Sitting atop the carriage as it slowly moved across the in, getting closer and closer to the looming figures of the buses ahead, I closed my eyes.
Feeling the soft breeze of the wind hit my face; I sighed before lying down and staring upward at the night-ck sky above me.
It had been a while since I had been to the academy.
Of course, considering what had just happened inside the carriage, that was the least of my worries... is what a normal person would think.
But, honestly, it was just like Liam said.
I didn''t care about his opinion of me.
Sure, in the past, I would have cared what Liam thought about me as he was indeed the protagonist and the hero.
That was the past, though.
I had already established myself in this world, gained countless powers, even having the Elven queen as an ally, and gained enough wealth tost me a lifetime with Raven''s business.
No longer could I be wiped out just by someone else''s word.
I was strong enough to stand alone without having to worry about being assassinated or killed at any time.
Sure, there were still a bunch of people who could kill me with one sword strike, and I wouldn''t be cocky enough to believe that my knowledge of the book would help me out when fighting them.
Unlike the current Liam, they were monsters, so even if I knew their attacks, there would be nothing I could do to dodge or avoid them.
I still wasn''t strong enough...
There was someone I needed to reach and kill with my own hands.
A promise that I had made to myself ages ago... when I was still in the honeymoon phase of transmigration.
Then maybe... I could rx.
That''s what she would have wanted for me, right...?
Looking at the stars shining in the pitch-ck sky alongside the half-crescent moon, I raised my hand, attempting to grab at them.
"Maybe... it''s not too far away anymore...the end."
Enjoying the soft and cold breeze of the wind brush against my face, I only got up after the carriage abruptly stopped.
Before the carriage doors could open and the main cast could exit, I jumped off the roof, heading in the direction of the nearby bus.
As I walked past the carriage, an elderly voice somehow reached my ears despite the soundproofing of the carriage, which was, of course, especially given to us by the Elven Queen.
"WHAT THE HAPPENED HERE?"
"..."
"SO NO ONE WANTS TO TALK!? THE WOOD, THE WALLS, IT''S ALL BROKEN."
"..."
"...AND WHY IS HE SHIRTLE-"
*BANG*
Interrupting the elderly voice of the carriage driver, the door of the carriage shot open, causing me to speed up.
Taking a short nce back, I saw the carriage driver, who was easily identifiable as an elf due to his ears, screaming out from behind the emerging main cast.
"YEAH, THAT''S RIGHT, GET THE HELL OUT!"
However, as the grim-faced Alya exited the carriage, the elf''s expression and way of speaking quickly changed.
"Have a safe trip back to the academy, princess, Alya! Make sure to write the kingdom letters of your adventures and school lessons!"
Holding in a chuckle, I stepped onto the stairs of the bus before quickly heading to the back.
Only after the familiar figures of Han and Jin entered my sight did I sigh, finally rxing my face and allowing my body to unwind.
Back to the academy...huh?
What new hell awaits me there...?
Well, I already knew the countless hells and incidents that awaited me at the academy due to my book''s knowledge...but that didn''t mean new ones couldn''t pop up.
Getting closer to the back of the bus, I saw Han and Jin slumped down on the armrests, so I took a seat on the other side of the aisle without waking them up.
De-manifesting my daggers, I leaned back against the chair, not yet allowing my eyes to close.
Looking out the window at Han and Jin''s side, I saw the main cast entering, each wearing an expression that personified sorrow, defeat, or anger.
Only Zach, who remained oblivious to the whole situation, wore a rxed expression as he walked from the carriage to the entrance of the bus with the help of Liam''s shoulder.
Burning bridges... huh?
Well, I had probably scorched the earth...
However, that didn''t mean the Earth couldn''t recover.
Just as how the earth, first a world full of volcanos,va, and single-celled bacteria, had transformed into the Earth with skyscrapers, countless innovative inventions, and evolved humans, our rtionship could transform.
Of course, this wouldn''t be of my ord.
Recalling the first event that would ur after my return to school, a slight smile appeared on my face.
"Might be sooner than they expect..."
Seeing the main cast take the seats at the front of the bus, I finally closed my eyes, feeling my consciousness slowly drift further and further away.
*BZZT*
*BZZT*
Hearing my smartwatch catch up to the countless messages that I had missed during my trip, I shrugged my shoulders before silencing it.
Some things never change...
-*-
"REN, WAKE UP!"
"WHEN DID YOU GET HERE!?"
Stretching my hands upward, I slowly opened my eyes. Immediately, I saw the figures of Han and Jin looking at me, and I looked out the window.
Right outside the window was a whole bunch of familiar things...
The Celestial Academy building was as beautiful and opulent as ever, with its towering pirs andrge entrance gate embedded with countless gemstones just for the hell of it.
Shrugging my shoulders, I replied to the two boys.
"Right after you idiots fell asleep."
Rubbing my eyes, I slowly got up before following Han and Jin off the bus.
Exiting the bus and stepping foot onto the bridge outside of the academy, I nced at the sea of water below.
...I had forgotten to get any souvenirs for Raven and Zeng.
What kind of boss was I!?