Extra's Descent-Chapter 382: Turning Point 3.0 [7]

December 31, 2149.

New Year's Eve.

For the past few days, it was about the same.

Occasional training with Evelyn, helping Amelia out with her paperwork, and discussing with his company.

However, things took quite a turn in the past two days.

She had told him she had something to do, and so, they held off training for a while.

Instead, Brandon trained by himself in isolation, trying to direct the mana pathways in his body by himself.

He had found success recently, it was only a matter of time until he unlocked the first skill of his newfound [Permafrost] affinity.

In any case.

During New Year's Eve, Brandon and Amelia were set to have a dinner date. This time, without Aurelia.

Just the two of them.

But Brandon decided to leave early, and told Amelia he had already reserved seats in the restaurant.

He had something to check out first.

He received a message recently, after all.

—I've finally figured out a way to greatly help with your training.

It was from Evelyn.

It seemed like she had done some research by herself without telling him.

She truly was a great mentor.

Brandon truly appreciated her.

Recently, Evelyn had stopped smoking after Brandon told her it wasn't good for her.

Not that mages would actually suffer from the smokes after–effects, but it wasn't a good look for her.

There were better ways to cope with stress.

Having scolded Evelyn, she had promised him she would stop, and surprisingly, she had told him of her New Year's resolution.

To become a better mentor, finally surpass Bellion, and finally live up to the expectations the people had for her.

Because Evelyn Cessna would soon become the strongest.

That much was certain.

It would greatly assist his plans, and if it did happen, there was a high chance this cold war would be quickly resolved.

"Haha."

He could practically imagine Evelyn snapping her fingers and ending the war.

"Oh, right. She said she wanted to make more friends too."

It was a great start for the new year.

In any case, Brandon soon arrived at Evelyn's apartment.

"Apartment…."

The place was huge.

It was practically a condominium.

Of course, despite her lack of friends, Evelyn was a famous figure in Holy Britannia.

She had saved dozens of people in the past, and even till this point, she had continued saving them.

Especially recently, when she had contributed the most in stopping the dungeon outbreaks.

"Hmm…."

It took no time as Evelyn had already told him her room number.

To– Tok.

He knocked on her door, standing excitedly. Just what was she going to teach him?

Brandon could practically imagine how strong he would get after finally figuring out the [Permafrost] affinity.

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"Hmm?"

But there was no response.

To– Tok.

"....?"

Still nothing.

Was she not home?

To–

The moment he knocked for the third time….

Creaaaaak….

The door opened slightly.

"Did she forget to lock?"

How irresponsible. But maybe, she had delved way too much in her research, and forgot?

Did she even take her meals properly?

However….

"...."

….He couldn't believe what greeted his sight.

***

—It's a side effect. Just give it time to heal.

The same words.

—If you're really worried, we can run some tests.

Over and over again.

—There's nothing, Miss Cessna. The results say you're normal.

But since he was a doctor, and the surgeon responsible for her surgery, Evelyn had no reason to doubt his words.

And so, Evelyn persisted.

Without telling anyone.

In the first place, what could they do? A licensed professional had already told her she was fine, and there were no concurring problems.

There was no need to make them worried.

It was her problem.

And she would….

"Ukh…!"

Heal soon.

"Kh…!"

She was,

"It… hurts."

Going to be fine.

"It hurts so much."

It had gotten worse day by day. While she could return the color in her skin by imbuing mana, it was nothing but a temporary solution.

She had managed to help herself up, grabbing the table under the mirror.

The mirror.

It was her only sense of assurance.

She had tried using her phone's camera, but for some reason, it couldn't capture what she could actually perceive.

It had led her to believe she was seeing things.

But what she was seeing in the mirror right now….

"...."

It was a horrific sight.

Half of her hair strands had turned a ghastly white color. Furthermore, half of her face was hauntingly pale.

"...."

But that wasn't the end of it.

As she blinked her eyes, her right sclera had turned a pitch–black color.

"Huu…."

She could faintly recognize the figure she was seeing in the mirror.

A Wraith.

But…. why?

'Am I turning into…. a Wraith!?'

She questioned herself.

She questioned her whole being.

Her hands trembled, nails digging into the edge of the table beneath it.

"Huukk…!"

Her breath stuck in her lungs, gasping.

A deep mark etched on the table the moment she scratched it.

"...."

Her nails had grown a long, dark crystal color.

"Haaa…. H–haaa…."

Her breath quickened, shallow and ragged.

The pain… It was unbearable.

Her thoughts twisted into dark whispers, flooding through her mind like a sweet lullaby.

Why is this happening?

—You're a monster….

The voice was her own, distorted.

Her reflection grinned at her, a sinister smile.

The pale figure, half her, half something she could no longer recognize, stared back with hollow, soulless eyes.

The black sclera of her right eye oozed something… something wrong.

—You can't fix this. No one can.

A violent shiver ran down her spine.

Her mana surged wildly within her, clawing at her from the inside, as if it wanted to tear her apart.

The familiar warmth was gone, replaced with a freezing sensation that wrapped around her bones, turning her insides to ice.

"Hueek!"

She gasped, clutching her chest as the frost crept up her throat, suffocating her.

—You've failed.

"No…"

She whispered, her voice cracking as her fingers dug into her skin, trying to feel something—anything—that wasn't cold, wasn't dead.

"Stop…." fгeewёbnoѵel.cσm

She tried to fight back, tried to summon her strength.

But the dark thoughts wouldn't stop. They wouldn't leave her alone.

—You'll kill them all. Kill them—

Crack—!

Her hand shot out, shattering the mirror. Glass rained down, cascading, shards embedding themselves into her flesh.

She didn't feel the pain.

She couldn't.

—You're weak.

Evelyn's breath hitched.

Her vision tunneled, shrinking to a tiny hole of light surrounded by a sea of darkness.

The room felt impossibly large, distant, like she was floating away into an abyss.

The voices in her head grew louder, more violent.

Feed the pain.

Take the power.

Give in….

Thud!

She dropped to her knees, clutching her head as her hair fell around her like a curtain of white strands.

Her fingers brushed her cheek, feeling the unnatural coldness of her skin.

The Wraith's face—the one in the mirror—was becoming hers.

Her mind spiraled deeper into the void.

Suddenly, a loud knock echoed through the apartment, jarring her.

To– Tok.

Her heart skipped.

The door.

To– Tok.

Who?

"Don't come….'

Her voice was barely a whisper.

The door creaked open, and she heard footsteps.

She didn't turn around, her body too consumed by the cold.

She heard someone approach.

"Don't…."

Her lips trembled.

The darkness inside her laughed.

And then, mustering up all the strength that she could,, she managed to lift her head, turning to face him.

Her eyes, one filled with the void of blackness, locked onto a familiar figure.

Why was he here?

She had told him she would be busy this week.

So….

Why?

Why are you here?

"....Brandon."