Chapter 88: Checking up on Damien
The news on the television wasn’t finished as another reporter appeared, bringing up another issue related to the rift.
"This incident has sparked national debate. Should awakened students continue entering Rifts? Was Valecrest Academy negligent? Should minors be allowed inside dimensional gates? Authorities have promised a full investigation."
The screen switched again. This time, it showed images of Silas laughing, carrying Chloe, standing atop the Orc King’s corpse, Silas with Gromda, and Silas kissing Anna. Anna’s face instantly turned crimson.
"W-What?!" She practically lunged for the remote. "WHY DID THEY SHOW THAT?!"
But it was way too late. The kiss had already been broadcast nationwide. From the kitchen, a very dangerous silence lingered. Anna slowly turned her head and saw Chloe standing at the kitchen entrance, with an expressionless face, holding a knife... not threateningly. Absolutely not. Beside her stood Gromda.
"..."
"..."
"...I’m moving overseas."
A snort suddenly escaped the sofa. Everyone looked over. Silas hadn’t opened his eyes, but the corners of his lips had curled upward into an unmistakable grin. He had heard every single word.
***
After a sumptuous breakfast that ended in hardcore on-the-dining-table sex, Silas washed up again and headed out. The people who had entered the rift were given a week off to relax and reflect on their experiences. Within that week, David Gronsan’s funeral ceremony would take place. He was still coming to terms with the kind of broken entity he was becoming, so he stepped out for some fresh air and to visit someone... Damien.
[Why am I feeling chills? You are planning something mischievous, aren’t you?]
’Am I? It’s just your imagination.’
[Is it? Don’t tell me you suddenly feel sorry for the guy.]
’People change, you know?’
[...]
’Believe me...’
[...]
Silas stepped out of the apartment, looking nothing like the person currently dominating every news channel in the country. Gone were the striking black coat, the aura-filled weapons, and the unmistakable pink hair.
Instead, he wore an oversized charcoal baggy T-shirt that reached almost to his knees, loose black shorts, and a pair of green Crocs with ridiculously cheerful frog designs. Covering his face was a black nose mask, while a silky winter beanie hid every strand of his now even more eye-catching hair. A black baseball cap sat low over his eyes, completing the disguise.
He stopped before the apartment mirror one last time.
"I look like someone trying way too hard not to be recognized."
The system answered immediately.
[You do.]
"Thanks."
[You’re welcome.]
Silas sighed. Even dressed like this, he still attracted attention. It wasn’t the clothes. It was... him and his absurdly refined appearance after evolving into a Heartweaver Fae. Even with half his face hidden, people would still instinctively glance at him before looking away.
"Being beautiful is troublesome."
[You finally understand the burden of divinity.]
"Shut up."
A faint laugh echoed inside his mind. Behind him, Chloe leaned against the apartment doorway with folded arms.
"You’ll be back before noon?"
"That’s the plan."
"You promised."
"I know."
"Our evaluations," Her icy blue eyes narrowed.
"I said I’d be there," Silas smiled. "And I keep my promises."
Gromda stood beside Chloe. Although she still looked intimidating due to her height and muscular build, she was beginning to blend into human society surprisingly well. She gave him a firm nod.
"Come back."
"I will."
She thought for a second before adding in slightly awkward human speech she’d been practicing, "Don’t die."
Well, she certainly was learning fast. It was unbelievable. Silas blinked and burst into laughter.
"I’m literally going to visit a patient."
"You still could die."
"Fair enough," He waved. "See you two later."
The apartment door closed behind him. The streets outside were surprisingly lively. News vans still occupied several intersections, possibly waiting for him to make an appearance and jump him like the reckless mob they were. People walked around discussing only one topic.
"The Blue Rift, the S-Rank student, and the tamed orc."
Silas lowered his cap a little further.
"I’m famous."
[Correction. You’re infamous.]
"Even worse."
Fortunately, nobody seemed to recognize him. The mask, cap, and beanie combination worked wonders. Only once did a teenage girl stop and stare at him suspiciously.
"That guy kinda looks like..."
Her friend immediately interrupted.
"No way. You think someone who cleared a blue rift wears frog Crocs?"
Silas silently gave the crocs a grateful glance. They had just saved his identity. His destination wasn’t far.
Valecrest Academy Infirmary. Security around the campus had increased dramatically since the rift incident. Military personnel stood alongside academy guards, while reporters crowded the outer gates, hoping for interviews with returning students.
Silas just entered through a side entrance using his student ID. The guards barely spared him a second glance: Mission successful. Walking through the academy felt... strange.
Everything looked exactly the same. The buildings, the lawns, the training fields, students chatting, teachers walking around, yet everything felt different. Maybe because he had changed, or maybe because he had seen another world. The peaceful academy grounds almost felt unreal compared to the mountains stained with monster blood and the giant orcs.
He unconsciously touched one of the new tattoos hidden under his shirt. He had returned, but he wasn’t the same person who had entered that rift, not even close. The infirmary came into view soon, and unlike the rest of campus, it was heavily guarded.
Many injured students from the rift were still recovering here, some physically, and others mentally. Silas nodded politely at the receptionist.
"I’m here to visit Damien Crowhurst."
"VIP Recovery Wing?" She checked a tablet.
"Yeah."
She looked up. "You’ll need visitor authorization."
Silas silently handed over his student ID. Her eyes widened slightly at the name, causing her to look at him in shock, then back at the ID.
"..."
"Please," Silas slowly raised one finger to his mask.
"I didn’t see anything," She immediately returned the card and added. "Room V-12."
"Thank you."
As he walked away, she watched him disappear down the hallway before whispering to herself, "It really is him. Miss Anna is very lucky... Maybe, I should also try my chances."
The VIP wing was noticeably quieter. It had soft lighting, private rooms, and professional healers moving calmly through the corridors. There was no shouting or panic, but only the occasional hum of recovery equipment. Silas stopped before a wooden door labeled V-12
He stared at it for a few seconds, a grin slowly spreading across his face. The system literally groaned.
[I know that smile.]
"..."
[I really don’t like that smile.]
Silas adjusted his cap.
"I’m just visiting a friend."
[Liar.]
"A best friend."
[Double liar.]
He raised his hand toward the doorknob.
"Let’s see how our dear Damien is doing."