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216. The Final Lesson (3)

The moment the knife pierced Rayla’s chest, something was conveyed throughout her body.

It wasn’t exactly pain.

Nor was it fear.

She was already aware from the beginning that such feelings were useless in a body that was already dead.

Talema, who had also been brought back to life, babbled that it was great to be alive, but Rayla felt completely different emotions.

It felt similar to what she had experienced back then.

`It’s futile.`

Even though she was revived, it meant nothing.

There was no sense of rising feelings even in this moment of dying again.

What kind of life had she lived before?

The corpse that was Rayla could only realize that now.

– I will pass on all my power only to the child among you who survives.

A voice automatically echoed in her head.

That instinctively familiar voice was the one she had recognized as her foster father.

But he was not really a human.

There was no affection felt either.

– Congratulations, Rayla. You perfectly qualify to be my bloodline.

Blood Dragon Muzak.

The worst dragon that once filled the continent with terror.

Having been defeated by the Great Sage Dantia, his lifespan diminished, and he gathered abandoned children.

To leave a part of his precious power in the world.

Finally producing a suitable candidate, he praised the child.

– Why are you keeping the corpses of those pests?

Though Muzak had taken her in when she had nowhere else to go, Rayla could not forgive him.

The ones he called pests were… her siblings who had been with her since birth.

To identify the true suitable candidates, Muzak had forced the children to fight to the death.

What unfolded in front of Rayla was the devastation one might see in an underground coliseum… or worse.

Thanks to the barrier, escape was impossible.

That day, Rayla had to kill her family with her own hands.

– That’s enough.

And at the moment she was receiving the power, she killed her father as well.

Rayla ripped off his scales and extracted all his organs.

However, even in the moment of death, he smiled.

To anyone else, he would have appeared like a saint deliberately falling asleep, and Muzak welcomed death at the hands of his daughter.

She had achieved revenge. Yet it was not satisfying.

‘I feel like I’ve become a demon.’

The original goal of her father had been to give birth to such a demon.

However, his creation was never welcomed among people.

– I feel a very ominous energy from you. I will exterminate you here before you become a greater evil!

She had just been sitting still.

And yet, the one calling himself the Apostle of Justice thrust a sword at her.

– Tongue, the power of the Blood Dragon. You! Are you a minion of Muzak!?

She had merely exterminated the monsters rampaging through the village with blood power.

However, the soldiers, upon seeing her strength, were frightened.

– It’s a monster raised by the Blood Dragon. I will defeat you here and avenge our ancestors!

Just because she had grown up under the Blood Dragon, the world would not leave Rayla alone.

Especially since it was a time when private vengeance was in fashion, there was no place for Rayla to stand.

Despite having nine reasons not to be punished, she was subjected to one reason only.

‘Descendant of the Blood Dragon.’

‘Heir of the Blood Dragon.’

‘Queen of the Pure Blood.’

‘Blood Queen.’

It was a curse.

A curse that had followed her since birth.

In the end, she could not live among humans.

Wandering through the forest and nearly starving to death, she was rescued by an alien tribe.

They were a race known as the “Youin Clan,” characterized by horns on their heads.

– Aren’t you afraid of me?

To that question, the Youin Clan expressed puzzlement as if to say what she was talking about.

There was merely a response of, why would they be afraid of just humans.

To Rayla, who had been treated like a monster her entire life, it was a refreshing reply.

– Still, you all are not human.

To the Youin, she might be seen as human. After all, there were no humans here.

But that was an illusion.

She was not alone among the humans indebted to this village.

– Hello! I’m Semiya! And this little one is Tailly. Let’s get along!

– Who are you calling little!? Ah, I’m Tailly Rydusiel. Did you also receive help from the residents here?

There were cheerful-looking boys and girls around her age.

And then…

– I’m Gerard Chain Silver. I’ve heard the rumors about you.

A boy with blue hair showed interest in her.

However, the rumors about her were likely ominous.

– It’s really amazing! Can you show me that just once?

It was the first time she had ever heard such words.

For someone who had been despised her entire life for her ominous blood power, it was a sound that resonated deeply.

Rayla could belatedly realize.

That when people saw her, they didn’t immediately brandish their swords.

Tears of joy were shed for the first time that day.

– Can we also learn that technique?

The chief came to her asking for a favor.

In gratitude for saving her from starving to death, she passed on techniques to some members of the Youin Clan.

