Reincarnated With An SSS-Rank Talent In An Apocalyptic World-Chapter 111: Following The Script

Huff!

Exhaling loudly, I let my body sink into the steaming water. As usual, the heat came with a sense of relief I hadn’t felt in a while.

The chill that plagued me vanished temporarily, and the pain in my chest subsided greatly. This was arguably one of the best things that came out of this trip!

Knock! Knock!

"Crown Princess Serena has arrived!" someone announced from behind the double steel doors of the private bathhouse.

Splash!

Standing up, my lower half was still beneath the black water. My eyes snapped open, and a small frown stretched across my face as more black liquid flowed down my long hair and body.

The princess should know I’m bathing, yet she chose to approach.

Images of her eyes gazing intently at my face last night flashed across my mind, making my frown deepen.

Clank!

The iron door slid open a bit, and a head poked in. The steward seemed confused since there was no response. However, seeing my deep frown, he flinched and quickly pulled back, snapping the door shut.

"I apologize..." his voice rang.

Sigh!

My face softened, and I shook my head. The perfect morning bath had been ruined by another lovestruck woman who had fallen under my charm after our first meeting—just like Natasha and Kenza.

Was I even that good-looking?

Who would have thought a pale-skinned man with pitch-black eyes would be every woman’s ideal beauty standard?

"Come in," I called out, lowering myself into the black water again, only leaving my neck and head above.

Clank!

The door slowly opened, and Crown Princess Serena walked in timidly, like a girl who had just been scolded. It seemed her steward had already relayed my reaction, making her anxious to meet me.

This was the same person who had glared at me with contempt just last night. It was quite amusing to see how she had been disarmed and left bare by silly infatuations.

Love is stupid, I reminded myself. Attachments equate to weakness.

"I brought some new..." Serena’s voice trailed off, and she froze as she saw the black steaming water.

My eyes shifted to the folded clothes in her hands. They were all black and made of leather, though clearly not of the same quality as the ones I had on.

But I couldn’t wear the same clothes, especially since they tore when I sprouted my wings.

"Thank you for the clothes." My voice snapped Serena out of her reverie, and she returned her gaze to me. "This, amongst many other things, is the price I have to pay for the power I wield."

I gave a short explanation, and she nodded slowly.

Serena walked over to the side bench where my towel was placed and dropped the clothes, but her eyes never left the pool.

"When I’m done, teach me magic."

Buzz!

Only now did her gaze meet mine, showing genuine shock. But it wasn’t just her. The steward and guards present all looked at me with surprise—and I understood why.

In this world, magic wasn’t something just anyone could do. It was limited to noble lineages, and only once in a blue moon did a random person awaken the talent for magic.

However, according to the prophecy, the man who would save the Solinthar Empire was a genius who could master any spell at a single glance. I was simply trying to fulfill that prophecy.

Serena seemed dazed by my request but quickly recovered.

"Don’t you want some breakfast first?" she asked, but I shook my head.

"I can go weeks without eating, so food is the least of my problems." I shook my head. "Go ahead and have breakfast. I’ll be here for a while. That way, we can get right down to business once I’m done."

Buzz!

I noticed their bodies tremble at my casual words. I wasn’t sure what scared them.

They all believed I was the man of prophecy, and this act should have cemented my position.

So what were they afraid of?

It took me a few seconds, but an answer soon came to mind.

Were they afraid I would fail—and that would shatter the hope I’ve given to the people and the military?

That must be it, I concluded. freewebnσvel.cѳm

"Don’t you have faith in me?" I asked, and Serena snapped back to reality.

Her guard glanced at her as she froze for a few seconds, processing my question, before shaking her head. That hesitation made my brows knit.

It reminded me of the question I asked Natasha in the elevator—and how she couldn’t give an answer quickly.

That few seconds of doubt felt worse than being told "no" immediately, because it meant her answer wasn’t truly from the heart.

"I believe you can do it..." Serena said out loud upon noticing my frown, but it was too late.

These bitches keep disappointing me...

My gaze shifted to one of the guards, ignoring her words.

"The field arcanist, Luthor... can you inform him I would be in need of a magic instructor?" I asked.

"Yes... Great One." He seemed oblivious to the emotional conflict that had just taken place.

"I said I believe in you," Serena called out, and I slowly turned my attention to her.

"Thank you for your kind words. I simply realized it was rude of me to take up the Crown Princess’s time," I said as I rose to my feet, revealing the top half of my body. "Forgive my ignorance."

Be it how I addressed her formally, the pain in my eyes, or my tone—Serena noticed them all and realized what was in my heart.

She wanted to speak to me, but she couldn’t act needy in the presence of her guard.

"Okay." Her response was cold, and without saying another word, she walked out of the room.

Splash!

I let myself fall into the pool and looked toward the ceiling as my thoughts wandered across everything that had happened here—but I couldn’t help but feel suspicious.

Somehow, I came to a world that had a prophecy about me. I gained the territory without resistance. And the only skill in the shop was one that would help me master magic, which just so happened to be the requirement to solidify my position as "The One."

Let’s not forget, I only got involved in that fight because of the system mission.

Call me paranoid, but whenever things move too smoothly, it’s either something is wrong—or you’re playing according to someone’s script.

"What the hell are the heavens playing at?" I couldn’t help but wonder.

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