Chapter 233: Chapter 233 - Memorial?
Theo spent the next hour experimenting with the Water Body ability.
Each activation made his stomach churn, yet the strange sensation became a little easier to endure every time.
He discovered that the transformation consumed an enormous amount of mana, making it impossible to maintain for long.
Even so, the more he practiced, the less panicked he became when his body dissolved into flowing water.
’It’s still disgusting,’ he thought after canceling the ability for the fifth time. ’But... I suppose that’s something I can get used to.’
The nicest part, as he had already expected, was that he couldn’t really be harmed while in that state.
If a sword sliced through his body, the water would simply mend back together.
Even water droplets that had fallen to the ground were sucked back up.
’That part is worse than hell,’ he thought, sitting down exhausted. ’Each drop of water is connected to my senses, overloading my brain like crazy.’
In any case, the Water Body ability was really unique.
It really made him think.
’What if a mace scattered my water body everywhere? Or a spell blasted through it? Would it still come back together?’
’Also, how fire resistant is this water? What about lightning? Would that still damage me?’
No part of him wished to find any of that out, though.
At least... not now.
With little mana left to test, Theo stored the umbrella inside his system space before collapsing onto his bed.
Only a minute later, he was sound asleep.
...
Early the next morning, sunlight shone through the massive windows of his mansion.
Theo had barely climbed out of bed when his phone vibrated on the bedside table.
Picking it up, he saw Owen’s name on the screen.
’’Can we meet for a bit?’’ the message read. ’’I have something important to tell you.’’
Theo raised an eyebrow.
’’And I was just about to call him,’’ he muttered, scratching his head.
Without hesitation, he agreed to meet up with his best friend.
Only an hour later, Theo pushed open the door to a small café.
Owen was already sitting near the window, quietly staring outside.
The moment Theo saw him, he noticed something was different.
Dark circles lingered beneath Owen’s eyes, and the usual smile he always wore was nowhere to be found.
’He looks tired,’ he thought, his eyes narrowing. ’Did something really happen?’
Theo sat down across from him right away.
"You alright?" he asked.
Owen remained silent for several seconds before letting out a slow breath.
’’Yes and no,’’ he answered quietly. ’’There’s a funeral tomorrow.’’
For a moment, Theo’s heart dropped.
’’What? Whose?’’ he asked seriously.
"Joop’s..." Owen said, his voice even quieter. "They’re holding his funeral tomorrow."
He paused before continuing.
"After that... there’s going to be a memorial for everyone who died in our city."
Theo opened his mouth, but slowly closed it without saying a word.
A heavy silence hung between them for a moment.
With everything that had happened one thing after another, Theo had completely pushed the disaster into a corner of his mind.
After all, it had only been a few weeks since then, and he’d forced himself to train, fight, and grow stronger as quickly as possible.
But in truth, neither of them had forgotten a single moment from inside the city.
’’So, I wanted to ask...’’ Owen continued, his gaze lowering. ’’Would you come with me and Adrian?’’
Theo didn’t even need a second to think.
’’Of course,’’ he said. ’’I wasn’t planning on missing it.’’
Owen let out a slow breath, the tension in his shoulders easing ever so slightly.
’’Thanks,’’ he said quietly. ’’I figured you’d say yes, but... I still wanted to ask.’’
Nodding slowly, Theo glanced down for a second.
’’When do we leave?’’ he asked.
’’Eight tomorrow morning,’’ Owen replied. ’’The memorial starts at two in the afternoon in the hills near our city.’’
Both of them fell silent for several long seconds.
Being reminded of the incident, a wave of memories rushed through Theo’s mind.
Whether it was Joop, Alia, or David... each had given their lives to protect him and countless others.
For a moment, Theo bit down on his lip, his heart sinking.
’David’s family might be there,’ he thought, closing his eyes. ’Can I really face them... again?’
Delivering the news that day was still crystal clear in his mind. Maybe even more so than the entire disaster itself.
After a moment, Theo forcefully pushed the memories aside.
Looking up at Owen, he found his best friend had likely done the same.
’’Let’s change the topic,’’ Theo said, forcing a smile. ’’How’s your training been?’’
’’Meh,’’ Owen replied, waving his hand. ’’It’s been pretty on and off.’’
Before long, the terrible mood had vanished.
They chatted about everything they’d been doing over the past few days, even suggesting another hunter trip before long.
Before they knew it, more than two hours had passed.
As they stepped out of the café together, they exchanged a few final words before heading in different directions.
Theo watched Owen disappear into the crowd for a moment before turning around himself.
’I’ve still got the rest of the day,’ he thought. ’Might as well make the most of it.’
Theo didn’t head home right away.
Instead, he wandered through local shopping markets, collecting food, water, and other groceries for his spatial ring.
Right after that, he followed up with general hunter supplies, camping gear, and even some additional cheap combat equipment.
Finally, he went straight back home and continued training his for the rest of the day.
’That’s enough,’ he thought, cancelling the lightning running through his body.
After completely exhausting himself, Theo stumbled into the shower, his thoughts filled with the upcoming day.
Finally, after showering, he went straight to bed and set an early alarm before closing his eyes.
Thanks to the ability that allowed him to sleep whenever he wanted, he quickly fell asleep without being bothered by his thoughts.
Unbeknownst to him, however, the memorial wouldn’t be anything like he expected.
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