Chapter 316

The journey back to the Academy was tougher than I expected. First of all, that so-called hero was a real pain in the ass.

He didn’t help one bit and just kept flapping his mouth beside me, driving me crazy. I was really struggling to keep my cool.

At least Luna didn’t call for help, but the hero asked for a punch. Should I call that an upgrade or the opposite?

He truly just stood there and didn’t help at all. Not even giving me proper directions, I ended up wandering the streets a couple of times.

‘I was treated like a monster.’

Just thinking about that moment makes me want to laugh. Honestly, I know I look just as much like a monster right now.

The problem lies in the language. I only know the common tongue, but everyone except the Academy staff speaks their native language.

Whatever I say must sound like the language of monsters to them. In such cases, it’s either run away or clear up misunderstandings.

I wanted to clear up misunderstandings as much as possible, so I asked the hero for help.

But that jerk wouldn’t help. He just acted all shameless, asking “Why should I?”

‘Fortunately, the misunderstanding got resolved thanks to the hero, but…’

Anyway, being close to the hero brought me absolutely no benefits. He was a true sociopath.

Once we arrived at the Academy, there were at least a few people who recognized me, so I managed to get through.

At least showing my vivid red eyes was enough for them to let me pass. They looked unsure when they saw my state, though.

– Whoosh

“Ugh, just look at this soup. Sivar, have you not showered for days?”

“I haven’t showered since I got here.”

“Yeah, I can tell. You must’ve wanted to get here quickly, huh?”

“Yep.”

The arrival at Rod’s place wasn’t the end of it. My appearance was that of a complete beggar.

Even a passing beggar would likely call me a dirty monster instead. So, I headed straight for the shower.

Now that I was at the Academy, there was no need for fur anymore. So, Eli directly helped me wash up.

I could handle everything else, but I needed help with my back.

Oh, just in case you’re wondering, Eli was only wearing a short-sleeved shirt and shorts. It’s best not to think anything weird.

“Wow, you’ve even got hair on your butt. This is gonna be a pain to clean up.”

“Yep.”

“But even if you get it all removed, it’s not gonna just not grow back, right?”

“Who knows?”

That was the part I was most worried about.

When I was in the Olympus Mountain Range, it was warm and cozy, but it was entirely useless at the Academy.

If eating the essence of spirits in the Olympus Mountain Range made me like this, wouldn’t something similar work at the Academy too?

‘Do I have to go into the Chaos Forest?’

There are no spirits in the Chaos Forest. Just ridiculously strong monsters and beasts.

Anyway, it seems wise to keep an eye on the situation. Right now, the hair isn’t the main issue.

“I’m done with the back. You’ll take care of the front, right?”

“Yeah.”

“If you need help, I could assist…”

“…”

I stared blankly at Eli, who had said that with a bright smile.

She was wearing a short T-shirt that highlighted her voluptuous figure.

For a moment, I was tempted to ask for help, but I exercised restraint and spoke up.

“I’ll handle it.”

“Okay. Just let me know if you need help.”

“Yup.”

Eli said that and stepped outside. I watched her figure recede before glancing at the mirror.

White hair and a fluffy white beard covered my face completely.

‘Should I just go to a barber shop?’

Suddenly, memories of my first arrival at the Academy flooded back. Luna had taken me to the barber shop back then.

I was supposed to visit often, but after that, my beard stopped growing. My hair was almost the same too.

I considered it carefully and decided to tidy up my facial hair first. For the fine details, I’d need to go to the barber shop.

‘Is this all the razor I have?’

All single-bladed razors. I suppose with the current technology, it’s just unavoidable.

Normally, even seasoned users would struggle with such tools. But I could use them roughly without issue.

Even if I get cut in the process, I heal instantly. Plus, thanks to my Steel King trait, I hardly ever cut myself on the blade.

‘Shouldn’t this be waxed instead?’

Who knows. I’ll just have to manage without.

I removed all the hair on the front next. Since it’s all white, it all had to go.

What a hassle, it’s not like I’m getting a Brazilian wax or anything.

‘But the problem is it’ll grow back.’

It took forever to get rid of all the hair. I put on some clothes I had prepared and stepped outside.

As soon as I stepped outside, familiar faces greeted me. But the atmosphere was off.

Rize had an extremely annoyed expression on her face, while the hero maintained his usual laid-back attitude.

Luna was sitting beside the hero, and I guess Eli called her over separately at some point.

“Sivar, sit next to the Saint. I’ll prepare the refreshments.”

“Okay.”

Following Eli’s instructions, I sat beside Rize. In a moment, I found myself face to face with the Former Hero and the Current Hero.

While the world’s most relaxed Former Hero was chill, Luna was watching the atmosphere nervously.

Considering how tense things were, she was probably very restless.

“Oh! You’re here. Can we start right away?”

“Wait a moment. I haven’t finished what I was saying.”

“………?”

Wait a second. Did Rize just say that?

I widened my eyes and stared at Rize. It was a look of utter disgust, as if she’d witnessed something horrific.

Rize was usually polite and respectful to everyone, even enemies.

Even with False, she spoke with respect. But using casual speech with the hero?

‘What’s going on between them?’

If there is, it’s definitely not something good. Just from how Rize was talking, I could guess that.

Given the hero’s personality, he’s likely to spill everything if I ask. But with the current atmosphere, I kept my mouth shut.

“What do you have to say? Is there anything more to say between us?”

“Of course. Thinking about your heart darker than the abyss just makes it all the more necessary.”

She didn’t curse, but that was basically an insult. And the one saying it was Rize.

That just made me even more curious. Had something happened between them to make it so hostile?

Certainly, Rize was treating the hero like an enemy, while he was nonchalantly relaxed as always.

