Noemi was back shopping in no time. It was as if she had never left.

This situation was quite dangerous and she knows quite well why. If the shadow had taken control of him, they would have "shattered" him.[1]

That shadow had nothing but bad intentions and that would ruin everything that's been going on.

She just wouldn't allow it.

She kept acting as if nothing happened and at the end went back to wait for her lover.

...

When he finally arrived it was already night time but he seemed... different somehow...

His eyes were now a lighter shade of green while his hair was basically hazel in color. Yet that wasn't even the biggest difference. The biggest differences were subtle... his expression was softer and his aura was lighter. It felt like all that he was carrying had fallen off his back during that fight with the shadow.

Noemi felt happy but all that was held back as she simply hugged him like usual.

«I'll be off for a while.» (Nystro)

Those words came out as a shock. Why would he want to separate from her and the rest of the group? She became very suspicious but in the end, she just nodded in agreement. After all, she just couldn't bring herself to tell him no at the time.

«In a few weeks, Diond will arrive at this city. When he does, tell him I headed northwest and go along with him. Once we all meet up again at the nearest city in that direction, we'll head back to the academy. After that... You'll see.» (Nystro)

His weird actions had been justified within moments. Perhaps because she understood the plan. Perhaps because she simply trusts him that much. She believed him.

She gave him a kiss and he departed immediately.

Even after that, she still had some doubts. For example, how would his powers work after that clash with the shadow? She simply believed that he was capable of surpassing any barrier that would rise in his path.

(Kit)

(Me)

(Kit)

I giggle as Kit wags his tail frantically.

I saw the groups fate so I'm going to speed it all up.

After a bit of testing I found out that even though I can't appraise my skills and the monster is gone, I can still use every skill and even the metal arm. That leaves me with lingering doubts that the monster is actually just hiding but that fucker will eventually have to come out.

Meanwhile, I'll just get stronger. As strong as possible. Stronger than anyone has ever been!

...

While walking out the gate I kept appraising everyone and a little boy caught my eye.

A simple skill that increases the amount of mana, which is great for my extreme mana consuming abilities.

-Hmm... Interesting.-

I move nearly at the speed of sound for a single second, consuming 1/1000 of my total mana. The kid that almost looked human with a horn and slightly yellow skin was unable to withstand the pressure a turned into a bloody paste that I immediately stored in my inventory. The mother that was nearby started panicking, since, in her eyes, he just disappeared from out of nowhere.

-Don't worry, his sacrifice won't be in vain in the end.-

I start eating the bloody paste and even lick my fingers at the end. A burst of mana overflows my body. This skill multiplied my mana by around 10.

I then finally walk out of town.

(Me)

(Kit)