AWB Chapter 387 [Empire] Everything is slow.
Chapter 387 [Empire] Everything is slow.
Lately, I've been getting pretty close to that mercenary boy who drinks overpriced porridge on the second floor of the cafeteria. He seems to be a senior student in the class next door. We often eat together. He's one of the few people I know at school.
He was a straightforward, quiet, yet sincere man. Every time we sat in the corner of the second-floor cafeteria, silently munching on overpriced porridge, he would occasionally look up, a carefree smile on his face, and ask, "How was your day? Did anything interesting happen in class?" He didn't say much, but he always managed to dispel the dullness in my heart.
His name was Lin Hao. Although he was a year older than me, he didn't seem mature. He wore a loose-fitting military uniform, appearing somewhat casual, yet somehow exuding a calm confidence. His informality was appealing, especially on those days when I didn't want to be bound by rules. I found myself gradually becoming reliant on spending time with him.
Sometimes our conversation revolved around school life, sometimes we just spent time together. Occasionally, he'd ask me about my mercenary missions, and I'd casually answer. Lin Hao seemed genuinely interested in my stories, always wanting to know more, but he never pushed me to say more.
I knew he was feeling a mix of emotions, perhaps uncertainty about the future, or perhaps concerns about the people and events around him. But in front of me, he never mentioned the past; he simply remained quietly by my side. Every time I saw him gazing out the cafeteria window, seemingly lost in thought, I couldn't help but be curious, but I never disturbed his tranquility.
Lately, he's occasionally taken me out to eat at places outside of campus, often bringing snacks and a few other close friends. Sometimes we chat enthusiastically, sometimes we just sit in silence, as if that's enough. Compared to days filled with tasks and responsibilities, time with him always feels so much easier.
Perhaps this simple companionship is what I need, perhaps even the moment of peace I long for in this cramped and complex world. Lin Hao's presence is like a refreshing outlet, allowing me to briefly forget the restlessness and noise.
Every time he handed me a bowl of porridge with a smile, saying something like "You don't want to starve to death, do you?", I often smiled silently, knowing in my heart: Perhaps, days like this are warmer than I imagined.
I knew he had been silently bearing the burden of life. Although he didn't say much, every time he mentioned his sister, the tenderness in his eyes and the weight of responsibility were barely concealed. That frail little girl was his greatest concern, and the hopes of the entire family seemed to rest on him alone.
It was clear that Lin Hao didn't want me to know too much about his predicament. After all, he always concealed it well, his smile still bright, and his words were full of ease. However, I knew that the reality was far more complicated and worse than he showed.
"All I can do is earn some money from these missions and give her a good life," he once told me. At the time, I simply listened, not saying much. After all, there was always a calm expression on his face, as if every difficulty could be overcome through hard work.
However, as I got to know him better, I gradually realized his situation wasn't as simple as I'd imagined. His sister was very young and frail, constantly requiring medication and treatment. Lin Hao's income wasn't stable. As a junior mercenary, his missions weren't difficult, and his salary was therefore limited. Often, he had to work incredibly hard to take on risky jobs with limited pay. After all, those logistical support jobs weren't available every day, and not everyone could snag them.
I knew that if he continued to rely on simple tasks, his burden would become heavier and heavier until he could no longer bear it, even though he only ate this porridge and wore only one or two sets of old clothes.
He's quite similar to Luo Xun, the only mercenary kid I ever spent time with. He lived a hard-pressed life, yet was a strong and stubborn person. That kid once thought he was dying and asked me to hand over his assets to his family. If it were Lin Hao, he'd probably also entrust all his money and belongings to someone else to bring to his sister.
"Aren't you going to take on some high-risk missions?" I once asked him casually.
He hesitated for a moment, a trace of worry flashing in his eyes: "Those missions... are too dangerous, I can't take that risk. You know, I can't give up on her, I have to come back, only then will it make sense." His words were simple, but revealed incomparable determination.
Of course I understand.
I began to think about how to involve him in some tasks that suit him. Although it cannot completely avoid risks, it can at least provide him with more options.
I am able to guide him through some moderately difficult tasks, but this also means that I have to take on more responsibility for him. I can ensure my own safety, but I can't guarantee his perfect protection, especially since he is still a beginner.
"Lin Hao," I finally suggested after lunch, "I can take you on some slightly more difficult missions, but only if you're ready for the challenge. Your current level..." I paused, staring at him, "can only handle missions of medium difficulty at best."
