It’s been about four days since the simulation.

Over the last few days, I’ve learnt a lot of things... most importantly, that student life is one of the worst periods of life ever.

The only thing that can top it... is becoming an employee.

’But why on earth is this person sitting next to me like this?’

I thought that as I glanced at Knox out of the corner of my eye.

But he wasn’t the only one bothering me; it was that bloke who hadn’t stopped staring at me since the lesson began.

And who else could it be? Of course... Ethan.

He’s still holding a grudge against me because of what happened.

Even though I’ve apologised to him more than once, every time he comes back to grumble as if I’d committed an unforgivable crime, until I’m really starting to lose my patience.

I swear, if he turns up today and starts spouting the same nonsense again... I won’t stay silent this time.

I won’t apologise again. I have my pride too.

And also... when on earth is this lesson going to end?

It’s boring as hell.

Honestly, Damian’s explanation of human history is enough to bore anyone to death.

If this lesson goes on any longer... there’ll be a massacre here soon.

I really am not joking...

I sighed softly as I listened to his incredibly tedious explanation:

"After the Great Catastrophe struck for the first time... all the beliefs and concepts that humanity held dear changed." What was once considered impossible... became reality. And what people thought was fantasy... would have been the cause of our destruction."

He said this with a faint smile, whilst his yellow eyes roamed quietly around the hall, carrying a strange gleam... as if he were addressing people close to him.

"At that time, our ancestors refused to believe what was happening before their very eyes. And even after they had used all the power they possessed at the time... they were unable to affect the creatures of darkness that had swept across our world."

"And they brought with them supernatural powers, and in order for our world to adapt to them... natural disasters were bound to occur, resulting in the emergence of extremely mysterious places... and among the most famous areas you will know... the Sea of Decline, the Land of the Lost, and—"

Man... why am I even here? I already know all this.

Couldn’t he just cut to the chase and say: ’Humans thought it was the end... but it wasn’t the end.’

That’s exactly what teachers are good at... complicating things without any real benefit.

And just when I thought the lesson would go on forever... time finally ran out.

At that very moment, sighs of relief could be heard echoing around the classroom.

Even Damian seemed a little surprised, before flashing a faint smile.

Just as everyone was about to stand up, Damian’s voice came from the front of the hall:

"I know I’m not very good at explaining things." He paused for a moment, then smiled faintly as if an old memory had flashed through his mind.

"Actually... someone told me that a long time ago."

He fell silent for a moment, a complex, hard-to-read expression appearing on his face.

"But he also told me I should hold on to that... because it’s what sets me apart from others. Even if some of you find me boring... I’ll continue my work with all my heart. There’s no need to rush things... Besides, patience is a virtue." He paused, turned his back and headed for the door.

"See you in the next lesson."

Suddenly, just before he left, I saw him turn abruptly towards me.

Our eyes met for a brief moment... and he smiled. He even chuckled softly.

"Huh?"

I furrowed my brow involuntarily.

What was that supposed to mean? But my confusion didn’t last long.

I saw someone heading straight towards me.

"Hi, Ethan."

"Oh, hello, Knox. How about we train together today as well?" Ethan said before stopping in front of us, to which Knox replied immediately:

"Honestly? I was just about to go over to you and ask you about that."

"..."

Wait a minute.

Have they become friends that quickly?

Why do I feel as though the plot is starting to shift at a strange pace?

Aren’t they not even supposed to know each other at this point in the story?

It seems things have changed a lot since I won.

Who would have thought that a single event could change everything like this?

But... who am I to care?

I sighed softly as I stood up from my seat.

I was about to leave the classroom.

"Hold on a moment."

I turned towards him wearily.

"What? Haven’t I told you more than once that I’m sorry?"

Ethan blinked for a moment before waving his hand dismissively.

"No, no... never mind." He paused briefly before smiling faintly. "Honestly? I was just teasing you. The science bit didn’t really matter to me."

"..."

Wait. Was Ethan always like this?

I froze suddenly. It was as if something had hit me over the head.

Damn... How did I not notice this from the start? How did I overlook something like this?

I... I... can’t remember almost anything about Ethan’s past.

Not even what his true personality was like.

In fact—the more I try to remember... the more the picture seems to blur. As if something is deliberately blocking me.

My eyes widened slightly.

Damn... isn’t this exactly what happened with Larchia?

It’s the same thing. I can remember a few things about them...

But if I try to dig deeper— I feel as though there’s an invisible barrier stopping me.

Is this—

...

...

...

"Is anyone still here?" Ethan said, waving his hand in front of Nero’s eyes.

But Nero didn’t respond.

He seemed completely distracted, as if his mind were elsewhere.

Nox shook his head with a slight sigh.

"Here he goes again. He does this all the time. You’re talking to him normally, and suddenly... he’s just zoning out like that."

Ethan furrowed his brow slightly.

"Are you sure he’s all right?"

"Absolutely," Knox replied immediately, with almost exaggerated confidence.

"I’m one hundred per cent sure he’s fine."

"Hello, Ethan." The voice came from behind them.

He turned to see Ethan and Knox, and there stood Ravian beside Iris, who was smiling gently.

"Would you like to have dinner with us?" Ravian shrugged slightly before continuing, "And you can invite your new friends too."

"Of course, why not?" Ethan replied calmly, before looking at Knox and Nero.

"If you don’t mind."

Ravian raised an eyebrow in immediate surprise.

"Oh?" A teasing smile appeared on his face. "Since when have you become so polite that you ask people if they mind?"

"Since I discovered that some people are strangely sensitive."

Eris narrowed her eyes immediately.

"You mean me?"

"If you feel I’m talking about you... then perhaps, yes."

"Wow. That really hurts."

"An unfortunate problem," Ethan said in a calm tone, as if he didn’t care at all.

Eris narrowed her eyes even further.

"I feel like you’ve been talking a lot lately."

"That—" Ethan stopped suddenly.

He’d heard something. The sound of rapid breathing. Sharp... and unnatural.

He turned immediately towards the source of the sound. And he wasn’t the only one.

Everyone noticed it.

The moment they realised where it was coming from... they froze in their tracks.

Their eyes widened in shock.

It was Nero, sweating profusely.

His breathing was ragged, labored, as if he could barely catch his breath; his features looked frighteningly pale.

Ethan took a step towards him.

But suddenly—Nero moved.

He stumbled past them, as if he might fall at any moment, clutching the back of his head tightly whilst gritting his teeth as though in intense pain.

And suddenly he spoke. But... something was wrong.

His voice... didn’t sound like his at all; it was strangely unfamiliar.

"I’ll give you some advice..." He stopped abruptly after stumbling slightly, nearly losing his balance before regaining it with difficulty.

"To make up for what happened, and don’t bother me again... Be careful... for betrayal... always comes from those closest to you."

"..."

Ethan stared silently at Nero’s back as he left the room with unsteady steps. Everyone else remained silent. It was as if the whole atmosphere had suddenly grown heavier.