I WAS The Rank–1 Hero-Chapter 93 : A New Beginning

Drip. Drip.

Steam curled in the air, clinging to the mirror. I lifted my hand, which was still wet, and wiped the mirror's surface. Small droplets slid down the surface, revealing my reflection beneath.

Two silver eyes stared back at me. My dark black hair, still dripping, clung to my forehead, strands sticking together from the moisture.

I scanned my body, tracing every inch in the mirror.

Not a single wound. No scars, no bruises.

My gaze lowered.

A tattoo encircled my wrist—it was like a bracelet of miniature stars and planets. Tiny celestial bodies swirled in an endless loop, threads of light weaving them together like a chain. It flickered, shifting like an illusion. It seemed unreal.

But it was a mark of my contract with Nathalia.

Sigh…

I let out a slow breath.

"All of this… is still hard to digest."

My eyes met my reflection once more.

This time, my focus was on my face.

That face—I had seen this expression before, countless times.

"Zane!" Elise called my name from the other side of the door.

"Yes...! Coming!" I replied, picking up the towel and wiping down my hair.

Grabbing a loose white T-shirt from my wardrobe, I stepped outside. Entering my room, I looked at myself in the long mirror.

'Alright! Smile.' I forced a smile on my face.

Today was a big day—well, for them, actually.

Setting my hair, I wore a white zip-on hoodie and blue jeans to match. Stepping a little away from the long mirror, I scanned my outfit one last time.

'Perfect!' I told myself.

'Not bad.' A voice rang in my subconscious.

"?!"

I stumbled back on my feet, hitting the table beside me.

"Shi—!"

Fuck! I totally forgot about Sera.

'Rude! How could you say that?!'

And I was taking a shower just now...

Fuck my rotten luck!

'Don't you dare blame it on your luck.'

Calming my mind, I asked Sera.

'You didn't see anything... right?'

I already knew the answer, but still, for my innocent life, I had to ask.

'If we say 'No,' would you believe us?'

"..."

'Jeez, relax. You're thinking too much... And we have no interest in a child's bod—'

"Please stop!" I raised my voice a little, watching my face turn red in the mirror.

I don't want to think about it anymore.

Alright, let's just pretend this didn't happen.

"Zane, did you say something?" Elise was still outside my room, waiting for me. Her worried voice pulled me out of my weird thoughts.

"Yes, sis... Just give me a second," I responded.

"..."

One last time, I looked at myself in the mirror. But unlike before, my face now had a natural smile.

"Huh?"

I was literally grinning. I didn't understand why.

Maybe it was because of my short exchange with Sera earlier. That must have been what triggered it.

I felt lighthearted, and all those worries I bore just a few minutes ago... suddenly vanished.

'This expression suits you...' Sera complimented. 'Forget about the past and future, just enjoy your present.'

The smile on my face widened.

'Thanks, Sera.' I stated.

From near my table, I picked up my wristband. This will help me hide the tattoo on my wrist.

Walking up to my room's door, I pulled it open.

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Creak.

And the moment I opened it, I saw Elise playing with her hair. She was standing, resting against the wall in front of my door.

The first thing I noticed was her outfit—the splash of yellow. Not just any yellow, but a warm, almost sun-kissed shade. She was wearing a high-necked blouse, fitted, and it contrasted beautifully with the long, flowing white skirt that fell to her ankles. Then, my eyes were drawn upwards. To her hair—there was a small, delicate pin. Yellow flower petals, mirroring the blouse, formed a tiny floral pattern. It was a subtle detail, but it pulled the whole look together.

I don't know if it was the way the yellow caught the light, the simple elegance of the white, or just the way she carried herself, but honestly? She was overkilling it.

"..."

Then our eyes met.

"Took you long enough," Elise said.

"Yeah, sorry. I was dressing up."

After I said this, she began to scan my outfit from head to toe.

I didn't complain—I let her do it.

"Lame," she commented.

"What? Lame? How come?" I argued back.

"Seriously?! This is the outfit you chose for your own birthday celebration?"

I didn't understand why, but she seemed pretty angry.

Honestly, I actually like loose outfits. And wearing it for my birthday, where only Elise, my parents, and I would be present—it was a decent choice.

"It's comfy," I replied.

"..."

