Prestige Grinding : I Can Reset My Level

Hidden behind a veil, Kara, Sarsha, and Alius watched as Sora confronted his old acquaintance.

Sarsha let out a frustrated sigh, turning to Alius. "This is so boring. How long are we going to watch her fight your undead?" She then glanced at Kara. "So, who's going to fill me in? Who is she? Is she an ex who cheated on Ralph?"

Alius ignored her, remaining focused on the scene before them. Kara, however, smiled and said, "It's a private matter, but it shouldn't take long."

Sarsha groaned. "You guys have so many secrets! That woman doesn't stand a chance against Ralph, but why can't I even hear what they're saying? I know you two can see and hear everything! Don't leave me out! I want sound too! Tell Sora to let me hear it!"

When neither Kara nor Alius responded, Sarsha pouted, watching Kara shake her head.

A short distance away, Hiyoko, Netsu, Nyx, and Magnus lounged on a large sofa Magnus had materialized, seated behind another barrier Sora had created.

Seeing the injuries covering Rachel's body, Hiyoko chuckled. "I've never seen Master so angry. That human must be really awful."

Netsu nodded. "You know what she did to him. He even had to discuss it with Uncle Alius to decide who would deal with her…"

Lost in thought, Netsu didn't notice the adoring gaze Nyx kept casting his way, and calmly ate popcorn while watching the scene below.

Watching Sora stand and use [Memory Sculpting], the group discussed the next steps of their journey.

"As soon as Uncle Sora deals with that witch, we'll handle the other one," Magnus muttered. He had grown fond of Hope and couldn't hide his disdain for Hannah.

Nyx, deep in thought, finally spoke. "Do you think we'll always stay together like this? I don't want our group to split apart again. It would be sad if our masters chose different paths."

Hiyoko smiled knowingly. "Oh, you don't really care about their plans or adventures… Be honest, little fairy. You just want to—"

Before she could finish, Nyx's innocent, melancholic expression vanished. In a flash, she disappeared from her position and appeared in front of Hiyoko, shoving the little bird straight into Sora's barrier.

As if she had expected the attack, Hiyoko floated with her guard up and readied her own attack. Netsu and Magnus quickly grabbed both of them, struggling to stop their fight before they could disrupt Sora and Alius.

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Rachel's eyes trembled as she locked onto the figure before her. She stared, her gaze darting across his features, searching for flaws, inconsistencies, anything to prove what she was seeing wasn't real.

"Sora is dead," she said, her anger rising. "How do you know how I addressed him? Is this another one of your tricks?" ʀᴇᴀᴅ ʟᴀᴛᴇsᴛ ᴄʜᴀᴘᴛᴇʀs ᴀᴛ ɴo(v)elFɪre.ɴet

Uncomfortable, she clutched her head, as if the pressure in her skull would ease the pain she started feeling. "You… What did you do to me?"

Sora looked at her calmly, studying her reaction. He refrained from smiling, opting to bear a gentle expression instead.

"Dead? No, Rachel. I'm right here."

Pausing, he added, "If you try using mana or mental power, the little gift I left in your brain will activate. That headache you're feeling right now? Consider it a friendly reminder."

Though the pain in her head dulled, Rachel's unease deepened. She quickly realized that whoever was in front of her wasn't playing a trick, he came prepared. Her thoughts raced between figuring out who was after her and how to escape.

"You can't be Sora… I killed him with my own hands. Sora Hashino is no longer a part of this world." Her voice carried a meaning only innate skill holders would understand.

Sora shook his head. "You're wrong… I'm still here. And now that I think about it, maybe my brother is still around too, in this world or the next."

After a pause, he added, "But one thing is certain... He's not waiting for you at home, ready to welcome you with open arms after you've 'saved the world.'"

Rachel's face contorted in reaction to his words. "You!" she shouted. "You saw my memories! That's the only explanation! Who the fuck are you?"

Sora felt his patience thinning, the warmth in his eyes nearly extinguished.