Solo Leveling X TBATE | Looking For Purpose (Rewrite)

Antares and Return

Caera POV

I was just walking around the area when I saw Grey basically teleport from platform to platform. I would be lying if I say I wasn't jealous. Imagine the times I could run away from my parent's lectures if I had that ability. I watched as he trained, aimlessly teleport at the platforms three steps had set up and then I saw him train how they could manifest those aether claws as Grey told me. I kept on my walk through the village after watching him for a while. 

At some point, I was playing with some of the young shadow claws. It was getting late so I went back to my hut and cleaned my armor and sword as I was cleaning Grey entered the room and as usual, without any greeting went to his bed and meditate.

"Could've at least asked how was my day?" I said out loud

"How was your day?" He suddenly said

As I felt my face heat up.

"We.. weren't you meditating?" I asked

"I was about to" He replied

I sighed but answered anyway

"It was good I played with some of the young ones and continued on my training" I replied

"Well you seem to like it here" He replied

"Yes I do honestly I would also love if I could live like this forever far away from my so call normal life of being tortured daily by my adoptive parents bickering or trying to arrange a marriage for me," I said frustrated

Grey opened his eyes as he didn't continue meditating and sat on the edge of his bed.

"You sure have it rough," He said but the tone he used wasn't provoking more like concerned

"You have no idea" I simply replied

But when I turned to him he didn't reply but was lost in thought as I realized what I said, I barely know anything about him and I answered that he has no idea how crappy my life was, what if his life is more crappy. What have I done?

"Grey I'm sorry I just said that out of frustration," I said

"Oh no don't worry I'm just thinking," He said with a solemn smile which made me even more guilty

The rest of the night was awkward, to say the least as Arthur started to meditate while I can't forget that smile he just showed

"It was a smile yet it reflected pain," I thought as I regretted my words

"I'm sorry," I said to myself

I went out of the hut for some fresh air as I saw the shadow claw were all inside their hut sleeping and some were patrolling the village. When I came here with Grey I have nearly forgotten my life outside and I felt comfortable with this life it didn't matter if I was here for less than a month it was good to live like this. 

If only I could escape my life and come here but that's not possible because people will find this place eventually. I entered back at the hut mesmerized by Grey's red mana covering him even if it had malice and destructive nature it was rather beautiful if you look at it.

I walked towards him and touched the mana but I was greeted by a voice an evil voice that wanted me to let it in to take control, it said it would grant my desires, it would make me stronger. I pulled my hand away from the mana immediately before the voice could continue.

"What was that?" I asked myself

I kept on observing Grey's mana while he meditated as the mana seemed to have the same effect on Grey as I saw his occasional twitch. As our faces were only separated by a few inches as I kept observing his red mana. Suddenly he shot his eyes opened and I jerked my body back falling on my back as I watched Grey gasp for air his breath ragged.