Chapter 43: MEETING RAGNAROK’S REPRESENTATIVE

"Sir, this is the list of individuals I compiled. Potential candidates we can try inviting to our university," a calm, soft-spoken voice echoed in the cluttered office of Ragnarok’s representative. It belonged to a young boy—sixteen at most—his demeanor unnervingly composed as he stood holding out a sheet of paper.

He wore a white blindfold wrapped tightly around his eyes. Nathan—born without the gift of sight—yet moved as though the world lay clearly mapped before him. His steps were sure, unhesitant. Though he lived in darkness, he maneuvered like one who could see everything.

Across from him sat a large, disheveled man slouched in a battered leather chair, puffing lazily at a half-burnt cigar. His grizzly beard was unkempt, hair even worse—untamed, sprouting wildly in every direction.

"The hell’s the point?" he muttered, smoke escaping his mouth like a sigh of frustration. "We’ll be getting the leftovers again. Scraps no one else wanted. Don’t bother wasting your energy on a list that’s going to collect dust."

"Please," Nathan replied, calm and unmoved, extending the paper a little further. "Just take a look."

Ryder groaned, snatched the paper with clear disinterest, and let his eyes skim across the contents—only for his brows to immediately twitch.

"The hell is this?" he scoffed. "Just two names? What’s this crazy-ass joke?"

"Those two names," Nathan replied with conviction, "are Aaron Highborn and Alice Frost."

Ryder let out a dry laugh and tossed the paper aside as though it had insulted him. "Boy, are you out of your damn mind? You think they would pick Ragnarok over the Big Six? You’ve got to be kidding."

"They’re coming," Nathan said simply, bending down to retrieve the tossed paper and dusting it gently.

Ryder froze, the smoke in his lungs caught halfway out. "...You saw it?"

"Yes."

His tone left no room for argument. Ryder straightened in his seat. The lazy air vanished from him in a blink.

"You used your vision?" he asked quietly, the smile completely gone from his lips now.

"Yes. I did."

"You were told never to use it again, Nathan. What did it cost you this time?"

Nathan’s head tilted slightly. "Nothing."

"...Nothing?" Ryder leaned forward, his stare narrowing.

"For the first time ever... there was no price. No pain. No toll. The vision came... freely."

Ryder was silent for a long time. The two men—one young and blind, the other weathered and scarred—locked into a moment of shared tension.

Then, Ryder stood abruptly. "I need ten minutes to get presentable," he muttered, already walking toward the back. "I can’t look like a corpse when those two walk in."

"Take your time," Nathan replied, placing the paper gently back on the desk. "They’ll be here very soon."

---

Aaron strolled into the modest office, hands in his pockets, an amused smile dancing on his lips. Alice followed behind, silent as ever—elegant, poised.

"You were expecting us, weren’t you?" Aaron asked, studying the man now sitting behind the desk—cleaned up, sharp-looking, expectant.

"You could say that," Ryder said smoothly, nodding in greeting.

"I promise, you won’t regret choosing our university. We might not be—"

"Stop." Aaron raised a single hand, his voice flat. "Don’t even start. Spare me the sales pitch. You know you can’t offer me anything worth hearing, so let’s not pretend. Just keep your mouth shut and don’t piss me off."

Ryder blinked. "Understood."

Aaron’s eyes then drifted to Nathan, who had stepped forward, both hands folded calmly.

"Aaron Highborn," Nathan said with a serene smile. "Master of the universe. Breaker of all limits. It’s an honor to stand in your presence."

Aaron’s face twitched. "...Uh. Is this guy okay? Is he broken?"

Nathan turned smoothly to Alice next. "And you, Alice Frost. Queen of Ice. Freezer of time."

Aaron leaned toward Ryder, whispering, "Seriously. He’s insane, right? We should get him to therapy."

"He’s not," Ryder said, placing a hand gently on Nathan’s shoulder. "He just confuses the future with the present sometimes."

Alice’s eyes narrowed with recognition. "So, he’s the diviner... I heard he was no longer able to See."

"That’s what everyone believes," Ryder replied, smiling faintly. "Let’s just say the truth is... complicated."

"Let’s save the mystery for later," Aaron cut in, arms crossed. "Anything else you need from us?"

"I just need to know your timeline. When can you leave for the university?" Ryder asked.

Aaron rubbed his neck lazily. "I’ll need a week. Got some stuff to handle first."

"I’ll need the same," Alice added, her tone quiet but firm. "My clan won’t be happy unless I inform them myself."

"Fair enough. One week," Ryder nodded. "We’ll meet here, then leave together."

He tried to keep his composure, but he couldn’t stop the small grin that stretched across his face.

Two monsters. Ragnarok had landed two monsters.

---

Aaron returned to his suite that evening, only to find Rose seated on the couch, her face lighting up the moment she saw him.

"Congratulations!" she beamed, jumping up and throwing herself into his arms. "You were amazing!"

"It was just a little warm-up," Aaron chuckled, squeezing her lightly. "Did someone miss me?"

"I did," she said, cheeks red. "You were so cool, dominating everyone."

She paused. Her smile dimmed.

"But... now that you’ve won, it feels like goodbye is close."

Aaron tilted her chin gently upward. "You don’t need to worry about that. I’ll visit. Or better yet, you can come with me."

"...Really?" she whispered. "Won’t that bother you?"

"Bother me?" Aaron laughed. "You could never be a bother."

Without warning, he swept her off her feet and carried her toward the bed.

"Let me help you forget the sad stuff for a while," he said.

Rose didn’t resist.

---

After hours of passionate ’battles’—each ending in Aaron’s victory—Rose finally fell asleep, her body curled against his.

Aaron sat up, yawning, stretching his arms lazily. "Whew. Time to get things done."

He slipped out of bed, dressed, and checked out of the hotel. His first destination? Somewhere only he could access.

A quiet corner of the sanctuary pulsed open to him, and Aaron stepped inside to find his beloved dragon cub pacing restlessly.

"Hey there, buddy. Miss me?" Aaron grinned, lifting Flameborn in his arms.

The small dragon roared in delight, licking Aaron’s face with a burst of heated breath.

"I know, I know. I’ve kept you locked away too long. I’ll fix that once we leave here, promise."

He spent nearly an hour playing with the little creature, chuckling as Flameborn leapt around, fiery and full of joy.

Then it was time.

He reached for the Void Mask, and the transformation began.

Gone was the youthful face of Aaron Highborn. In its place stood a man in his early thirties, sharp and dangerous. Bald, a dragon tattoo gleaming on his head. His build was firm, solid. His black denim jacket hugged a lean, muscular frame, and the matching black pants completed the outfit. Sunglasses covered his gaze, giving him an air of mystery.

His name was Ego.

---

[Ego]

Strength: SS+

Agility: S+

Vitality: SSS+

Stamina: SSS+

Mana: S+

Talent: S Rank – Beast Transformation

The second awakened under Retribution.

They were all Aaron.

But to the world?

They couldn’t have been more different.