Every time Ryan looked at Alice, he found himself staring.
He couldn't help it.
Her beauty wasn't overwhelming in the way Iris's was. Iris looked like something beyond mortal.
But Alice…
Alice was the most beautiful person Ryan had ever known.
Her shoulder-length black hair was tied into a neat ponytail. A few stray strands framed her face, tucked carefully behind her ears. Her warm coffee-colored eyes always seemed to look straight through him.
Right into his soul.
Ryan sighed inwardly.
God… I have it just as bad as in my last life.
"Hi, Ryan."
Alice glanced up from the papers on her desk.
Her eyes widened slightly.
"Where have you—"
She froze mid-sentence.
"Wait."
Her gaze slowly traveled up and down his body.
"What the hell happened to you?"
Ryan casually walked over and dropped into the chair across from her desk.
He leaned back comfortably.
Now I just need to stay here until everything begins.
He tilted his head with a playful smirk.
"Why?"
"Is something wrong?"
Alice blinked rapidly.
Her face flushed red almost instantly.
"I mean…"
She avoided his gaze.
"You just… look different."
Ryan folded his arms behind his head.
"Oh?"
He was enjoying this far too much.
"Different how?"
Alice's face turned even redder.
"You know what I mean!"
She quickly looked back down at her work, refusing to meet his eyes.
Ryan chuckled quietly.
He didn't mind the silence that followed.
Even sitting here quietly while she worked felt precious.
A century of loneliness had taught him how valuable moments like this were.
Ryan leaned forward slightly.
Hey Iris… how long do we have?
Her answer came immediately.
[Ten minutes.]
[You should start preparing.]
Ryan nodded slightly.
And the earthquake…
That was the signal, right?
[Yes.]
[The planet begins expanding as it absorbs the influx of mana.]
Ryan remembered.
The first sign.
The moment everything changed.
Earth itself had grown larger after the Awakening.
Ryan casually glanced around the office.
He needed something sturdy.
Something to shelter under.
Alice's desk would work.
Two minutes.
Ryan could already feel it.
The mana in the air was rising.
Slowly.
Like pressure building before a storm.
One minute.
Ryan stood up quietly.
Thirty seconds.
A faint tremor passed through the floor.
Then—
The earthquake began.
The entire building shook violently.
Furniture slid across the floor.
Glass rattled.
The walls groaned under the strain.
"What is happening?!" Alice shouted.
Her chair nearly tipped over.
Ryan moved instantly.
He rushed around the desk and grabbed her hand.
"Come with me!"
He pulled her under the desk just as another violent tremor hit the building.
Ryan wrapped his arms around her, shielding her body with his own.
Alice clutched his shirt tightly.
Her entire body trembled.
"What… what's happening?!"
Her voice shook with fear.
Ryan held her firmly against his chest.
"The world is changing."
His voice remained calm.
"I'll explain everything later."
Alice looked up at him.
Her eyes were wide with terror.
But she didn't argue.
The earthquake continued.
The building creaked.
Concrete groaned.
For several long moments the entire world seemed to be breaking apart.
Then—
Silence.
The shaking stopped.
Ryan slowly released his breath.
He could feel it.
Mana.
It flooded the air like an invisible ocean.
Alice suddenly stiffened in his arms.
"What…"
She pressed a hand to her chest.
"What is this feeling?"
Ryan helped her crawl out from under the desk.
"That's mana."
He met her confused gaze.
"It's circulating through your body."
"Mana…?"
Ryan guided her gently into her chair.
She was still trembling.
"I'll explain everything soon."
He crouched slightly so their eyes were level.
"But first…"
He studied her expression carefully.
"Do you feel something new?"
Alice closed her eyes.
Her breathing slowed.
Then suddenly—
Her eyes flew open.
Shock filled her face.
"I…"
Her voice dropped to a whisper.
"I don't understand any of this."
Ryan smiled slightly.
He recognized that reaction.
The information had arrived.
Her skill.
"That's your ability," Ryan said calmly.
"I'll help you figure it out."
But before he could continue—
Footsteps approached rapidly from the hallway.
Ryan's smile sharpened.
Right on time.
The office door slammed open.
Charl stepped inside.
His blonde hair was still perfectly styled despite the chaos outside.
He leaned casually against the doorframe.
"You okay, Alice?"
He didn't even look at her at first.
But then—
His eyes landed on Ryan standing beside her chair.
Ryan's hand resting on the backrest.
Their faces close.
Charl's expression twisted instantly.
"Who—"
His eyes widened.
"Who the hell are you?!"
Ryan slowly turned toward him.
The smirk on his face widened.
His green eyes sparkled with amusement.
"You don't recognize me?"
He walked over and picked up an overturned chair.
Setting it upright, he casually sat down.
Legs crossed.
Relaxed.
"It's only been a few days."
Charl frowned deeply.
He studied Ryan's face carefully.
Then realization hit.
"Ryan?"
Ryan clapped slowly.
"Ding ding ding."
He spoke in an exaggerated announcer's voice.
"We have a winner."
Charl's confusion quickly turned into a smug grin.
"So you finally lost that extra weight."
Alice immediately snapped.
"Charl!"
But Ryan lifted a hand.
Stopping her.
He stood up and walked behind Alice's chair.
Resting one hand gently on the backrest.
"You could say that."
Charl laughed loudly.
"You might look a little better now."
He slowly approached.
"But I doubt that will matter."
He stopped only a few steps away.
Ryan tilted his head.
"Oh?"
Charl cracked his knuckles.
"You see…"
A dangerous smile spread across his face.
"I just discovered the power I was given."
Mana flickered faintly around his fists.
"And I've decided…"
His eyes drifted toward Alice.
"I'll take whatever I want."
Ryan moved instantly.
He pulled Alice's chair back behind him.
His body shielding her.
"Is that so?"
His voice was cold.
"I'd like to see you try."
Iris spoke quietly inside his mind.
[His ability doubles his physical strength.]
Ryan's smile widened.
So we're about equal.
[More or less.]
Ryan rolled his shoulders slightly.
A century of combat experience…
Versus a man who awakened five minutes ago.
His grin became dangerous.
This won't even be close.
Charl's face twisted with rage.
"What are you smiling about?!"
He lunged forward.
Mana surged through his arm.
His fist shot toward Ryan's face.
And the fight began.