Chapter 133: Friendship's Deceit

Asher observed Remy sleeping soundly on the couch. But he observed earlier how he stroked his watch with an affectionate look and even removed it before sleeping as if he was afraid of damaging it. So the watch had to be special to him, right?

Asher wanted to give it a try as his ethereal form hovered over the watch. It was a beautiful and intricate piece with fake golden gears and a leather strap. It was clearly a pretty but knock-off watch which seemed a bit old too.

But as he moved closer, he could see that it had a small engraving on the back: "To my dearest friend Remy, Love Isabella."

'I see…Jackpot,' Asher felt that by simply observing people, one could learn important things, and he did.

Fortunately, it was written in English, though he wasn't worried about understanding the native languages of these people. All he had to do was possess this watch, and since it belonged to Remy, he would momentarily know the languages Remy speaks as well.

But once he leaves the watch in his spirit form, he won't understand it any longer. That was what Duncan told him as well.

Without any further ado, he focused his energy and willed his spirit to envelop the watch and possess it. The gears began to move, and the watch ticked softly as Asher sensed its inner workings. He felt a strange sensation as he possessed the watch as if he was merging with it in some way.

And within a few moments, he had successfully possessed it. Asher didn't come across any barriers at all, and it was quite easy to break through the energy of someone weaker than him.

Still, by possessing the watch, he sensed that Remy was a low-level E Rank Hunter but seemed to be talented, considering how he even got an invitation from the Hunter Academy, and they rarely send out such invitations.

He had seen people literally begging before the gates of the academy just to get an invitation, and yet someone who was poor with burdens threw it away. It could only be seen us utter stupidity in the eyes of anyone, though Asher felt that Remy didn't seem like an idiot.

This piqued Asher's interest, and he had to find out why.

As if the watch read his mind, Asher felt a sudden jolt as he was transported to a time long gone. The scene around him dissolved, and he found himself standing in the middle of a vast playground, surrounded by a sea of excited children.

Amidst the chaos, he spotted a young Remy, who was beaming with joy as he held out his wrist, taking in the beauty of his new watch.

Asher felt as if he was really standing there. The colors around him were brighter, and the sounds more vivid. He could hear the laughter of children and feel the warm sun on his skin.

However, Remy's gaze turned forward as he saw a chubby-cheeked little girl with pigtails and a mischievous smile. Her bright blue eyes twinkled with excitement as she tilted her torso forward and asked, "How do you like my surprise gift, Remy? I begged my parents a lot to buy this for you since you never had a watch. But it seems too big for you, right?"

Remy looked at his watch with pure joy and excitement and said, "I don't mind at all. This watch seems so cool and costly, just like the ones I see in those fancy shops! You really didn't have to buy such an expensive gift for me. I feel bad if your parents might have scolded you for this…"

Isabella waved her hands as she said with a pout, "Noo, don't feel bad. If you feel bad, then I also will feel bad. You are my only best friend, and I wanted you to have this."

"Then I will gladly wear it all the time! Thanks so much, Isabella!"

Asher shook his head, seeing these memories, and decided to delve deeper. As he did, he felt himself being pulled towards a new scene. He was suddenly standing in the middle of a bustling city street, with tall buildings looming all around him.

He quickly realized that he was back in Remy's past, as a younger version of the boy was hurrying down the street towards a large building with a sign that read 'Elite Hunter Training School'.

It seemed like an above-average school for Hunters, and Asher saw Remy heading towards his classroom, where he seemed to be the new joiner of this class.

The teacher asked Remy to introduce himself, which he did with a small smile on his face, "Hi everyone, I am Remy, and I am pleased to be a part of this class from today onwards…."

Even though Remy introduced himself without much trouble, he was feeling nervous as he walked towards an empty seat in the back row.

However, right as he sat down, Remy saw a boy's hand extending towards him, "Hey, Remy. I heard we were going to get a new genius in our class. Didn't expect it to be so soon. I am Tristan, by the way. If you got any trouble adjusting to our school, all you have to do is let me know. Okay, bro?"

"Oh yeah, Tristan's father is the owner of the Blade of Brotherhood Guild, who is also a good friend of this school. He likes to help everyone out," A boy sitting beside Tristan said in a tone of admiration.

