I WAS The Rank–1 Hero-Chapter 63: We Finally Met [2]

The effect of my 〘Ruler〙skill had worn off.

I felt all my thoughts process slowing down.

I failed to understand Sera’s words.

She isn’t real? What does she mean by that?

Sera, as if reading my thoughts, clarified it.

’It’s an illusion.’

"…"

I listened carefully, fully immersed my mind on Ruby’s figure who was standing infront of me.

She was real…

Her face, her smile, the way she was looking at me.

All of it were real.

"Zane… what happened?" Ruby spoke in her usual tone and expression. "Your face is pale."

Her crimson eyes brimmed with worried.

She approached me.

Slowly walking in my direction.

I left Defender’s almost recovered body to that silver-haired girl.

Step. Step.

I took two steps toward Ruby.

’Stop!’ Sera warned again.

’What is she talking about?’

Ruby was real.

She was standing right in front of me.

"Ruby…" Her sweet name escaped my lips. For some reason, I felt amazing calling her name.

"Yes Zane, come here." She opened her arms wide open, her flustered face matching the color of her eyes.

’Get a hold of yourself. It’s an illusion!’

Sera was spouting some nonsense.

I stretched my hand towards her. My fingers gripped hers.

A strange warmth ran through my fingers.

’See I told you! She is real!’

’…’

’W-What happen to your mind?!’

’Activate that Ruler skill of yours!!’

Stop shouting.

It’s annoying.

"Ah! Zane…" Ruby smiled, " I knew you would trust me."

I smiled back.

"Yes. I always trust you."

’N-No! This human finally lost all his senses!’

’We have to do something… ummm… Ah! If we just alter your emotions…’

Constantly in my ears like a bug, she was sprouting something.

I ignored her.

’Just hang on human, it will only take us few minutes.’

I sighed as I tried to rest my head on Ruby’s shoulders.

BAAAAM!

Before that could happen, a sudden kick landed on Ruby’s body, sending her flying—

Her frame crashed against a tree nearby.

"Huh?" It took me a moment to process all this.

I turned my head to the source—

It was Hope.

He lowered his leg before walking toward Ruby.

I noticed my hand, deep red blood was scattered in my palm, with few strands of crimson hair.

Anger clouded in my mind.

I turned to Hope, who stood near Ruby’s motionless body, he drew his katana.

The blade almost reached her neck, barely made a scratch.

"!"

DASHH!

Without hesitation, I dashed toward them, my boots sliding on the ground, drawing my obsidian katana.

My grip tightened around the hilt as I swung—aiming straight for Hope’s head.

Swish!

He dodged.

Of course, he did.

In a blur of motion, he turned and caught my sword with his bare hand.

Clang!

He pushed against my blade, trying to knock it away from his head, but I didn’t let him. Instead, I poured my ice essence into the steel making the temperature drop below the absolute zero.

Swaahhh!

A sharp sizzle filled the atmosphere.

Hope’s hand burned from the extreme cold emitting from my blade’s surface.

Frost formed along his skin.

The ground beneath us cracked, and a thick fog coiled around my blade.

Yet, he remained unfazed.

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His silver eyes met mine—still unreadable.

How dare he…

How dare he hurt Ruby!

I exhaled, cold mist escaping my mouth.

I activated my skill.

[Ice Field]

A surge of ice erupted from beneath me.

SWAAAHHHH!!

Almost instantly the entire area froze over—trees, soil, even the air itself turned frigid.

Jagged spikes of ice spread outward pointing to the sky above, it covered everything in a thick layer of frost.

Condensing my ice Essence towards Ruby.

I formed protective shield of ice around her body.

"Oh.. Zane…" Ruby held her breath.

I will never let her be in danger.

My gaze swept over the frozen land around me.

Everything was frozen.

The students kept their eyes open, watching me as I fought against humanity’s strongest.

Their eyes filled with surprise and awe.

After all, my Ice Field was ten times larger than Aria’s—the rank-1 of the 1st year.

I turned my attention back to Hope.

"How dare you!" I growled.

I didn’t mind if he used the name Hope.

I didn’t mind if he tarnished the name Hope.

I didn’t really care.

But—if he came—No, if anybody harmed the people I cared about, then—

I would let them witness a gruesome version of me.

Even after all that, Hope didn’t react.

As if he was looking down on me.

That only fueled my anger.

I tightened my grip around the hilt of my blade.

"!"

But then I saw it—

His unwavering eyes filled with absolute confidence.

It made even me take a step back.

With a shaky voice, I asked,

"W-Who are you?"

Instead of answering, he—

Lowered his whole body, positioning himself for a sidekick.

I saw it coming. Anticipating his move, I twisted my body mid-air, barely avoiding the strike.

But—

Hope was faster.

Before I could counter him, he leaped over my body, twisting in the air, making a 360 arc. His foot slammed into my torso with crushing force.

CRACK!

That kick was enough to knock me out.

It was heavy, almost as if I was crushed by a mountain.

I crashed into the frozen ground, cracking it, pain surged through my ribs.

"Ugh!" I gasped, struggling to breathe.

My katana skidded across the ice, stopping several meters away—half-buried in the frost.

Footsteps reach my ears, sliding over the ice.

"Listen," Hope spoke, his voice was muffled due to his mask.

But he was calm.

He continued, "That girl isn’t real."

’Not this again.’

"Stop saying this shi—"

Before I could finish, a voice echoed in my mind.

’It’s done.’

Sera’s voice.

’This will get you out of that illusion… Hold on, this will hurt a little.’

Something cracked inside my head.

A scattering sound filled my brain.

Every muscle in my body twitched, as if twisting every second.

"AAAAGGHHHHHH!!!" An ear-piercing scream left my mouth.

My eyes filled with tears.

My body felt fractured.

It took me few seconds, after I opened my eyes.

And there, in front of my eyes.

I saw a familiar purple window.

The Fate’s Interface, hovering right infront of my eyes.

End of Chapter.

[A/N]: From tomorrow on wards I will do 2 chapters daily 😖