A Background Character’s Path to Power

She remained silent, which was an answer enough.

"And you just watched this whole time. You saw others getting hurt. You watched as I kept struggling to survive because of something I never asked for, never chose, and had no knowledge of. Tell me, did you enjoy it?"

"I couldn't interfere directly without making things worse-"

"Making things worse?" My laugh was hollow. "For whom? Certainly not for me."

I ran a hand through my hair, a bitter smile fading into something more tired.

"You know what really gets to me? It's not even the danger. I've gotten used to that. It's the helplessness. The feeling that my entire life has been nothing but a chess piece being moved around by forces I can't even see, let alone understand. But I can guess they must be people like you, who stay in the shadows and manipulate things from behind the scenes."

I knew it all too well since I had done similar things before. But there was a difference between them and me, like between the sky and the ground.

I also realized I was saying too much, showing too much.

I took a breath and straightened up, my expression becoming more neutral.

"Anyway, that's how it is." I shrugged. "And I apologize if I said something wrong in the heat of the moment. And... thank you for listening to my rambling."

Nisha's expression softened, her 'guilt' giving way to a profound understanding.

"It's alright," she said in a gentle tone. "You had every right to say what you did. I would be more worried if you hadn't. And my daughter, she..."

"Don't worry," I continued. "I know your daughter had no say in this either. She's a teenager if she's the same age as me. She's probably in a similar situation to me. Might be even worse, actually. At least I got to live part of my life not knowing about this burden."

I paused, looking at her calmly.

"And I don't blame you either. At least not that much." I chuckled. "I know you would've probably intervened if I were really in danger, or perhaps you already did without me knowing. Just like saving Mother."

"I just hope you can keep your promise about protecting my family."

She nodded with visible relief and understanding. "I will. You have my word."

"Thank you," I said from the bottom of my heart.

At the end of the day, no matter how I looked at it, the fault lay with myself.

I was weak.

If I'd been stronger, none of this would have mattered. Well, not that I could since I awakened not too long ago. I was still in the catching up phase.

Guess I just have to keep going steadily.

Push myself harder, train more, keep getting stronger.

Because complaining wouldn't change anything. Dwelling on what I couldn't control was pointless. The only thing I could do was focus on what was now within my power - my own growth, my own strength.

Master always said that true strength wasn't just about power, but about how you responded to the trials life threw at you, whether you let them break you or use them to forge yourself into something better.

Maybe this was just another trial—a test I had to pass.

"When can I meet her?" I asked as we started walking again.

"Hm..." She pondered. "If you want to meet her or find answers to your questions, you should come to the Transcendence Academy."

Transcendence Academy, huh?

"Do you live there?" I raised my brow.

"Mmm, something like that," She nodded vaguely.

Then her eyes lit up with sudden enthusiasm. "Actually, you should just enroll there! You should know that it's one of the best academies in the world. You can get private teachers for yourself, specialized in the path you want to go on. The resources and opportunities they provide are huge as well. And no one can harm you when you are in there."

"...I see," I muttered.

I had researched more about these academies after the conversation with Aerona and Zephyr at that time. And she was right. The Transcendence Academy was currently the best academy for someone like me.

And its headmaster/founder was the pinnacle of the resonators - a Transcendent Resonator.

I only heard rumours about them, but even those were enough to make me understand the sheer gap in power. A Transcendent Resonator was someone who had surpassed the normal limitations of resonance entirely, existing on a level that most people couldn't even comprehend.

If the academy was under the protection of such a being, then Lady Nisha's claim about safety wasn't just empty words.

Even she was seeking their protection after all.

But I am sure it won't be completely safe. Just put a main character in there, or a world-ending catastrophe starts, and it will undoubtedly become the epicenter of chaos.

"The admission will start in the middle of the summer," she continued. "You should have no trouble passing the entrance exam with your level. You can even apply for early admission - if you can prove your worth, they will waive the standard requirements and grant you a scholarship. It's a way for them and many other academies to secure exceptional talents and a personal challenge to those who believe they have already surpassed their peers."

I nodded, already aware of this knowledge.

"And of course I'm not forcing you. The choice still lies with you. But I will still recommend this one."

I considered her words carefully.

The timing would work out.

I had a few months to prepare and think things through. Maybe the system would issue a scenario as well.

"What's the admission process like?" I asked.

"For someone with your... circumstances? I can arrange a direct recommendation. Though you'd still need to pass their evaluation tests and participate in the final exam. With your current abilities, it shouldn't be a problem. You might even get into top rankings."

I nodded slightly.

Honestly, I wasn't planning to enter through recommendation or get a top rank. I would be grateful enough with middle ranks.

It also meant I'd owe her another favor, and I was already accumulating quite a few of those.

"Thank you for your offer. But I want to think this through before deciding."