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

meeting today was important to me for a certain

Monolith and the Union's cease-fire was set to expire the following month, and I would only

be rank by the time the meeting started, however, I had severely underestimated just how hard it was

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

Bang—!

"Damn it."

thought sent me into

felt a wet sensation running down my nose. I saw a noticeable red stain on my hand when I wiped the area

'Blood...'

my vision

"Not again..."

head and stared at

"Fuck."

silently left my mouth while more blood

with my arm, I raised my head to

"What's wrong, nervous?"

recognizable voice as my

Slowly, my face sank.

"Huuuu…"

I was able to calm myself down and washed my face with

outburst came as a result of

to be increasingly difficult for me to contain

going

the sink. Slowly raising my head,

Our eyes met.

what happened to Smallsnake? Two years have already passed, move

valve without saying anything. Only then did

to give you my body after what you've done, you can only give

"Oh?"

of

put an end to things even if I don't

"Right..."

of the sink with all

Cra..crack…

to form on

Smallsnake, what makes you so sure that I was the one behind it? It could just be you blaming me

words, my

"You think I'm stupid?"

while calmly

voice became icier as I drew nearer to

think that I wouldn't know this was

tightened the grip on the sink as I recalled the events

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

core. Even if he didn't show it, I could tell. I may have not been able to defeat him, but I sure as heck would have

events that

done to prevent

you could have overlooked Jezebeth's unexpected appearance. You aren't this negligent. His appearance was unquestionably something you wanted

but despite this, you weren't concerned for my safety because you also knew that he was hurt. This shows that you

last loop, but I sure

from the enigmatic words he said after his memories stopped playing, I knew that he wasn't planning to end

to glare

your targets on Smallsnake in particular, but without a doubt, you wanted

anything, he just looked at

little bit before

right, I could've helped you and avoided his death. In a way, you can say that I did plan for

heart tightened when I heard

'I knew it.'

there is no use in lying about it now. Jezebeth's imminent presence and everyone's appearance on the planet were things that

your way isn't exactly too hard. Why do you think you were able to see the memories for as long as you did? ...and

know exactly why I did what

I ground my teeth.

Nonetheless, he continued speaking.

likelihood that you would succeed in fighting him was dwindling as you began to stand still.

Bam—!

my force. The glass shattered and shards fell

reflection in the

around the room my breath felt

have time for