Chapter 45: Waste

After Roy delivered his harsh words, he seemed unwilling to linger any longer, snorting coldly before turning and leaving.

Only Li Xian and Karinya remained in the room.

After a brief silence, the atmosphere gradually grew awkward.

Especially with Roy’s earlier misunderstanding, the tension between them only deepened.

Finally, just as Li Xian was thinking about Sara still waiting for him and pondering how to break the silence, Karinya spoke first.

“Thank you, sir, for stepping in to help.” 

Her mood seemed to calm a bit, regaining the composure of a refined young lady as she slightly bowed to Li Xian in gratitude.

“No, it’s nothing…” Li Xian waved his hand, forcing a wry smile.

“About what happened that day, it really wasn’t intentional. Sorry.”

The moment he mentioned it, Karinya’s face flushed red again, and she grew a little shy, her expression mixed with embarrassment and frustration, though she couldn’t bring herself to say it outright.

“By the way, that person just now… who exactly was he?” Li Xian sensed something was off, realizing he had said the wrong thing and quickly tried to change the subject.

“As for that person…” Karinya pressed her lips together, her expression turning serious.

“Sigh…” After a long pause, she let out a deep sigh.

“Although I’m grateful to you, sir, helping me this time may have brought about some serious trouble.”

“What do you mean?” Li Xian raised an eyebrow.

So it really was going this way?

That person’s identity wasn’t simple—there had to be some background involved.

“What he said just now wasn’t a joke,” Karinya’s smile grew bitter.

“He really is the type to do those things. I know him very well.”

“He’s your fiancé?” Li Xian asked bluntly.

“You heard that?” Karinya didn’t seem surprised.

“Although I don’t want to admit it, this engagement was arranged by my grandfather when I was still a child.”

Such things did happen.

This was a magical world, after all, not like the free love over there.

Even in the old world, many faced restrictions on their relationships.

But in a world governed by the law of the jungle, it was even more pronounced.

“So you want to cancel the engagement?” Li Xian didn’t bother discussing what Roy had said earlier—it was just a joke to him.

No matter how powerful someone was, it couldn’t surpass his fists.

Compared to that, he was more interested in the full story, since the information he’d gotten was so fragmented he couldn’t piece anything coherent together.

It was frustrating.

“Well…” Karinya seemed reluctant to say more on the subject, nervously clasping her hands in front of her.

“By the way, we haven’t been formally introduced. I’m Karinya. May I ask your name, sir…?”

“I’m Li Xian,” he answered.

Though he was curious, since she wasn’t willing to speak further, he didn’t press.

“Mr. Li Xian…?” Karinya nodded, then smiled softly.

“Thank you again for your help. As for that person… you need not worry too much. I will find a way and won’t let this drag you into trouble.”

Li Xian frowned slightly.

It seemed the young lady before him planned to bear all the burden alone, unwilling to let him get involved.

While this was kind and responsible, it also meant distancing herself.

Her increasingly formal mannerisms and smiles made that clear.

That was understandable.

They hadn’t even met before, were strangers to each other, and on top of that, there was an unpleasant history between them.

Even though he had saved her once, it was merely gratitude and a debt to be repaid someday.

Li Xian didn’t mind.

He wasn’t close to her in the first place, and after what had happened, he had some complicated feelings.

Plus, he simply couldn’t stand seeing such pitiful behavior, so he intervened.

Now that she said he didn’t need to worry, he naturally wouldn’t dwell on it.

Whatever consequences came, they were her choice, not his concern.

“If that’s the case, then we’ll part here. It’s getting late, and others are waiting for me…” 

With that, Li Xian turned and left, not bothering to go downstairs but instead jumping out the window directly.

Only Karinya remained in the room, staring blankly at the broken window.

After a long while, she collapsed to the ground, clutching her knees and crying bitterly.

Today’s test had not gone well.

Her talent still fell just short of acceptable.

If not for the examiner’s consideration of her identity, she would have been outright failed.

She wasn’t surprised by the result.

She had known for a long time—since she was barely able to remember.

It had been etched into her mind, haunting her for over ten years, right up to this moment.

She was a waste.

A talent so ordinary that in a family like hers, she was nothing but a complete failure, laughed at by everyone.

Everyone knew the Empire’s top mage, magnificent and unmatched, the pillar of the entire Empire.

A tiger father would never have a dog son.

The Grand Magus’s son was also a renowned Ace Mage, Mark, who had once shone as brightly as his master.

Unfortunately, he died young, a loss that had caused many to sigh in regret.

But?

The heir of the top mage and the ace mage was a waste.

Hah…

She quickly wiped away her tears.

She knew she didn’t deserve to cry.

No one cared whether she cried or not.

Since she had no talent, the least she could do was be a graceful and elegant young lady, marry a good husband, and quietly tend to the household and raise children.

That would at least be a small contribution to the Empire.

Her grandfather had long paved the way.

All she needed to do was be an obedient granddaughter, marry well, and marry someone with talent.

From childhood, this was how her value had been defined.

Unfortunately, she was rebellious—or at least, that was how her grandfather saw it.

She had her own dreams.

Even if her talent was lacking, she believed there must be something she could do…

She held on to that belief firmly, willing to risk everything for a chance to try.

But reality’s answer was only harsher blows.

She was just a waste, a complete failure, with no right to prove herself.

They wanted to crush her illusions—and it was far too easy.

Far too easy…

Standing up, wiping away the tears, she returned to a calm expression.

There were many things waiting for her at the tavern.

Besides…

She wouldn’t allow anyone to be dragged down by her, no matter the cost she would face.