Author's Reincarnation in a Fantasy Setting

Chapter 350 Night & Encounter

?

I talked to them a bit more and after that decided to take my leave. However, I left by telling them that I'd come to see them again and the promise of getting them a house. 

Mother and father were still not sure about that idea but I was serious about it. I had to collect shit tons of money and buy them a nice house as soon as possible—or a mansion would be even better I think? 

Either way, that refugee camp wasn't a place for them to live and I was going to do something about it. The question of how I planned to get that money was still unanswered but I will eventually get to that. 

With those thoughts in my mind, I was walking down the lonely road on my way back to the academy. Darkness had enveloped the sky and the night had made its way here. But the lights of Havenreach still illuminated the city. 

On my way, I noticed that this time around there were even fewer people on the road—or perhaps I should say that there were none. It had been over five minutes since I crossed the last person, after all. 

I had been walking alone since. 

"Things are going to get rough again," I said to myself as I walked with my hands inside my pockets. 

I didn't really believe in fate, or heavens, or gods. It was by pure coincidence that just when I was thinking about all the new things that I had to do and the problems in my way, something happened. 

I felt an immense pressure coming from my right side. I went on guard immediately, sensing the upcoming threat. I jumped back, and the next moment a bright curved arc of energy appeared ahead of me. 

Slicing everything in front of it, destroying the newly built road the arc of energy went from one side to another right in front of my face and then disappeared. 

If I had been even a millisecond late I would have been hit by it, and surely it was something capable of killing in one hit. I didn't have the Requiem sword with me right now either. 

Shifting my attention immediately to where the attack came from I searched for the person behind it. I felt a presence there and inside those alleyways, I saw a shadow moving at a quick speed. 

However, before I could pursue it the shadow disappeared and the presence vanished. 

I could've used Maelstrom to attack from a long distance but at this moment I was in the middle of the city. Doing a flashy attack like that was sure to attract the attention of some guards. 

There was already enough trouble for me. I didn't want to get myself involved in more than that. 

'He's stronger than I anticipated,' I thought to myself. 

Of course, I knew the person who delivered that attack. Akumi Kotsusube, a person I really needed to watch out for.

After I told him that it would get him in trouble if he tried to kill me inside the academy campus I knew that he would try to ambush me when I got outside. 

I was already expecting the attack. However, I ended up underestimating him. It was a fatal mistake from my side that could've gotten me killed. 

But more than anything, it was a mistake that I never used to make. I was aware that underestimating your opponent was the worst thing you could do before a battle. 

'Is the pressure finally making me lose myself?' I pondered. 

There were a lot of things happening all at once and I'd just gotten out after fighting those demon beasts. Perhaps all this was slowly starting to take a toll on my body and mind. 

Under normal circumstances, one would be advised to take it easy and have some rest. However, I had no time to rest. At least not now, not until everyone I care for is safe and completely away from danger. 

Letting out a sigh I began to walk toward the academy again. 

***

[A Few Moments Before Zero Was Attacked.]

The night had arrived yet the city of Havenreach was bright and glittering. Although deep in the narrow alleyways where the lights could not reach, the darkness spiraled. 

Zero was walking on the main road, completely alone while he was lost in deep thought. However, on the other side, there was someone waiting for this opportunity. 

Wearing a mask and clothes of dark color was Akumi. He had been following Zero from the moment he left the academy academy, searching for a chance where he was alone. 

And now, that chance was finally given to him. 

He lurked in the shadows of the alleyways, slowly approaching Zero while still maintaining enough distance to not give himself away. 

He looked around a little, taking note of his surroundings to make sure that no one else was around. Once it was confirmed, he decided to begin. 

Using his speed and agility Akumi jumped over a few buildings and houses and went ahead of Zero. Then he came down and hit himself in a narrow alley from where he could get a clear and straight view of the main road. 

'Good, let's do this,' he said inwardly as he raised his arm idly in the air. 

There right in front of his hand, a gap in space-time appeared and a small portal opened. Akumi put his hand inside the portal and from there he pulled out a sword. 

The sword had a shining golden blade and a blue hilt. When he was done taking out the sword the portal closed automatically. 

He held the sword with both his hands and now the only thing left for him to do was wait for Zero to cross the road. 

'Just you wait, I'm so gonna kill you right here. You were acting so cocky back then, acting like you're the one in power. This time I'll show you who's really in control. And once I kill you, there will no nothing stopping me from getting even closer to my oh-so-cute Anya-chan!'

As he waited for Zero, his thoughts started to go astray. 

'I'm sure she'll be super sad once you die but I'll be there for her. I will console her just like I did before, that will make our relationship more strong. I slowly get closer to her and then we'll fall for each other. 

'We will do all sorts of stuff that couples do like going to a hot spring or a summer festival and having a party together for Christmas…a-and also things like holding hands and stuff. Oh, wait for a second, now that I think about it if we start dating then we will eventually do THAT too, right? I mean THAT! 

'I'll hold her hands, I-I'll also get to kiss her, hold her in my arms…a-and then…t-then…'

"Aggghhhhh! I'm getting embarrassed just thinking about it!" he said to himself, throwing his hands upward as if cheering—his face red as a tomato. 

However, while this gentleman was busy exploring his dream world and imagining all sorts of fantasies he forgot what he was mainly here to do. 

He did end up remembering it though it was just when Zero was right in front of him, crossing the road. Just a few more steps and he would be out of sight. 

"Ah fuck I got distracted!" he grumbled as he raised both his hands, holding the sword up high. 

In a hurry, he brought the sword down. The blade sliced nothing but thin air however an arc of energy was released from the blade, as if that slash had materialized itself and was now moving forward toward Zero. 

Unfortunately, the attack was way too late and messy. Zero saw it coming and moved back just in time to avoid it. 

"Ahhhhhhh! He dodged it!" Akumi clamored. 

He noticed Zero looking in his direction. "Shit!" he said, and jumped back inside the alleyway, disappearing in the shadows.