Lian just blinked for a few moments. Honestly, this was the last thing he had expected.
He felt a little awkward and then waved his hand.
"Get up."
But neither of them got up immediately. Cassian kept his head down and said.
"If it weren’t for you..." His voice trembled slightly.
"All of us would be dead."
Selina also said nothing. But her fists were clenched tightly. In the end, both stood up straight.
"I didn’t do anything special." Lian shrugged. For him, it really wasn’t a big effort.
From beginning to end, he only felt a slight headache, and that was because dealing with that monster was a little annoying.
But aside from that, the rest was easy. Besides, the rewards he gained from this were so great that he would do it again.
At least a hundred million dollars, hundreds of stat points and Fragments? Anyone else in his place would have done the same.
But Cassian immediately shook his head.
"No. You did much more than you had to." His eyes went to Marcus, then to Claire, and finally fixed on Liana.
"Much more than anyone expected." He took a deep breath.
"And that’s something we’ll never forget."
"You saved my life and Liana’s." Selina also stepped forward. Her gaze was firm and serious.
"We owe you two lives."
A few seconds of silence passed, and then she continued.
"Whenever, wherever, if you need help... you can count on us."
Lian just nodded. Honestly, his goal in all of this was never to collect debts or gain others’ loyalty.
But on the other hand... having two loyal friends wasn’t a bad thing either.
Especially at the Academy. His gaze paused on Cassian for a moment. One of the most serious candidates for the Student Council presidency and Seraphina’s main rival for that position.
If Cassian won... it would be useful for Lian. If Seraphina won... it would still be useful for Lian.
In short, with Cassian as a loyal friend, in either case, he wouldn’t lose anything.
And Selina... one of the most talented first-year students. And if Liana was also counted, a Summoner! Summoners are very rare, and now he would have one of them as a loyal friend.
Probably Claire and Marcus, when they wake up, will have a similar reaction to these two, so they can be counted too.
With these five as friends, he could even establish a club at the Academy, and they would definitely become members. With them as members, his club would definitely rank first in the entire Academy.
A very small smile appeared at the corner of his lips. Perhaps this mission had been more profitable for him than he had imagined.
At that moment, the infirmary door opened.
Gareth entered. Behind him, several doctors and high-ranking healers moved.
Everyone’s faces were serious. He went straight to the beds and examined Marcus, Claire, and Liana’s condition for a few seconds, then said.
"The medical team is ready. We’ll transfer them in a few minutes."
One of the high-ranking healers stood next to Liana’s bed. He had checked her mana condition several times, but each time he reached the same result.
The elderly doctor next to the bed sighed.
"I’ve never seen anything like this."
"Will they be okay?" Selina immediately turned to him. Worry was clear in her eyes.
The doctor didn’t answer, but Gareth stepped forward.
"Don’t worry. It’s true that it’s an unknown spell, but it’s not something that can’t be solved."
He looked at the three.
"As soon as they reach the capital, the Federation’s best healers will examine their condition."
Then he turned his gaze to Lian, Selina, and Cassian.
"And..." He paused for a moment.
"I’m grateful for all your efforts." He pointed at Lian.
"I’ve already thanked this one, but I need to thank you two as well."
Cassian and Selina remained silent.
Gareth continued.
"You helped a lot in this mission, and rest assured, you’ll receive the reward you deserve."
Some time later...
While the equipment collection operation was still ongoing, Gareth pulled Lian aside. They stood in a quiet hallway, and the commander made sure no one was around.
"This city’s case will be classified." He then said.
Lian said nothing. He had expected such a thing. If what happened in this city spread, it would cause chaos.
"Don’t talk to anyone about the white-eyed man for now." A few seconds of silence passed, and then he sighed.
"The higher-ups were not at all happy to hear about the part concerning the natives of the Ruined Realm."
For the first time since the Federation forces arrived... Lian saw a trace of real worry on Gareth’s face.
Not worry about the monsters, not about the city. But about something bigger. Something that even the Federation was afraid of.
