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"You're unqualified to be a member of the guild according to your records."
Where could he be heading with this..
"YOU'RE FIRED!"
Golden Hawk's gulidmaster, Lucius Neek, he was everything to him. His childhood all shaped around the two of them and as her grew they acknowledged eachother as life long counterparts... but it seemed he grew as much as his ego did.
He developed his skills and their gap grew vastly in their capabilities, all this time Lucius lied. He lied. He said they would be together forever even after he became more popular.
The things that were left unsaid what is more.
"And yet..."
Lucius grimaced with clear disdain crisped in his outward edges from his deep stare, that glare cut Laurent more than anything he said ever could.
"What's the matter?" Lucius huffed, "You seem to have something to say."
I love you he gulped those words down instead insisting this was a mistake "I've recruited many members using my [Skill Appraisal] and trained them for the guild..."
"Fine. Let me show you. Laurent, as an adventurer, you know your achievements mean everything"
He was clearly averting his own gaze from the resolute one Laurent gave.
This whole time the smiling girl that stood next to his lo- friend. Was quiet until Lucius spoke "Diane."
She looked up reveling the attention. "Yes guildmaster?"
"Read this outloud."
" ...Laurent's record for the last month was... 98th out of 100 members when ranked in monsters defeated, 76th in items collected, and 86th in quests cleared."
His resolute gaze became more cowardly. He had his reasons, Lucius knew this more than anyone. "Well, that's because—"
"As a veteran who joined 5 years ago. This is all you can accomplish. If it was up to me, I'd cover for you, but Laurent..."
Ah. He hated these gaps of silence.
Lucius continued, "This isn't the past anymore. I have to considering the guild."
So this is where he was heading. This is what Laurent was set up for all these years all these memories— was lucius telling him to forget them all just because of this one thing.
At the table a small pouch was placed.
"At least I have a farewell gift for you."
Laurent grabbed it and left for his own pride leaving his old friend shaken.
I've always been devoted to the guild... and to lucius.
But in the end... this is all I get in return.
I've been such a fool... for loving you
Was all of this on purpose, ever since the guild grew in scale he was assigned unsuitable quests. He didn't provide any necessary items. But even so, he did everything.
For the person who he trusted.
The one whom I supported without reservation.
Where was he even meant to go. They lived together for Christ's sake.
He is tired. Everything he tried to grasp slides through his fingertips as if it were sand. There is nothing he can do without him.
So he went back to his home. Their home. There must have been some mistake surely.
..
The front door opened slowly, the eyebags on Lucius face crept up as he walked in what used to be their house.
Had he went too far? What if he isn't here anymore? What if—
"Lucius... why?" From their couch laid his best friend for years. Laurents eyes were red and burning like the hatred he felt for himself, it is his fault he came back and stayed here, but he blamed Lucius.
"I helped you all this time and want nothing other than your joy..."
His face felt warm as his eyes swelled up, tears threatening to pour once more. He tried his best to avoid that red. Red like his face. Red like Lucius hair.
"I didn't want you to be used anymore." Lucius crooked smiled at the poor excuse, but he continued, "I CAN'T STAND THE WAY THEY TREAT YOU!"
Now they were both crying.
"It is not just Diane who doubts your capabilities in the guild, everyone does. I can't hear them talk about you anymore."
"Please. Just stay with me?"
"You are my first friend, my first guildmate and now I don't want to leave you."
Laurent gently got up stumbling toward Lucius, Lucius who always looked so weak as a child. Now being the one who was stronger, yet how wrong he was. He needed him as much as the other way around.