“Are you still holding a grudge about that incident? I keep saying I was just offering advice.”

“That advice caused…!!”

Rize snapped at the hero’s words. It seemed I’d touched a sore spot there.

For a brief moment, an oppressive air emanated from Rize, but it was only for a second. It seemed she endured with superhuman patience.

“Regardless, you being around is an absolute insult to me. Why are you next to Sivar-bro?”

“Chaos guided me here. That’s all I can say.”

“Why would Chaos…”

As the hero shrugged and replied nonchalantly, Rize clenched her eyes shut. She was clearly in disbelief.

However, it was true that Chaos had guided him here, even if the process was a bit twisted.

“Um… Master?”

“Yeah?”

At that moment, Luna, who had been silently observing, called out to the hero. I watched them closely.

I had a clear memory of the hero’s face behind the mask.

Comparing it with Luna’s appearance made me think how alike they were. There’s no doubt they’re related by blood.

“Excuse me, but when did you meet the Saint?”

“I’ve known her for a very long time. We’re bound by strong ties.”

“Shut up.”

“…”

An expletive slipped out of Rize’s mouth. That was a first for her.

Her expression seemed even more twisted, like she was looking at excrement. What on earth happened between them?

“…The Saint openly dislikes you, doesn’t she?”

“Oh, that? There’s a reason for it. I can’t say it outright, but… it’s connected to purple.”

“Purple?”

“Yeah. Purple. Do you know what it takes to be worthy of purple, my disciple?”

Luna tilted her head. The unspoken answer was clear: she didn’t know.

I was in a similar boat. As far as I knew, purple was determined from birth.

Although rare cases like the hero exist, most beings with purple possess god-like abilities.

“For mortals like us, there’s only one condition to reach the realm of purple. It’s to forsake our humanity.”

“Humanity? As in moral sensibility?”

“Similar. If one becomes purple, Chaos will absolutely hate it. Just remember that.”

Humanity. It’s something open to various interpretations.

Some might call it morals, while others might refer to sociability.

However, humanity isn’t just one word. People’s hearts shift like reeds in the wind.

That’s probably why Chaos hates purple. Without humanity, chaos loses its meaning.

“So that means Master can also be…”

“That’s right. Look here.”

-Swoosh

The hero lifted his mask to reveal his face. It looked just like Luna’s.

The only difference was his eyes shone brightly in purple. As Luna faced him, her eyes gradually widened.

It was her first time seeing his face. It was bound to make her a little flustered to reveal it so easily.

“I too am technically purple. I just didn’t want to suffer anymore.”

“You don’t want to suffer…?”

“Yeah. My disciple, you’re still young and don’t understand, but you’ll slowly get it.”

Those were loaded words. They tied directly into Luna’s may or may not critical future.

At any moment she could take the wrong path, her mental strength might plummet. Even if she didn’t lose someone dear to her, the result would be the same.

A fragile maiden born with the fate of a hero who would save the world. That alone could explain a lot.

“By the way, the Saint is also worthy of purple. She just refuses it.”

“I have no intention of becoming like you.”

“Your mind’s shattered to bits, huh? Giving up would be the easier route.”

“Opportunities still remain.”

“Opportunities, huh…”

The hero’s voice trailed off as he looked toward the kitchen, where Eli was busily setting up refreshments.

He stared at Eli for a while, then nodded in agreement.

“Well, that could be true. Things have changed recently.”

“…”

“Now that I think about it, there should definitely be…”

[Faith is declining!]

Just when the hero was about to say something, a negative message popped up.

As soon as that appeared, the hero looked at me and clicked his tongue, licking his lips.

“Ugh. I can’t say anything related to you. What a shame, what a shame.”

“…”

“Anyway! Let’s do what we came to do. It doesn’t look like we have much time left, right?”

“The moment you start talking nonsense…”

“Why would I do that? You know me.”

A personality that hates losing, a tendency to do only what’s necessary and ignore the rest. Pure sociopathy.

In other words, that means he’s the type to faithfully perform the duties he’s assigned. Rize seems to have figured that out too, so she held her tongue.

“Before that, I need to grab my eyes… Isn’t there a statue of me around here? Just in case, I planted my eyes in it.”

“Eyes? You mean this?”

At the hero’s words, Luna pulled something round from her pocket. It was the hero’s prosthetic eye.

The moment the hero laid eyes on it, he revealed a look of shock and asked a question.

“Where did you get this? I only knew it was planted in my statue.”

“Uh… by accident?”

“An accident… well, that could happen. Anyway, can you give it to me?”

“Here you go.”

Luna willingly handed over the prosthetic eye. That’s quite a valuable item; is she really just giving it away?

While I was thinking that, the hero took off his mask. His handsome face was revealed.

Just as he was about to put the prosthetic eye into the eye socket, he flinched and stared at the eye intensely.

He wore a strange expression. He then asked Luna.

“My disciple, what did you do to this?”

“Me?”

“No, how should I say this… there’s an extremely unsettling energy coming from this… did you, by any chance, lick it?”

Is it because it’s purple? His intuition is quite sharp.

That was a few months back when I had a candy like lollipop in my mouth. Yet he figured it out.

“I told you not to pick up random stuff and eat it. Have you not fixed your habit of eating grasshoppers?”

“No, that was ages ago… but I haven’t licked it.”

“Really?”

“I didn’t lick it, but I did put it in Sivar’s mouth.”

“….”

The hero froze. He looked utterly dumbfounded.

Well, like master, like disciple; they both sure have a way with words.

“…Just take it back. Live your life as a one-eyed man.”

“Thank you. I’ll use it well.”

Thanks to that, I got the prosthetic eye!

[Faith is rising!]

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