"Then why did you speak with our little eavesdropping interloper for so long?"
It wasn't that he doubted Weaver–no, Theodore was simply confused. Sarasvain was an extremely impressive figure, for sure, but was he really worthy of this much of the senior's limited attention?
"Because, other than you, he's the only one here qualified to speak to me–at least for now. He legitimately managed to avoid the measures I took to shut out the outside world on his own. That alone should speak volumes, should it not? I naturally know about your little spar, but to be honest, at this current point in time, he is so far above and beyond you in power that if he got serious, you never would have stood a chance."
Sighing to himself, the old man shook his head, deciding to spend a few more precious seconds on driving this particular point home and teaching the Winter Saint another lesson.
"Don't get me wrong: You have unfathomable potential, and you should be proud of that! But do not let it get to your head to this extent. The kid's potential is not much worse than yours, and he's walked his path for a lot longer than you have. The only thing holding him back for now is his depression, boredom, and overall lack of drive. Once–or if–he gets that under control, then you'll have to be careful of being left behind in the dust!"
His gaze turning a shade more stern, he locked eyes with Theodore, intent on getting this message fully across.
"He might just be the most powerful ally you could possibly find throughout the entire course of the Heavenly Succession! So prioritize recruiting him to your side a little bit more, alright? Growing up with the Winter Family has been a boon overall, but there is still too much inherent arrogance in your bones! Being aware of your own standing is not bad per se, but underestimating others–not only your peers–because they are not from prestigious forces can quickly lead to hubris."
Being preached to like this, a part of Theodore wanted to retort and argue, feeling like he hadn't acted in such a manner at all. But as he took this senior quite seriously, he forced the lecture down his figurative throat and sat on it for a good few moments.
'... as much as it makes me uncomfortable to admit this, he might just be right. Upon reflecting on it, I did indeed see many regular Heaven's Chosen, as well as the native populations of these event venues, as nothing more than numbers and insignificant beings. At most, I thought highly of those that stood out, but I never saw them as a threat to me. It's the same with Ninna. Just because she is from what is practically a Supreme Pillar, I've treated her differently–like 'someone on my level'. Whereas in Sarasvain's case, I always just assumed that his long life had endowed him with many of his current advantages over me. I hadn't considered that he might actually also be my equal...'
Furrowing his brows, Theodore frowned. It wasn't because he felt appalled at having been so 'inconsiderate', but rather due to realizing in how much danger he had unknowingly been. What if he met another Sarasvain, but this time, they were actually enemies? If he didn't take him seriously, then he would die before he knew it!
'This is clearly an inevitable result of my upbringing, combined with the atmosphere of the Heavenly Succession. As the darlings of the Heavenly Dao, we Heaven's Chosen feel just a bit more 'special' than all others. But this doesn't suddenly erase the existence of all experts out there who came before us, or who might not have got recognized by the Heavenly Dao for one reason or another! I have to put more conscious effort into not disregarding those beings. Let the hubris fade, and be overwritten by humility. Like a proper 'saint'. Heh.'
Finally regaining a smidgen of confidence, he smirked. When glancing at Weaver, though, another thought came to his mind.
'Is he sure about Sarasvain being the most powerful ally that I can find in the competition? Does he know about Arvy?'
Recalling his incredible friend, Arvystas' abilities–or at least a portion of them–came to mind for a moment. And immediately, Weaver's eyes widened–much to Theodore's amusement.
"I'll be damned! Where did a freak like that even come from?! Other than your own potential, having such a companion is the greatest advantage that you started out with! Scratch what I said earlier: The Sarasvain kid is one of the 'two' most powerful possible allies of yours. Considering the enemies you'll have to face, you still shouldn't let your guard down, though, even if you manage to recruit both of them!"
Ignoring the smug grin on his lips, the elder earnestly advised him. Then, as if suddenly recalling something, he slapped himself on the forehead.
"Before I forget: There's a withered root in your Storage Ring that you really shouldn't sleep on. Once you reach the Celestial Stage, plant it. I promise you, it's a huge opportunity!"
A bit taken aback, Theodore let his perception enter the ring on his finger, searching through the ridiculous amount of accumulated resources and assets. In an almost forgotten corner, there it was: A grey, lifeless, and tiny fragment of what was once the root of some sort of plant. He had picked it up from an unimportant, slain Heaven's Chosen's Storage Ring about a century ago, and ever since then, the matter of its revival had been shelved indefinitely.
It wasn't that it had completely slipped his mind, but there had just never been a good time, or an ideal place, to plant it. He had long considered the possibility of waiting for the Celestial Stage before enacting a certain plan of his, but he had always been a little hesitant. Yet now, with the senior's recommendation in mind, he should probably choose to go through with it.
"... thank you for the reminder, Weaver. I'll take good care of it."
