’For us... both?’

The statement only created more questions than answers.

Meanwhile, Silvena quietly adjusted her posture and crossed her legs, her attention now fully fixed on Ruvian as she waited for him to continue.

Ruvian glanced at the two of them before speaking again.

"Exactly, I need both of you to become stronger. However, in this particular case, it is mostly for Rosalin first."

His gaze settled on Calyra.

"I told you before, didn’t I? After the Deepmarch Dungeon. I need you to become stronger, and that’s that. As for the rest, I will handle it. You still remember it, right?" (+100PP)

Calyra stared at him for a long moment, carefully replaying his explanation inside her head in an attempt to find the logic behind it.

Unfortunately, the more she thought about it, the less sense it seemed to make.

Eventually, she spoke.

"Yes, I still remember that. But... I don’t understand." Her expression remained as deadpan as ever, but there was no mistaking the seriousness in her voice.

"What does Rosalin fighting me during the test have anything to do with making her stronger?" She paused briefly before continuing. "And even if I accept that premise, what does Rosalin becoming stronger have to do with me becoming stronger as well?"

Her brows furrowed.

"Those are two completely separate outcomes," Calyra held his gaze without wavering. "So, what exactly are you trying to imply here?"

Ruvian did not answer immediately.

Instead, he remained silent for several seconds, carefully organizing his thoughts before deciding where to begin.

Then, he spoke.

"Well to answer that, let’s change our subject of discussion a bit."

"Hm?"

"Ahem, anyway. Calyra. What do you think happens when a person finds a goal they genuinely care about?" (+100PP)

The sudden question caused her to tilt her head in confusion.

"I fail to see how that is relevant, Ruvian."

Ruvian stared at her.

’Haa... this woman.’

"No, it is relevant."

He sighed.

"You see, Calyra... people are capable of extraordinary growth when they are given a reason. A goal. A dream. A rival. It doesn’t matter. The moment that reason appears, they will become more focused."

He paused briefly.

"To simplify it... purpose is a frightening thing."

Calyra quietly mumbled what he said.

Ruvian continued.

"Why? Why is ’purpose’ that frightening? Simple. It can change people. It can turn them into someone that is willing to do things they normally would not do. Sometimes, they even become irrationally obsessed. The stronger the goal, the more they are willing to sacrifice in pursuit of it."

His eyes met hers.

"And whether you are aware of it or not, you happen to be that goal for Rosalin." (+300PP)

The garden fell silent.

Calyra blinked a few times. Her expression remained unchanged, but it was obvious she had not expected that answer.

After a brief pause, she finally spoke.

"I disagree."

Her response came immediately.

"In fact, I believe the premise itself is flawed."

Ruvian remained quiet, while Silvena simply smiled in interest of what Calyra was about to say.

Calyra continued.

"Your argument assumes that a person’s growth is directly tied to the existence of a specific goal. While that may be true for some individuals, it is hardly a universal rule."

She crossed her arms.

"People become stronger for countless reasons by the way. Not just one. Some seek knowledge. Some seek recognition. And some simply enjoy improving their abilities. So, not everyone requires a rival to motivate their growth."

Her gaze sharpened slightly.

"Furthermore, even if I accept your claim that I am somehow Rosalin’s goal, I fail to see why that automatically leads to greater improvement for her."

"Obsession and determination are not inherently beneficial traits. In many cases, they produce the opposite effect too. A person who becomes overly fixated on a single objective often develops tunnel vision — they focus so heavily on one destination that they neglect everything else around them."

She paused, taking some breath.

"So, if Rosalin truly views me as some obstacle she must overcome, then that mindset could just as easily limit her growth rather than accelerate it."

Silvena quietly nodded from the side, rubbing her chin with a satisfied look.

The argument sounded reasonable.

Calyra continued.

"And there is another issue..."

She looked directly at him.

"You are assuming that Rosalin’s desire to surpass me is somehow significant enough to influence her future decisions. But I find that difficult to believe. Rosalin is ambitious, yes, I admit that. I know her. However, I believe you are overestimating the significance of rivalry here."

She shook her head.

