Upon leaving the prison, they made their way to the inn where Aria and her uncle would drop Ethan off. His heart swelled with gratitude toward both of them.
They traveled in an opulent horse carriage, its luxurious interior offsetting the occasional bumps in the road. Aria's lively chatter kept him engaged, her long silvery hair flowing behind her in the breeze.
Aria and her uncle bore a striking resemblance to each other—their build, eyebrows, and even their smiles were almost identical. Their shared silver hair further emphasized their kinship.
However, her uncle's demeanor toward Ethan was far less warm than Aria's. He observed their interaction with a cold, disapproving gaze, clearly uncomfortable with their closeness. Nevertheless, Ethan's gratitude remained steadfast despite the uncle's stern demeanor.
After a little more than an hour, they reached their destination, where they would part ways.
"Aria, I'm very sorry for refusing your help earlier. Thank you so much. I will never forget your kindness," Ethan said sincerely, looking directly into her eyes.
Aria frowned slightly. "Ethan... that again... Am I no friend to you?" She seemed down as she said that.
"Uh, yes, yes, of course we are friends!" Ethan replied, flustered, not wanting to upset her once again.
Aria revealed a soft smile after hearing his reply.
"Hey, boy, come here," her uncle called out from a distance, impatience evident in his voice.
Ethan hurriedly left Aria to hear what he had to say. From his expression, he could guess it wouldn't be anything good.
Aria stayed where she was, pouting. Her uncle had interrupted their conversation, but she couldn't complain. She had to beg him to help Ethan since her parents had refused outright, insisting she shouldn't associate with commoners, let alone use their precious resources to help one. Fortunately, her uncle had agreed after much persuasion.
"Thank you so much for your help, sir. I am really grateful," Ethan said to her uncle, trying to convey his earnestness through his tone and posture.
"Yeah, yeah," he dismissed Ethan with a wave of his hand, annoyance clear in his voice. "Listen, boy, you should thank my niece. You have no idea how much she had to plead with her parents for your sake. They were furious—all because of you."
As Ethan listened, guilt gnawed at him for the trouble Aria had endured. Her genuine efforts had stirred unfamiliar emotions within him. Was this how close friends felt for each other? He wasn't sure, but he knew he owed her more than just gratitude.
But then her uncle's expression darkened, and his next words made Ethan's mood turned sour.
"Listen, boy, don't try to get closer to Aria. Otherwise, you wouldn't know how you even died. No one would ever accept a romantic relationship between you two because you're just a commoner."
His cold, piercing gaze bore into Ethan as he continued. "Don't ignore my advice, Ethan. Don't make trouble for Aria. It won't be good for anybody. With your meager power, you wouldn't be able to protect yourself, let alone Aria."
Frustration grew within Ethan as he listened to her uncle's condescending words. Are commoners not human? Although he didn't know if he had fallen for Aria, he disliked their belittling attitude.
Perhaps, social classe exists in every worlds. Earth was divided by money and this one was by only sheer power.
Aria and he hadn't even touched hands, let alone any relationship. The thought of a relationship hadn't crossed his mind yet. But he had started to feel closer to her, that was all.
Her uncle continued, "Aria's marriage has already been arranged, though she doesn't know it yet. So, don't get your hopes up. The other party is much more powerful than you can imagine."
"Okay, I've said my piece. Now, you need to decide for yourself, boy."
Saying that, he gripped Ethan's shoulder with overwhelming force, causing his joints to crack. From this, Ethan knew he was a true monster. He couldn't even gauge his strength using his [Appraisal] skill.
Afterward, her uncle released his shoulder and gave Ethan one last warning look. His sharp eyes left Ethan breathless.
Ethan clenched his fists, frustration boiling within him. He hadn't even been in this world for a week, yet it had already shown him there is no peace without power.
If he had enough power today, they wouldn't have dared to look down on him. Power… he wanted more power than ever. He desired overwhelming strength to pave his path forward without hindrances. He would gather enough power to turn this world upside down.
As Ethan stood alone in the silent evening, his determination soared. The setting sun cast long shadows, mirroring the resolve growing within him.
This world would learn to respect him, not for who he was, but for the power he would wield. No longer would he be the one looked down upon—he would rise above them all.
---
Aria and her uncle set off on their journey, crossing the noble district with its towering buildings and extravagant luxuries. The area was a showcase of opulence, with houses and villas designed in a grand European royal style—ornate facades, intricate ironwork, and manicured gardens all spoke of an elite society that was worlds apart from the common folk.
Inside their plush carriage, Aria turned to her uncle with curiosity. "So, Uncle, what did you talk with Ethan about?"
Her uncle dismissed the question with a casual shrug. "Uh, nothing much. Just some routine advice. I reminded him how to stay safe, that's all."
"Is that so?" Aria's tone was light, though her eyes betrayed a hint of concern. She accepted his answer without further question, not knowing that her uncle's seemingly benign words had only ignited a fierce determination within Ethan.
As the carriage rolled smoothly over the cobblestone streets, the rhythmic clatter of hooves provided a steady backdrop to their conversation. The golden light of the setting sun bathed the district in a warm glow, casting long shadows across the luxurious surroundings.
Aria looked out the window, her mind wandering back to Ethan and the troubled expression she had seen in his eyes.