The SSS Ranked Villain's Return-Chapter 285: Potential Re-Awakening?

"What are you talking about, boy..." Zaria's father muttered. "As powerful as you may be, do you think you'll be able to live comfortably after doing something to me?"

"Probably not, but I've not come here to harm you," Neraxis shrugged. "If anything, I've come here with peace in mind. I just want to mend your relationship with Zaria."

Zaria's father scoffed. "There's no problem between my daughter and me. She's simply in her rebellious phase, that's all."

"Right... is that why she wants to escape from this entire continent then?" Neraxis asked, crossing his legs. "Or the fact that you're letting her?"

"What are you talking about?" Zaria's father narrowed his eyes. "Why would I let my daughter escape?"

"You've got these powerhouses stationed in your room, and yet, you've sent basic police officers after your daughter. If that's not you letting her escape, then I don't know what is," Neraxis replied with a chuckle.

Zaria's father sighed. "You must be new here then. I can't send my forces down there since that's against the law. However, if she were to try leaving the city, then I would be able to locate her in a heartbeat."

"So what if I told you she's currently not in the city?" Neraxis said with a tilt of his head. "She's still on this continent, sure. But for how much longer? She's on the run, and she's running very, very fast."

"..." Zaria's father stared at him speechlessly as he suddenly began to tap the air, almost as if he was interacting with his status screen.

Then, Neraxis felt a pulse of mana escape her father's body and attempt to head out of the frost barrier.

Neraxis swiftly shut it down before it could escape.

"A tracking skill? That's a little naughty," Neraxis remarked with a scoff. "So you keep tabs on your daughter like that then? I see... no wonder she doesn't like you."

"You don't understand anything..." Zaria's father muttered. "She's running away simply because of a joke I made. She's being too immature."

"Let me guess, you tried marrying her off?" Neraxis said, chuckling.

However, upon not receiving a reply, Neraxis's eyes widened. "You actually tried marrying her off? What, do you think these are the middle ages? You're beyond rich, and yet you're trying to build connections by marrying your daughter off? That's pathetic."

Neraxis obviously seemed like a brat to this man. However, the sheer concept of marrying someone off against their will disgusted him.

After all, Zaria seemed charming, and she was her own person. And yet, to her father, she was nothing but a bargaining chip.

Fuck, this pisses me off, Neraxis grumbled with a frown.

[Yeah, I just tuned in. If he wasn't her father, I would've beat him up already,] Evangeline commented. [Also, we're going out for dinner, can I use your card?]

What do you mean dinner? Isn't the Wilds assignment thingy still up? Neraxis asked, puzzled.

[Let's be real... half of the class already left after the earlier fiasco. Also, we're hungry, and the only things I have are the cookies I swiped from your dimensional ring earlier,] Evangeline replied with a giggle.

Neraxis checked the ring on his finger, and just as Evangeline said, she had literally taken everything somehow.

Nonetheless, he wasn't going to tell them no, since this academy assignment was bullshit from the very start.

Go ahead and use my card, but I expect to see a dimensional ring filled with sweets after I'm back, got it?

[Yep, I'll head over to where you are tomorrow. I might take the girls along as well,] Evangeline said.

That gave him an idea.

I'm not sure how you're planning to take everyone, but take my family as well. I'm thinking of getting something outside Sordana. You can help me look for it when you arrive, Neraxis said, and then brought his attention back to Zaria's father. Though I'm going to pressure this guy a little more, see you tomorrow.

[I'll bring snacks,] Evangeline added, and with that, he felt the slight connection fade.

Instead, he focused on Zaria's father and let out a chuckle.

"It seems like you don't have anything to say for yourself."

"I don't have to explain myself to an outsider... I'm just worried about my daughter, and the person who has offered to marry her is a kind man, he'd treat her well," her father replied.

"Again, that's not your decision to make," Neraxis said, then looked through the semi-translucent part of the barrier and noticed that the sun was up, shining its rays directly at his face.

Hmm... I was here for a bit longer than I thought...?

However, that opened up a completely different approach.

Therefore, Neraxis proceeded to put on a sly smile and walk up to Zaria's father.

Then, with a mere tap on his forehead, the both of them vanished.

But just a few moments later, both of them reappeared, fully clothed

They were currently in some forest a few kilometers outside of Sordana, and in front of the two of them was a startled Zaria.

"H-How in the fuck did you find me?" Zaria jumped in surprise, readying her bow.

But she halted upon noticing her father beside him.

"What are you doing here?" Zaria asked, her glare filled with hatred. "And you too, what was your name again... Neraxis, right? Why did you bring him here?"

"Zaria..." her father muttered, looking down. "I apologize for suggesting marriage. I didn't mean to upset you."

Zaria let out a laugh of disbelief. "Is that why you kept insisting? Even canceling all my plans just so I could meet him? There's a level of insistence where I draw the line, and you've crossed that line."

Neraxis felt like a total outsider now, and that was simply because he actually was.

So, he took a few steps back, observing their argument from a distance.

Yet not even a few moments later, he felt a headache forming.

It was unnatural, and he had no idea what could've brought it on, but the more Zaria argued with her father, the stronger it grew.

That was when Neraxis noticed something off.

Every word she spoke warped the surroundings.

The trees, which had been a lustrous green, had turned completely red, mimicking her hair color. Even the temperature seemed to rise slightly.

Alright... Neraxis sighed, glancing at the angered Zaria.

I think she's going through a second awakening...