The Author's POV

The scenery outside of the window kept shifting as the car continued to move through the streets of Ashton city.

There was an unusual silence inside the car as it passed each street.

"Are you okay?"

The silence was only broken by Amanda's voice, which contained hints of worry.

"...If you're worried about my safety, you shouldn't be. I'm about to reach rank soon. I can hold my ow—"

"That's not it."

I cut her off before she could continue speaking.

I then turned my attention in her direction.

"Your safety isn't what is bothering me. I already know just how strong you are. There's no need for me to protect you."

Amanda was one of the last people that needed my protection.

With a big guild backing her up, and her father, who was now rank helping her, she was safer than anyone else I knew.

Not only that, but her strength wasn't anything to scoff at. Even I would have trouble fighting against her if she started attacking me from a long distance.

She was the worst opponent for me.

"Then what are you worried about?"

"My strength."

I truthfully replied. Lowering my head to gaze at my hands, I quietly whispered.

"...I need more strength."

I was strong, yet so weak at the same time.

If only I could become stronger, faster...

Sadly, time wasn't on my side. With only two years left, I didn't see much hope in the dark tunnel that I was walking in.

Nonetheless, I still continued to walk. I had no choice but to.

"..."

Amanda didn't say anything after overhearing my words.

Her gaze was on me, but she didn't say anything. It seemed as though she understood my sentiments.

The last thing I heard from her throughout the ride back home was her soft whisper.

"Me too..."

***

Union tower, executive floor.

comfort of his own office. Glass windows that stretched from one end of the room to the other allowed him to see everything. From the streets below, the skyscrapers in

hours until he raised his head to stare at the

"...What am I missing?"

monotonous

in the sky appeared. During that time, Octavious watched as more and more people broke through to

reaching the rank at the age of thirty two, and several other known figures also breaking through their previous talent limits, Octavious knew

in a

issue remained; in spite of all the time that had elapsed, he was still only at the rank. Octavious was a patient man, and in a normal situation, he wouldn't have given a damn about

the situation was

"I can't feel it."

one would feel when they were close to reaching the next level. Octavious couldn't

one thing. He was still far

give up

he stared at the azure blue sky.

breath, he turned around to face his

then that his eyes paused on a certain frame. On the

to reveal several post-it notes in his handwriting. One

sure to smile in front of children. Even if you lose your emotions, you should try your

patting her on the head when she cries. It should appease

her milk

happy. Try giving them to her when

show her some affection even if you can't feel anything for her. It's the least you can do for giving up on your emotions in

the frame back up to

he couldn't understand them, he felt like they were important. He just didn't

"Soul...Soul...Soul..."

mumbled to himself, taking out a large

he started to flip through it. He had an inkling that the reason why he couldn't break through had something to do

***

The next day.

"Are you guys ready?"

a large expanse of grass. Beside me was

danced and

to open the

of at the Union, I won't be able to accompany you guys, but that shouldn't be a problem. When you people are finished, I'll visit just teleport to you guys

"That will do."

my head in

was supposed to be in seven human days, which

then, Kevin would teleport to us and he would set up a portal. For obvious

presence would definitely arouse Jezebeth's interest and in turn, raise the possibility of him appearing in Immorra which wasn't

"Are you ready?"

Kevin called out.

others behind me, I nodded my head. Judging

"Yes, we're ready."

"Okay."

physique started to radiate a reddish glow. The color grew quickly this time, unlike the previous times he attempted to open the portals, before gently creating a net to enclose a white

my lesson from last

Kevin started to speak.

opening up the portal, I have found a way to use my mana alone

paused mid sentence and looked at