Chapter 2 : Fateful Encounters
"Who are you?"
After a moment of silence in the room, Klein took a deep breath. He gazed at the reflection of a young man with ebony hair and deep black eyes in the mirror—a face of striking beauty framed by a simple shirt and black pants—and finally asked the question.
It's worth noting that Klein didn't use Chinese to ask this question; instead, he used the common language of the Kingdom of Loen.
Even though he had suspected that the other person might be a fellow traveller, Klein remained cautious, avoiding exposing himself.
However, if Lin Ruo hadn't already known that Klein was a traveller, he might not have deduced from Klein's wide-eyed reaction that the other person was also a traveller. After all, the startle could be attributed to his rather eerie appearance.
But Lin Ruo had no intention of allowing Klein to perpetuate his traveller's cover, and he didn't fully grasp the meaning behind Klein's words. With a gentle, yet meaningful smile, he responded, "I think, as fellow travellers, it would be more fitting to converse in Chinese, don't you agree?"
His words were straightforward, revealing his identity as a traveller without any pretense. Yet, he directed the conversation so that no one would suspect that he didn't understand Klein's words at that moment.
Lin Ruo wasn't concerned about language barriers, as his supernatural abilities allowed him to temporarily overcome such obstacles, and his exceptional memory allowed him to easily learn new languages.
Klein seamed momentarily taken aback before his pupils contracted slightly.
Merely by observing the changes in Klein's eyes, Lin Ruo could deduce the internal struggle and contemplation he was undergoing.
Finally, Klein seemed to have reached a conclusion. He let out a sigh and addressed Lin Ruo in Chinese, "Have you also crossed?"
After careful consideration, Klein decided to open up to the person before him. Whether it was a specter, a mirror spirit, or something resembling a "traveller," he couldn't be sure. Yet, considering that the other had correctly guessed his identity as a traveller, Klein felt it was prudent to engage openly.
Despite his initial instinctive reaction, Klein's demeanor was different from the wariness he would have harbored during his future travels. After all, he has just crossed over.
Although he remained cautious and composed, he was genuinely pleased to encounter a fellow traveller.
Still, Klein maintained an essential level of vigilance.
"Indeed, it's rather evident," Lin Ruo replied, then added with a warm smile, "Allow me to introduce myself. I am Lin Ruo—associated with forests and water. Feel free to address me by my name."
"Hello, I'm Klein, Klein Moretti." Klein introduced himself, though he omitted his pre-traveler name, Zhou Mingrui, revealing his lingering reservations.
"If you don't mind, I'll refer to you as Klein," Lin Ruo suggested casually, showing no concern for Klein's withholding. He regarded the unassuming visage before him, a scholarly youth, and remarked suddenly, "Your wound has healed."
"Oh…" Almost immediately, Klein moved to the full-length mirror to inspect his temple. As anticipated, the grotesque injury had vanished entirely. Aside from some remaining bloodstains, it would have appeared untouched.
"Is this...a result of crossing?" Klein stood before the mirror, intently observing his temple's condition. His reaction was a mix of bewilderment and amusement, as he couldn't help but curve a smile.
Regardless, he was alive, which was a positive outcome.
Thinking of this, Klein's gaze shifted to another figure in the mirror, his expression hesitant and inquisitive, yet he refrained from questioning further.
In addition to the initial joy of encountering a fellow traveller, a multitude of questions lingered in his mind. Why did the person before him resemble a specter in the mirror? How had the stranger located him so promptly upon his crossing? Was there any connection between the stranger and his own traveller's experiences?
Nonetheless, Klein hesitated to voice these inquiries, wary of stirring a potential negative turn in their interactions.
He didn't subscribe to the assumption that fellow travellers were inherently trustworthy.
Lin Ruo smiled faintly, observing Klein's hesitation and aborted attempt to speak. The smile conveyed no ill intent; it was a gentle expression. With a soft chuckle, he said, "If you wish to ask, now would be the time. I can only tell you that this encounter is fortuitous."
Pausing, he continued, "Regarding why I'm here, I must admit—I don't know. I was in Backlund, as you might be aware, but moments ago, I was suddenly drawn here and found myself face-to-face with you."
"And, though you may not be aware, it seems that we're inexplicably linked."
Lin Ruo wasn't eager to make Klein apprehensive. Nor did he intend to reveal that he had recently become a traveller as well.
He understood well that the world of the Lord of Mysteries faced an impending catastrophe. Despite the apparent positive outcome, Lin Ruo remained cautious, aware that appearances could be deceiving.
To forestall this catastrophe and bring about the birth of the Lord of Mysteries, Lin Ruo's intervention was imperative. But he didn't intend to be adversarial with Klein.
For one, Lin Ruo held a natural affinity for Klein as the story's protagonist, making him disinclined to interfere negatively. On another note, only the rightful heir to Sefirah Castle could possess it, and Lin Ruo, not belonging to the faction, lacked the necessary connection.
Comparing the two considerations, Lin Ruo found altering his current ethereal state and obtaining a physical form to be of greater importance.
Thus, he chose to support Klein, a decision aligned with his desire to stave off impending doom and aid Klein in expanding his grasp of the enigmatic world's knowledge.
Furthermore, Lin Ruo's understanding of Klein convinced him that assuming a "grandfatherly" role wouldn't be without benefit.
Considering the matter more deeply, Lin Ruo realized that cultivating a new Lord of Mysteries could be just as significant, if not more, than personally becoming one.
To become such a mentor figure, however, Lin Ruo would have to establish himself as a senior traveller.
"Ah…" Klein hadn't anticipated Lin Ruo's frankness, momentarily taken aback. He scrambled to explain, "I didn't doubt you, I just…"
"It's alright," Lin Ruo interrupted with a wave of his hand, offering reassurance. "I understand. If I were in your shoes, I might be even more guarded."
"Apologies…" Klein, finally realizing that Lin Ruo wasn't concerned, apologized once more.
Considering what Lin Ruo had mentioned about their binding, Klein mulled it over. As an ordinary person, he couldn't perceive the link between himself and Lin Ruo. However, having grown up reading online stories, his imagination and comprehension in such matters were far from lacking.
Curious, he asked, "By 'binding,' do you mean you want to accompany me?"
"I don't know," Lin Ruo replied honestly, shaking his head. He genuinely didn't understand his current state. "But we could try."
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