32 An Apology
Selma Payne’s POV:
What he said was the last straw. I glared at him angrily. “Don’t you regret it later!”
In fact, I knew that I couldn’t win against an experienced warrior, but I just needed to stall for time. However, I didn’t have time to resist and was overpowered by him again. He held my hands with one hand and wrapped the other around my waist. I almost leaned into his arms.
“Selma, you’re not ready yet.”
He whispered in my ear. I suddenly realized that our current position would make anyone who saw us suspect that there was some overly intimate relationship between us, especially when he still had a girl in his heart that he couldn’t get. Our current position was inappropriate, so I quickly burrowed into his embrace.
“Again!”
He looked at me helplessly and indulgently. “No matter how many times we try, it would end up like this. I know you’re working hard, but you still need to learn more about combat.”
I’d recently received much praise from the teacher in combat class, but here he was, claiming I wasn’t qualified enough. I angrily threw a punch at him, but he easily dodged it. Finally, he put me on his shoulder, and I was shocked. I struggled. “What are you doing? Quickly put me down!”
“Selma, you are the most talented person I’ve ever met in this area, but it’s still not enough.” He patted my butt lightly as if treating a rebellious child.
My face instantly turned red. “I got an A for all my combat lessons!”
“This is different.” Aldrich stared at my face. “You still don’t realize the essence of battle. Right now, you can play around with your classmates like you’re playing a game. You can be a hero in front of these rookies, but you can’t even win a single move before a real warrior.”
Looking at his serious face, I realized I might have misunderstood him. He was earnest in combat and would never affect his work with his personal emotions.
“But ... It’s precisely because I’m not strong enough that I need more practice!” I said, unwilling to admit defeat.
“My dear Selma,” he said in an aria-like tone. “No matter how many times you repeat a mistake, it will always be a mistake. You need the right attitude and practice, not the wrong attitude, and treat it like a treasure.
“Let’s do it again. I’ll let you have your way.”
I got into a position. This time, he let me have my way as promised, but it was challenging no matter how I reacted. I was always close to touching him, and I was always close to hitting him.
“How do you feel now?” Aldrich stopped in time and lowered his head to look at my face.
“I... Don’t know. I’m always close,” I answered hesitantly, completely forgetting that I was angry with him today.
“Because you’re always lacking a little, lacking here and there. You always think you’ve done well enough when you’re sparring with your classmates, but when it comes to real battles, you’re always lacking a little. In a life-and-death battle, this little bit of lacking will cost you a terrible price.”
I stood before him, feeling as if I had become incomparably small. Furthermore, I felt apprehensive and fearful. I had never thought I would feel such emotions from a friend I liked. However, the truth was right in front of me. If we were enemies at this moment, I would have lost my armor by now.
“Let’s do it again. I’ll use my full strength,” I begged him.
This time, he subdued me in one move. I didn’t even have the strength to resist. I could only watch everything happen.
“Raise your head and look at me,” Aldrich said solemnly. “Are you afraid of this? It’s not scary to lose. Raise your head, see who your enemy is, and defeat him ruthlessly.”
He had completely seen through my cowardice. The moment we started fighting, I felt like I was facing a mountain that I would never be able to cross.
Aldrich didn’t say anything more but sighed and sat on the bench.
The anger in my heart had completely disappeared and was replaced by an apologetic feeling. He was thinking for my sake, but I had treated him like this. If he hadn’t taken the initiative to come looking for me, I would have single-handedly destroyed our beautiful weekends.
“I’m sorry,” I said. I caught up with him and said in a low voice. These words seemed to be ignited by fire, burning my throat. I forced myself to apologize. This was a great test for me, but when I thought of the harm I had caused him, this embarrassment disappeared instantly. I must obtain his forgiveness. Otherwise, it would be difficult for me to let myself go.
A strong wind suddenly blew in the garden. My hair was blown all over the place by the wind. The flower petals were swept up by the wind and scattered all over the ground. I felt that all my senses were infinitely magnified at this moment.
Aldrich looked at me without saying a word. He smiled faintly – a smile different from before.