I WAS The Rank–1 Hero

Chapter 163 163: Act 1: The Unlucky One

Handing me the towel, Ruby sat across the sofa from where I was sitting.

"Here, wipe your hair dry."

"Mhm."

Running towards her kitchen, she peeked her head from the door.

"Hot chocolate?"

"It's fine." I waved my hands.

"Hot chocolate it is." She insisted.

Well, I forgot one thing. She was stubborn.

"Sigh, alright."

As she was busy preparing the hot chocolate, I looked around the room.

"..."

It was the same as the original timeline.

'It's surprising that she was the headmistress in this world too.'

Was her dream to always become the headmistress?

'I don't think so.'

Maybe it was the Hero Association that forced her to take this role.

Now that I think about it… If I was powerless in this version, then who was the Rank-1?

Surely it wasn't some nobody.

"Wait…" Murmuring, I thought for a second.

"Don't tell me it's justice."

He was ranked 2 in my real timeline, so it's possible that he's ranked 1 here.

A shiver ran down my spine.

'He was powerful, no doubt, but at the same time he was creepy.'

I never liked him a bit.

He always challenged me to a duel—with swords. And every time, I beat him. So he'd come back with something even more ridiculous, some shitty challenge pulled out of nowhere.

There was this one time at the Hero Association, and he challenged me to a thumb fight!

Yes, a literal thumb fight.

['Hope, I've trained my thumb specially for you, let me put it to the test.']

That day, I had a nightmare.

'Fuck that creepy bastard!'

It was a good thing I died.

"Haaah…"

I feel tired.

Tilting my head toward the window, I watched the weather grow rough.

Rain poured relentlessly, thunder roared above, and the sky lit up with the occasional spark.

'Is the world going to end or what?' I chuckled.

My mood was getting brighter.

Today was Saturday. My Nova classes were only half-day.

Mom and Dad would be worried if I didn't reach home soon.

And knowing Ruby, she wouldn't let me off until the weather settled down.

Clicking on my wristband, I sent my parents a text—telling them I wouldn't be coming home today because of the weather and that I'd be staying in one of Nova's dorms for the night.

As I wandered inside my thoughts, Ruby appeared, holding two steaming cups.

"Hot! Hot! Hot!"

She rushed over to the table, set both cups down, and then sat, crossing one leg over the other.

"Here. Oh, by the way…" Her gaze lingered on me. "What's your name?"

Picking up the cup and taking a sip, I answered.

"Zane Skylark, Headmistress."

"Ah!" Her eyes widened, shifting to a sorrowful look.

I pretended not to notice.

She hesitated for a moment before speaking.

"I… um, I think I understand now. Why you were in pain."

I stayed silent.

She picked up her cup, took a small sip, and spoke in a gentler tone.

"She was kind. Always helping others, always pushing forward…"

A soft smile curved on her lips as her eyes became slightly moist.

"It hurts… that she had to go through something like that."

I looked down at my cup as the steam rose, brushing against my nose.

Gripping it tightly, I spoke, firm and low.

"Was she killed?"

"Huh?"

She flinched, caught off guard.

"Wh—What are you talking about?"

"Exactly what you heard, Headmistress. Why did Nova hide her mission report? Why was her death classified? Why did—"

"Stop." Her tone sharpened.

"Who told you this?"

My eyes focused on her face.

"Hm… What will it change?"

I continued.

"She's no more. None of them told us the reason for her death… You said she was kind, then… Then can't you at least show her this favor of kindness?"

I found myself pleading now.

She went quiet, as if

"What do I want?" She whispered.

A smile tugged at my lips as I spoke.

"Family."

"..."

Looking at me with wide eyes, she tried to say something, but her voice stuck.

And just by a glance, I can tell that I hit the nail.

The things that I just told you were something even she didn't share. She never once told me about her dreams.

Time paused as her gaze loomed at my face.

Lowering her blade, she broke the silence.

"You told me you're from another timeline? That you and I were close?"

I nodded.

She continued.

"And also, that I shared all my secrets with you?"

She was onto something. But, not thinking hard, I nodded.

Ruby directly asked.

"Was I in love with you?"