The semester break had finally arrived, and with it, the opportunity to return to my small hometown.
Although our estate was sizable and prosperous, we were still considered humble farmers compared to the grand nobles of the central district.
Our family was wealthy, certainly, but in the grand scheme of the empire, we were just affluent commoners.
As I approached the Mage’s Association building at the academy, the scene was bustling with activity.
Magic-infused floating ships hovered in the air, their horns blaring loudly, signaling the end of the semester and the beginning of the students’ exodus back to their homes.
The building was packed with students and their families, each preparing to depart.
The noise and commotion inside were palpable, a stark contrast to the usual serene atmosphere of the academy.
Despite the chill in the air, the warmth of the crowd quickly enveloped me with a simple reminder of the longingness of home.
Snow hadn’t yet made its appearance, but it was only a matter of time. The first flakes would likely fall either tonight or tomorrow, transforming the world into a snowy wonderland.
The anticipation of the season’s first snow, with its promise of a pristine white blanket covering the land, added a sense of expectation to the already lively atmosphere.
I could already picture the quiet, snow-covered landscape of our estate, a serene contrast to the hustle and bustle of the academy.
“Damn it, why am I ranked in the 300s and you’re in the top 50s? That doesn’t make sense!” one student complained.
“Haha, maybe it’s just because you’re dumb? Hahahaha,” another replied with a chuckle.
I couldn’t help but smile subtly as I overheard their conversation. It was a casual reminder of the end-of-semester rankings, a culmination of all the hard work and assessments that had transpired.
The rankings were out, and they were a mixed bag of triumphs and disappointments for many.
As for me, I was ranked 2nd among the hundreds of students in the Knight Department for my year. I had worked hard to achieve that, and it was a testament to my efforts throughout the semester.
Despite a few average scores on written exams, my strong performances in practical assessments and my overall skill level had secured my place near the top.
I didn’t need to worry about my class placements for the next semester, which was a relief.
Seo, Lucas, and Janica had also achieved their respective rankings, aligning with my expectations. Seo had secured the top spot, followed by Lucas in 3rd and Janica in 4th.
Their positions were as anticipated, given their consistent performance and dedication.
It felt good to see the hard work pay off, and the familiar routine of academic evaluations was now behind us, at least for the moment.
Still, it was a bit of a bummer… If the twins had been around, Janica’s placement might have been lower in the rankings.
I’d put so much effort into upgrading their specs and ensuring they were well-prepared, but now it felt like all that work had gone to waste.
Their sudden and suspicious disappearance had rendered all my preparations meaningless.
I had tried everything to find out what happened to them.
I hired an information guild to track their whereabouts and provide any useful information, but all they could tell me was what the academy already knew.
The twins had been last seen at the academy festival, and then they vanished into thin air, never to be seen again.
‘Right after I gave them the map towards their master’s legacy….’
It was frustrating to know the reason behind their disappearance, yet be unable to act on it effectively.
With no leads and no way to uncover the mystery through official channels, I decided that my only option was to take matters into my own hands.
The Misty Mountains, a region known for its eerie and mysterious aura, is the first place I should start.
The floating ship I was boarding for my journey had a stop in a city near the mountains, so making a slight detour to investigate the area would be feasible.
Although the first semester had largely remained peaceful and quiet, far from the chaos that the original scenario might have predicted, it still managed to bring its fair share of complex and challenging situations.
From a terrorist attack to unexpected encounters with the heroines, my interference with the start of the main scenario, the advance incident with General Auvin, and my peculiar method of leveling up-all of these events shaped the semester in ways I hadn’t anticipated.
Reflecting on the grand festival’s conclusion, it was clear that the semester was filled with more than just mundane academic activities.
Even an evil god has gained interest in me…. I really can’t catch an actual break huh.
My interactions with the main heroines were evidence of how tumultuous things had become.
‘Damn it…’
Thinking back to what happened with Snow only made me feel more embarrassed.
Why did I have to react so emotionally?
The memories from that day were still vivid, and I couldn’t help but cringe at my own
behavior.
‘I’m sorry, Snow…’
Those words felt hollow, especially knowing they didn’t reflect my true feelings.
It wasn’t Snow’s memory that was causing this turmoil; it was my own inability to control my
emotions.
My apologies seemed inadequate in light of the situation.
I was aware of how pathetic I appeared, letting my emotions get the better of me.
Despite the closure I’d gained from confronting those traumatic memories, I hoped I’d never have to face such an experience again.
I was relieved that Snow didn’t make a huge fuss about the incident-though, if I’m honest, she seemed to have found some twisted enjoyment in it.
Still, it was far from ideal for me to break down like that in front of a princess.
The embarrassment of crying in such a public setting, especially with someone of her status, was hard to shake off.
And then there was Rose. For some reason, I felt like I had glimpsed her among the crowd. My vision had been clouded by tears and the emotional haze, so maybe I had just imagined it.
