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 whim. Rather, I

was important to

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

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

up ranking 18th, which was far beneath the rank

Bang—!

"Damn it."

thought sent me into

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

'Blood...'

vision blurred. This lasted for a good

"Not again..."

and

"Fuck."

curse silently left my mouth while more

raised my head to stare at my

"What's wrong, nervous?"

recognizable voice as my reflection moved

Slowly, my face sank.

"Huuuu…"

to calm

a result of his personality merging

starting to be increasingly difficult

going to say

Slowly raising my head, I glared at the mirror, or

Our eyes met.

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

closed the valve without saying anything. Only then did I

to give you my body after

"Oh?"

of

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

"Right..."

side of the

Cra..crack…

started to form on the porcelain

one behind it? It could just be you blaming

my head slowly

"You think I'm stupid?"

while calmly staring at

as I drew nearer to the

you seriously think that I wouldn't know this

as I recalled the

the time...Jezebeth sustained damage. He may have not been

his 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 defeat him,

now, the events that

done to prevent such a situation

Jezebeth's unexpected appearance. You aren't

my safety because you also knew that he was hurt. This shows that you had

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

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

head to glare

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

saying anything, he just looked at

silence persisted for a little bit before

avoided his death. In a way, you can say that I did

tightened when

'I knew it.'

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

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

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

I ground my teeth.

Nonetheless, he continued speaking.

you would succeed in fighting him was dwindling

Bam—!

force. The glass shattered and shards fell on

reflection in the mirror

the room

have time