The Plan Changes.

"Quests."

The quest bar opened, revealing a new task above the one he had once accomplished.

[DESTROY THE HIERACHY]

[STATUS: NOT ACCOMPLISHED]

[CHECK REWARDS]

[QUEST WOULD NOT EXPIRE]

Michael sighed. It was not like he needed rewards or an expiry date to force him to do that. Now that he thought it through, he realized he had rushed the scheme by blindly going after the strongest student in Wisteria.

What had been his hope? Some assassin's buildup? Reyy was a demon, literally.

A demon that spun fire like he once worked part-time in hell. And of course, demons were mischievous and tricky, and he had managed to manipulate him to his defeat.

Michael sighed again. He realized now that the reputation he had started to gain would now falter, leaving him to start again from the little pieces.

And if there was going to be any reputation left for him, it would be "The Cripple Who Made Reyy Bleed."

How he had thought he was going to win, taking in the realization of an advantage as Reyy began to go crazy. But he had judged wrong.

Reyy's true power was his anger, and because he was angry, he seemingly became faster, his attacks more swift and accurate.

Maybe that's just how demons work. He sighed again.

The system was quite the demon too. Even after reading his final struggles in the battle—detecting his imminent death, it still had the gut to give him a quest?

And that wasn't even all, it was a quest that would require him to risk his life again. Even worse this time, because he would have to combat with the Hierachy as a whole.

Michael questioned how he could do that without using his talents. Even during his fight against Reyy alone, he had been tempted to use them, containing his anger as much as possible so his necromancy won't force its way out.

Now how was he expected to fight the whole Hierachy and leave with his mental health intact? It was a mission impossible.

Maybe some motivation would work?

"Check rewards."

The reward bar glinted open, and on that section what showed instead of a skill was a new talent.

[REWARD FOR QUEST COMPLETION]

[NEW CLASS: DOMAIN EXPANSION]

[RANK: SSS]

"Domain Expansion?" Michael creased his chin in thoughts. It was a compelling offer. A talent that allowed the user to manipulate the domain of a battle, creating illusional settings that could torment the mentality of the opponent.

He wanted that.

But not at the cost of risking his life in a battle he was sure he couldn't win. If Michael was looking for something that could give him the least advantage over the Hierachy, then he would have to use his talents.

But how could he do that when he was trying to keep his anonymousity? If the school found that he had talents, they'd all turn against him, assuming he was some kind of spy.

His hands pinched harder on his chin as he thought through,his eyes pacing around the room like he was trying to find inspiration. But only one thing captured his attention in this empty square room— the painting of a man wearing a costume mask.

"You seem fine to me now." Lena spoke. She was standing at the entrance, her side leaning against the door.

"Oh—?" Michael's brain jolted. At her words, he quickly slid back into the duvet, feigning a shiver. "I don't think I'm fine yet."

"Hey! Quit playing games." Lena barked. "You were okay just now."

"Are you just gonna judge or are you gonna listen to the sick dude?" Michael said, still feigning a shiver. He threw a wave at her. "Run along now, I need to sleep."

"You dimwit—" She stormed towards him. "You weren't even sick in the first place."

She struggled with the duvet, trying to take it off him. "I decide to help and you're gonna leech off me, you've been here for three days!"

"Hey! You were the one who said I could leave when I'm fully recovered." Michael shot back, tugging forcefully on the duvet.

"Why are you always trying to make me regret my words—" Lena gave another hard pull on the cloth, but Michael's grip was firm on it this time, and she missed a step.

She fell, losing balance against Michael's body, and his hand wrapped in reflex around her waist.

They eyes met, the closest and longest they had ever beheld each other. In her hazel orbs, Michael could almost view a clear landscape of a lone island and a sea of ashes. They were strongly protected by an ethereal shimmer, one that reminded him of.... Christmas?

He could feel her breath clash against his. Her chest as they carresed against his. Her silver-ash hair draped down in curls, tickling his ear.

And at that very second, his chest resounded with loud thumps—one so loud, that he thought she could almost hear it... Or feel it.

Why? Why did he feel this way? Why did she lose her balance? Why did he not want this seconds of unsupposed pleasure to end?

Why... Why did the main character feel like this? He was meant to be cold... He was meant to be heartless.

"Um..."

At his statement, Lena seemed to buy herself some consciousness, quickly pulling herself away from him.

She cleared her throat. "You really have to leave."

"Fine fine..." Michael sighed, reaching for his coat.

* * *

"Did he drop out?" A student looked towards Michael's seat as soon as the last teacher left.

Akira.

"Michael?" Her friend, Mitchell replied, she was filing her nails. "Why are you worried about that loner?"

"I don't know, I guess I feel pity for him?" Akira said, running her pencil around her lips.

"Pity?"

"Yeah... The other day, it really seemed like he was gonna beat King." She sighed in exasperation. "I guess that's what happens when you keep your hopes high."

"I guess?" Mitchell said, still filing her nails. She didn't appear to be listening.

"He must've dropped out because of the embarrassment." Akira added.

Immediately, a big palm slammed against her desk, and looking up, she met Steven's grimace.

"What?" She asked, unconcerned.

"Why don't we ask his sidekick then?" Steven marched towards Lucian and tapped softly on his head. "Hey you... Where's your boss?"

"Huh? I... I don't know." Lucian replied, a shiver in his tiny voice.

"Hm, you really dont?" Akira threw a questioning look at him.

"He's lying, obviously." Steven grabbed his collar fiercely. "Start talking shit hole!"

"Steven..." Akira palmed her face. "It's not necessary to respond to everything with violence."

"Listen to the girl Steven." A familiar voice rather added loudly from the entrance. A voice so famously known after his biggest recent encounter. "She's right."