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

meeting today was important to me

was set to expire the following month, and I would only have a chance to influence the situation and participate if I had a high enough

started, however, I

only ended up ranking 18th, which

Bang—!

"Damn it."

me into another fit

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

'Blood...'

spasmed a little and my vision blurred.

"Not again..."

and

"Fuck."

mouth while more

my arm, I raised my head to

"What's wrong, nervous?"

picked up a recognizable voice as my

Slowly, my face sank.

"Huuuu…"

was able to calm myself down and washed

outburst came as a result of his personality

was starting to be increasingly difficult

not going to say

Slowly raising my head, I

Our eyes met.

Two years have already passed, move on. Why even

the valve without saying anything. Only then did

body after what you've done, you can

"Oh?"

eyebrows of my reflection

think I 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

"Right..."

the side of the sink with all

Cra..crack…

form on

one

words, my head

"You think I'm stupid?"

while calmly staring

icier as I drew

in his death, but do you seriously think that I wouldn't know this was something you devised? I may be stupid at times, but I'm not

the sink as I

damage. He may have not been a

have not been able to defeat him, but I sure as heck would

that transpired back then haunted

could've done to prevent such a situation from happening felt

way 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

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

after his memories stopped playing, I knew that he wasn't planning to

raised my head to glare

Smallsnake in particular, but without a doubt, you

anything, he just looked

bit before he

death. In a way, you can say that I did plan for

heart tightened when

'I knew it.'

first place, there is no use in lying about it

changing little things to make them go your way isn't exactly too hard. Why do

exactly why I did what I

I ground my teeth.

Nonetheless, he continued speaking.

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

Bam—!

The glass shattered and shards

reflection in the

room my breath felt

have