Chapter 138- You’re Unfair, Venera

Chapter 138: Chapter 138- You’re Unfair, Venera

Chapter 138- You’re Unfair, Venera

The two remained silent for a good few moments. They had to contemplate all the possibilities. The situation was turning out to be far more complicated than they could’ve ever imagined. Death wasn’t even a part of the things they were putting into consideration when they came to the academy.

They knew that the tests were potentially going to push them to their limits, but this was a whole different problem. They were now potentially dealing with a massacre that would take the lives of millions of people. Perhaps it was an extreme way of thinking and things would never become that disastrous, but it was still ridiculous that it was even a possibility in the first place.

’What’s even worse is that if put before that reality, many of these candidates would choose to face death rather than to give up on this dream. The idea is just too damn enticing for them to give up.’ Rize thought to himself as he looked at Venera.

The people here were so desperate for this opportunity that death itself would probably not scare them away. It’s the reason why Rize suspected that this decision could possibly lead to favorable results for the academy rather than anger and protests. After all, the rewards these candidates would gain from even being linked to the academy were unimaginable. Their lives would change forever.

They would become rich beyond comprehension, famous to a horrifying degree, and respected everywhere they go. Many would yearn for that even if death was a hurdle in the way.

"Rize?" Venera called for him, seeing his expression as it darkened.

"Sigh." Running his hand through his hair, he finally spoke. "Well, we can’t really do much about it beyond trying to survive and making it past these tests. I think things will clear up once we are finally in the academy. For now, if death is what is awaiting most people here, then death it is. After all, I’m sure they were all prepared for a challenge."

’Who am I even kidding? This is going to be so gruesome.’ He thought to himself as he smiled bitterly. Rize hated seeing death, even if death was an essential part of this world and even if he himself had killed before.

In reality, he was very shocked at how easily he handled the feeling of killing someone. It’s almost as if a part of his mind simply accepted it before he even did it. He was able to kill dozens of people and yet still didn’t feel a thing. He was now completely corrupted, and his hands were covered in blood; they would be covered in more blood as the days passed.

’Nothing could change that. I need to keep moving forward and stomping every bastard who tries to get in my way. I fought for this life, and I will keep fighting for it until I emerge as the winner. Even if my enemy is God himself.’ He clenched his fist.

"Yeah, you’re right," Venera said. "I think we will be fine as long as we stay careful and smart."

"Well, I assume our plan remains the same to finish as soon as possible?" Rize asked.

"Yeah, I think with this poisoning incident, we need to get out of here before we become potential targets of this individual," Venera said as she crossed her arms. "If we could, we should definitely finish tomorrow."

"I will try my best. I wasn’t even using 100% of my effort so far so if I do, perhaps that could be possible."

"You’re really smart, aren’t you?" Venera said playfully, trying to bring the tension down. She knew that the two of them were worried deep down, but it was pointless to plague their minds with unnecessary thoughts.

"Not like you." Rize sighed. "I killed myself studying under Geralt and still couldn’t compare to you. That’s unfair, you know?"

"You have other areas that you excel in that I don’t excel in." She said.

"Oh? Give me an example then." Rize replied with a curious look on his face. He couldn’t think of a single thing he could do that Venera couldn’t do.

"You’re stronger than me." She said. "By a good bit."

"Hmmm, but that’s because I started earlier than you. Your growth has been quite rapid since you awakened." Rize said.

He was stronger and faster than her, but he didn’t think his talent was that much higher than hers. Both of them had the ability to fight enemies well above their ranks and still come out victorious. Rize had seen how Venera fought monsters that would stomp people at her level and beat them with ease.

He also started earlier than her by two months, so that gap was bound to happen. Everything else was simply equal.

"Well, aside from that..." Venera thought for a moment before a smile emerged on her face as she suddenly stood up and walked toward Rize. The boy stared up, a bit confused as to why she was approaching him out of nowhere.

Then, Venera leaned down, getting close from his face. He flinched visibly as he tried to lean back, almost as if he was about to fall from the chair.

"What?" He asked, trying to keep calm.

"Well, the thing I believe you’re the best in the world at is being my partner." She said with a wide smile. "Nobody could rival you in that."

"..." Rize blinked slowly as Venera tapped his forehead with her index finger.

"Aside from the fact that you’re an amazing person and someone I trust with my life."

"..."

Rize was speechless. Forget about what she said, the fact Venera could smile like that out of nowhere and it being something that happens so often. He had somehow grown accustomed to her being so expressive around him, when Venera would rarely, if ever, show that side of her to anyone else.

It felt unreal that she, of all people, saw him as a very close person to her, and it filled his heart with warmth... Too much warmth that he sometimes can’t contain.

"What the hell..." He muttered under his breath as he smiled at her. "You’re really unfair, Venera..."