Among those disciples was a girl who respected and looked up to her.

– What’s your name?

– It’s Jeri.

With that tremendous affinity, Rayla treated Jeri like a disciple.

The more the girl stayed close to her, the melancholy that clung to her heart seemed to fly away.

For Rayla, who had never experienced such feelings in her life, it became an unparalleled memory.

It was an incredibly precious memory.

After completing the passing on, Rayla left the village.

The moment she stepped into the outside world, change occurred.

The world, which had felt dark, was for the first time perceived as bright.

Although there were still those who considered her a demon, she no longer cared.

Rayla was able to enjoy inner peace for a while.

– Suddenly, the demon beast caused a mutation! We are asking for support!

The demon beast war erupted like a thunderbolt.

With the awakening of the Demon King, all demons went berserk and began attacking people.

If one had power, they were summoned to the front lines without exception.

– Rayla Blardia! We are counting on you to help us!

That too, was no exception for her.

Just the day before, they had looked down upon her as a descendant of the Blood Dragon, and now they changed their tune when they were in crisis.

If it were the old her, she would have torn them apart, but now, those feelings didn’t arise.

Instead…

– I’ll help you.

– Really?

– What will you give me in return?

On the condition that she would participate in the front lines, they would erase all the scandals regarding her.

However, the Emperor suggested she participate in a tournament to verify her power.

The Magical Banquet held in Aligieri.

It was an event concluding with a final match, as strong figures from the empire gathered.

Well, she had some expectations given the significance.

But the result was decidedly anticlimactic.

`Isn’t this too weak?`

The fact that Rayla easily took first place left everyone speechless.

The only face that stood out in her memory was Talema, the participant, making a last-ditch struggle.

Thanks to that, the disdain towards her vanished, and Rayla joined the front lines for the sake of the citizens.

After all, it would only be a matter of dealing with the mutated demon beasts.

Rayla wielded her sword with a light heart.

But she soon realized the horrors of the battlefield.

– Jeri?

Among the mutated demon beasts stood her exceptional disciple.

Included among them were also many of the Youin she had spent time with.

Jeri, who had lost her reason, swung her sword at Rayla.

Rayla screamed for her to stop, but her voice did not reach her.

It was the moment Jeri was about to kill a city dweller who had failed to escape.

Whoosh!-

In an instant.

Rayla’s blade had already cut off Jeri’s life.

The multitude of demon beasts rushing toward her met the same fate.

One against a thousand.

Though she achieved an overwhelming victory alone, the cheers were nowhere to be heard.

Instead, what filled the air was the sound of her disciple’s voice, who was cradling the corpse.

‘What a truly futile memory.’

Since that war, Rayla vanished again.

Since then, she frequently had nightmares and was often found gagging by the river.

Even after hearing the news that the Demon King had been defeated, the look in her eyes remained vacant.

It was time when she felt life was meaningless.

– I’ve been looking for you for a long time.

Gerard Chain Silver.

If he hadn’t come, perhaps.

For some reason, every time he was beside her, she did not dream of nightmares.

After killing Jeri, memories of brotherly fights surfaced.

One by one, she had killed her siblings and now Jeri too, all by her own hands.

Who would she harm next? The fear made it impossible for her to hold a sword any longer.

The Blood Queen, Rayla Blardia vanished that day.

She was reborn as Rayla Chain Silver.

‘I don’t want to harm anyone anymore.’

Now she simply wanted to live an ordinary life.

As a normal mother, not much different from others, with just a slightly fabulous past.

Yes, she was now just an old woman.

But… even if she had no will to fight, if there was something she could do.

If she could become a stepping stone for her children to pave their own paths…

`A life shining like a gem…`

But it was a dream unfulfilled.

She had forgotten that while fighting to protect her child, her legs had frozen to the ground, and her heart had been pierced by a monster’s claw.

In the end, the memories of her own death returned.

Inside Rayla’s heart, silence began to dwell.

*

Whoosh!-

Finally, she made the thrust.

With this, Rayla, who had expended all her power, would perish.

In the end, she took down her opponent in a fight for her life. But Jenny was not joyful at all.

‘I’m so sorry…’

She had killed her mother not once, but twice.

In her lifetime, her mother had died due to the mistakes she made.

Surely, her mother’s soul was in the heavens, filled with resentment.

Every time she thought of her mother, her heart quivered with that thought.

“Cough!”

