In reality, Emery didn't care that much about artifacts. However, the same couldn't be said for the favorite field he learnt during his time at the Magus Academy, apothecary.
Each time they walked past shops that displayed anything related to apothecary, his entire being was screaming to enter. He was eager to know what kind of herbs and new ingredients he could find and take home to experiment. Emery had to give his all to resist and not fall into temptation.
"No, no, no…" Emery muttered in an attempt to resist the urge, a sight that made the white haired girl walking next to him unable to hold back her chuckle.
"It's been quite some time since we started, yeah? Let's take a break." Silva said with a smile, to which Emery nodded.
The white-haired girl took him to one side of the city, a park-like area spanning across the city that separated it from the huge reinforced transparent barrier facing outer space.
The two proceeded to sit down on the deep green grass, which was apparently artificial. They didn't say anything and just stared absentmindedly at the outer space, beyond the transparent barrier.
Looking at the multiple ships flying in and out of Alfa's space station, Emery couldn't help but still feel some awe in his heart. It was definitely something he would remember for the rest of his life.
Moments later, the two of them saw another marvelous sight, as Alfa flew past a gas giant that glowed with a multitude of colors. The sight reminded Emery of a rainbow he had seen on Earth, but much more beautiful and mesmerizing.
"It's a nebula," Silva said, while Emery stared on in amazement.
For a moment, Emery remembered a dream a certain princess had told him about. A dream to travel and see myriad kinds of marvels existed on Earth. But now, here he was, traveling not just earth, but the galaxy.
Without realizing it, Emery smiled faintly.
Unbeknownst to him, Silva saw the smile on his face. She looked at her with a gentle gaze.
"You know…. this could all be your life forever if you wanted to…"
Emery was silent as he understood what the girl was talking about - the offer to join Ouroboros.
Upon further contemplation, Silva might have only said a few words to convince him to accept the offer, but what she didn't do with words she did with actions. He realized that over the past few days she had been showing what it was like to be in the Ouroboros faction.
With a smile on his face, Emery spoke in a nonchalant tone. "Is this why you showed me all those things?
"Well…" The girl smiled sheepishly. "It depends, I guess? Is it working?"
Even though she was smiling, Emery could faintly feel the worry in her expression.
It was at a moment that one needed to be truthful. Of course Emery knew how important this question was - both for him and her. Therefore, it took him quite a bit of time, before mustering a response.
Emery leaned his body back, while placing his hands on the ground and looked up at the barrier again. Rather, the beautiful nebula.
"It is working. Honestly, I like everything I see so far…"
Emery stopped abruptly in his words, as if something got his tongue.
Even though she was very excited to hear his affirmation, the girl quickly controlled her overflowing emotions. She knew he hadn't finished yet.
"Then, will you tell me why you are still hesitating?" Silva said in a calm voice.
In response, Emery took a deep breath. He then began explaining to Silva again about the Nephilim and the responsibility being asked of him.
From Lord Izta, from the Aboot, from the High Priestess of Gaia and of course himself. As long as the Nephilim faction was the caretaker of Earth, he could not commit to a faction and leave his home in jeopardy.
Silva seemed ready for such an answer as her reply reflected that.
"We might not have the solution to your caretaker problem, but we also wouldn't mind giving much freedom and time until your problem is solved."
Emery fell silent when he heard that. He took his eyes off the space and looked at her. "Will the queen really agree with that?"
Seeing the serious look on his face, Silva nodded and showed a confident look. "Yeah. I'm sure she will."
However, she also knew there was something else that bothered him, therefore she quickly added, "You know… what my mother promised you, all those support, artifacts, spirit stones, training, all will definitely be of great help to your journey in the academy and subsequently against the Nephilims."
What Silva said was somewhat true, it certainly tempted him to accept the offer, but there was something that still bothered him.
Seeing Emery was silent, Silva asked again. "Will you tell me what you think about this?"
Emery fell into deep thought. Moments later, he looked up towards the nebula and said, "I might not be the brightest person, but I am aware there are many things about factions and planets that I still don't understand. However, one thing I know for sure is that when one joins a faction, they will have responsibilities to fulfill."
He stopped his words and turned to Silva, staring at her eyes. "Silva, the thing is, if I have to choose between Ouroboros or Earth, my planet will always come first. Now, I ask you, will your faction be willing to accept that?"
Silva was silent, as this was certainly a difficult matter to answer. Being in a faction, however high one's position was, they would still have to follow and obey the order coming from the faction. Therefore, Emery's words said he would prioritize Earth over the faction that directly broke the main rules of the faction in the first place.
Still, it was clear Silva didn't want to give up yet.
"I'm sure both can be aligned, the Ouroboros and your planet. Earth's problem could become our problem too."
"How can you be sure?" asked Emery. "How can the two align when you don't even know where my planet is? When you don't know the people who live on it."
Silva looked at him with conviction before saying, "Emery, we can adapt. Once you join, you can gradually show us your planet and its people. I'm sure we'll discover that we have a lot of things in common."
It was only at this point that Emery seemed satisfied with the answer Silva gave. His facial expression looked as if all the doubts in him had finally been lifted.
The truth was, Emery had always been bothered with people who wanted him to join their faction just for him, not because of his home. From all of the figures, he could only find the answer within Lord Izta. However, now Silva's answer seemed to have successfully made him want to give the Ouroboros the benefit of the doubt.
After all, such an arrangement was surely beneficial for him and his planet. Simply put, he had nothing to lose but all to gain.
Seeing Emery's expression, the girl seemed to decide not to hold back her emotions anymore.
"So you agree, Emery?"
Emery thought it would be better if his friends knew about this issue and wished he could share the decision with them. However, he knew that in the end, this was a decision he had to personally make.
Emery looked at her and said, "If the queen thinks the same way, yes. I agree."
"We should quickly head back." Silva said. "We need to tell this to my mother."
Emery quickly grabbed the excited girl's hand. "Did you forget? We still have an auction to go to"