After some time, Kyle opened his eyes and propped himself up with his elbows. He couldn't just sleep now because once the pill's effect wore off, he knew he wouldn't be able to do anything.
Yue was startled by his sudden movement. She turned her face away and started floating to create some distance between them.
Kyle stared at her back, fully aware that she had been staring at him since the moment she sat beside him. His eyes couldn't help but be drawn to her exposed neck and ears, which had a subtle hint of crimson. He was taken aback for a moment, then let out a soft sigh.
'Bia, I know it might be a bit random, but do you think she likes me?'
-'You just noticed? Almost everyone knows except you.'
The phoenix burst into laughter when she sensed Kyle's emotions. He had been troubled for a while, and the reason was unclear. But now, his mood seemed to have returned to normal, or maybe even better than normal.
-'I thought you were clueless about this and it would take you a long time to accept it, but you're actually quite natural.'
'Shut up... and why do you know so much about all this?'
Kyle ignored the phoenix's reply and started floating. He gazed into the distance, where Alec, Carcel, and many strong individuals were busy fighting the monster lord. Yue glanced at him and pointed toward the monster lord.
"I'm going to join them. Come over when you're fine."
Kyle tried to reply, but she hurriedly left before he could say anything. He shook his head and let out a faint chuckle. Bia got smaller and landed on his shoulder, giving him a piercing look with narrowed eyes.
-'You like her as well, right?'
'Well, I'm not sure... but I don't dislike this feeling. Maybe it's because I've known her for a long time, and that familiarity makes me comfortable around her. Right now, I can't even protect myself, so first I'll find a way to remove the artifact from my body. Only then will I consider getting involved in someone else's life.'
-'Tsk... tsk, you're too self-absorbed. She's pretty. Don't you think she might find someone better?'
Kyle's eyebrow twitched. He wanted to toss the phoenix away, but he ignored that impulse. Instead, he stretched his stiff body mid-air and looked down, feeling the gaze of countless people upon him.
He knew it would become a hassle in the future with all the attention he was getting. At first, he chose to join the fight for his friends, but then he continued because of the debt he owed to Kingdom tersia. If it were up to him, maybe he wouldn't have joined the battle against the monster lords. After all, it's not his duty to protect them. He's not like Alec, who has a motto to assist anyone in need.
"I'm feeling restless again..."
Kyle spotted a few monsters lingering near the border, but their numbers were manageable. He was confident that the soldiers would quickly take care of them in no time.
He raised his hand with a smile and waved when he saw a familiar face in the crowd. Neon shouted back and waved, but Kyle knitted his brows when he noticed the dread etched on Neon's face.
"What happened?"
Kyle wanted to go check, but he was stopped by a familiar voice. He turned around to see Jian approaching with a sweaty forehead.
"Hey bro, you okay? I wanted to go check on you, but Carcel stopped me when he saw Yue coming your way."
"I'm fine. Just used too much strength."
Jian nodded and grabbed his arm.
"Come on, Alec's trying to steal my kill! He said I could take down the second monster lord, but I am sure he's going back on his word! No matter what, I can't let him steal my prey this time!"
Kyle raised his brow, counting in his head. He still had time before the pill's effect wore off, so if he didn't use his skills, he could fight for a while.
"Hold on a sec..."
He glanced back to see Neon but the latter had disappeared from his original spot.
"Where did he go?"
Jian grabbed his arm, urging him with pleading eyes. No way, he couldn't let Alec take all the credit! He needed to kill at least one monster lord!
Kyle nodded and followed him. As the duo floated, Kyle glanced down at the devastation he and the others had caused. A huge area of the forest was gone, replaced by barren land filled with water, burned trees, and monster bodies. The air still held a hint of smoke, even though the smoke clouds had vanished.
The moment they arrived in front of the scene where the monster lord was getting beaten up, Kyle's eyes narrowed at Sinon and Regius. A speechless expression appeared on his The moment they arrived in front of the scene where the monster lord was getting beaten up, Kyle's eyes narrowed at face because the duo was placing bets on who would hit the monster lord more. The monster lord's painful cries echoed in the air as Alec, Carcel, and a few others attacked it repeatedly.
Kyle's eyebrow twitched when he saw Han, Retric, George, and King Cedric standing behind Sinon, placing their money on the kids to reward those who were performing exceptionally.
"Are we really fighting a monster lord...? I think it's the first time in the history of the East Continent that a monster lord has been beaten so badly that no other would dare to emerge for the next hundreds of years."
He shook his head and cracked his knuckles before glancing at Jian, who nodded at him with a smirk. Instantly, the duo dove towards the huge bat.
Jian laughed and caught everyone's attention. Many people waved at Kyle, relieved to see him doing well. Elder Han smiled and quickly placed a big bet that Kyle would kill the monster lord!
King Cedric raised his brow at the old man and instantly put money on his sons, not backing down even slightly. George smiled and bet on Alec and Jian. Retric shook his head at their childish behavior.
"What are you three doing? Make way..."
He paused and grabbed a pouch from his storage ring, placing it above everyone else's money.
"I'll bet on Kyle!"
The old principal cheered and waved his hand to support Kyle, leaving everyone around him speechless.
