socalfunplaces Chapter 109: Combination of Knowledge and Action 1
Chapter 109: Combination of Knowledge and Action 1
Chapter 109 Unity of Knowledge and Action
When you're alone, the passage of time always seems unpredictable.
Aaron suddenly realized that even Lola had been gone for two months.
My days at the library have returned to the same routine as yesterday.
After finishing his daily work on the nursing books, Aaron would go behind the registration counter to read.
Although there are few visitors here, Aaron has always hoped that someone would break the silence of the library in recent decades.
"Tick-tock~"
"Tick-tock~"
The sound of dripping water reached Aaron's ears, instantly putting him on alert.
Strange, the sky outside is clear and sunny, so why am I hearing this sound? Could it be a leaking pipe?
If so, repairs must be carried out immediately to avoid damaging the books in the library.
But when he looked up, he found that the truth was not so.
Laura, soaking wet, stood at the top of the stairs, water droplets sliding from her fingertips and the hem of her clothes onto the floor with a crisp sound.
Aaron was quite surprised by Laura's sudden return.
There is so much I want to say and so many questions I want to ask.
Aaron opened his mouth early on, but hesitated about what to say first, and remained silent for a long time.
Finally, he said:
"Are there any old clothes in the room?"
Lola nodded.
Aaron smiled:
"Quickly grab a towel to dry your hair and body, and change into some dry clothes so you don't catch a cold."
Lola nodded and went into her and Anne's room.
After a while, Lola returned to the hall, wearing a clean dress.
Aaron was already sitting on the stool, waiting to see her.
He didn't need to say anything; he simply nodded to Lola, and she immediately understood Aaron's meaning.
She sat down opposite Aaron.
The two seemed poised to engage in a serious conversation, but instead fell into a long silence.
Lola was a woman of few words, while Aaron was struggling with where to begin.
Suddenly, Aaron noticed that Lola was always glancing at him furtively with a mischievous look in her eyes.
I couldn't help but ask curiously, "What are you looking at?"
Laura hesitated for a moment before replying:
"Your face—"
My face? Aaron suddenly realized, "That's right, I'm the seventy-seventh now."
This face now looks like that of a twenty-year-old.
Aaron hadn't expected Lola to return so quickly, but even if she found out, it wouldn't be a big deal. Lola and Annie had both witnessed Aaron's other extraordinary abilities, so getting them to accept it shouldn't be difficult.
However, once Anne finds out, she will definitely get angry with Aaron and complain that he has kept something from her.
But who doesn't have secrets?
Just as Aaron was about to explain, Laura had already arrived at the answer herself:
"Your abilities?"
"Yes," Aaron nodded.
"How old are you?" Lola asked immediately.
It seems Lola is really interested in this matter, as she asked Aaron so many questions.
But Aaron hadn't counted his exact age in a long time, so he could only give a general answer:
"Very, very big."
Lola nodded slightly and said no more.
She should have accepted it by now, just as Aaron had anticipated.
At that moment, Aaron had already figured out how to start the conversation: "Is it raining over there?"
"Um.
"So, you've arrived at school already?"
Lola shook her head.
"Huh? What's going on?"
"No ship is willing to cross the Weeping Strait for the time being."
Aaron instantly guessed Laura's thoughts: "So you'd rather stay in Nailport than take the long way by boat?"
Lola nodded again.
"Hahaha," Aaron laughed.
This is something Lola would actually do.
However, Laura seemed somewhat puzzled by Aaron's sudden laughter, tilting her head slightly as she sat there. Aaron, however, didn't intend to explain. He cleared his throat and then asked seriously:
"So, you also set up an anchor point in Nam Harbour?"
Laura nodded.
Aaron frowned. "This is dangerous. Your skill level is still limited. As the number of anchor points increases, the complexity of the magic circle will also increase exponentially. If you're not careful, you might even be swallowed up by the Radiant Realm."
Lola replied, "It's complicated, but—we're managing it for now."
"But what if you arrive on the frozen continent? Won't you set up a fourth anchor point?" Aaron questioned.
Laura fell silent; clearly, she would.
Aaron sighed and said worriedly:
"I know that even if I advise you, you will definitely do it anyway, but Lola, you must act within your capabilities." Lola promised briefly.
Lola had always been a perceptive and sensible girl, so Aaron knew that there was no need to repeatedly emphasize something to her.
If she can accept it, she will definitely do it.
Aaron also understood that Laura would not set up an anchorage in Nailport unless there was a special reason.
Therefore, Aaron immediately asked, "So, Laura, what happened?"
Upon hearing this, Lola lowered her head deeply.
After a long while, she finally raised her head and looked at Aaron:
"Aaron, I—killed someone."
Aaron took a deep breath after hearing this, but he didn't say anything.
Since Lola made a special trip back to the library, she must have come to discuss this matter with Aaron.
She probably felt confused, but Aaron didn't yet know what was causing Laura's confusion.
Rather than rashly offering opinions, what we should do now is to fully understand Lola's thoughts.
After a brief pause, Laura continued:
"He was a slave trader, and he had the blood of countless of my compatriots on his hands, so I killed him."
Aaron breathed a sigh of relief upon learning that it wasn't an indiscriminate killing of innocent people.
