Parallel Memory
chapter-506

Zero's appearance had undergone a dramatic transformation since the last time they had seen him. His aura was significantly making him look charming, and his eyes shone with an otherworldly brilliance.

Not only the looks but the mana that they felt were also very overwhelming to the point that it looked like Zero had surpassed Mia.

Zero's presence was awe-inspiring, and it sent shivers down the spines of those who had doubted his survival just moments ago. He stood there, bathed in the afterglow of his breakthrough to Rank-S, a living testament to his unwavering determination.

But even for someone who didn't care about others, he was bothered by all the eyes that were staring at him.

"What? Is there something on my face?"

Zero said confused about all the stares that he got just after getting out of Luminary Spring. He even looked behind to see whether there was something interesting behind him but everything pointed at them staring at him.

At first, he was excited and didn't care about the stares but it was just too much to be stared at by 100 people like he was some of the exhibition. "..."

When they heard Zero's words, they didn't know what to say to him. They were already too shocked by Zero's appearance to care about his little stupid comment. Professor William also looked at Zero dumbfoundedly. He was thinking just how Zero gets this kind of timing right. He was just going to insult Zero and tell how he got killed stupidly when he came out and made him look like an idiot instead.

???

He was just so focused on himself that he even forgot to look around. Only now did he realize that he was the last one to come out of the Luminary Spring which he thought might be the reason why everyone's attention was on him.

"He's alive! And he's... Rank-S!" someone in the crowd exclaimed in disbelief. They were all so shocked by his appearance and his presence that they even didn't notice that Zero had broken through to Rank-S -.

Zero stood there wondering just why they were staring at him. Only after he noticed Mia, did he realize what might have transpired for this group of people to have this kind of reaction.

He was just so focused on himself that he even forgot to look around. Only now did he realize that he was the last one to come out of the Luminary Spring which he thought might be the reason why everyone's attention was on him.

"He's alive! And he's... Rank-S!" someone in the crowd exclaimed in disbelief. They were all so shocked by his appearance and his presence that they even didn't notice that Zero had broken through to Rank-S -.

The atmosphere shifted from uncertainty to awe as they realized that Zero had not only survived but had also achieved the coveted Rank-S. "What? Wasn't he Rank-A when he got into Luminary Spring?"

"Damn it! These human geniuses are not normal. One stayed and broke through to Rank-S from Rank-A and another broke through to Rank-SS."

"I heard that he is even younger than Mia and Hiro. Damn, a person so young being Rank-S!" "Rank-S is my dream and knowing someone so young will achieve it. Just why is life so unfair!" "How did he even survive? He has way fewer pills than Mia but stays longer than her. Is there some trick to this?" …

The geniuses and guards stared in disbelief as Zero stood before them, alive and more powerful than ever.

"What... How is this possible?" William stammered, his face pale with shock.

Mia's smile widened, and she said with a hint of smugness, "I told you, Zero is not someone you can underestimate."

Zero noticed Mia and Williams. Zero didn't know what had happened but looking at William's expression he could tell that William wasn't in his best mood probably because of his appearance.

In any case, Zero smirked at William, making William even more infuriated. With his breakthrough to Rank-S -, Zero has nothing to fear.

Even if William's father was there, Zero believed that he could escape from his clutches. He wasn't sure about defeating a Rank-SS but he knew that he could at least escape from them if he wanted to.

Anyway, Zero wasn't planning to do anything to Williams as long as he didn't do anything to him. And Zero hopes that Professor Williams knows his own place and avoids him.

Aranic and Nock Fletcher were also among the people who were surprised by Zero. Although surprising, Zero's survival wasn't the one that surprised them the most.

It was the threat that they felt from Zero. Aranic was sure that although his rank was higher than Zero, he would lose against Zero.

On the other hand, Nock was surprised that he could feel threatened by someone in Rank-S -. He also felt threatened by Mia but that was only because Mia was Rank-SS -.

Princess Elenia and Seraphine also looked at Zero. They were also surprised by Zero's emergence and his increased powers.

Princess Elenia already has some kind of grudge against Zero and she wants to fight with Zero again. Since Zero has also broken through Rank-S, Princess Elenia felt that defeating him would show that she is more talented than him.

Elven geniuses and many other Elven guards were very happy with Zero and the progress that he made.

Obviously, the biggest person feeling unhappy was none other than Elrond. He might not have felt this unhappy if Zero just made the progress.

The fact that earlier, he believed that Zero was dead which made him happy was the reason why he felt so unhappy now that he knows Zero is alive. On the other hand, Amelia, Hiro, Sylvia, and the others couldn't hide their relief and happiness. They were obviously relieved to see that Zero was alive. And of course, surprised by the progress that he made.

They had always known that Zero was exceptional, but this surpassed all expectations. Zero had truly surpassed many of the geniuses with his ascension to Rank-S -.

Additionally, Zero was already capable of defeating Rank-S - when he was just Rank-A. Now, they wondered just how strong he would be as Rank-S -.

Would he be able to defeat Rank-S?

Statistics and logic says that he can't but many of their instincts tell them that he might just be stronger than Rank-S.

In any case, many were jealous of Zero's talent including Hiro and his group. Although very talented themselves, Zero was somehow able to always make Hiro's group believe that they weren't very powerful.

"Congratulations, Zero!"

"I can't believe that you rose to Rank-S. Can't you teach me the same trick to become powerful??"

"Zero, good work!" …

As Zero joined his friends and companions, they congratulated him on his remarkable success. They weren't the only ones but even some other geniuses congratulated Zero. With Zero's talent, they knew that it would be better to be on the good side of him.

With Zero appearance, there was no longer any need for Aranic and others to wait, though they weren't really planning to except for Mia, Amelia, and Hiro's group.

Anyways, Aranic once again said, "Now that everyone is here, we will head back to Eldoria."

He surveyed the group of geniuses and thought why is he even the leader? Many had broken through to Rank-S and Mia had even broken through to Rank-SS.

He felt that rather than him protecting them at the moment, it should be the other way around. Anyway, he wasn't someone who would avoid his responsibilities.

"I know that you all have grown stronger and much more powerful than us. However, keep in mind that you are still new to this power."

"Don't go thinking that you can defeat anyone just because of your increased power. There are still many powerful monsters on our way back and I need all of you to be cooperative and avoid acting on your own."

Aranic warned. What kills most people isn't because they are weak but because they are overconfident and lack preparation.

So, Aranic warned the group of geniuses.

The geniuses for the most part nodded their heads though not all agreed. With them increasing their power, they obviously didn't feel necessary to listen to someone who wasn't very powerful.

Moreover, they were itching to try out their power and who could be a better opponent than all the powerful monsters that they were going to encounter.

Some have even begun planning on how to defeat the monsters who gave trouble to them when they were on their way to Luminary Spring.

Hiro and Zero groups on the other hand weren't that interested in that. More than fighting with monsters, they were excited to see just how much their friends had increased their power.

And what was better than doing duels?

They thought of fighting each other in order to access their own power and also their friends!