The Author's POV

'He's changed a lot since the last time I saw him.'

Donna quietly thought to herself as her gaze fixed on Ren who was seated a few tables ahead of her.

Even she felt pressured at the time he revealed his strength in front of everyone.

The power he displayed...

It was frightening.

'I knew he was talented, but I didn't think it was to this point.'

One could not come close to describing the rate of his progress. It was simply, frightening. To the point where both Monica and Kevin were left behind.

She was more shocked to find that not much time had elapsed since she had taught him at the Lock.

About six years.

In about that period of time, he had transformed from a typical ranking student to someone whose strength had surpassed hers.

'How monstrous.'

She mumbled to herself once more.

In the past, she thought that Monica was the most talented human she knew, but it was clear to her that there was someone else that was above her.

It was none other than Ren.

'His strength isn't the only thing that changed about him, his demenour also seemed to have changed.'

When Donna looked at him more closely, she saw that he was different from how he had been in the past.

Around him, there was a somewhat melancholy vibe. One that left Donna feeling uneasy. It was sufficient to make her face turn grave.

'...Just what happened during the few years that I haven't seen him?'

He wasn't exactly cheerful, but he sure as heck wasn't like how he was now.

It kind of worried her a little.

'I should probably talk to him after this is over.'

Thus, she made her mind up to talk to him after the meeting was over. It had been a couple of years since they had come to contact with each other, might as well catch up a little.

***

Bang—!

My fist smashed against the side of the bathroom wall, and fine miniature crevices extended all the way toward the ceiling of the bathroom.

The meeting had ended a couple of minutes ago. As expected, Octavious ranked first, and Maximus who was previously ranked third was now ranked second.

But that wasn't what resulted in my rage.

"Rank 18? Seriously?! ...After all that hard work?"

I gritted my teeth as a burst of rage erupted from deep within my body.

I was upset with my slow improvement rather than my poor ranking. I had been working hard for the past two years. Really hard.

During that period, I went through a phase of relative strength increase, helped by the air's increasing mana density and the merging with the strength of my former self.

My efforts paid off, and I was able to advance to level in just two years. I was just a little shy of reaching rank.

But...

"Too slow!"

I muttered through my clenched teeth.

Two years.

That was how much time I had left before my other self would take over or the curse that was in me would activate.

Two fucking years. That was how long I had to live.

The rate at which I was progressing was slow. Too fucking slow.

"...I miscalculated."

my strength on a whim. Rather, I did it

today was important to me for

the Union's cease-fire was set to expire the following month, and I would only have a chance to influence the situation and participate

started, however, I had severely underestimated just how hard it was to

the end, I only ended up ranking 18th, which was far beneath

Bang—!

"Damn it."

me into another

my nose. I saw a noticeable red

'Blood...'

arm spasmed a little and my vision blurred. This lasted for a good

"Not again..."

lowered my head and

"Fuck."

while more blood dropped down from

with my arm, I raised my head to

"What's wrong, nervous?"

recognizable voice

Slowly, my face sank.

"Huuuu…"

deep breath I was able to calm

came as a result

difficult

going to say

toward the sink. Slowly raising my head, I glared at the mirror,

Our eyes met.

up on what happened to Smallsnake? Two years have already passed, move on. Why even bother

the valve without saying anything. Only then

you my body after what you've done, you

"Oh?"

eyebrows of my reflection

you think I mind if I have to wait a few more years? The seal Jezebeth placed on you will put an end to things even if I don't take control of your body and do it myself. You've lost

"Right..."

of the sink with all my

Cra..crack…

started to form on the porcelain

was the one behind it? It could just be

his words, my

"You think I'm stupid?"

asked while calmly

icier as I drew

his death, but do you seriously think that I wouldn't know this was something you devised? I may be stupid at times, but I'm not

the grip on the sink as I recalled the events

sustained damage. He may have not been a clone, but he wasn't

didn't show it, I could tell. I may have not been

events that transpired back then

all the things I could've done to prevent such a situation from

there is no way you could have overlooked Jezebeth's unexpected appearance. You

weren't concerned for my safety because you also knew that he was

the last loop, but I sure as heck knew that he had enough power

said after his memories stopped playing, I knew that he wasn't planning to

head to

not have set your targets on Smallsnake in particular, but without

anything, he just looked

little bit before he opened his mouth

avoided his death. In a

when

'I knew it.'

first place, there is no use in lying about it now. Jezebeth's imminent

completely anticipate what will happen, major factors like that are indeed something that can be predicted, and from there, changing little things to make them go your way isn't exactly too hard. Why do you think you were able to see the

I'm sure you know exactly why I did what I

I ground my teeth.

Nonetheless, he continued speaking.

Quite plainly, the likelihood that you would succeed in fighting him was dwindling as you began to stand still. My decisions were driven

Bam—!

with all my force. The

reflection in the mirror

around the room my breath

don't have