Tristan chuckled as he playfully elbowed him, "Stop exaggerating things, dude. You are making it awkward for me to talk to our new friend," Tristan looked at Remy with a friendly smile and said, "Just ignore him. He always keeps blabbing."

Remy lightly laughed, feeling less nervous as he shook Tristan's hand and said, "It's all good. Nice to meet you, Tristan."

Asher watched as the two boys struck up a conversation, talking about their classes, interests, and their experiences as aspiring Hunters. He could see that Remy was quite happy to form a new friendship with Tristan and no longer seemed anxious.

As days passed, he saw how they began to spend more time together by studying together, practicing their fighting skills, completing quests together, and even going out for meals and movies.

One detail he noticed was how Tristan was average at best, though he got to level up faster with Remy's help.

They seemed to be very close friends to the point Tristan helped Remy with his fees for school despite Remy's protest.

"Tristan, is this really fine? I don't want to inconvenience you and your father like this. I just feel uncomfortable using your money without giving you anything back," Remy said with a look of guilt.

Tristan let out a light-hearted laugh as he patted Remy's shoulder and said, "You are my best friend, dude. You don't have to feel guilty for using me and my money. But…if you still can't let it go, then just sign a dumb form where it says you are using my money as a loan. Would that let you feel at ease? You can pay me back whenever you feel comfortable."

Remy hesitated, feeling that Tristan was just trying to make him feel better. But he nodded and said with a sigh, "Okay…That is better, but I will definitely pay you back as soon as I can."

The memories continued to play out until not long after he saw Tristan getting introduced to Isabella by Remy. Remy had to introduce her since Tristan came to his house and happened to run into Isabella.

Tristan was a charismatic guy, and he also seemed to hit it off well with Isabella, just like he did with Remy.

Isabella was studying in a different school, but Tristan somehow convinced her to come and join his school where all three of them could be together.

And the three began to spend time together just like how Remy used to with Tristan until the three formed a tight circle of close friends.

However, as Asher continued to watch, he began to sense a tension building between Remy and Tristan.

He soon saw that the tension was coming from Isabella, who was now also in the picture most of the time. He watched as Tristan began to pay more attention to Isabella, showering her with compliments and flirting with her shamelessly in Remy's presence.

Remy grew increasingly uncomfortable with the situation, but he didn't know how to confront Tristan without risking their friendship, and he couldn't also tell him that he had a crush on Isabella since Isabella might learn about it. He couldn't risk losing two friends.

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Asher could see that Isabella came from a middle-class family and was talented but less talented than Remy.

He observed how Tristan kept buying fancy items most women would like and essential stuff like good quality weapons and armor on the pretext of "protecting his dear friend".

At first, Isabella seemed awkward about accepting them, but as time passed, she appeared very grateful to him and even seemed to enjoy his company, including his dumb jokes.

Remy was with her most of the time, but that didn't mean he got to interact with her when Tristan was stealing all the limelight.

Asher saw how despondent and complicated Remy was feeling seeing his childhood friend drifting away from farther and farther, all because of his other best friend.

However, things took an interesting turn when one day Remy overhead Tristan laughing and talking with some of his other friends.

"Bro, when you gonna fuck that chick named Isabella? It's hard to get acquainted with beauties like her. Most of them only want the snobs at the Hunter Academy as their boyfriends, phoo!" One of them said with a look of envy as he thought about the guys at the prestigious Hunter Academy.

Tristan clicked his tongue as he said, "Take it easy, guys. How can you talk about my friend like that? But…Just to let you in on a secret, I am going to become one of those 'snobs'."

"What the fuck?! You can't be serious. How? I mean, we know you are a genius but…but…" Another one stammered as he found it difficult how to put out his words without offending Tristan outright.

Tristan smirked and said, "No need to walk on ice around me. I know I can't match up against the geniuses at the Hunter Academy…yet. But once I get top-notch training from their professors, I will be a world-renowned genius in no time. Fortunately, my father knows a big shot Hunter who has strong ties with the academy. So it was easy to get a ticket or two."

"Whoa, two tickets? Who else are you bringing with you? One of us, hehe?"

Tristan lightly laughed before giving a smile, making one of them suddenly have their eyes go wide as they gasped, "Isabella? Oh my god, dude! Are you going to propose to her with this shit, or what? If you are, I have no doubt she is going to fall for you."

