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."

and exposed my strength on a

to

only have a chance to influence the situation and

the time the meeting started, however, I had severely underestimated just

18th, which was far

Bang—!

"Damn it."

sent me into another fit of

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

'Blood...'

little and my vision blurred. This lasted for a good minute before

"Not again..."

lowered my head and

"Fuck."

curse silently left my mouth while more blood dropped

raised my head to stare at

"What's wrong, nervous?"

up a recognizable

Slowly, my face sank.

"Huuuu…"

another deep breath I was able to calm myself down and

a result of his personality

starting to be increasingly difficult for

not going

Slowly raising my head, I glared at the mirror, or to be more precise,

Our eyes met.

you still hung up on what happened to Smallsnake? Two years have already

closed the valve without saying anything. Only then did I open

me to give you my body after what you've done, you

"Oh?"

eyebrows of

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.

"Right..."

side of the sink with all my

Cra..crack…

started to form on the porcelain

I was the one

my

"You think I'm stupid?"

calmly staring at the

I drew nearer to the

I wouldn't know

grip on the sink as I recalled

damage. He may have not been

injuries worsened shortly after Kevin destroyed the core. Even if he didn't show it, I could tell. I may have not been able to

events that transpired back then

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

way you could have overlooked Jezebeth's unexpected appearance. You aren't this negligent. His

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

known that this was the last loop, but I sure as heck knew that

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

my head to glare at the

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

saying anything, he

for a little bit before he opened his mouth

and avoided his death. In a way, you

heart tightened when I heard his

'I knew it.'

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

make them go your way isn't exactly too hard. Why do you think you were able to see

you know exactly why I did what I did,

I ground my teeth.

Nonetheless, he continued speaking.

defeat Jezebeth. Quite plainly, the likelihood that you would succeed in fighting him was dwindling as you began to stand still. My decisions were driven by need. Smallsnake had to perish in order to enhance

Bam—!

The glass shattered

reflection in

room my breath

have