Blood burst from her mouth, and her consciousness began to fade.

She thought she would die just from the massive blow of blood, but after receiving further assaults, the result was only natural.

Despite the injuries, Jenny did not complain.

Given the mistakes she had made back then, she felt that she deserved every hit she received.

“I’m really sorry…”

Jenny could not continue her words and swayed unsteadily.

In the end, her upper body began to lean forward, and she started to fall.

She recalled her mother, who had left without saying a word that day.

If she had been there, what would she have said?

As she wondered that, her consciousness began to fade.

Suddenly-

A soft touch conveyed itself to her face.

Someone was fully supporting her as she collapsed.

If anyone could do that, there was only one person.

Jenny, feeling a rush of hope, slowly raised her head.

“Mom…?”

Her mother was looking down at her, holding her in an embrace.

It was not the expression of hostility she had seen towards her corpse, but the dearly familiar face from her childhood.

Then it came back to her.

She had heard that corpses revived through RE-Union would regain memories just before dying… from the Spirit King.

Just like the Royal Guard she had encountered.

That meant the one embracing her now was her real mother.

“I’m sorry. It’s because of me….”

As soon as she realized that, apologies spilled out of her mouth.

Tears and sighs flowed uncontrollably from the guilt she felt unconsciously.

As much blood as poured from her body, her tears were equally deep.

She was surely filled with resentment.

Just like how the Royal Guard had screamed in agony at the moment of their death, she must curse Jenny as well.

“It’s okay.”

Rayla smiled and spoke.

In contrast to Jenny’s worries that she would resent her, her face was that of profound kindness.

It was just like the usual one she had seen since childhood.

“I’m fine now. I’ve never blamed you either.”

At those words, Jenny squeezed her remaining strength to hug her mother tight.

With years of guilt welling up inside, she could no longer hold back her strength.

And Rayla continued to speak.

“True parents never say ‘It’s because of you.'”

She did not wail in despair.

Even though the memories of her death had clearly returned, her face did not contort at all.

There was only happiness in knowing she could hold her daughter one last time.

Because of that, Jenny wanted to hold her forever.

But as she tightened her grip, cracks began to appear all over Rayla’s body.

“Still… you are still holding onto this.”

Suddenly, Jenny saw the necklace around her neck.

The blue pendant she had gifted her for Jenny’s birthday when she was alive.

Seeing her still wearing it brought a smile to her face.

“I made lots of friends like you told me, Mom. Especially the one I’d like to introduce you to is…”

Already, from her legs to her torso, Rayla’s body had become like a shattered statue.

The will of the dead could no longer remain in this world.

As if the time limit had been reached, the dead were calling her.

Realizing that, Jenny’s hands trembled as her strength drained away.

“Jenny…”

Ultimately, Rayla’s face had cracked, and for the last time, she stroked Jenny’s head.

“Thank you for being alive.”

And her entire being scattered like particles of light in the cold wind.

As the blizzard quieted, it became an ordinary snowfall.

Gentle snow fell on the icy ground made of red crystals.

Rayla did not touch the ground but vanished into the sky above.

It was the moment when the warmest snow fell on a midsummer night.

*

“Is it over?”

Jenny realized that she had defeated Rayla Chain Silver.

She had wanted to stop Jenny from taking her down somehow, but that was foolish thinking.

Jenny overcame the nightmares of her past.

She did not run away and preserved the dignity of humanity.

Now, her spirit would shine more beautifully than any diamond.

That sight could be seen even from afar.

In the form of ice flowers blooming on Purgatory Mountain.

“There must be someone on the mountainside. Hurry and bring them here for treatment.”

“Treatment? Are they an ally?”

“Don’t talk back.”

“Yes, sir!”

The academic members made no objections and complied with my orders.

Before the deified Enviel, they were nothing but a rabble.

Currently, Luska was being treated, and overall, it was nearing completion.

It was about time to show the main event.

“Everyone, pay attention here!”

I used a crystal orb to project a gigantic screen in the sky above the village.

My voice mimicking Enviel echoed throughout the town.

Everyone stopped fighting and focused their gaze on the screen.

– Wh, what is that?

– Is my eyesight failing me?

– …

Everyone collectively gasped in awe and fell silent.

Snow was falling in midsummer, and the atmosphere grew colder.

In that moment, over Aligieri Town, a stillness spread throughout the entire empire.

Surviving as the Academy Scammer.

 

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