Chapter 94: Chapter 94: Time To Show Them A Real Hero

I was smart enough to not take her words seriously.

Diana was either messing with me or giving a signal to take this seriously and address her by her character’s name. Made sense. We were in public after all.

So I played along.

“I got it, Aria.” I nodded casually. “So what’s the plan? I’m guessing there’s more to this than just beating that bitch’s face in.”

Her anger didn’t fade.

It doubled.

Her hand shot forward and grabbed my collar with one hand. That’s all she needed. The mana radiating from her body was suffocating. Heavy. Crushing. I was struggling just to stay on my feet beside her.

Now I was genuinely shocked.

This wasn’t an act.

“Don’t test my patience.” Her voice was low. Dangerous. “If you dare dodge my question with more of your rubbish, I will snap your neck first. Then ask your corpse for answers.”

I managed a whisper. Barely audible. Only I could hear it.

“Diana… what’s happening?”

And just like that, my question was answered.

A system screen appeared in my vision.

[Player Diana: Synchronization Complete]

[Synchronization with Aria Halloway: 100%]

[Player Diana can no longer participate in the trial. Her soul has been trapped as a hostage within Aria Halloway’s body.]

What the fuck.

I was frozen. Several seconds passed. My brain refused to process what I just read.

I was still in Aria’s grip. The REAL Aria’s grip. Her murderous intent wasn’t Diana playing a role. It was genuine. The actual villainess wanted to kill me.

Then the notification’s meaning truly sank in.

Diana was gone.

No. Not gone. Trapped. Her soul was a prisoner inside the very body she was supposed to control.

This made no fucking sense.

In her previous trial, she would have lasted way longer than this. She survived long enough to kill three heroes and escape. That’s what her situation said.

But now?

It had barely been four days. And she’d already lost complete control.

She mentioned something about trauma. About her character’s painful memories. Was it that heavy? So overwhelming that she couldn’t resist the synchronization?

Or was I missing something else entirely?

There was no way Diana would lose this easily. Looking at the resolve in those eyes, the look that spoke I won’t lose this time—

Wait.

A new thought struck me.

Did she do this on purpose?

There were too many mysteries surrounding this situation. Too many unknowns. And every single one of them was making me lose my mind.

Before I could think further, another notification appeared.

[Player Eren: Synchronization increased]

[Previous: 5%]

[Current: 15%]

[Warning: Avoid walking DECULEIN’s predetermined path]

Fifteen percent now. A ten percent jump just like that.

Did the real Deculein go through something similar? Was this another mystery I had to solve? Or just another way for this fucked up tower to mess with my head?

But whatever the reason, one thing was crystal clear.

I was alone now.

Alone to win this trial.

And it wasn’t just my life hanging in the balance anymore. Diana’s soul was trapped in there. If I failed, she was finished too.

No support. No backup. No partner.

Just me.

And that was enough.

A smile crept across my face despite the chaos.

Why was my mind playing the same thought on repeat? Telling me I would win. That I had to win. That failure wasn’t even an option.

I closed my eyes.

Fine then.

They needed to see a hero? I’ll give them one.

I opened my eyes. Something had shifted inside me. The panic was gone. The confusion buried. What remained was cold. Calculated. Unbothered.

I slapped Aria’s hand away from my collar.

She looked at me with surprise. Nobody had ever dared to—

“Let me drop the act and get to the point.” My voice came out different. Harder. “I don’t have time to argue with you. Don’t have time to play games either.”

I turned my gaze toward Charlotte.

“I’m here for revenge. On that bitch standing right there. That’s all you need to know.”

Before Aria could respond, Angelica stepped forward.

“Young—”

She stopped herself. Swallowed the word. Right. I had no title anymore. No family name. No status.

She started again.

“Deculein. I understand where this is coming from. You might be going through a… rebellious phase after everything that’s happened to you recently.”

Her tone was diplomatic. Careful.

“But I cannot allow your actions to appear as internal conflict between the heroes. It would damage our unity in the eyes of the people.”

I grinned at her. “And who said this was internal conflict?”

She blinked.

“First of all, there’s nothing ’internal’ about this. Because there was never an ’us’ to begin with.”

I spread my arms.

“I don’t see either of you as my allies. Never did. We were just bound together because some oracle had a vision. But deep down? You know exactly how things stand between us.”

Angelica’s expression tightened.

“But we have responsibilities on our shoulders. We must follow certain protocols even if we personally disagree with—”

“Then you’re stupid.”

Her eyes widened.

“If you really think we need to pretend to care about each other, help each other, put on some fake united front that none of us actually believe in…”

I shrugged. “Sorry. I’m out.”

Before Angelica could respond, Charlotte stepped up with disgust written all over her face.

“Leave it, Princess Angelica.” She waved her hand dismissively. “He’s just trying to gain attention. That’s why he’s so fixated on creating chaos.”

She looked at me like I was dirt on her expensive shoes.

“And honestly? We don’t need him anyway. He’s just a weak, pathetic support mage. What could he possibly contribute?”

I smiled at her.

The sweetest smile I could manage.

“Oh, thank you for those generous words, my lady. Truly touching.”

I turned back to Angelica. “See? That’s exactly what I was saying. We were never whole to begin with. I’ve always been treated like this.”

My smile faded into something colder.

“But things are going to change. Starting today. Starting from the moment I show this entire world how badly they owe me an apology.”

I glanced at Aria. “That’s why I stepped up to help her. Nothing more. Nothing less.”

Angelica processed my words for a few seconds. Then nodded slowly.

“Fine. I accept this challenge.”

Her voice hardened.

“But if we win, you will abandon all your tantrums. You will dedicate your life to preventing the threat our future holds. No more games. No more rebellion.”

I nodded easily. “Sure thing.”

I raised a finger.

“But when we win, Aria gets to decide whatever she wants from you two. This was her fight to begin with. I’m just a mere fan who willingly stepped up to support her.”

Angelica considered this. “I accept. As long as the request stays within reasonable limits.”

“Fine by me.”

I turned to Aria.

She was still angry. But there was confusion mixed in now. Her personal vendetta against Charlotte had somehow transformed into my story. My revenge. My stage.

But she had no choice.

She accepted with a small nod. Then turned to lock eyes with Charlotte.

That stare carried a warning. A promise of what would happen when she won.

Charlotte tried to hold her gaze. Failed. Looked away.

Good.

Everything was settled now.

All I needed to do was make my debut as a hero. A performance so undeniable that it would make everyone question whether the oracle’s vision was actually wrong about me.

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