Alex suddenly appeared in the start-up space in the VR momentarily confused before recalling what happened not long ago.
His determination to survive and then his final desperate move all flashed in his mind.
"Systemic reconditioning is really something."
His eyes trembled slightly recalling all the experience he believed to be real.
"And if I'm here, then it means my final attempt somehow failed, but I don't recall how.
"System, show me the last scene before I died."
A bit of silence settled in his private space before a display popped up before him. He watched with serious eyes as he exploded the remaining of his mana in a blazing glory that incinerated all the void creatures.
A small smile appeared on his lips before a moment later seeing himself fall to the ground completely passed out.
"I see… That shouldn't be a last result if I ever wish to live."
An exasperated sigh escaped his lips before giving another command to the system.
"What are the rankings? Who came out in first place and also showed me the ranks of Julia and Ross."
[Order confirmed.]
[1. Alexander Gray]
[2. Rex Handlar]
[3. ….]
[16. Julia Knight]
[675. Abigail Reed]
[789. Zen Henjok]
[63,767. Ross Bangu]
[….]
"What…? What the hell happened to Ross?!"
Surprise was an understatement. He had absolute confidence in his friend's capabilities. To see him ranked so low left Alex shell-shocked.
"But thinking about it, it's possible."
His right hand rubbed his chin in thought.
"With the cosmic mana waves, void creatures and veiled spaces, it's not farfetched. In fact, that might have been what actually happened."
"No matter, I'm sure he's fine."
Looking at his name at the very top of the rankings, he felt nothing. No feeling of achievement, no pride, no nothing. It was simply a normal feeling.
What he appreciated was the feeling of fighting on the edge, thinking his life was on the line if he wasn't careful.
"The blazing form I took during the first event didn't trigger… Just what exactly is the trigger?"
The problem eluded him even after trying many different things and even after mimicking a similar situation, it still didn't appear.
"Ha… Let's get out first. The competition isn't over just yet."
....
Alex walked out of the combat systems where he met his fellow classmates who congratulated him on his victory.
Exchanging pleasantries with them, he looked around for Julia and Ross but couldn't find them anyway.
'They must have returned to their dorms.'
He could imagine their exhaustion as even he was tired from the roller coaster of emotions he just went through. Resting was the only way to recover their energies.
'I should retire as well.'
Sometime later, he appeared before the entrance to his room before opening it to enter, and to his surprise, Ross and Julia were seated there waiting for his return.
"I thought you guys would be in your own rooms. What's up?"
He smiled in pleasant surprise seeing his friends, however, the look on their faces told a different story.
He furrowed his brows as he moved forward to take a seat and the moment he did, Julia swooshed into his embrace and buried her face in his chest.
"Woah… Easy there, Julia."
Alex patted her back as his mind wondered what could have affected her to such an extent. Julia, he could somehow relate, but Ross? That was a mystery in itself.
His expression was gloomy as he sat there with his hands clasped together and held slightly lowered.
"Care to tell me what's gotten you so down? It can't be about the events, right?"
His question elicited a sigh from Ross, but Julia remained buried in his chest. And while Alex could tell she wasn't crying, he still felt his heart twist and ache.
Seeing Julia without her cheerful smile whenever they were together felt foreign to him.
"Ha…"
Ross sighed with a head shake.
"Dying in the beginning stages of the event affected me more than I want to admit. And while it was as a result of being caught in a cosmic mana wave, it revealed a weakness."
Alex listened to his words and could predict what had affected his psyche. Knowing him for the longest time, he could infer what he was thinking.
'Ross is one of the strongest people I know. He may not show it but he holds a deep pride in that knowledge.'
"I'm too weak, Alex."
Ross lowered his head when he muttered those words.
"You're being too harsh on yourself, Ross. You may have forgotten but we're still young. We awakened not long ago."
"I know that… It's just… just hard."
He couldn't raise his head to look at his best friend, afraid tears might spill if he looked him in the eyes.
Alex remained quiet as he absorbed Ross's words. His hold on Julia tightened instinctively.
"Don't get me wrong, Alex. While the experience was humbling, it doesn't mean I've given up. I'll be pushing myself more than usual."
He raised his head and directly stared into the eyes of Alex; determination written all over his face.
"I'll become so strong that even the cosmic mana wave would be nothing but an annoyance."
Alex smiled at his friend's will to get strong.
"I'll take my leave, first. See you guys tomorrow." Ross stood and bid farewell.
His gaze lingered on Julia for a bit before giving a curt nod in Alex's direction.
"Sure. See you tomorrow."
He watched as Ross walked out of his room, leaving him and Julia as the only ones left.
With a tired sigh, he lowered his gaze on Julia, the affection in his eyes burning deeply. Then he lay on the sofa with Julia on top of him, almost as if she was asleep.
"Want to talk about it?"
His voice was gentle and soothing to her ears, eliciting a soft hum of comfort with a heart filled with warmth.
"I died, Alex.
"The thought of not seeing you in that moment was the hardest thing for me."
She tightened her hold on him as she recalled the heavy injuries she sustained fighting those monsters. They weren't as painful as the feeling of fighting without Alex by her side.
The thoughts of her parents, siblings and even her favourite uncle did not come to mind at all. Alex was the only being she thought of.
It made her realize how much she loved him, and it made her fear losing him, prompting her to hold on to him tighter.
"…"
Alex remained silent as he continued to draw soothing circles on her back. He could naturally understand that feeling as he felt the same.
The thought of not seeing your loved ones again was frightening. It was the reason he was driven into going all out just to have a chance at survival.
But now, he knew better.
"It's okay, Julia. I'm not going anywhere."
He consoled her with words and actions, holding onto her and then placing a gentle kiss on her head.
Julia giggled in happiness feeling his love and a broad smile lit up her face. It was the best assurance she could ask for in that moment.
"Will you be alright in the last event? You can choose to sit that one out and no one will hold it against you."
With the points she already had, Alex had no doubt her place in Class A1 wasn't going to change, he and Ross included.
However, the experienced he had was something valuable he wanted since the last event also required they undergo a reconditioning.
"Yeah… I think I'll do that."
She agreed after a few seconds of pondering. She didn't even bother to ask Alex the same as she knew he would partake in it despite everything he had gone through before.
"Good,"
With that, the two remained quiet and just enjoyed their company.
...…..
Hunter Zol released a sigh of exasperation after hearing what the kids talked about.
He more than anyone knew what facing death was like. It was a humbling experience that humbled anyone who was willing to learn from it.
'It shows the kids are growing well and their resolve to grow strong will only push them further.'