"I know, right! Which man or woman wouldn't die to get into that place?"

"If you are going to give her such a priceless opportunity, are you really serious about her?" One of them asked with genuine curiosity.

Tristan's eyes looked up and said as his lips curved into a derisive smile, "Tsk, what do you take me for? Isabella is hot and all, but she has zero background. So that is why I am going to keep her as a side piece until I bag a real 'item' when I join the academy. I have a career to plan and show my father how I can build a guild of my own too, or perhaps a bigger one."

"Oh, man! You are a fucking genius."

"Sigh, only if I could do the same."

Remy, who was listening to all this, had his pupils quiver and his fists tightly clenched.

He had almost given up on Isabella, thinking Tristan genuinely had a thing for Isabella, and Isabella also seemed to be happy in his company.

But never in his dreams did he imagine Tristan to be so twisted on the inside. Remy felt disgusted and angry by his words the more he replayed them in his mind.

He almost moved his feet as if he wanted to barge out and confront Tristan right here and now. But his body froze as he remembered doing so would only cause more trouble and solve nothing.

Tristan was the son of a powerful man while he was a nobody. It wouldn't be wise to go head-on against someone like that.

Asher saw how Remy surprisingly knew how to calmly think things through despite the tumultuous emotions he was feeling. Not every boy of his age could do that. The hardships he suffered as a child surely made his mind mature faster.

The memories continued to flow as Asher saw Remy submitting an application to join the Hunter Academy. He could see that Remy planned to join the academy along with the other two so that he could keep an eye on Tristan while protecting Isabella from any harm.

And not long after, Asher saw Remy being jubilant about getting an acceptance letter from Hunter Academy.

"Dude, you applied at Hunter Academy, and you didn't even tell your best friend?" Tristan asked with a look of hurt as if he didn't expect Remy to hide things from him.

Remy was inwardly seething with anger and disappointment upon seeing Tristan acting like this when he probably didn't even consider him a real friend.

However, Remy somehow collected his emotions as he winced and said, "I-I am sorry, Tristan. I didn't want to break this news to you without making sure they would select me. I just didn't want to disappoint myself or anybody else."

Tristan smiled as he said, "Come on, bro. I won't judge you, no matter if you got into some overrated academy or not. Still, I am happy they recognized your talent and even gave you a full scholarship. I knew you had it in you."

Remy gave a weak smile as he said, "Thanks, Tristan."

Tristan suddenly sighed as his expression became difficult, "But…I, sigh, how do I even say this to you?"

Remy furrowed his brows and asked, "What is it? Is something wrong?"

Tristan slightly grimaced as he looked at Remy and said, "This is kinda awkward, but you know how strict and asshole my father can be…especially when it comes to money. He even beat me up once just because I stole 100 bucks when I was like 10 years old. Haa…So one thing I didn't tell you yet is that he wants you to pay back the loan you owe him before you leave this city."

"What?...You never told me about this…" Remy mumbled as he felt his chest sinking.

Tristan rubbed his forehead as he said with an apologetic look, "I know, but I never thought you were going to leave this city soon. My father thought you would work for his guild to earn back the money he loaned to you, and I thought the same too, since you always expressed how you wanted to pay back my father in any way possible. Damn, if only I knew you had such great ambitions, I would have surely done something about it or at least stop you from signing that stupid agreement when he paid your fees."

Remy's eyes became blank as he lowered his head, his fists shaking behind his back, realizing he had already fallen into a deep pit he could never jump out of. He just didn't realize it until now, and learning how Tristan knew about it all since the beginning only made his nerves tighten.

"Oh god, bro, I am really sorry…I, you know what. Don't feel disheartened yet. I will try talking to my asshole of a father and see if I can change his mind. I promise I will fall at his feet if that is what it takes," Tristan said in a firm, determined voice.

Remy took a deep breath as he slowly turned around and said, "It's…fine. No need to trouble yourself…" Remy wanted to scream and cry, but he didn't know why his feet were pulling him away, telling him to just leave silently and never look back.

The flow of memories came to an end as Asher inwardly shook his head, 'Deceit hidden behind friendship. Why am I not surprised?' He sarcastically chuckled to himself and smirked, 'It seems like I am going to be your next best friend for a while, Remy.'

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