Academy's Drunk Fighter - Chapter 22: Magic (1)

“Is Fate the excuse of the forsaken, is Free Will the delusion of the chosen?”Such was a question that Xavier, the Demon King, never had the chance to ask himself. As he lay defeated, awaiting his death, he wondered about the wretched life he lived.'The hero who killed me, the one who held the same ambitions as me. We both wanted good for the people, for the world. We are both two sides of the same coin, yet, fate decided that he will be the one the light will shine on.Perhaps it was me too, perhaps it was my karma for flowing the rivers of blood with my sword. But still... It was fate that squashed the humanity in me first!Damn fate, if I had one more chance, I would've lived for myself more, I wouldn't have taken this arbitrary role of being a necessary evil... This world, this game of destiny... It can burn to ashes for all I care.'As he sunk into the cold embrace of death, a certain [REDACTED] heard his dying wish with amusement and cast their die, reversing the wheel of time one last time and going all in on him on a risky gamble with the stakes of their world.

One day, the stuntman found that acquaintances and unfamiliar people were looking for him through various channels. Even someone from a certain department of the country came—

Team Leader of an abilities group: Comrade Jian Hua, on behalf of the nation, I want to tell you about a newly discovered world secret.

Protagonist: What?

Team Leader of an abilities group: In fact, our world is a book.

Protagonist: WTF?

Team Leader of an abilities group: And you will be the last villain of the seven volume novel series.

Protagonist: …

See title for the protagonist’s mood.

Book Character A: You and I are good childhood friends. Shouldn’t I be the white moonlight in your heart?

Protagonist: …

Book Character B: I treated you kindly, so shouldn’t you trust me completely?

Protagonist: …

Book Character C: I’m so considerate while busy. As good friends, shouldn’t we be rolling around on first base?

Protagonist: …

See title for the protagonist’s mood.

- Description from Novelupdates

“Alas, this life is a failure; let’s see what the next life holds.” ... “The second life has ended, calculating results... Final rating: C+. Rewards based on rating: You may choose to inherit one item from Constitution, Skill, or Talent. Please select?” “Hmm, I choose to inherit the Talent ’Dynamic Vision’.” “Talent inherited... Congratulations on achieving the following lifetime achievements: Innate Grandmaster; Blessing of Many Offspring (10/10)” Achievement rewards: Two random rewards. You may draw from Constitution, Skill, or Talent, or choose to upgrade Talent level. Please select? ... A reborn individual, in possession of the treasure ’Hundred Lifetimes book’, reincarnates within the Cultivation World, undergoing endless cycles of rebirth without the bloodline ending or the soul perishing! The family he established ten thousand years ago has now grown into a massive entity that spans the heavens. The disciple taken in casually eight thousand years ago ultimately became the founder of a Great Sect in the Immortal Realm. The pet raised three thousand years ago has evolved into an unparalleled Demon Saint of the Otherworld. ... I am Zhao Sheng, and I shall cultivate life after life until Ascension!

In a world torn apart by rifts that release dangerous monsters, Espers—humans imbued with powerful abilities—serve as humanity's last line of defense. But the power of an Esper comes with a price. Overuse of their abilities leads to dangerous corruption, a force that can destroy them from the inside out. This is where Guides come in: individuals with the unique ability to calm the corruption within Espers and restore their balance.Rowan Mercer, an S-class Guide, is one of the best in his field, capable of stabilizing even the most dangerous Espers. He has worked quietly behind the scenes, helping those in need, but his life takes a dramatic turn when he is called to work with Lucian Vaughn, an S-class Esper whose immense power and unstable corruption levels make him a dangerous threat to himself and others.Lucian, a tall, stoic, and enigmatic figure, has long fought against the growing corruption within him. At first, his relationship with Rowan is purely professional—Rowan as his Guide, helping him to stay in control. However, as their interactions grow more frequent, their bond deepens in ways neither expected. What started as a simple duty soon turns into a complex relationship where power, trust, and vulnerability collide.As the world around them faces escalating threats from rifts, Rowan and Lucian must navigate not only their personal challenges but also the dangerous world of Espers and Guides. Their bond will be tested as they fight together against the corrupting forces that threaten them both.In Corrupted Bonds, survival isn’t just about battling monsters from the rifts—it's about fighting the darkness within themselves and finding a way to stay connected in a world that’s constantly pulling them apart.