CHAPTER 24 - A DECISION THAT SHOCKED THE WORLD
Darkness felt warm. Not peaceful - just... heavy. Like sinking into deep water where sound couldn't
reach me.
Somewhere far away, voices murmured.
"He should've died."
"That wasn't normal mana backlash."
"Keep the seal stable - his core is fluctuating."
"Those strange runes on his body did half the work."
"Yeah... what are those runes?"
A sharp breath escaped my lips as consciousness snapped back.
My eyes opened to a white ceiling.
The scent of herbs. Soft sheets beneath me. A faint glow of healing formations etched into the walls.
Valarian Academy infirmary.
I tried to sit up - pain shot through my abdomen, forcing me back down.
"Easy, human. You're not going anywhere."
Viara's voice came from my left.
He sat beside the bed, one arm wrapped in bandages, face pale but alive. His eyes were fixed on
me with a mix of relief... and something else. Apparently, Mana Art could affect even a pocket
dimension.
"It's Nero. Nero Crimsonflare. Remember it."
"Okay! Anyway, you finally woke up. I thought you were done for."
"In your dream, motherfucker."
I swallowed, throat dry. "How long was I out?"
"Two days."
"What the...? But it makes sense. Mana Art feels different. It even affects the outside."
"Yeah," Viara said. "You know normal people don't survive a direct Mana Art strike. And they
definitely don't use rune magic like that."
"First is will. Second is secret," I said.
Before Viara could respond, a sweet voice drifted into the room.
"Oh, cute boy... you really know how to make me worried."
Of course. Miss Valentine - Madam Scarlet.
"You know, sexy lady... I am the strongest," I said proudly, lifting my shirt to show my abs.
Viara started sweating like crazy. He couldn't believe I said that. He probably thought I was signing
my own death sentence. Natural reaction - she was one of the most dangerous people in the world.
Valentine smiled, amused. "Anyway, do you know who placed first in the entire exam?"
"Well, it's Leon Sundanw. But if you want... we can change it to you."
Me and Viara froze, mouths dropping open. Who the hell could just change exam results?
"Oh, don't misunderstand," she added. "It's because you're an elite rune wizard."
"Oh, I get it. But no thanks," I said. "I'm not joining the academy. I'm going to start my mother's
restaurant again."
"WHAT?!" Viara and Valentine shouted together. Even the infirmary attendant flinched.
"Are you mad, Nero?" Valentine said. "You have a chance to become a strong human - no, maybe
the strongest."
"Yes! Did your head also get hit by that Mana Art?" Viara added.
I wanted to punch this bastard.
"Aaa, not like that. My parents told me before they died... live happy. And this is my happiness."
"But... but..." Valentine was speechless. She sighed. "Fine. Do you even have money for
preparation?"
"No," I said bluntly.
Both of them stared at me like I was disabled.
Then Valentine pulled out a golden bank card and handed it to me.
"Use this money. Think of it as a gift from me."
"Okay," I said with the same blunt expression.
She left the room.
Viara stared at me. "You really got guts taking money from Madam Scarlet."
"Of course I have."
One day later
I walked out of the academy wearing newly bought sunglasses.
I spread my arms dramatically.
"This is gonna be my life's turning point! Hahahahaha!"
Pretty sure everyone around me thought I was an idiot.
Somewhere inside a golden mansion
"So... you're saying the hero-killing plan failed?"
"Yes. Someone else killed him."
"Should we kill that person?"
"Yeah, we should-"
An old voice interrupted.
"No. Don't. I don't think a sixteen-year-old rune wizard appears with no background. Let him be."
"But why, sir? We are strong."
"Strong or not doesn't matter. We don't need a powerful enemy for nothing."
Silence filled the room.