476 Going Back to School

The status effect was negligible since a group of players would definitely bring Ascetics to deal with those problems. However, they would find that the Tomb wasn't easy as it seemed.

Those status effects weren't just status effects, they were a curse, and a simple [Cure] couldn't nullify those effects. They needed at least a stronger healing spell to remove it, like [Angel's Cure] or [Dispel All] and other high-level spells in that department.

Queen Aurora was a powerful fairy famous for lifting curses and bringing warmth to the court of fairies. She always wore colorful dresses in matching shades of colors in yellow, green, red, or blue.

There were seven rooms in the Tomb. The entrance, the Statue, the Hallway of Seasons, the Servant's Crypt, the Tomb Corridor, the False Tomb, and finally, Aurora's Tomb.

However, before Ren could advance to the Servant's Crypt, a system notification rang in his ears and appeared on his screen before he was logged out.

Ren sighed when his consciousness was back. Getting out of the pod, he brushed his hands over his face when he realized that it was only twelve in the morning.

Great.

Ren went to his bed and pulled the sleeping pills from his drawer. He couldn't sleep ever since his parents died. He was slowly recovering because of Evie, and now that she was gone too, his insomnia was back again in full force.

Despite keeping his cool, Ren was very scared inside. He was anxious because he wasn't sure if he could accumulate that large amount of money by the end of the month.

He couldn't eat properly and couldn't sleep soundly. All he thought about was the problem. He was an overthinker from the start, and it got worse when Evie left.

He needed the pills to sleep and get his brain rested if he didn't want to collapse from exhaustion. Evie still needed him. He couldn't give up now.

After drinking the pill, Ren went to bed and covered his eyes with his hand. It took at least ten minutes for the drug to take effect, and he was lulled into dreamland.

He dreamed of the time when he saw his father drinking coffee in the living room and reading his daily newspapers while his mother was cooking in the kitchen together with Evie.

He was dreaming of the same dream that if it didn't endanger his life, he would keep drinking those sleeping pills and dream of them every chances he got.

At least in the dream, he was happy.

----

Came morning, Ren woke up at the loud clacking of wares in his kitchen.

His half-closed eyes shot open, and he scrambled on his bed to get to his kitchen. He was hoping he got reincarnated again and that his parents were alive and Evie was still with him.

Racing into the kitchen, Ren stumbled upon a scene that left him crushed. This was the worst thing about hoping. When he was left disappointed, he suffered raw pain all over again. It was like the wound had been stitched closed, but it got ripped again and bled even more.

"Ren." Leonel greeted. "I've brought you something to eat. I let myself in since it was already seven in the morning. Good thing that I did because, clearly, you still hadn't taken a bath. You need to eat breakfast and go to school."

Ren took a deep breath. "What's the point?"

Leonel was silent as he looked at his best friend. Ren's eyes were sunken and a little dark. He also lost weight though his build became even more prominent, and his face matured a little.

There were stubbles on his chin as well, and Leonel sighed. "When have you last taken care of yourself?"

Ren ignored Leonel and opened the fridge to get some cold water. But found that his ref was empty.

Great.

Her mother usually did the groceries and made sure that everything was in order and that he wouldn't starve.

Thinking of his mother made Ren buckle. He closed his eyes tight before he took a deep breath to hold his emotions.

"You can leave now," Ren said to Leonel and snatched a glass, and drank directly from the faucet. "You're going to be late."

Leonel ignored Ren and continued organizing the meals on the plates. "Eat up and go to school, Ren. You must take care of yourself if you want to rescue Evie."

". . ." Ren grumbled under his breath when Leonel used the 'Evie' trump card. His eyes then flickered at the food on the table before his stomach grumbled.

Ren sat at the table and began to eat while Leonel sat beside him and ate too.

"Haven't you eaten already?" Ren asked.

Leonel shrugged. "I thought that you wanted some company while you eat."

Instead of answering, Ren said, "Tell Aunt that her food is delicious, and I appreciate her cooking for me."

"Don't worry about it. My mother is always cooking for ten people anyway."

". . ."

There was silence for a moment before Leonel opened the topic about school again. "Ren–"

"No."

"I haven't even said anything yet!"

"I'm not going to school."

It was Leonel's turn to grumble under his breath. He looked over at Ren and used his trump card.

"What will Aunt and Uncle say? You always said that it's their dream to see you with that diploma. If you don't want to do it for yourself, then do it for them."

"Y-you . . . You actually use my parents . . ."

"Because it works. I will use anyone and everything if that is what it takes to get your life in order," Leonel said without remorse.

"Ren, you have to go out and face reality. You can't stay in your room forever and play the game. I'm worried about you. Everyone's worried about you."

". . ." Ren didn't comment.

Leonel's face then brightened. "Maybe I should move here, so you have someone around. That's a great idea! Why haven't I thought of that before?! I can look after you in that way too!"

". . ." Ren was grateful for Leonel's help and his company even though he wasn't showing it. And he did need someone in the house. The silence and solitude weren't doing any good to his mental health.

"Suit yourself," Ren only replied, but deep inside, he was really thankful with Leonel for being there with him.