Parallel Memory

The competition ended and the geniuses were back to their respective Inn. However, instead of resting, most of them were busy discussing the potential opponent that they need to look out for.

"I think that I will lose if I get a Rank-S opponent. Maybe I might even lose to Rank-A if they are as strong as you."

Amelia said. She was with Zero and Mia, and discussing about the geniuses who they think could be a difficult enemy.

Amelia wasn't very confident that she could win after having fought with her opponent earlier. Of course, she won but she thought that she performed pathetically compared to Zero and Mia who one-shot their opponent.

"That is practically impossible! So, you don't need to worry about it."

Mia reassured Amelia.

She didn't think that there was another monster like Zero out there. And it was from the perspective of Mia who many consider a monster.

Anyway, she didn't think there was anyone like Zero even at the gathering of geniuses. Who could kill Rank-S Ice Wyvern when they are in Rank-B or someone who could blast and kill Rank-S Ifrit?

If there was, she believed that even she might lose.

"I think there was one!"

Zero said. Although he didn't know about others, but he believed that there was at least someone in Rank-A who might give him some trouble. And of course, he was talking about Hiro, the protagonist of this world.

He saw him fight and although he didn't need to use even one of his trump cards to win. From the memories of the , Alan could guess that if he fought seriously, he could even give trouble to Rank-S.

Anyway, it was best to be cautious of the main character or else one might lose even if they were stronger than Hiro.

"Who?"

Amelia and Mia looked at Zero and asked.

"Hiro Ernest!"

Zero replied.

"Ohh… "

Mia and Amelia then remembered Hiro. Indeed if one had to give credit for being one the strongest at Rank-A, Hiro's name would come at the top despite being at Rank-A -.

"But I don't think he is as scary as you!"

Amelia said. She remembered Hiro fighting with Therianthrope's opponent earlier but his power was nowhere as powerful as Zero who killed Ifrit.

And this was not the only time. Even when they were on their way to Eldoria, she had seen Hiro fight and although strong and very skilled, she found Hiro to be much weaker than Zero.

"Huh? What do you mean scary?"

Zero questioned, not letting that comment pass by without explanation. He believes that he is a calm and collected person who never fights or provokes someone. So, how can he be described as scary?

Amelia chuckled mischievously and said, "Well, Zero, it's because you always have this super stern expression when you're fighting. You know, like this..."

She proceeded to mimic his intense, focused expression, furrowing her brows and squinting her eyes in an exaggerated manner.

"Haha… "

Mia chuckled. The face expression that Amelia made was too similar to what Zero really had when he fights.

"It's like you're challenging the entire universe with that look."

"I suppose I do tend to look a bit serious when I'm fighting."

Zero admitted. This was because for the past two years, he couldn't make a single mistake in the fight or it might have cost him his life. So, he made a point to always be focused when fighting.

"But that's just my way of staying focused."

Zero explained.

Amelia continued her teasing, giving Zero a playful nudge. "Come on, Zero, you should try smiling during your next battle. Maybe then you can get along with others well."

Amelia couldn't resist the urge to playfully push her teasing even further. She moved closer to Zero, a mischievous glint in her eye as she devised a plan to prove her point about his stern expression.

With a sly grin, she gently cupped his face in her hands, her fingers pressing against his cheeks.

"Come on, Zero, just a little smile," Amelia coaxed, her voice filled with feigned seriousness. She began to stretch his cheeks outward, attempting to reshape his stoic face into a smile.

Zero's eyes widened as he found himself subjected to Amelia's unexpected antics. His cheeks stretched unnaturally, his lips pushed upwards into an awkward, forced grin.

"Haha… You look even more scary. Maybe you were right in not smiling. Your opponent might get scared even before the fight."

Amelia and Mia burst into uncontrollable laughter, unable to contain themselves any longer. They couldn't help but be amused by the sight of Zero's face transformed into something between a grimace and a forced grin.

"Leave my face alone!"

( Does my face look that bad? )

Zero questioned himself. He didn't have a very high stat like Hiro, Lisa or Mia. But he was definitely above average with A in charm stat, at least that is what he believed.

Anyway, after having calmed down, they began discussing their opponent though Amelia would tease again about how they would be defeated if he smiled at them.

They were not the onl;y one who was discussing the fight but also other people including Hiro and his group.

"Dryads are a bit difficult to handle. If we want to win, then we might need to come up with a strategy."

Hiro said.

"Can't you do what Zero did?"

Sylvia asked. She was out of the contest but was helping her friends in coming up with strategy.

"... It would be impossible for most of us. I think that if I used my skill, I might get to that speed."

Hiro replied. The reason why Sylvia asked was because even she didn't know how fast Zero was. That was why she thought that maybe Hiro, who is also in Rank-A might be able to do what Zero did.

"Ohh… "

Sylvia didn't know that Zero was that fast. Only when Hiro said about how it might need him to use his skill to be as fast as Zero, did she understand.

"And even if I had that same speed, they should now be wary and wouldn't leave their back exposed."

Hiro said.

"Anyway, Zero is too strong. We shouldn't do what he did because it will be very difficult to achieve it."

Misha said. There was no way that they could copy Zero's way of fighting. To do so, they need to be as strong as him. And for Misha, nobody could be that strong at that rank.

"Well, just pray that you don't get him as your opponent then!"

Sylvia said. She was already out of the contest and needn't be worried unlike her friends.

Sylvia only meant that as a joke but it seemed like her friend had taken it a bit too seriously. They began pondering about how they should go about fighting Zero if they do get him as your opponent.