Zephyr nodded slowly, understanding flashing in his eyes.
He'd seen it too—Aeron's potential, and how he'd been coasting on natural talent rather than true dedication.
Honestly, I wasn't really sure about it.
Would my death truly have the same impact as Livia's injury would have? We weren't close like Aeron and Livia were, and we were just friends. They had that childhood and best friends bond, that unshakable connection. What was I? Just some guy who trained and ate with him occasionally, traded sarcastic remarks with him, and helped him out a few times.
Yet now, seeing how Aeron had been pushing himself to the brink these past days... I knew I'd made the right choice.
It was also true that guilt still gnawed at me, but the results spoke for themselves.
The way he'd thrown himself into training, the intensity in his eyes—it seemed we'd been closer than I realized. Or maybe my death had simply shaken him more than I'd anticipated.
