☀️ Arselia and Akonia

— So, in reality, you aren't a fox, but a magpie, attracted to everything shiny and bright? — the inquisitor smiled cunningly, — Just kidding, just kidding!

-- I compare you to Knights, and you compare me to a magpie? I see... -- it was clear from Phyr that she did not appreciate the joke.

Still, I don't think that the entire complexity and fullness of the human soul can be reduced to dry mathematical formulas.

-- Yes, it would be boring if it were possible... However wonderful the process of discovery may be, it would lose all meaning if all the world's mysteries, including ones as non-obvious as the soul, could be easily reduced to a single sheet of paper; it is the infinite depth of the world that makes it so interesting and rich.

— Actually, there is a form inserted inside 😅

-- ? It seems we've misunderstood each other, or perhaps just I misunderstood you, but you're showing me a copy. The original form is given in a different format, or at least that's how it was for me; you saw it yourself, where there are equality signs, and also this logical &...

"Maybe it's not a problem with the test, but a problem with the universe, or am I actually going crazy? No, I'm sure there were clear formulas on how to add the stats, I remember them for some reason..."

— Because not everything in life can be solved by brute force, and it is not appropriate everywhere. If strength is not tempered by wisdom, you will only wound yourself and maim the people around you, — the warrior looked melancholically into the distance, — although I am a warrior by nature, I would like to use my skills to protect people. Hunting foul creatures, like Valis, is somehow closer to my heart. However, don't misunderstand me, I enjoy the craft of war. And I believe that without such skills, it is sometimes difficult to defend one's ideals. One's right to exist. In fact... our shared experience is good confirmation of these words. That's how it is. Apparently, the difference in our life philosophies lies somewhere here, although I myself was a bit surprised by my results.

-- No, I don't think there's a difference here, except perhaps I could add that if you want peace, prepare for war. That is, a peaceful solution is always better, but it is not an end in itself, because if you persist too much in trying to resolve everything peacefully, you will most likely lose. You need to know the right time and know when to stop and take up arms instead of a palm branch. Sometimes it is even naive to begin negotiations. Of course, the opposite is also true, that rattling weapons is generally not advisable, and a position in diplomacy, when such is possible, is quite precarious and even double-edged.

As for the notes, — she looks at Erephir studyingly, — is it really that surprising? I am, of course, an enterprising girl and I'm used to achieving everything myself. It is what it is. And yet, I spent the last two days on voluntary and unpaid labor. I would have continued doing so today if I hadn't been turned away at the gates. It also coincides with the chosen course of the legitimate power of the empire I came from.

-- Oh indeed, in a burst of enthusiasm, it slipped my mind that this isn't actually very right. And the problem here isn't the lack of a reward as such, but that people in a healthy society should feel uncomfortable being debtors. Take Blade, for instance; as soon as he heard about the performance, he immediately asked how much admission cost. Normal people are used to an exchange: you give to me, I give to you. And even if services are rendered by those for whom a century wouldn't be enough to pay back—saving their life, for example... Just a little bit of attention in return, a tiny drop expressed in any reciprocal service: whether they let you stay the night, feed you, give you books to read, or write chronicles about you; in short, any small reward is simply necessary so that a proper, trusting relationship is established between the giver and the receiver. No one is a burden to anyone, no one shows ingratitude, for ingratitude is the worst human trait of all. That is why I want to give gifts to those who have done something for me. That is why I do such meticulous work... And you know, this recent hammering of metal blanks for a "thank you" was actually wrong; now I understand why it felt a bit unpleasant to do, putting aside the problem of faint-heartedness.

-- The honor of the benefactor is in their reward, and the honor of the beneficiary is in the little they give in return. So, perhaps, if I am given a symbolic coin from the donation box at tomorrow's performance, I won't be against it.

"And yet, they still haven't thanked us for the dragon... Even if we didn't work perfectly clean there, it's still a bit hurtful when you think about everything."