The Author's POV

"It's not your fault, Ren."

My mother's words echoed in my mind as I surveyed my surroundings. I had returned to Ashton City, and I wasn't alone.

All those who had been in the tower with me were also brought out, along with others.

"Ren, it's not—"

My mother began to say once more. As if I hadn't heard her the first time.

"I know."

I interrupted her, my mind numb and thoughts scattered.

Despite everything that had happened, I remained rational and surprisingly calm, unlike what I expected.

Everything became clear to me: what I had to do and what I had to achieve.

"I know it's not my fault."

I said calmly, looking at my mother. From behind her, I glanced at Nola, who averted her gaze from me. I could tell that she was no longer mad at me and had calmed down considerably.

Still, in light of what happened, the mood between the two of us was rather awkward, and she seemed to be struggling to find the right words to say to me.

Her attempts didn't escape my eyes. But I chose to ignore them. For now.

I closed my eyes, then opened them again and directed my focus toward the nearest pillar.

Until this moment, I hadn't had the chance to really take in the tower's details. It was majestic, its intricate patterns and designs radiating a sense of mystery and wonder.

It made me wonder just how exactly Jezebeth had been able to build such a structure, but the thoughts disappeared as fast as they came.

'It's a pity I can't teleport directly into them.'

There was something blocking me from using Soul Linkage. I tried teleporting inside the pillars, but it proved to be a fruitless endeavor.

It seemed as though I was still not adept enough in my control over the laws to surpass whatever was blocking me from entering the pillars.

"If you know it's not your fault, then..."

My thoughts were interrupted by my mother's words.

"I'm going to make those responsible pay."

I declared calmly, maintaining eye contact with her. Before she even had the chance to say any more words, I waved my hand, and they both disappeared from my sight, along with my father's body.

It became quiet again.

"Now then."

I blinked, and the scenery before me changed.

I now stood in front of the pillar.

I clenched my fist tightly, focusing my energy and channeling the laws within my body.

Booom—!

A deafening boom resounded as my fist connected with the tower, sending ripples of energy throughout the world.

***

Crash—!

shattered, and Jezebeth appeared in front of Ren, his fist hurling right

by cocking his head to the side, and then he immediately launched

Boom—!

and at the moment, in the snowy plain they were in, the snow beneath them tore apart, exposing a patch of

Boom—!

feet came crashing against the

try to hide it, but

through the atmosphere, and

gentle flutter, his hair

costly for you. I can tell that your mana is rapidly depleting by the second. You

"That's fine."

a calm voice, his head raised and his eyes

change in his expression, but there

if everything was under his

more to what he's already

and just as he was about to say something, his entire body stiffened, and a small projection appeared in front of his eyes, depicting the happenings of one of the

"You… this…"

Ren, the expression on his face changed into one of

Finally, Ren's lips curled.

"Surprised?"

as he cleaned

enough of getting rid of your little babies? Let alone absorb the power

Jezebeth's mind, and he

Rumble—! Rumble—!

entire world started to tremble at that moment,

amused Ren as he suddenly materialized in front of

"What was it again?"

his calm voice echoing throughout the

but looking at you… you're not that

Boom—!

entire body jerked backward when Ren's fist connected with

an answer to some philosophical question that would probably go along the lines of… you were a mistake that was never meant to happen. You shouldn't have ever been born. You're like cancer that has grown

echoed loudly within Jezebeth's head as he clenched his

he wanted to refute Ren's words, for some reason, he couldn't. It was as if… deep down,

perhaps… his existence and his entire race's existence were one mistake that was never

Swoosh—!

him in the back with the same force as before, causing Jezebeth's back to bend in

due to the rapidity of the events, and his

Boom—!

the air, and Ren appeared

than me, still

and he slowly turned his body. There, he spotted Jezebeth's

he was able to move all

"…It's pathetic."

Swoosh—!!

Jezebeth quietly remained where he was,

"Are you finished?"

voice

his words brought a sudden chill to the already chilly weather, and everything around them stopped

"Why do you… haaa…"

his face halfway through his sentence as

"Why do you always…"

time, he let out a small laugh as his face slowly started

you always

In contrast to his usual serenity, his expression was unusually twisted, and the world trembled before

Rumble—! Rumble—!