Super Righteous Player
Chapter 994 - 52 - s Jealousy is like fire, hatred like tide

Chapter 994: 52 Chapters Jealousy is like fire, hatred like tide

Julius remained silent for a long time.

He took a deep breath and began to analyze himself psychologically.

"I am not just envious of Bernadino. To put it correctly, I even hate him—he had a mentor who could teach him, a foster father who loved him. Father Ludwig was even willing to sacrifice himself... just to fully unleash Bernadino’s talents.

"As for Bernadino—he, from the beginning, lacked a burning desire... Ludwig knew he would not reach the Gold rank, just like me. But Ludwig designed a path for him where he could ascend to divinity without stepping onto the transcendent path.

"Yet Bernadino took the exceptional education he received for granted. He thought it was due to his own intelligence, not because of the quality of the teaching; he believed that what Ludwig exhausted himself to teach him was merely ’a means to make a living.’

"How am I inferior to him? Is ’innate talent’ so important that just a disparity in talent can completely separate our fates into two drastically different paths?

"—And why is that? Who decides on talent? Why do they get to have a better heritage, higher talents?"

Julius’ eyes widened, showing no hint of regret or hesitation.

He conducted a proficient self-analysis.

This was a fundamental skill every Soul Reaping Wizard must master, to avoid madness: "You say this is envy—perhaps it really is. I am not just envious of Bernadino, I am even envious of Ludwig.

"I and he were from the same era, old friends acquainted for many years. But why could he meet a child who could inherit his path, who would consider it ’worthwhile’ to sacrifice his life without hesitation? Why did he possess the resolve to forsake everything and use his own life to create art?

"Silver rank—for mortals, this is already the pinnacle of the transcendent path. Wealth and glory come with a wave of the hand. But only the transcended ones know... those who stay at the silver rank are the most tormented.

"They might at any moment possess enough intense desire to advance to Gold; but most will only stay there for their whole lives. Just like me.

"They have reached the doorway, seen a more vibrant, more glorious world... yet cannot find the door. That is more painful than living in ignorance.

"—Talent."

Julius squeezed out the word from between his teeth, one word at a time.

"All of this, because of their innate talents... you are right, I am indeed envious. My eyes are bloodshot with envy, my heart aflame with it, this heartfire so intense it can’t be extinguished...

"My whole life, exhausting all my effort to reach a place... that’s merely their starting point. I could spend another lifetime and still never catch up to them, yet I can clearly understand just how great they really are.

"—But there indeed are things that only I can do."

Saying this, Julius couldn’t help but reveal a satisfied smile: "I can never catch up to his pace—yet I possess the ability to make him unable to catch up to mine.

"I can never reach the Gold rank now. But I can destroy a talent destined to become divine... in Ludwig’s words, ’he would be a scourge upon the world if not becoming a sculptor.’ To personally shape a devil, isn’t that something only I can do?

"If this is evil, despicable; if being able to easily accomplish what others cannot makes one a genius... then I, too, am an evil genius, a very bad person."

With that, Julius’ voice gradually lowered.

He almost gnashed his teeth, word by word, saying: "I would rather be a sinner than just vanish from history. If people cannot remember me for my accomplishments and greatness, at least let them remember me for my crimes."

He spoke, looking expectantly at Annan: "Quick, tell me... how did Bernadino die in the end? Did he take the path of a Soul Reaping Wizard? Did he become a villain?"

"He was killed by me. Because of his grave sins... he had killed everyone in the Heath Tower of Black."

Annan leaned slightly back in his chair and looked at Julius with pity.

He spoke softly: "Bernadino did indeed become a Soul Reaping Wizard. But unfortunately... even though you tried so hard to destroy a genius to satisfy your own craving, he still managed to reach the Gold rank, almost achieving divinity—right at the last moment, I personally obliterated his exalted false self at the summit of the Heath Tower of Black.

"And I... have indeed never heard your name. Neither good nor bad."

Annan’s lips curved up slightly.

Watching the trembling pupils of Dr. Julius.

Annan, using the face of young Bernadino, revealed a maliciously brilliant smile: "I suppose, it was Bernadino, who finally learned the truth all those years ago, who personally killed you.

"Unfortunately, your burning heart of jealousy also couldn’t enable you to take another step upward.

"In the end... you didn’t change anything."

As Annan spoke, the world around them finally began to crumble and fall apart.

The roof fell, the table collapsed, and the floor cracked.

Sitting opposite Annan, half of Dr. Julius’s face also peeled off, fell away, and vanished into nothingness. His whole body became disjointed, leaning forward, his voice struggling to say something, but only his trembling tongue and deep throat cries were visible – not just wailing but also a growling sob.

Only those blood-red pupils clearly reflected such fiery jealousy.

Fatigue made Annan close his eyes.

When he reopened them, he found himself back in a bound state.

"...blood pressure is still rising!"

"— Brother, he’s awake!"

"— Unbelievable, he’s still alive..."

Whispers filled the air around him.

Annan clearly felt something within him, rising and falling with his breath.

It was activated Order Mana.

And also a black, damp, and cold hatred...

— Bernadino had finally mastered the spell and became a wizard apprentice.

But those apprentices did not understand what had happened.

They simply followed the experimental procedure and removed Bernadino’s blindfold.

Annan squinted, feeling a wave of dizziness.

The ceremonial lights continued to shine on Bernadino’s face.

Tears of blood slowly began to stream down Bernadino’s eyes.

"... Oh, his eyes are bleeding."

"Is it high blood pressure? We haven’t seen this in animal experiments."

"I think it’s because sea creatures come from the deep sea; they can’t handle strong light..."

The apprentices discussed.

They had never considered Bernadino’s feelings, rather... if making this "old man" feel pain could entertain them, they would find it amusing.

They had no idea what entering into the darkest depths of Bernadino’s mind would reveal to him.

Or perhaps, they had already seen Bernadino’s memories countless times, and felt there was nothing of concern.

Of course, the real reason was—they, as apprentices, would not notice the "professor’s" personally modified memories. These many people not only prevented Bernadino from doubting these memories, but they also made him even more convinced, completing in his mind these intermittent, unclear "faulty memories."

"Move the light away, idiots!" Annan cursed without hesitation.

The students were momentarily stunned, but still instinctively obeyed the command, moving the bright light away from Bernadino’s face.

But after the bright light was moved, Annan realized...

Bernadino had probably lost his sight forever by the time he woke up.

In his field of vision, there were no walls, no ceilings or floors. Only differently colored "spiritual bodies" leaping violently.

"Drifting for forty years, yet it was a nightmare that woke me..."

Annan sighed softly.

Or perhaps, these forty years of void and pain... were also nothing but an unending nightmare?

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