Chapter 76: Manifesting Flag
On his way to his therapy counseling, Cillian was feeling in a great mood.
Today was going to be his second day meeting the mysterious man, Arthur, someone he had become interested in learning the secrets behind him and understanding why he had a Death Flag above his head.
Well, primarily because he was studying how his system works, which doesn’t provide any tutorials on using it. It was forced to open when he was in danger, for goodness sake.
Which is why Cillian was also aware of the risk of doing this. That’s why he understood that knowing when to quit was going to be the primary goal of studying his Death Flag System.
Anything below that is to have fun, and he would have fun uncovering Arthur’s true identity. If he found Arthur to be someone worth messing with, he would try to mess with him.
But that’s not the reason Cillian was currently in a great mood.
Cillian found that his Mana Core is beginning to turn not chaotic and organized. He can vividly feel the stable connection he has with his mana core. When he is sure that he’ll be able to force his own mana to move in a perfect orbit to start the Circle Formation, he knows that it will be the right time to attempt the formation.
He will have to continue his progress as is by continuing to train his mana and exhausting himself, but not to the point that he’ll undergo the negative effects of overworking, such as Mana Overload or Mana Drain.
’Patience.’
Cillian mused inwardly as he smiled. The carriage driver called out to him that he had reached Hensel Hospital.
This smile, however, soon died down when he coincidentally met a familiar group of people. Their previous Death Flags already disappeared, as no flags appeared above their heads.
"Oh!"
Kash, Melissa, and Ivy, who were together, spotted Cillian as he stepped down from the carriage and waved at him.
"Hey!"
Cillian’s mood dampened when he saw Kash waving his hand at him with a dashing smile.
He tried to ignore them by immediately turning towards the entrance until Kash caught up to him and placed his arm around his shoulder as if they were two good friends.
"Hey, why are you ignoring us!"
"It’s because of that attitude that I’m ignoring you."
Soon, Ivy and Melissa walked behind them, watching Cillian repeatedly remove Kash’s arm from around him, only for Kash to put his other arm over his shoulders again just to annoy him. It was working wonders.
Ivy gave Cillian a nod while Melissa nudged her glasses with a silent, curious look before asking in an even tone.
"What are you doing here, Cillian?"
Cillian was already thinking that he would be able to meet them eventually since they have the same therapist.
It’s just that, he’s not expecting to meet them after his first session.
’Seriously, on my second day?’
Cillian mused before answering Melissa.
"I’m undergoing therapy. I’ve heard from Arthur that you also come to him for help."
Then, he asked a question.
"Did he do something to you?"
Ivy interjected as she tilted her head, confused about where Cillian was coming from, and calmly retorted.
"We’re also here for counseling, but I guess you heard that from Arthur, as you said. Well, I’m not really that traumatized like that dude beside you, but I was asked by my parents to do the counseling still. Everyone... changed after that time."
Cillian glanced at the group before darting his eyes towards Kash, who appeared to be friendly, but the traces of his arrogance weren’t there anymore. It was his first impression of this noble when he first met him after possessing this body.
But it was all gone now.
Kash might appear positive and friendly, but poor mental health is a scary thing and can be easily covered by appearing strong.
Well, Cillian isn’t a therapist, so he couldn’t determine whether Kash is undergoing a mental breakdown inside or not, but that doesn’t mean he underestimates mental health.
Back in the previous world, depression was rampant, especially among his generation.
Cillian let out a short breath and tapped Kash’s back.
"Dude, just calm down and let whatever is bothering you inside consult with Arthur. I’ve heard that he’s good."
Suddenly, Cillian’s eyebrows creased together as he was able to spot something only his eyes could see.
A flag was manifesting above Kash’s head. It was Cillian’s first time witnessing such a phenomenon, unlike the usual event when they are already there for him to see.
[White Flag]
’What the...’
A white flag appeared above Kash’s head, unlike earlier, when it hadn’t shown anything.
’Did it appear because I’ve said those words to him? Did I just put a fucking threat to this guy?’
Cillian immediately tried to say something to add to his earlier words, seemingly flustered about this development.
"O-of course, it’s okay if you don’t want to! Like, come on, why would you even believe my words? We’re not even friends."
Cillian immediately removed his hand from Kash’s back, which was only meant to encourage him, but somehow became a threat because of a possibility flag appearing above his head.
"All right, I’m out of here."
Cillian left the group as he entered the Hensel Hospital through the arc gate. The group, who were looking at him, couldn’t help but look at each other.
"Why would he go first? We’re going to be all together, right?"
Ivy asked before Kash and Melissa answered simultaneously.
"Dunno."
"I am confused as well."
Soon, they entered Hensel Hospital through the same entrance Cillian used.
...
[White Flag x2]
[Death Flag x1]
Cillian, whose eyes were closed, continued activating his Nearby Flag Presence as he sat cross-legged, just like the others around him who had taken the same stance.
All of them are meditating. Their backs straight, their arms relaxed, and their eyes closed as they listened to Arthur, who continued talking in the middle of them as they encircled him.
The whole group was silent as they listened to him.
’So this is the reason Arthur openly told me about the main cast of the novel being his patients. It’s because we’re going to have group fucking sessions?!’
Cillian wasn’t informed about this.
The patients are probably informed through their parents and guardians, as they are only tasked to attend the sessions meant for them.
Besides, whatever grand idea Arthur had for doing this, would a group session even work to improve everyone’s poor mental health?
Cillian didn’t know.
Eventually, Arthur reached the end of his teachings.
"What troubles you is not always the burden, but your refusal to set it down. Peace is achieved when all contradictions are removed. A troubled mind is a divided mind. Become whole. May my fears become silent. May my thoughts become clear. May my heart become still."
Arthur paused.
"Remember these words very well, and you may find your troubled mind to be at peace."
He then clasped his hands together and smiled.
"Everyone, open your eyes. We have one more activity to do."
Cillian and the rest of the people inside the consultant room opened their eyes and looked at Arthur.
"Our next activity is getting to know each other. I’ll be grouping you up next. Get ready, okay?"
Group activity.
One of the things Cillian hated the most.
By the looks of it, this day wasn’t going to be done just yet.
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