Life Of A Nobody - as a Villain-Chapter 487: A celebration for enemies

When Rio finally reached the courtyard where his parents were staying, it was already a little late than their agreed upon time. freēwēbnovel.com

Obviously conversations with Nera and then catching up with Myra at the entrance wasted more than a few minutes.

Rio exhaled softly, brushed the creases off his shirt, and knocked twice before stepping inside.

"Sorry, I'm late." Rio said, flashing a small sheepish smile. "I swear, I've been here a dozen times, and I still get confused."

But his joke fell flat

As he noticed his parents just sitting opposite each other without saying anything.

'Okay, they seem serious enough.' Rio thought to himself. But before he could say something else, a voice called him out from the side.

"You're not late, brother. I just got here too."

Rio glanced around and was surprised to see Amy walking towards him from the balcony, her hairs swaying gently with the wind.

"I didn't know you'd be here," Rio said, masking the shift in his tone behind a practiced smile. Before looking at his mother in confusion.

While Artemis just shrugged her shoulders, saying "You said, you had something important to discuss about the family's future. She's family too,_ and it's her future too, right?"

Rio glanced at his father, but the man said nothing, simply folded his arms and leaned back. Clearly stating he had no interest in opposing his wife.

Seeing the duo coordinating so well, Rio had no words. So he could just accept it in silence.

"Of course. Amy's always welcome." Rio responded calmly.

"Gauri didn't scare you or anything, after the whole chaos fiasco, did she?" Rio asked, as Amy stood near him.

"I'm fine." Amy replied while shaking her head. Wondering why everyone kept treating her like she's a porcelain doll, who'd crack at the slightest stress.

It's her element, even though it's a little tough to control. She can manage.

Rio saw her expressions and just chuckled and said nothing more.

…

Once everyone had taken their seats, Artemis gave a polite nod and started their conversation. "So Rio. What did you want to talk about?"

Rio took a deep breath and finally began his performance.

"I want to join Shade."

Artemis blinked in response. "Well, the guild is yours. And you're free to join whenever you want after the academy,...."

"No. I want to join now." Rio interrupted his mother and explained.

"I don't have much time. I mean, we _ don't have much time." Rio spoke something, before correcting his words lest someone misunderstands them.

"Academy's a waste anyway. I already know everything they'll teach in the first year, so if I take a couple of months off to hone my experience with Shade, it shouldn't hamper my studies." Rio explained.

"I remember you were the one who begged me to allow you to start from the freshman's year." Artemis asked.

"That was different. Back then, I just didn't want to waste my chance to explore the Arcane tower. But now…" Rio said in response, "And besides, I just need some time off, I'll still go back for the exams."

"If you just need the experience at the guild, I can talk to your principal and allow you access to all the dungeons and training facilities under Zenith's roof no matter the cost. Would that suffice?" Agnus spoke for the first time, refuting all his claims with a single response.

"...."

"No right? So why don't you stop dilly - dallying and tell us the truth?" Agnus asked. "Why do you want to leave Zenith so bad now?"

Rio heard the question and knew funny lies won't work anymore. So he could just grit his teeth for the next best chance.

"I don't want to leave Zenith. I just need some alone time to deal with some things."

"And what might they be?" Artemis asked, to which Rio could just remain silent.

"Your life's at constant risk." Agnus spoke, "Just like what Mirai said, we Blakes have more enemies than anyone else alive at this point. And you, who's probably at the center of it all, wants to _ what? Roam around the world?"

"Father , I _ .. I promise I'll be safe." Rio started speaking , but failed to find anything else to say which could comfort his parents.

How could he come up with any excuse when the whole world is your enemy.

But hearing his promise, even Artemis who usually agreed to all his requests, refused him straight.

They could guess he was probably anxious because of fate's blessing or the future he saw _ but as experienced as they are _ they know that fate isn't final.

The future we see, keeps changing with each moment and every decision, as we know it.

If someone who saw his fate of living till 80's and kept jumping around while asking for death - he won't survive long, and that was the truth.

This is also the reason why fate goddesses and their blessings are considered powerful, but not omnipotent.

"No means no, Rio." Artemis spoke sternly, after seeing her son resorting to emotional blackmail and playing the pitiful card.

"You can either stay at Zenith, or you and your sister will leave the academy entirely and join me at Damascus."

"That's … yeah..wonderful... ." Rio's face brightened up immediately. Though having Amy take time off from Zenith wasn't his plan , but as long as he was free to act, and with her, It'll be fine.

But before he could be happy for long, his mother finished her sentence with an ending like a bomb dropping amidst the clouds.

"...along with your grandmother."

"What???" speechless Rio.

"Yeah, your grandmother insists that if you take a leave, she'll dismiss Sunshine and accompany you. To supervise your studies, and making sure you siblings don't forget your 'stuff'."

Hearing the witch of karma, Patricia herself would be supervising him, Rio's face looked uglier than crying. And he didn't know how to respond.

"...so what do you say?" Artemis asked, even though already aware of the answer after seeing her son's face.

(Damn it, looks like I can only switch to plan B.) Rio thought in his heart and then gave up on all hopes of convincing his parents.

"Fine. I'll do as you say." Rio replied with slumped shoulders.

Agnus looked at his response and just shook his head helplessly. 'Such overacting.' He thought.

"Now that you're settled, shall we talk about your sister?" Artemis asked.

But before she even finished her words, Rio immediately changed his colors and became serious.

"Amy can't leave." He said without even giving a chance for his sister to speak. "She'll stay at Zenith."

Agnus looked at his son being so adamantly stubborn and couldn't help but sigh.

"Why?"

He asked. In just one word. Why?

"You should know the dangers better than anyone. Are you sure Zenith is the safest choice for her?" Artemis asked too.

"It is." Rio replied honestly. "I know it may not seem like it. But trust me, it is."

"...."

"I can't tell you why, but the ruin palace won't dare attack the world association. And as for the threat of some stupid assassination attempts or greedy vulture eyes - she'll be safe, I promise." Rio replied.

"She can be more safe at home. With me." Artemis replied the same, word by word. Finishing her sentence with a tone which wasn't exactly friendly so to speak.

It's enough that her son doesn't trust the gods, the ravens, or his own grandmother – but how can he even doubt HER.

She'd rather die than let anyone lay a hand on her precious daughter. So of course picking the safest choice for Amy should be simple.

Rio glanced at his mother, and couldn't help but feel a little hurt. He knew she felt angry at his decisions, but they were necessary.

Maybe it wasn't clear now, but it will be _ some day.

After all, how could he explain to his mother that if Amy left the academy and stayed with her now, things would follow exactly the same pattern as they did in the novel.

And then it won't just be Amy he could lose, but his mother Artemis too.

"Amy can't be at home, mother." Rio spoke, finally giving in after seeing Artemis being teary eyed and explaining some things.

"And why is that?"

"Because someone more terrifying than the Ruin palace would attack Damascus, and if Amy stays there, _ you'll try to protect her, - and then, I'll lose you both." Rio finished his words in one breath, but as soon as he did, he couldn't help but turn pale.

He stared at his mother whose tears disappeared and became deadly serious, and then at his father whose face became colder than ice, to his sister who just grabbed his arm and stared wide eyed in disbelief.

"...." A chilling silence took over the room. With none saying a word. While Rio just going insane in his head.

Why'd he say that? Why'd he mention the future? He wasn't supposed to. Then why?

"Fuck."

Rio cursed loudly and turned around to look the other way. Angry at himself for getting too emotional and going off the rails. While avoiding the eyes and questions of everyone.

Damn it all.

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