While Shimon was still in shock, Gideon continued in a deep voice, “There are many things in this world that we can't fathom or perceive due to our limitations. Take the concept of quantum physics in time and space for example. We can't tell if it’s true or false, real or fake but that doesn't mean that it doesn't exist simply because we can't perceive it or study it.”
“That’s why I believe it’s possible. By calling it immortality, we’re describing it in the way we understand it. But it may be something completely different if we use other beings’ words to describe it. What kind of life form has an average lifespan dozens of times longer than humans? In our eyes, wouldn’t that being be immortal?”
Shimon stared in wide-eyed shock.
“What… beings are you referring to exactly?”
Gideon squinted at him for a moment and laughed.
“It was just an example. You thought I was serious?”
Shimon froze for a moment before relaxing into a sheepish smile.
He had unknowingly broken out in cold sweat.
“I got a little too worked up.”
Shimon wiped the sweat on his forehead and poured himself another cup of cold tea.
Upon seeing that, Gideon gently reminded him, “Too much cold tea can be harmful. Do take care.”
Shimon sighed after rehydrating his dry lips with the cold tea.
“To be honest, this had been weighing on me for a long time. It felt crushing. Every time I thought about it I would have nightmares of the strangest and most unbelievable things. So I figured that if I told someone about it, I’d feel somewhat better.”
A faint smile graced Gideon’s lips but it did not reach his eyes.
“Carry on then, Mr. Flinders. I will listen.”
“Ok. The whole situation began a month ago…”
Shimon then told Gideon about how he had gotten orders from Jeff to pester Gregory for the Heavenly Jade Silk, how he had brought the Arcane Jade to that small island and met Jeff for the first time there.
Besides, he talked about witnessing Jeff’s oddities and unexplainable abilities firsthand.
The whole time, Gideon sat there and listened silently without interrupting him once.
His face remained calm as if he were listening to the most normal thing on earth and not a weird yet incredible fantasy story.
When Shimon finished talking, he noticed Gideon’s facial expression too and asked curiously, “Mr. Leith, don't you think this is bizarre? Or did you not believe any of that?”
Gideon pondered it and smiled thinly.
“No, I believe it. I don't find it that bizarre.”
He paused, wondering how he could word it so Shimon would understand easier.
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