She grabbed my wrist and dragged me inside my room, shoving me in front of the long mirror.

All of this happened rather quickly, and now I was looking at my overall outfit again in the mirror.

"What's wrong with this?" I asked her.

But then, Elise stood next to me, and I saw her reflection beside mine in the mirror.

And this time, something didn't sit right.

My outfit compared to hers...

'Lame.' Sera completed the word.

Yeah, lame.

I now understood Elise. From the side, she was eyeing me, and I could tell what she really wanted to hear.

Sigh...

"Alright. I'll change."

"Hehehe." She beamed a smile in my direction, flashing a victory sign with her fingers. As if saying, 'See that? I won!'

Giving up, I took a pair of formal clothes from the closet—a plain white shirt and black trousers.

I know, it looks ordinary. But if I paired it up with this handsome face of mine, then the set would be complete.

After changing, I looked at myself in the mirror again.

"Perfect!" I complimented myself.

'This is the sixth time.'

I ignored her.

"Now tell me, dear sister, how do I look?" I asked Elise, turning toward her.

She took a second before stating, "It looks good. But..."

"But?"

There was a brief silence. I saw her eyes still scanning my outfit.

'What more does she want?!'

"Never mind, let's go downstairs. Mom and Dad are waiting." Elise commanded before dragging me out of my room.

We made our way down the stairs. Slowly and steadily, I placed my boots on each step. Elise, however, ran past me, even skipping a few steps.

I didn't understand the reason behind it all.

'What is she doing?'

Never minding her, I continued downstairs. But as I got closer, I noticed something weird. The lights were all out. The café below was in complete darkness.

I made my final steps carefully.

"Umm... Elise?" I called out to her.

No response.

'Weird.'

Is this some kind of prank?

After getting back from that medical camp following the teleportation and reuniting with my family, we came straight home. On the way, Elise told me they were going to celebrate my birthday this evening.

Honestly, it was a rather hectic task for all of us. I had just returned from the demon continent after a whole week, and now, on the same day, they were throwing me a party.

Well, I'm not complaining... Heck, I'm not even a tiny bit tired.

'Then stop complaining!' Sera scolded.

'I am not complaining!' I fought back.

'You're an idiot! You're killing the anticipation for us.'

'What anticipation—?'

But before I could argue more, the lights flickered on, and then—

Flap! Flap! Pop! Pop!

"Happy Birthday, Zane!!"

"?!!"

My whole body was covered in glitter and colorful sparkles. But this didn't shock me. What shocked me more was the number of people in the room.

Father, Mother, and Elise were standing at the front. And behind them were Anna, Aria, and Julius.

"What the hell?!" I exclaimed.

"Hehehehe~" Elise giggled, making a victory sign with both her hands.

I understood now—this was all her doing. She must have gotten Anna's contact from her brother Albert, and through Anna, she invited Aria and Julius.

"Seriously... You guys."

But I didn't complain. I was rather happy.

"Are you going to stand there all day?" Elise said, narrowing her eyes.

"She is correct. You do know your friends here are all busy nobles." Anna was the one who said this, with a smug look on her face.

I chuckled lightly. "Yeah. Sorry, my bad, Oh great Anna Ashborne."

"Hmph!" She pouted. "Now hurry up."

They all moved aside as I made my way to the table, which was nicely decorated with candles and red roses. On it was a huge chocolate cake with an "18" candle on top.

I positioned myself near the table, and soon after, everyone else encircled me.

"The cake looks delicious." My voice was quieter than before, each word escaping my mouth aching my throat.

"Isn't it? Aria chose it," Elise informed.

Of course, it's Aria. How could I forget? If she wished, she could gulp down this whole cake all by herself.

...I kept this thought to myself. I'm too scared to think about what would happen if I somehow let it slip my tongue.

"..."

For a second, I just stood in front of the table as some distant memories flashed in my head.

When was the last time someone celebrated my birthday?

It was three years ago, if I remember correctly.

But now...

My mother stood near me as she spoke. "Don't forget to make a wish."

I nodded. Closing my eyes, I lowered my head toward the candle and lightly blew it out. And in the process of all that, I made a wish.

'Ah...!' Sera let out a light cry.

'Shhh... Keep this wish a secret, okay?'

'...Alright.' She responded.