Chapter 236: Entertainment
Walking along the lonely forest path, Luke gradually found himself growing bored.
No beasts had approached them so far, and since he had instructed Synthia to remain silent unless necessary, there was little to occupy his mind besides the journey itself.
Not that he was strolling leisurely.
His pace remained brisk, yet carefully controlled. Every step was measured to prevent too much water from sloshing inside the container. He balanced the tank with practiced precision, ensuring Synthia wouldn’t be tossed around unnecessarily.
’Hmm, let’s see...’
Activating Echolocation, Luke scanned the surrounding area.
As expected, there weren’t any large beasts nearby.
With that reassurance, he finally spoke.
"Synthia, can you tell me something?"
She hummed from inside the container, clearly puzzled by the sudden question.
A moment later, she peeked her head out and glanced around.
The forest remained quiet.
There was no danger in sight.
"Can I respond?" she asked cautiously.
Luke chuckled.
"Yeah, that’s why I asked. Don’t worry, nothing’s going to attack us for the time being."
He adjusted the ropes on his shoulder before continuing.
"Tell me about your people. Or where you come from."
Synthia curled her fingers around the rim of the container to steady herself.
"Our race is widely known as demi-humans," she began. "Though we don’t particularly like being associated with humans."
That immediately piqued Luke’s curiosity.
"Do you hate humans?"
Synthia smiled.
A small, genuine smile.
"Not after meeting you."
Luke glanced over his shoulder.
That expression...
For a brief moment, he had the strange urge to stop walking and pinch her cheeks.
Fortunately, he managed to restrain himself.
"Anyway," he said, clearing his throat, "tell me about the humans you’ve met before. Or at least the ones you’ve heard about from your elders."
"I’ve only seen once before," Synthia replied. "And I’ll tell you this, they were nothing like you."
Her expression wrinkled slightly.
"They were rather savage. Always pursuing their own interests without regard for anyone else."
She paused before adding,
"And among all races, humans are known for being especially treacherous."
Luke let out an amused snicker.
"That does sound like us."
Human greed.
Human betrayal.
Those were hardly foreign concepts to him.
He wasn’t some righteous saint either.
Most of what he did was for his own benefit, and he had betrayed more than a few people in the past.
Deciding not to dwell on that topic, he asked another question.
"What about your homeland? What’s it like? Where do your people live?"
The change in subject visibly brightened her mood.
Luke could even hear the faint splashes of her tail moving excitedly inside the container.
"There are many societies beneath the sea where our people live," she said. "And do you know something amazing?"
"Hmm?"
"Those cities were built by our ancestors using magic."
That immediately caught Luke’s interest.
"Magic, huh? Tell me more."
Synthia hummed thoughtfully.
"Very few among our race can actually use it. But those who can are treated with immense respect."
"Like nobles?"
"More like our patrons."
Luke raised an eyebrow but let her continue.
"As for their abilities, they can manipulate water at will, tame sea beasts, and even create enormous water sinks."
Her voice carried a hint of pride.
"According to our history, some of those sinks were powerful enough to drag entire carriers beneath the waves."
Luke was genuinely surprised.
From the way Synthia described them, the magic wielders of her race seemed to possess a remarkably high level of sorcery.
Then again, powerful magicians were rare where he came from as well.
"Elves, though..." Synthia suddenly added, sounding thoughtful. "I’ve heard that every single one of them can use magic."
That immediately caught Luke’s attention.
"Really?"
"That’s what the stories say. I’ve also heard that if they truly wished to, they could take over the world."
Luke raised an eyebrow.
"That strong?"
Synthia nodded.
"They are said to be blessed by the World Tree."
"The World Tree?" Luke immediately asked. "Is it some kind of magical tree?"
Synthia shrugged.
"Who knows? But I’ve heard that those who obtain an essence of the World Tree can communicate with the elements themselves."
Luke hummed in surprise.
These elves were beginning to sound far more interesting than he had expected.
As their conversation continued, he steadily made his way through the forest.
The journey passed more quickly with someone to talk to.
Before he realized it, nearly an hour had gone by.
Finally deciding it was time for a break, Luke slowed to a stop beneath a large tree.
Carefully lowering the container onto the ground, he stretched his shoulders and rolled his neck.
Only after ensuring Synthia was comfortable did he sit down beside the tank.
"Haah..."
A long breath escaped his lips as he rested his arms on his folded knees and allowed himself a moment of peace.
Synthia peeked out of the container once again.
This time, her gaze lingered on Luke.
The sweat on his forehead, the weariness in his posture, and the slight heaviness in his breathing made her chest tighten with guilt.
In a quiet voice, she asked,
"I am being a burden, aren’t I?"
Luke immediately shook his head.
"I don’t take responsibility for someone if I think they’ll become a burden."
His answer came without hesitation.
Then he leaned back against the tree and glanced up at the night sky.
"I’ll recover soon enough. As long as the moon is hanging up there, I have an endless battery."
"Bathery?" Synthia tilted her head. "What’s that?"
Luke opened his mouth to answer.
Then stopped.
Instead, he simply stared into her golden eyes.
For a moment, the forest around him seemed to fade into the background.
Those eyes.
That hair.
That innocent curiosity.
...
She really did resemble her.
Averis.
The name surfaced in his mind unbidden, carrying with it memories he rarely allowed himself to revisit.
Just then, a shadow moved among the trees.
Synthia flinched.
A massive beast was approaching through the darkness, its silhouette weaving between the trunks as it steadily closed the distance.
"L-Luke..."
Her voice trembled slightly.
Luke had sensed the creature long before it entered their sight, but his relaxed demeanor made it seem as though he hadn’t noticed it at all.
Slowly, he rose to his feet.
Stretching his arms overhead, he watched the approaching predator with calm, unhurried eyes.
The enormous cat crept forward, seemingly convinced it had concealed its presence.
"Perfect timing," Luke said.
He rolled his shoulders before bending slightly to one side, easing the stiffness from his back.
The beast let out a low growl.
Its crimson eyes gleamed in the darkness as it bared its fangs. Every muscle in its body tightened as it lowered itself into a crouch, preparing to pounce.
Luke merely smiled.
Looking at the predator, he said the same way one might greet a familiar nuisance.
"Well, hello there, kitty."
Then he glanced toward Synthia.
"It’s probably been a long time since you’ve watched someone hunt, right?"
A confident grin appeared on his face.
"Then allow me to entertain you."
The beast lunged.
And what followed was not a hunt.
It wasn’t even a fight.
It was a one-sided annihilation.
••••••
A/N:- Thank you for reading. Chapters with Synthia wouldn’t last long but yes, you would see a massive development.