He was stunned for a moment, seemed a little surprised, but did not refute: "You mean... take a similar task?" he asked in a low voice.
I nodded. "Your abilities are probably sufficient, but you still need more training. Medium-difficulty missions are relatively stable and offer higher pay, making them suitable for you and me to work together."
Lin Hao was silent for a moment, but there was a kind of determination in his eyes that came from nowhere. "Okay, I promise you," he said softly, without much struggle in his tone, but rather a hint of relief. Perhaps it was because he knew that I was willing to shoulder this responsibility with him.
However, I clearly know that this road is not easy. I can lead him on this path, but his growth must rely on his own efforts and dedication. I only hope that on this dangerous road, he can live as long as possible and suffer as little harm as possible.
Thus began our new collaboration. Before each mission, I meticulously checked all of his equipment and its condition to ensure he was fully prepared. He gradually began to accept these higher-risk challenges. Mission after mission honed our collaboration and his growing abilities.
"Thank you." Sometimes, Lin Hao would whisper these words after a mission. By then, night had fallen, and we stood at the edge of the mission area, the city lights flickering behind us. His eyes, no longer filled with the initial hesitation and confusion, were now filled with a rare determination and composure.
I didn't respond, but patted his shoulder: "You can do it."
I gradually discovered that I resembled Nightingale to Lin Hao, playing the role of mentor, though our approaches were completely different. Nightingale always used a cold, unsentimental approach, handing out tasks and lessons mixed with setbacks and unexpected surprises to newcomers. Perhaps his approach was more like forging a blade, demanding that each student withstand pain and challenges without being easily defeated. And me... I never pretended to be the bad guy.
My style is gentler, perhaps not as direct as Nightingale's, but it focuses more on understanding and support. I know Lin Hao isn't the type to thrive under harsh reprimands. He doesn't have the unwavering determination to succeed or die. He wants to survive and return home alive. Even if the mission yields no reward, he must return home alive. While intense missions can offer him endless possibilities in near-death situations, I still believe that warmth and patience will allow him to find his own rhythm and avoid detours. Every time we complete a mission, I always encourage him and give him time to rest and process the failures and confusion—even if these things don't seem so "hardcore," I firmly believe that this approach will allow him to grow more steadily and find his own goals and confidence.
My words were always lighthearted, even casual. I wasn't as demanding as Nightingale, but rather treated the missions as exercises and trials, occasionally cracking a joke to lighten the tension.
After a mission, I looked at the exhausted Lin Hao, patted his shoulder, and said with a smile, "You've made progress. At least this time you weren't beaten back by the enemy. Next time, you won't even need to hold a gun, you can win."
He looked at me, a helpless smile flashing in his eyes: "Your words always make me feel like a rookie."
"You're just starting out, so don't rush," I gently reminded him. "Take your time. Don't rush for success."
We joked with each other, but I knew that after each mission, he was getting stronger, learning how to stay calm in the face of danger and how to find a way out in the most difficult moments.
I prefer to guide him to find solutions to his mistakes instead of just blaming him. This approach may not be as effective as Nightingale's, but I believe it will prevent Lin Hao from getting lost on this path, and instead help him maintain a firm and kind heart while accumulating experience.
Sometimes, I can’t help but wonder if I’m really suited to this kind of mentor role.
Nightingale never seemed to waver, always maintaining his calm and rationality, remaining unmoved no matter the situation. Meanwhile, while I appeared calm on the surface, my inner impulses and emotions were stronger than his. The urge to protect Lin Hao, to help him go further, often weakened me, but it also made me realize that by choosing this path, I was destined not to be a cold-blooded mentor.
Rather than being a "villain" like Nightingale, I prefer to be a more tolerant and understanding "mentor." I may not be good at suppressing his inner hesitation and fear, but what I can bring him is peace of mind and support, so that he will not get lost in the darkness and find the strength to move forward.
Nightingale once said, "Everyone's growth must go through pain and hardship. If you can't bear the pain, you can't become a truly strong person." But I believe that everyone's growth is not just about enduring pain, but also about learning how to get out of pain and find a new direction.
Even so, I'm still a novice. As a mercenary, I haven't graduated yet. As a mercenary mentor, I'm even less experienced than I was as a mercenary student.
But I will keep going, not for anything else, but simply so that he can walk more firmly on the road of life. And my way is to be neither impatient nor anxious, to walk slowly and teach slowly with warmth and patience. Everything is done slowly.