He then asked, "Regret it?"
Lola shook her head.
"Are you scared?"
Laura also nodded.
Aaron found it strange. Laura wasn't feeling lingering fear after killing someone, nor was she repenting for her impulsive act. So what was she confused about?
A moment later, Lola said:
"Aaron, after killing him, I felt a sense of relief. That man harmed countless of my people, but I didn't give him a quick death. Watching him struggle in pain, I felt immense pleasure. I've always hated most people in this world, especially those slave traders. Killing him gave me a sense of revenge."
The fact that she didn't feel empty suggests that Lola wasn't fixated on revenge.
But what surprised Aaron the most was that Lola, who was usually very taciturn, actually said such a long thing.
So, does Lola hate the pleasure she gets from killing?
Aaron said, "Lola, I can't say you did the right thing. I'm just an outsider and can't judge right or wrong. But I know that your people have been exploited and oppressed here. But emotions don't dissipate; they gradually accumulate. Once an outlet appears, the emotions are released instantly, and you feel happy. I think that's just normal psychology."
Upon hearing this, Lola shook her head and said:
"That's not what I meant. After killing that man, I saw a lone slave trader. I immediately felt an urge to kill, and I was surprised to find that a sense of pleasure had already been swirling within me before I even committed the murder."
"You killed him?" Aaron asked.
Lola shook her head: "After I realized my mindset, I panicked and ran away from that person. After that, I thought I'd come and ask you."
Aaron nodded, then analyzed:
"The reason you feel that way is probably because you've mentally foreseen the outcome of your revenge and linked it to the pleasure you felt from your previous revenge, creating a psychological reflex. And that is indeed pathological."
After speaking, Lola's face immediately fell, and she murmured:
"I'm definitely not normal."
Aaron comforted him, "The people of this world have caused you psychological trauma. It's normal to hate them and want revenge. However, if you kill only for the pleasure of revenge, your motives are no longer pure. If you suffer because of this, you can't use hatred as an excuse, otherwise you'll only sink deeper into this mess."
Laura remained silent for a long time, seemingly reflecting on Aaron's words.
When she looked at Aaron again, she asked:
"Aaron, should I not seek revenge?"
How should we answer this question?
Aaron paused for a moment before speaking:
"Lola, opinions on whether or not a person should do something can vary greatly from person to person. You should ask yourself that question."
"So what should I do next?"
"In my hometown, there's a saying: 'Knowledge and action must be one,' but very few people can actually do it. I suggest you, Lola, understand and follow your own heart."
Lola bit her lower lip: "If I choose to continue with revenge, I might really lose myself in that pleasurable feeling, I—I might become a serial killer—"
“If you feel it’s wrong, then don’t do it,” Aaron said. “I haven’t experienced your suffering, so I can’t advise you against revenge. But, Lola, I still stand by what I said: don’t use revenge as an excuse. As long as you remember that, I don’t think you’ll become a serial killer.”
"But even so, I could still kill a lot of people," Laura said.
"So this is the choice you have to make and weigh: want revenge, but don't want to bear the guilt and the loss of lives? There's no such thing as a free lunch!"
Aaron thought of Aurelia.
Lady Aurélie finally succeeded in her revenge, and she said she was very satisfied with the outcome.
But Aaron thought that Aure must have suffered greatly from her conscience during the process.
"So, Aaron, if I killed many people, what would you think of me?"
Aaron smiled. "I don't care what you did. If you didn't tell me, I wouldn't even ask. Lola, I gave you your name, and Booker is a surname born from this library. This will always be your home, even if you don't admit it."
Laura exclaimed excitedly, "I'm not denying it—if I have a home in this world, it's here!"
"Ha," Aaron smiled and nodded, "Then the door is always open for you—even though you don't usually use the front door." Lola chuckled.
Lola doesn't smile much, but Aaron thinks she's quite lively and cute when she does.
"Aaron?"
"Um?"
"If I killed a lot of people, would Annie hate me?"
Aaron shrugged:
"From what I know of Anne, I can guess what she thinks. However, I can't answer for her, Lola. If you want to know the answer, you should ask her. Anyway, it shouldn't be difficult for you, right?"
The library then fell silent again.
The two sat silently in the library, enjoying the tranquility.
Sometimes, even without communication, warmth can be created.
After an unknown amount of time, Lola stood up from her seat.
She said to Aaron, "I have to go now, Aaron. Thank you for listening to me. I feel much better now."
"Yes," Aaron nodded gently.
Goodbye, Aaron.
Aaron waved to Laura as well.
Lola turned and headed for the stairs when Aaron suddenly called out:
"Lola!"
"Hmm?" Lola turned to look at Aaron.
"I'm happy that you're willing to consult me when you encounter difficulties."
"Um.
Aaron responded with a "Mm".
After that, Lola went up the stairs to the rooftop.
Aaron had intended to go upstairs to see Lola off, but after thinking about it, he decided against it.
Just two months ago, Aaron had said goodbye to Laura.
But this time, Aaron felt even heavier, and was quite reluctant to part with her.
As always, Aaron was concerned about everyone who left the library.
As always, Laura was unwilling to express too many thoughts.
But this time, Aaron could clearly feel it.
Laura truly considered Aaron as family.