If creatures like the white-eyed man could really enter this world from the Ruined Realm... then the problem wasn’t just monsters.
But something far more dangerous was behind the scenes.
Who could say with certainty that besides the white-eyed man, no other native humans from the Ruined Realm were hiding in their world?
What if they also had bad intentions? What if they also had dark plans?
And what if dangerous native humans from the tenth realm came to their world?
Each of these were questions that could cause concern for the Federation.
After the conversation ended, Lian returned to his tent to rest a little. Meanwhile, he opened his system panel.
A few notifications were still suspended in the corner of his vision.
[You have leveled up]
[12 --> 13]
Then he looked at his stat points.
[Stat Points: 603]
Even looking at them made his blood boil. Uncontrollable excitement surged in his eyes. Over 600 points!
This number was insane! This number was more than the total stat points that five-star class Awakened could receive between levels 10 and 20.
He was practically stronger than any Awakened below level 20... No... even level 25 Awakened shouldn’t be able to compete with him in terms of stats now.
For example, his total current stats were 540 points. This was the amount of stats a level 20 Awakened with a five-star class has.
And with these stat points, his stats would now double.
Of course, the fact that level 25 Awakened have gone through one evolution and their class has evolved still gives them a significant advantage in a fight, and it doesn’t necessarily mean Lian can defeat a level 25 Awakened.
Of course, it also doesn’t mean he will lose.
Then he looked at his Fragments.
[305]
Now he could practically upgrade all his skills to Divine rank and even upgrade those that had the potential to go beyond Divine rank.
But he wasn’t sure if he had any skill with potential higher than Divine rank. He’d have to check later.
Then he closed the panel, and his mind went elsewhere. To the core, to the masterpiece, and finally, and most importantly, to the white-eyed man.
And to the fact that that man was alive. And now somewhere out there, in this country, he was wandering around, planning his next steps.
Lian doubted a madman like that would give up on his goals. And he would definitely find a way to reclaim his masterpiece.
"This story isn’t over yet." He whispered quietly in his mind.
Night had fallen. In the center of the temporary base, the return portal was activated. A massive column of blue light split the dark sky.
Mana energy rippled in the air. Soldiers gathered equipment. The aircraft prepared for departure one after another.
The wounded had been transferred.
The remaining monsters had been destroyed. And for the first time... the city was quiet.
No more monster roars could be heard. No more screams in the streets. Just silence.
Finally, they could leave the city. From here on, it was the government’s job to rebuild the city.
Just before entering the portal, a voice stopped him.
"Hey."
Lian turned around and saw who had called him. It was Gareth. And this time, a small smile could be seen on his face.
"I bet wherever you go, you’ll cause trouble." He said sarcastically.
"Me?" Lian raised an eyebrow.
Gareth laughed.
"Yes, you." Then he pointed at the city behind them.
"I just wanted to say, I hope when you become one of the most famous Awakened of your generation and everyone knows your name... you won’t forget me."
"Sorry, but you?" Lian said sarcastically. And without looking back, he entered the portal.
The moment of passing through the portal was always strange. As if his entire body turned into particles of light. Mana pressure rushed at him from all sides.
Time had no meaning for a moment. Up and down didn’t exist.
And then... the feeling of falling. Short but intense. Then suddenly, everything stopped.
The ground appeared under his feet. The familiar air of the Academy entered his lungs. And the quiet sound of wind among the surrounding trees reached his ears.
They were back.
The portal’s light slowly faded.
And just as the last particles of light disappeared... the three realized they were not alone.
Someone had been waiting for them. A tall man with his hands locked behind his back. His face was calm, but his eyes said something else.
Professor Aldric.
He just looked at them for a few seconds.
First at Cassian, then at Selina, and finally... at Lian.
The silence stretched. No one spoke. No one dared to break the silence.
Finally, Aldric took a deep breath and said only one sentence.
"It seems..." His gaze remained fixed on Lian.
"You three have a lot of explaining to do."