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."

exposed my strength on a whim. Rather, I did it with a goal

was important to me

to expire the following month, and I would only have a chance to influence the situation and participate if I

rank by the time the meeting started,

up ranking 18th, which

Bang—!

"Damn it."

into another fit of

down my nose. I saw a noticeable red stain on my hand when I wiped the

'Blood...'

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

"Not again..."

my head and stared at my

"Fuck."

curse silently left my mouth while more blood dropped down

blood with my arm, I raised

"What's wrong, nervous?"

ears picked up a recognizable

Slowly, my face sank.

"Huuuu…"

I was able to calm myself down and

a result of his

to be increasingly difficult

going to

on my face while water dripped down toward the sink. Slowly raising

Our eyes met.

happened to Smallsnake? Two years have already passed, move on.

anything. Only

my body after what you've done,

"Oh?"

of my reflection

an end to things even if I don't take control of your body and do

"Right..."

the side of the

Cra..crack…

slowly started to form on the

you so sure that I was the one behind

his words, my head

"You think I'm stupid?"

calmly staring at the

became icier as I drew nearer to the

I wouldn't know this

the grip on the sink as I recalled the

it at the time...Jezebeth sustained damage. He may have not been a clone,

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

the events that transpired back

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

no way you could have overlooked Jezebeth's unexpected appearance. You aren't this negligent. His

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

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

playing, I knew that he wasn't planning to end the loop

head to glare at

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

anything, he just looked at

bit before he opened

In a

when I

'I knew it.'

never attempted to conceal it in the first place, there is no use in lying about it now. Jezebeth's imminent presence and everyone's

be able to 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 memories

exactly why I did

I ground my teeth.

Nonetheless, he continued speaking.

shaky resolve you had at the time, there was simply no way for you to defeat Jezebeth. Quite plainly, the likelihood that you would succeed in fighting him was dwindling

Bam—!

punched the mirror with all my force. The glass shattered and

reflection in the mirror

room

don't have time