The SSS Ranked Villain's Return - Chapter 417

Chapter 417: Eclipse
As the two waited for their food, Neraxis decided to strike up a simple conversation. Rather, it was something he had on his mind for a while.

“I know this is a little random, but have you ever heard from Kael?” Neraxis asked. “I know you two weren’t very tight friends and all, but he seemed somewhat friendly with the class. I just guessed he might’ve reached out to you since you were strong.”

Celina tilted her head. “Not really. I did hear a rumor from Aella that he might be patrolling the Dark Continent alongside a few other people. As for whether this information is legit… I have no clue.”

She turned toward him. “Why? Miss him?”

Neraxis scoffed. “Yeah right. I’m just curious how he’s doing after so long. He said he was going to accept a bloodline or something, and then he was going to surpass me. I guess I just want to see the look on his face after he realizes that I’ve lost all my powers.”

“Not all your powers,” Celina corrected with a smile. “Even if you hide it, it’s pretty easy to tell. There’s like a deep feeling in your body every time you breathe. It’s not really mana, but it feels like mana, I guess.”

Neraxis raised a brow. “You feel mana?”

“No, I just think there’s something else aside from mana. I don’t know how to explain it. It’s a little weird.” Celina smiled. “But enough about that… Do you have any stories you want to tell me? You were gone for a while, and I’m guessing you were gone for even longer than we could ever fathom. Isn’t that right?”

“Hmm…? Do you have anything specific you want to hear about?” Neraxis asked vaguely.

Celina pouted. “Anything. I want to hear everything, actually… But we don’t have that much time.”

“True.” Neraxis chuckled and tried recalling a story.

There were many he could tell. Frankly, the number of stories he had was in abundance.

Especially in his universe. He had played the role of another person thousands of times, experienced several lifetimes’ worth of memories outside of his identity.

He had even once played the part of Lagus’s father. He could admit that part was the most evil thing he had done, not counting the initial manipulation of Lagus’s soul.

But aside from that, as he tried to peer into those many memories, he suddenly remembered something. It was a memory far beyond what he had made in those billions of years of wasting time on Lagus.

It was the memory of how he first gained the Eclipse persona.

It was right after the academy tournament, and it was a time when he thought he wouldn’t ever find a way to go back to normal.

But despite that, he felt like this story was something that would interest Celina, especially because she was directly a part of it. Or at least, she didn’t know she was.

“Say…” Neraxis scooted closer toward her. “Do you want to hear about Eclipse?”

Celina’s eyes widened. “You mean your serial killer persona?”

Neraxis rolled his eyes. “I wasn’t a serial killer. I killed out of necessity.”

“That’s what all serial killers say,” Celina replied playfully, then nodded. “I want to hear it. And I want to hear more. Promise you’ll tell me everything?”

A faint smile tugged at Neraxis’s lips. “There’s too much to tell, Celina. But I promise I’ll tell you the interesting bits at the very least.”

She extended her pinky finger, and as if getting the signal, Neraxis extended his as well. Soon enough, their pinky fingers intertwined, and they made the most basic, yet trustworthy promise of them all.

The pinky promise.

“Now you can’t go back on your words,” Celina said, puffing out her chest in excitement. “Now tell me. Come on, don’t keep me waiting.”

Hearing that, Neraxis let out a chuckle and began giving her the rundown.

Of course, he would start on the day when he first went off the grid.

.

.

.

“Delta…” Neraxis mumbled. “Are you sure about this? A rapier?”

Delta flicked his forehead. “Don’t talk back to me. You’re still yet to begin your training, and you’re already acting like a brat. Do you want me to call Amara so she beats you up?”

“No way.” Neraxis chuckled, shaking his head. “How about this then: I take this rapier, and you let me out of here? I’m sure I’m skilled enough to deal with most people that would come my way.”

“It’s not about dealing with people, Neraxis,” Delta said sternly. “It’s about dealing with them efficiently, and in a way that wouldn’t jeopardize your identity. Remember? You’re no longer Neraxis Valen. You are Eclipse. A 14-year-old orphan going by the name Derrick Pearce.”

Why would I need a fake identity like that though? Neraxis wondered. It’s almost like she wants me to get caught so people interrogate me.

“Bingo,” Delta cut his thoughts off with a grin.

“You can read my mind…” Neraxis facepalmed, glancing at her with slight annoyance. “Before we start here… What is my role? Am I your little disposable pawn, or am I someone who’s actually valuable to you?”

“A pawn’s value is often overlooked, Eclipse,” Delta replied nonchalantly. “A pawn can promote to any position, and as it stands, you have just been promoted from a pawn to a bishop. It’s a small step up, but it is a step up nonetheless.”

She narrowed her eyes. “Or should I say, you’re like a colorless bishop now. You’re not trained, so you’re not a fully fledged bishop. Once you finish your training, however, then you’ll be ready to go out on the field and do whatever your heart desires.”

With those words, she pointed at the rapier.

“Swing it at me and try to slay me. That’s your first task,” Delta said, entering a defensive stance.

The moonlight shone down through the windows, and while Neraxis felt like he was severely overpowered by her, he was going to give it his all nonetheless.