‘Maybe I just saw it wrong…’
VOOOOMMMMM!!!!!
As the loud horns of the floating boats blared, signaling the departure, I snapped out of my reverie. I quickly stood up from my waiting chair and moved toward the docking bridge.
I cast one last glance at the academy, a sense of finality settling over me.
‘It’s time to head back home.’
Even though I wasn’t quite there yet, the thought of returning to my hometown was already
on my mind.
As I imagined Liyana’s voice, warm and affectionate, a shiver ran through me.
My hands and body trembled slightly at the thought.
In an attempt to regain my composure, I slapped both of my cheeks, drawing curious glances
from my fellow students.
I paid them no mind.
I needed to stay focused, to remind myself that what I experienced was not my reality but a
memory distorted by my emotions.
‘It’s not my memory… not my reality…’
Whispering this to myself, I clung to the reminder. I had to stay grounded, especially since I
didn’t know how I would react when I came face to face with Liyana again.
‘I don’t hate Liyana…’
I forced myself to acknowledge this truth, even if it felt difficult.
I needed to calm my racing heart and regain control.
Whatever happened in those worlds….
‘They’re not real to me.’
In the profound abyss of eternal darkness, a figure emerged-neither quite human nor
entirely a specter.
This being, assuming the form and silhouette of a woman, sat with an air of unsettling grace.
Her legs were crossed, and her right tendril-like hand rested idly against her head, which was adorned with a crown of dark, writhing tendrils.
Her gaze, a myriad of eyes spread across the enveloping gloom, held an expression of both confusion and amusement.
These countless eyes seemed to move independently, each one reflecting a different facet of
the being’s intrigue.
The darkness itself seemed to pulse and breathe, animated by the presence of this enigmatic
entity.
The air around her was filled with a cacophony of voices, a symphony of whispers and murmurs that reverberated through the void.
When she spoke, her voice cut through the darkness with a piercing resonance, carrying with it
an unsettling blend of curiosity and disdain.
“Was my offer not enough?” she mused, her tone imbued with a hint of mockery. The eyes
within the darkness shifted towards a single point of light, the only break in the otherwise
oppressive blackness.
Before her, floating in the air, was a massive sphere projecting a vivid image against the backdrop of darkness.
This sphere cast an intense contrast to the surrounding void, illuminating the image of a young man with blonde hair.
Riley Hell—his name echoed through the chasms of her realm. He was the sole mortal who had managed to capture her attention after eons of being confined to this pit of obscurity. Her amusement grew with each passing moment as she observed the young man. Riley’s attempts to evade her presence, his actions and decisions, were met with an almost
perverse delight.
Each escape, each turn away from her influence, added to her growing fascination.
The more he dodged her reach, the more intrigued she became.
[Call of the Night]
[Shadow Manipulation] [Essence of Death]
[Soul Madness]
[Abyssal Flames] [Siphon Walk]
She had been offering the mortal a number of different blessings, that stemmed from her
authority of great evil and death… and yet a mere mortal was ignoring her grace.
‘Interesting….’
In this eternal night, where time had lost its meaning and the only constant was her omnipresent gaze, Riley Hell had become an unexpected source of entertainment.
The dark being’s interest was piqued, and with it, a plan began to form-one that would bring
the mortal closer to her grasp and reveal the true extent of his defiance against the darkness
she embodied.
But even though Riley Hell continued to evade her, it was merely a matter of time before their paths would inevitably cross.
The dark being’s thoughts swirled with anticipation as she contemplated the future.
“The dragon’s mark is already etched across his soul…,” she mumbbled, her voice echoing through the cavernous darkness.
This mark, a symbol of fate and inevitability, bound Riley to a destiny of mortality. No matter how skillfully he maneuvered or how bravely he fought, the mark on his soul
signified that his end was approaching-an end that she would soon have a chance to interfere with.
Once Riley’s life was inevitably claimed, whether by his own struggles or by the chaotic forces that sought to claim him, her dominion over death would enable her to intervene.
She could claim him before her sister above-the goddess of life and light-had the chance.
This prospect delighted her, a tantalizing prospect of seizing a soul that had thus far managed to defy her influence.
A sinister smile crept across the being’s visage, her expression illuminated by the faintest glimmers of malevolent amusement.
Her lips, a maw of razor-sharp teeth that seemed to be woven from the very essence of
darkness, spread wide.
The thought of finally meeting the audacious mortal who had so brazenly ignored her presence was a source of perverse pleasure.
Her eyes, which were more a tapestry of countless eyes than a singular gaze, flickered with a
strange, unfamiliar memory.
This vision, vivid yet elusive, seemed to belong to a time or place she had never before
encountered.
It was an odd sensation, almost as if the memory had been glimpsed through a veil of shadows, just out of reach.