected his current disposition.

"Nothing. I was just thinking about something," Jian replied.

"Oh, okay."

At this moment, Christo walked past the duo and approached the dome. He then inspected the dark red wall that was blocking their access, touching different parts of it as he moved around.

"I’ve never seen this kind of barrier before," Christo commented after he was done with his inspection. "It doesn’t seem that sturdy, so there’s a possibility that it works by dispersing external force rather than withstanding it directly."

Drai scratched his head upon hearing Christo’s words, wondering if he could actually breach the dome if he changed his approach and concentrated his force into a single point. Unfortunately, he couldn’t try this out since he was still waiting for his cooldown to reset.

Jian also had an urge to try cutting the barrier open, but he decided not to, as he was quite sure that he wouldn’t be able to do anything against something that could withstand Drai’s giant punch.

"So, do you want to go in now or later, Drai?" Christo eventually asked.

Drai looked at his cooldown timer and saw that there’s still more than thirty minutes left.

"I’m not sure," Drai replied. "I still can’t use my skill for another half an hour, so I won’t be able to win against the robed guys, especially if the ones inside are stronger than our professors."

"True. We’ll just be giving up ourselves if we go in right now unless we let Liam handle all the intruders. But that isn’t good too since if they gang up on us, they can end up taking us hostage to deter Liam, just like what Donk did against Drai," Christo said.

While Drai and Christo were pondering what to do about the situation, Jian suddenly spoke up.

"Guys... To be honest, I don’t want to go in there at all."

Jian’s words made Drai and Christo turn their heads, each of them showing different expressions.

Drai, who was looking worried, immediately asked, "Why? You know we should check up on Professor Ravi in case he’s really the person that the robed guys are trying to kidnap."

Hearing Drai’s reasoning, Jian couldn’t help but shake his head.

"That’s your own business, Drai, not mine. Maybe it would be different if I had met the professor before this incident. But seeing that I only got to know him better through your stories, why would I risk my life for someone who’s basically a stranger?"

Although Jian’s words sounded rather harsh, Drai still tried to persuade him.

"Come on, it’s just a quick look. Maybe I’m wrong and the professor is actually fine. And if we’re extra careful on our way there, we might be able to avoid fighting these guys."

"And stop automatically assuming that we’re on the same level. At least you can fight properly after your cooldown is finished. But look at me—I couldn’t even win against that crazy bastard earlier who was assigned to capture us first-years! How do you expect me to fare against the ones who are supposed to capture a professor!? If a fight occurs, you might be able to run away or even beat your opponents, but it would only take a few seconds for them to finish me off!

Jian’s tone turned furious as all his pent-up emotions spilled out.

"And this doesn’t only apply to me! If Christo didn’t have Liam beside him, do you think he would happily accompany you all the way here with all these dangerous fuckers around? Would you even feel regretful if both of our necks had been broken by the dumbass earlier? I know you’re confident in your strength, but at least be considerate to us weaklings and think about the danger you’re putting us in!"

Jian’s chest heaved. His expression was a mixture of anger and sorrow. Before this, he was still able to maintain his carefree attitude despite all the happenings. But sadly, the bravado that was preventing him from breaking down was finally torn apart.

Meanwhile, Drai was stunned. Due to Jian’s words, he finally realized that he had gotten carried away by the turn of events and his own strength. Since he had easily defeated the intruders, the feeling of danger from this invasion had almost completely subsided within him.

Suddenly, Drai felt a hand patting his shoulder. He glanced at the owner and saw that it was Christo.

"Jian is right. You’ve been quite complacent, Drai," Christo said. He was neither angry nor smiling.

"I... I’m sorry," Drai quietly apologized, his head dropping in dismay and guilt.

"It’s alright, Drai. As evolvers, we’re barely a few months old. It takes time getting used to our powers, and especially so in your case, since you have managed to develop so much in such a short amount of time," Christo reassured.

An angry snort suddenly sounded from Jian.

"That’s the problem with you, Christo—you’re always taking Drai’s side even when he’s in the wrong. When have you ever defended my actions like that? What I get is usually ’Jian, don’t do that,’ or, ’Jian, you must understand...’ It’s always Jian this, Jian that. I wonder if you even consider me a friend."

Hearing these words, Christo removed his hand from Drai’s shoulder and faced Jian, looking at him sternly.

"Don’t go too far, Jian. What Drai had done tonight is totally different from your usual shenanigans," Christo reprimanded.

Jian immediately snickered. "See? When I’m at fault, you call it shenanigans. But when Drai’s at fault, it’s an honest mistake. How could you not see your double standards, Mr. Rational?"

Christo frowned as he replied, "Like I said, it’s different. In your case—"

"Whatever!" Jian interjected. "I’m done here. Your sorry asses can go inside for all I care." He then turned around and began walking away.

"Where are you going, Jian?!" Drai asked worriedly.

Jian glanced at Drai’s worried face for a second before saying, "To the girls’ dorm."