Chapter 78: Karen's present

Chapter 78: Karen's present

(A/N Extra-long chapter (: )

(Ryoto's pov)

I was slowly regaining my eyesight. It meant that I was waking up. I could turn off my eyesight at will, and that's how I could fall asleep as well. When my vision started to get clear, I saw an unfamiliar ceiling.

'Am I in the hospital?'

Karen: "Yes, after you were impaled by Kaede, Koro-sensei got you here. You lost a lot of blood, but thanks to your increased vitality, you just survived long enough to get help."

Karen calmly explained, but I could hear a hint of anger in her voice.

'Karen, are you angry?'

Karen: "What, me? Nooo, why would I be angry? I just left you for a moment, and you almost died. Nope, I don't care even if you kick the bucket!"

Yep, she was angry. How do I know? Because she is yelling at me.

'OK, sorry, but in my defense, I wasn't planning on dying.'

Karen: "Who plans to die!!!?"

'Suicidal person?'

I felt that she was glaring at me.

'OK, OK, bad joke, I understand. I'll try to avoid situations like this. It's not like I enjoy them anyway.'

Karen: "Try to?"

'I don't like making promises. I don't know what will happen in the future and what kind of decisions I'll make, do the best I can do is promise to try.'

Karen: "*Sigh* Fine. It's not like I can't stop you even if I wanted?"

'Are you sure that I didn't die?"

Karen: "Huh, why?"

'Because you sound worried about me.'

I said jokingly. I know that she isn't as heartless as she let it on.

Karen: "..."

Did she go silent again?

The exact second Karen stopped talking, a door to my hospital room opened. Karma, Rio, Nagisa, Koro-sensei, Karasuma and Irina. Rio was carrying a few flowers. Seeing that I was awake, they widened their eyes.

Rio even jumped at me and wrapped her arms around my neck. I also felt her tears dropping on my shoulder.

It caused me some pain, but I didn't show it on my face. I flinched for an unnoticeable moment. The adults, however, noticed as they are professionals.

I showed them to not interfere with my hand and just returned her hug.

Ryoto: "Now, now, no need for crying. I'm alive and well."

Rio: "Yeah, after not waking up for a week, you idiot!"

Ryoto: "A week!?"

Tadaomi: "Yes, and we were expecting you not to wake up for at least another one."

Karasuma cut in.

Ryoto: "What can I say. I'm just built different."

Everyone looked at me speechless while Rio squeezed me a bit tighter.

Afterward, we talked about what happened during the week I was unconscious.

Our class had a baseball match against class A, and we won thanks to Koro-sensei's coaching. Itona also became part of our class after Koro-sensei removed his tentacles. Otherwise, nothing interesting was happening.

I talked about minor things with them until they needed to get back home. Kaede was acting like her old self, but I knew that she was acting. She was embarrassed deep inside.

Teachers also left, but they didn't ask any questions, which was weird but welcomed. They even left me some lollipops that I enjoy, but I couldn't eat them right away. The gesture was nice, and that's what matters.

---

I could leave the hospital a week after I woke up. Finally, I could return home and eat something edible. No offense, but hospital food is... not tasty, to put it nicely.

At home Sophia outdone herself with the dishes she prepared. I swear that I died and reincarnated again to experience this heaven. I wanted to cook for myself at least a little, but Sophia was adamant about not allowing me to do anything during ' the welcome' back party.

During a bath, I noticed that I got myself three scars where tentacles pierced me. As the tentacles went through me, the wounds were seen at the front and the back. Remembering that my injuries will get back together with me, I was thinking about how I'll explain it to Mikan and Lala. We bathe together regularly, so they'll see it sooner or later they'll see them. Maybe I'll tell them the truth. It's not like they'll believe it. No, Lala would. I finished bathing and went to sleep shortly afterward.

---

Days went on and today was 21st July, my birthday. I should be 17 today, but instead, I celebrate my 15th birthday. I'm growing... but backwards.

Karen: "Hey Ryoto, don't you plan to use the gacha ticket you got for defeating Itona?"

'I... completely forgot about that. Use it now!'

It was still just morning, and I didn't even get out of bed.

Once more, I saw a famous wheel that grants me abilities for the small price of one gacha ticket. It spun for a long time until it started to slow down. I was almost confident that it would land on 'All Fiction', and I was beginning to get excited. It was one of if not the most powerful abilities that I know of. When it almost stopped, it was still moving slowly, passing the 'All Fiction', and no amount of tears would make the wheel change its mind. Once more, gacha screwed me over and destroyed my dreams.

The wheel stopped on 'Jormungandr's blood'.

From what I know, Jormungandr is a world serpent of Norse mythology. It is known for its deadly poison.

__________

Jormungandr's blood: "Your blood posses properties of Jormungandr's poison. Poison is so strong that it can kill even Gods in larger amounts. Even in small amounts, it can melt metal. When wounded, the blood closes the wound, but the damage inside is not reverted or regenerated, just closed. There isn't an infinite amount of blood in your body, and your blood itself regenerates at a normal rate. You can't control the intensity of the poison."

__________

Strong but risky ability. The upside is that I have strong offensive ability. However, the downside is that I need to be wounded to use it, and I must be careful not to get hurt carelessly as my blood can be dangerous for people around me.

I did the smart thing and checked the shop for something helpful, and lo and behold, I found something perfect. It was the ability to control the intensity of 'Jormungandr's blood', and it cost 50 000 SP. I can't buy it right away, but I can start saving up points.

'Hey, Karen? I meant to ask it earlier, but how are prices decided for abilities?'

Karen: "It's quite simple, really. The more powerful and known the ability is, the more expensive it is. So since the ability you want is very niche and not so powerful on itself, it isn't as expensive as other things."

'Hmm, make sense.'

The rest of the day went as usual, but when I returned after my training with Koro-sensei, I was surprised by most of my classmates in my apartment. We had a small party and got some gifts from them. We ordered pizza. I know that mine or Sophia's food would be tastier, but I want to surprise them with that some other time.

After everyone left, I wasn't alone with Karen and Sophia.

Karen: "Ryoto, I also have prepared a present for you."

As she said that, Sophia snapped her fingers and a big present box appeared out of nowhere.

Karen: "I wasn't sure what to get you, so I started to think what you would like to get, and then a genius idea stroke me, but I won't spoil it to you, so just open it."

Karen sounded unusually excited, and Sophia stood next to the big box with a warm smile.

I slowly walked up to the gift and when I opened it I saw...

---

END

Discord server: https://discord.gg/HB2DweuG4J