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."

on a whim.

meeting today was important to me for a

only have a chance to influence the situation and

previously anticipated that I would already be rank by the time the meeting started, however, I had severely underestimated just how hard it was to break through to the next

which was

Bang—!

"Damn it."

thought sent me into

I felt a wet sensation running down my nose. I saw a noticeable red

'Blood...'

spasmed a little and my vision blurred. This lasted

"Not again..."

my head and stared at my trembling

"Fuck."

my mouth while more blood dropped down from my

arm, I raised my

"What's wrong, nervous?"

a recognizable voice as

Slowly, my face sank.

"Huuuu…"

another deep breath I was able to calm myself down

outburst came as a result of his personality merging

was starting to be increasingly difficult for me to contain

not going to

water dripped down toward the sink. Slowly raising my head,

Our eyes met.

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

without saying anything. Only then did I open

expect me to give you my body after

"Oh?"

of my reflection

on you will put an end to things even if I don't take control of your

"Right..."

gripped the side of the sink

Cra..crack…

to form on the porcelain

that I was the one behind it? It

his words, my head

"You think I'm stupid?"

asked while calmly staring at

as I

I did have a fault in his death, but do you seriously think that I wouldn't know this was something you devised? I may be stupid at

sink as I recalled the events of

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

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

that

could've done to prevent such

You aren't this negligent. His appearance was unquestionably something you wanted to

for my safety because you also

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

to glare at

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

he

for a little bit before he

his death. In a way,

heart tightened when I heard

'I knew it.'

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

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

you know exactly why I did what

I ground my teeth.

Nonetheless, he continued speaking.

would succeed in fighting him was dwindling as you began to stand still. My decisions were driven by need. Smallsnake had to perish

Bam—!

mirror with all my force. The glass shattered and shards

reflection in the mirror

room my breath

have