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."

the meeting and exposed my strength on

important to me

cease-fire was set to expire the following month, and I would only have a chance to influence the situation and

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

I only ended up ranking 18th, which was far beneath the rank I wanted it

Bang—!

"Damn it."

thought sent me into another

only stopped when I felt a wet sensation running down my nose. I saw

'Blood...'

my vision blurred. This lasted for a

"Not again..."

and stared at my trembling

"Fuck."

mouth while more blood dropped

the blood with my arm, I raised my

"What's wrong, nervous?"

recognizable voice as my reflection moved

Slowly, my face sank.

"Huuuu…"

deep breath I was able to calm myself

as a result of his personality

starting to be increasingly difficult for

going

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

Our eyes met.

years have

closed the valve without saying anything. Only then did I

body after what you've done,

"Oh?"

eyebrows of

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 your body and do it

"Right..."

side of the sink with all my

Cra..crack…

slowly started to form

makes you so sure that I was the one behind it? It

his words, my

"You think I'm stupid?"

while calmly staring at the

became icier 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

sink as I recalled the events of

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

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

now, the events that transpired

could've done to prevent

could have overlooked Jezebeth's unexpected appearance. You

concerned for my safety because you also knew that he was hurt. This shows that you had something planned and that something was Smallsnake's

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

head to glare at the

have set your targets on Smallsnake in particular, but without a doubt, you wanted someone involved to

anything, he just

little bit before he opened his mouth

and avoided his death. In

tightened when

'I knew it.'

about it now. Jezebeth's imminent presence and everyone's appearance on the planet

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 for as long as you did? ...and why do you think you

exactly why I

I ground my teeth.

Nonetheless, he continued speaking.

for you to 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.

Bam—!

The glass shattered and

in

room my breath

have time for