"Today’s rival could become tomorrow’s accomplishment or tomorrow’s disappointment. If someone surpasses the person they are chasing, they lose the very goal that drove them forward. If they fail repeatedly, that same goal can easily become something that discourages them instead."

"Either way, I can’t see how such a thing guarantees growth. Therefore, to place such importance on a single individual seems irrational to me."

After finishing her argument, Calyra leaned back into her chair. Clearly, she believed she had dismantled Ruvian’s reasoning.

Surprisingly, Ruvian simply smiled.

"Yeah, you’re not wrong about that. However, your argument would be correct if we were discussing ordinary goals and ordinary people."

"But I think you’re forgetting something, Calyra."

His voice was calm, but there was a certain confidence behind his words that immediately drew both girls’ attention.

"Rosalin’s goal isn’t ordinary, and neither is she." (+100PP)

"I don’t know if you still remember it, but Rosalin once told me about a promise the two of you made when you were young. According to her, you both agreed that one day she would become the greatest swordsman while you would become the greatest mage." (+300PP)

"That..."

The moment those words were spoken, a small frown finally appeared on Calyra’s face. It was the first visible crack in her normally indifferent expression since the conversation had begun.

Honestly, Rosalin didn’t tell him anything about that, but Ruvian wanted Calyra to remember that promise. And naturally, she remembered that promise.

It was not the kind of thing someone easily forgot.

After all, she was the one who proposed it.

Seeing her reaction, Ruvian nodded slightly and added:

"Ah, but that promise is still a distant goal."

"..."

Calyra tilted her head slightly.

"I mean... It is an objective that exists somewhere in the future. Not now, right?"

Calyra silently stared at him.

’I’m... not sure about that.’

Ruvian finally loosened his smile.

"Anyway, right now, Rosalin has another goal, one that is much closer, much more immediate, and much easier for her to measure."

He paused briefly.

"A goal she can see every single day."

Then, he slowly raised his hand and pointed directly at Calyra. Even though he didn’t say the word, Calyra understood it.

Ruvian lowered his hand and continued.

"And another thing. It is not me who is overestimating the significance of rivalry. If anything, I think it is you who is underestimating Rosalin." (+200PP)

The statement immediately caused Calyra’s brows to furrow slightly.

"Me?"

"Yes, you know her better than most people, don’t you?"

Ruvian leaned back slightly.

"You know what she went through. You know where she started. You know how many years she spent rehabilitating herself from being born crippled, and you know how much effort she invested into becoming the person she is today."

His eyes remained fixed on hers.

"Most people would have given up long before reaching that point. Most people would have accepted their limitations and settled for less even...."

"...But Rosalin didn’t."

Ruvian paused for a moment before continuing.

"So, Calyra. I will ask you again. Do you really think someone like that is going to lose motivation simply because she will lose to you once?"

Ruvian added.

"For me. I don’t think so. In fact, I think the opposite is far more likely."

Then, he folded his arms.

"After all, Rosalin is far stronger-willed than you are giving her credit for." (+200PP)

Suddenly, Calyra’s eyes widened slightly.

A realization slowly began forming inside her mind.

"...Wait."

Ruvian remained silent.

"So your intention all along—"

For the first time, genuine uncertainty appeared in her voice.

"—Was for me to defeat her? So that she would push herself even harder afterward?" (+200PP)

Silvena smiled as the pieces finally began falling into place.

Ruvian simply shrugged.

"You can interpret it that way if you want." His answer remained deliberately vague. However, before either girl could speak, he continued.

"But Calyra... a piece of advice."

His face became serious.

"Rosalin may be weaker than you right now, and perhaps she will remain weaker than you for some time. However, driven people are far scarier than most people realize. When they have narrowed their entire world to a single objective, they can become really terrifying." (+100PP)

"So... always keep that in mind."

Ruvian relaxed a bit in his chair.

"Now, as for how you and Rosalin are going to meet on the island, and how this will also make you stronger...."

"....Allow me to explain it this time."

──────── ✦ ────────

[Chapter 203: Purpose Is a Frightening Thing]

Plot Points= 36,580