An inscrutable gaze landed upon him, causing him to almost flinch in discomfort. The look in the elder's eyes had changed a little, becoming distant and a bit distracted–but just a moment later, they cleared up again, the corners of his lips rising.
"Oh, I'm sure you will."
The meaningful look in Weaver's eyes unsettled Theodore a little, but he had grown used to such a sensation during his childhood. When his father, his mothers, or other strong relatives stared at him, it had occasionally been exactly like this. Every second, they would be simulating countless futures of his in their heads, coming to know him better than he even understood himself.
"... alright. Well, before you go, I still have a few questions. What did you come here for? And why did you wait for me? What's your purpose?"
Nodding in approval at his inquiries, Weaver considered which information he could share without causing any major issues, then he responded.
"My goal has always been to reunite you with Lady Faavi. To that effect, I have been here since... quite a few eons ago. I entered the event venue together with this World Shard back when it was being set up, and kept waiting. I then swapped the Sanctuary housing Lady Faavi with another part of the event venue, leading to the meeting between you two."
Looking around at all of the corpses here in the netherworld, a wistful expression graced his face.
"The power of everyone here was drained eons before this World Shard was being repurposed to become a part of the event venue. All of that power, combined with my own, allowed me to achieve such a feat and stay undetected. Many, many people gave their lives for you and Lady Faavi, most of them willingly. Never take that for granted, but also don't let it burden you."
Turning his head to face the Winter Saint once more, Weaver regained his smile.
"I waited for you because I am your friend and helper. Supporting you is my sole purpose. Unfortunately, though, I can't exactly give you anything, as doing so would definitely be discovered. But what I can do is point you in the right direction."
Perfectly aware that he hadn't given Theodore the answer that he wished to hear, the elder shrugged helplessly. Interference was well and good, but too much of it would prove a toxin instead of a boon.
"Don't look at me like that. Believe me when I tell you this: Once upon a time, you acted exactly like me. It could even be said that I learned this song and dance from you, you know?"
These words caused the young Winter Family heir to raise an eyebrow, as they revealed far more than might be obvious at first glance. So far, he had assumed that John had not been overly familiar with this figure, but what he had just been told seemed to imply the opposite. Why was it, then, that he could not, for the life of him, sense a stronger connection between himself and Weaver?
'Perchance... is he actively preventing this link from forming, potentially to protect me? After all, anybody on his level would be capable of discovering the existence of such a bond between him and me, even if we're the entirety of the Heavenly Dao apart.'
As that thought came to mind, a complicated expression flashed across his face. For a short instant, a strong sense of guilt and appreciation bloomed in his heart, but then it immediately disappeared. Looking up at the old man, a bright grin had bloomed on the senior's lips.
'He did that on purpose, to prove how deep our connection truly runs.'
After a gesture that seemed like a nod, but might as well have been any other slight head movement, Weaver began to stretch and rise to his feet. The crackling of his bones was incessant, yet he didn't let it bother him.
"It was nice to talk with you again. I'll see you after the Heavenly Succession is over, alright? You'd better win, else many people will be sorely disappointed! But no pressure. Goodbye! And take care, Lady Faavi!"
With a bit more of an energetic, almost youthful, spring to his step, his lips curled up into what Theodore could only describe as a shit-eating grin, then with a wave of his hand, he disappeared.... or not.
"Huh? Hey! What's going on? Didn't we agree on letting me exit the stage at this moment? Wait, what? It's because of my excessive teasing?! You're pampering him too mu–"
At first flabbergasted by the situation, after a moment of quiet, Weaver began to talk to the empty air, seemingly having a conversation with somebody that only he could hear. Then, suddenly, before he could divulge anything potentially of too much importance, he was whisked away in a strange manner.
Although Theodore had often witnessed others disappearing as if they had never existed, the way in which Weaver had vanished gave him a strangely familiar feeling. It was essentially the same process as the one that had banished Sarasvain to... well, wherever he had actually been sent. But at the same time, his gut told him that it was just like his own Intraworld Teleportation.
'... I've long been suspecting it, but was that the Heavenly Dao itself? It has to be, right? Only it could possibly understand and replicate my Intraworld Teleportation so well. That, or the Heavenly Empress, or someone else on her level. But it being her would make no sense, and as far as I'm aware, there are no other figures on this level. So... by process of elimination, the Heavenly Dao it is.'
Considering that it was the deceased Heavenly Emperor, Huang Xian, who had sent him here, it made perfect sense for the Heavenly Dao to follow whatever arrangement those two had made. But was it really to the extent of pampering?
'Well, all things considered, everything has been going extremely smoothly, and I've constantly felt looked after–as if my path had been laid out in advance. ... but how long can this continue? How far ahead did the Heavenly Dao plan?'
Unable to answer that question, he simply shook his head and accepted this gesture of goodwill. Still, there was a peculiar feeling at the back of his mind. It was almost as if... the day when his personalized 'beginner period' would end was creeping closer and closer.