The SSS Ranked Villain's Return-Chapter 95: The Cursed Angel

"According to the books, the angel did share his mana with countless people of this world, but only some were able to live long enough to produce heirs." Celina began her explanation as the others remained quiet.

"However, Aurelia’s family was lucky. They managed to inherit that mana and survive," she said in a joyous voice, which quickly turned cold. "But that’s only where the troubles began."

Cursed angel for a reason, Neraxis remarked inwardly, continuing to listen.

"The angel’s blessing soon turned into a curse—one that made the individuals wielding light mana go into a frenzy upon seeing blood," Celina stated, making everyone present puzzled.

"But clearly, that isn’t the case for Aurelia. Instead, she is repulsed by it—a completely opposite reaction to her ancestors. Maybe it’s because her mother also has the Light affinity, just not directly bestowed upon her by an angel? I’m not sure. I wasn’t able to find out much more."

"I see..." Neraxis exclaimed before pondering out loud. "So she sees blood, she feels repulsed by it. At the same time, her emotions dull, and she acts like a completely different person..."

"Not always, though," Aella added. "She was fine in the rift, and back when we were in the academy’s cafeteria, I nicked my finger and had blood drop onto the food. Yet she didn’t react that time."

"Sounds like a pain, if I’m being honest. Why do these things have to be so complicated all the time?" Kael said in an annoyed tone and headed over to the oak tree, sitting down.

"Well, we’ll just have to investigate more next time. If the angel’s curse is already different than in the past, then all we have to do is find the cure," Neraxis stated the obvious, earning nods in response.

It was peculiarly peaceful despite the circumstances, yet Celina’s furrowed brows said otherwise.

"What’s up?" he questioned, receiving a side-eye in response as she suddenly avoided his gaze.

"Uh... Hi?" Aurelia’s low voice rang out from below him as she gazed at him with a blush.

Sighing, Neraxis spoke. "You were awake?"

"Yeah... Right after you started talking about my..." Aurelia trailed off, and he awkwardly set her down on her feet.

However, she soon turned toward Celina, a small frown forming on her face.

"Celina? I thought I told you not to snoop through my stuff, and I told you that I don’t need help. I’m already taking medicine for this stuff."

"Wait a second... Medicine?" Neraxis interjected, grabbing hold of Aurelia’s shoulders and turning her to face him. "What medicine?"

"Just simple potions made by my family’s alchemists. They’re probably the reason why I sometimes black out, but at least I don’t go crazy like my grandparents..." Aurelia trailed off with a hint of sadness in her tone.

"You don’t have to mention it, but could you please try to get the recipe? Or even the potion itself? I’m very curious," Neraxis asked, receiving a hesitant nod in response.

"...Okay. But please drop this topic." She turned to each member of the group. "I’m just some nobody from your class. You don’t need to worry about me so much."

"That’s where you are wrong missy." Aella spoke up, startling Aurelia. "At the very least, that makes us group mates. However, I decided each of you will be my friend, so feel honored."

And there’s that arrogance, Neraxis chuckled inwardly before adding, "Aella is right. We might not have known each other long, but I consider you as friends."

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[A lie?] Evangeline mused with doubt.

I don’t need to fully trust someone to be friends with them, he answered, watching as Aurelia’s expression slowly fell apart.

Lastly, there was Celina—her actual friend—who walked up to her and placed a hand on Aurelia’s head.

"You’ve always been a little slow on the uptake, but that’s fine. You can do what you wish. Won’t change the fact that we’ll find a cure for you."

That seemed to make Aurelia tear up, her tears falling in complete silence.

This is a good development, I think? I never had this kind of interaction with anyone before. Neraxis thought inwardly, taking a glance at Kael, who was looking off to the side.

Seems like he doesn’t exactly care, though. But it’s fine. I don’t expect him to.

While he was lost in his thoughts, Aella walked up to him, grabbing his hand—the same one he had cut earlier.

<You could have just cut a bit into a finger instead of the whole palm, you know?> she nagged with a whisper, transferred directly into his mind.

Neraxis responded in kind. "Well, then why are you rubbing my wound instead of healing it? O great prodigy healer?"

She immediately squeezed his hand, making him flinch.

<What was that? Mind your tongue before this prodigious healer.> She responded playfully, letting go of his now-healed hand.

"Pfft..." He let out a small chuckle, and upon turning to the side, spotted Celina glaring at him while consoling Aurelia.

"I can hear you two. Stop," Celina said with an angry scoff as she patted Aurelia’s head more aggressively.

"Hehe..." Aella giggled before making her way over to Aurelia as well.

With that, the situation was over—at least for now.

But he doubted that many of the prisoners were left since, if both the Havenspire and Skryder academies had the same objective, it should have been completed already.

After all, Celina and he had killed half of them already.

Soon, his thoughts were corrected as a familiar strong pressure appeared beside him, walking toward them.

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It was Magnus, and from the looks of things, he did not seem surprised.

"Neraxis and Celina, you two killed the highest number of prisoners. Congratulations," he stated in a stern voice before turning his gaze to Kael. "As for you, you killed the highest number of trash, so you’ll be getting extra points."

"Hahaha, at least there’s some good news," Kael said with a laugh.

"Right. I’ve noted down everyone’s progress, as well as the few stunts some of you pulled," Magnus turned to Neraxis especially. "But it’s not my role to intervene in such squabbles. I, however, would have stepped in if you tried killing him."

I know. Neraxis nodded with a smile.

An academy instructor’s role was to simply watch over the students and enhance their progress.

To meddle in affairs that were not taboo was not one of their tasks.

"Now then, you all are the last batch I have to pick up, so move along now. We are going back to the helicopter," Magnus finished, glancing at each one of them, and slowly walking back to the encampment.

Neraxis and the rest followed suit, ready to head back and rest.

But there was one promise he wanted to keep.

Turning to his group, he asked, "Do you all want to grab dinner together?"

"Nope. Got some stuff to sort out back home," Aella replied hesitantly. "...But we could do something fun on Saturday?"

Neraxis put on a soft smile. "Sure. What about the rest of you? Anyone interested?"

"Hm? Even me?" Kael pointed to himself, amused. "I’ll have to decline, though. I need an actual drink after all this unsavory bullshit."

Fair enough... Neraxis chuckled inwardly, turning to Celina and Aurelia.

"Sorry... But I’ll probably need to get some extra medicine made after today..." Aurelia said with reluctance.

So the only one left is...

"I’m free," Celina said as a small smile tugged at her lips. "Let’s go right after we land, okay?"

Noticing her eagerness, Neraxis could only sigh.

It’s a date then.