Atticus's Odyssey: Reincarnated Into A Playground novel Chapter 1668

Chapter 1668: Selfish*

Atticus appeared in the skies above his training continent. His gaze settled on the figure seated cross-legged, dangerously close to the vein root.

’Grandpa Magnus.’

He frowned as Anorah’s words surfaced in his mind.

"Go see Grandpa Magnus. Aside from mother Anastasia, I think he took it the hardest."

According to her, Magnus had tried to enter the portal to the Willguard domain the moment he heard what happened.

But with no one else knowing its location, he had been forced to stop. Since then, he hadn’t left the portal room even once.

With a quiet exhale, Atticus descended and appeared before him. He could see the heat from the veil root pressing against Magnus’s body, making his skin faintly sizzle.

"Grandpa..."

Magnus’ eyes slowly opened. He tilted his head slightly as his gaze fell on Atticus.

"Atticus."

"You’re too close to the tree. You’ll burn yourself."

The words felt oddly out of place coming from him. Of all people, he shouldn’t be the one worrying about how far someone pushed their limits. Yet... seeing Magnus like this made it hard not to.

"It’s fine."

"...you don’t look fine."

"I said I’m fine."

"..."

An awkward silence settled between them. They simply stared at each other.

Then, Magnus’ frowned slightly.

"...is that all?"

"...no. I came to apologize. I—"

"You already did."

Atticus didn’t miss the subtle twitch in Magnus’ fingers.

"...so that’s it? It’s fine?"

"It is."

’It’s clearly not fine.’

Since his advancement, the world itself felt... closer to him. Clearer. Magnus’ emotions didn’t need to be spoken anymore. He could feel them as plainly as his own.

’He’s angry. At me?’

"...is that all?" Magnus asked again.

"...no. I still want to say it properly. I shouldn’t have acted like that."

"It’s fine."

"...you’re angry."

Magnus’ gaze sharpened.

"I am not."

"Then what is this?"

"Nothing."

"Grandpa... I’m standing right here apologizing. How are we supposed to move forward if you won’t even admit you’re upset?"

"I said I’m not."

"..."

"I’m not."

Atticus stared at him for a moment, speechless He had never known the man to be this stubborn.

"...alright. Then I guess it doesn’t matter if it happens again, right? Since you’re ’fine.’"

"... "

Magnus’ arms silently curled into fists. He hid it the moment he caught Atticus’ stare, then lifted his head and met Atticus’ knowing eyes for a brief moment.

Magnus exhaled, then spoke quietly.

"...don’t let it happen again."

A small smile formed on Atticus’ face.

"...so you are angry."

"... "

As Magnus gave him a blank look, Atticus coughed.

"...alright. I hear you."

"And..." Magnus hesitated, tightening his fists.

’Is he perhaps shy?’

Atticus tilted his head slightly. He knew Magnus wasn’t the type to talk about his feelings, but not talking about it was one thing, being unable to was another. Magnus seemed to fall into the latter.

For a brief moment, Atticus found himself wondering what Magnus’ relationship with his father had been like.

’I wonder if he ever said "I love you" to Dad.’

He couldn’t imagine it no matter how much he tried.

Finally, Magnus unclenched his fists.

"...just... don’t do that again."

"What exactly?"

It was rare to see Magnus speak like this, he simply couldn’t help himself.

"...what you did. With the Willguard."

"...you mean leaving without telling anyone?"

"...yes."

"...and why is that a problem?"

Magnus’ face twisted slightly.

"...because you disappeared without a word. If something had happened to you... we wouldn’t have known. We wouldn’t even know where to start looking. We would have just... lost you."

"..."

At that point, every shred of hesitation left Magnus. He clenched his fists as he met Atticus’ gaze.

"...I know you’re stronger than us. I know we can’t keep up with you. But that doesn’t mean we don’t matter. Don’t forget why you’re doing all this. Family matters, Atticus. If you start shutting us out... you’ll lose sight of that."

Atticus’ hands slowly curled into fists.

"...We care about you too. Just as much. So don’t do something like that again. Don’t be selfish."

Under the crimson glow of the veil root, Atticus lowered his head.

Name: Atticus Ravenstein 𝗳𝐫𝚎𝗲𝚠𝚎𝗯𝕟𝐨𝘃𝚎𝗹.𝗰𝗼𝗺

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