Super Righteous Player
Chapter 993 - 51: Hatred Towards the Same Kind

Chapter 993: Chapter 51: Hatred Towards the Same Kind

"You were indeed planning to solve Bernadino’s psychological problems," Annan pointed out as he settled into the chair and crossed his legs, "but under the assumption that Father Ludwig was still alive."

Calmly, he narrated, "Modifying someone’s memory isn’t simple work, and it can also bring trouble — after all, a Soul Reaping Wizard often cannot prove that he ’didn’t’ tamper with the memories.

"For safety’s sake, after a Soul Reaping Wizard alters someone’s memories, the memory of the alteration itself is usually erased from the brain.

"That means the person won’t owe you any favors. On the other hand, if that person remembers the incident... well, if there’s a problem later, he will surely hold you accountable."

Annan casually picked up the teapot from the table and poured himself a cup of tea.

He took a slow sip and continued leisurely, "I also understand that your lives aren’t easy. You can’t earn much money, nor can you gain any status... instead, you have to live under suspicion and discrimination.

"And all of this stems from your initial choice to become a Soul Reaping Wizard.

"If your talent had been a bit stronger, entering the Gold tier and henceforth being unbound; or a bit weaker, not having to bear such burdensome tasks or attracting so much scrutiny."

Annan smiled kindly at Julius, who had suddenly fallen silent, and said with heartfelt earnestness, "I do understand you.

"You agreed to help Bernadino partly because you trusted Father Ludwig’s character, and partly because you wanted Ludwig to owe you a favor. But if Ludwig is already dead... then his favor is meaningless.

"Because Bernadino should not, and must not, know about this. And now that the only other person who could know is gone... it means you will receive no compensation.

"If it were just a simple act of charity, that would be one thing. But at that moment... you discovered new memories in Bernadino’s brain — about his talents, and about his foster father and teacher, Father Ludwig’s determination."

"—You felt jealousy."

Annan sighed softly and said warmly, "I do understand you... am I right?"

"Indeed..."

Julius suddenly relaxed, smiled, and said, "Since you appear here, it means I succeeded.

"In the end, he chose the path of the Transcendent — most likely becoming a Soul Reaping Wizard. And, he is already dead."

The kindly old man didn’t make any move to attack Annan.

He knew it would be pointless.

Since he was fully aware that he was trapped in a nightmare... rather than acting like a puppet, getting "furious and attacking Bernadino" to hinder the purification of the nightmare, it would be better to skip that step.

"I will do whatever you need me to. I have no intention of stopping you from purifying Bernadino’s nightmare."

Julius simply sat across from Annan, taking the teapot from him with perfect composure and poured himself a cup of tea.

"You know, my background is very similar to Bernadino’s. I too came from a family of fishermen."

The friendly expression faded from the old wizard’s face, "Although I didn’t have his kind of background... I too grew up in a small village. My parents were alive but had gone to work in the city when I was very young...

"Or rather, my mother had me after returning to the village and left with my father shortly thereafter.

"Until I was thirteen, I never saw them again. I only heard of their existence from my grandfather... I couldn’t even be sure if it was just my grandfather’s way of consoling me.

"—I was actually abandoned, wasn’t I?"

Of course, that wasn’t his true nature, nor was it a pretense.

It was merely a routine, commercial smile.

Being a Soul Reaping Wizard was inherently unpopular, and without a sense of friendliness, it could indeed cause problems.

He spoke in a deep voice, "But I didn’t see that kind of life as a problem. My grandfather raised me, and I had decided that once I grew up, I would take over his boat and take care of him.

"I hadn’t considered life beyond that. I wouldn’t think about things so far ahead... I had never read books, nor had I gone to school. Back then, my only amusement was sharing strange and curious legends with my peers.

"The first few were ones my grandfather told me. He was an old fisherman who had also been a ferryman, you might say he was well-traveled.

"And those incredible stories quickly captured the children’s imaginations. They would gather around me, asking for new stories. That was the first time I felt... what power was."

Yes, power.

Julius spoke slowly, "The children idolized me, recognized me. I could even trade stories for toys and snacks.

"But my stories soon ran out. The ’power’ that gathered around me dissipated... and so I began to lie. Or rather, I began to invent new stories.

"Naturally, I used ’my grandfather told me’ as a pretext so it all seemed believable. But the content was all the fruit of my wild imagination. I didn’t think it was any tremendous talent.

"Until a wizard— a ’Heart Control’ wizard came to our village. He was just a traveler passing through initially, standing among the crowd listening to me telling stories. I didn’t think it was anything unusual, as travelers often did that.

"But afterwards, he went to find my grandfather. He told him that I had the potential for ’Heart Control,’ a necessary talent for becoming a Soul Reaping Wizard... and that my talent was of quite an outstanding kind."

"What happened next?"

Annan asked curiously, "What did you say?"

"Of course, I didn’t want to leave the village. How would my grandfather take care of himself if I left? His other children had all died, and my father had not yet returned. He could still fish now, but what would happen if he became immobile later?"

As if speaking to an old friend, Julius said softly, "But my grandfather thought I absolutely must not stay. He said, ’If you stay here long enough, you’ll come to believe this village is the whole world.’

"He beat me up, telling me to learn well. To become the best wizard."

Julius’s mouth curled into a mocking smile.

He spread his hands, his lips barely moving.

He seemed about to speak, but ultimately said nothing.

He didn’t mention the ultimate fate of his grandfather, uttering only incredibly pale words: "You see... I did my best.

"I gave it my all, I burned my whole life, but at most, at most... I could only reach here... and that’s it."

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