Extra's POV: My Obsessive Villainous Fiancee Is The Game's Final Boss Chapter 38: Homecoming Plans

Ren stood before Knight Commander Arlen, the older man’s gaze assessing him with a mixture of pride and scrutiny.

The battlefield had already been cleared, and all that was left was the aftermath.

The tending of the wounded, the burning of the dead, and the acknowledgnt of those who had proven themselves.

Arlen crossed his arms, his expression stern but approving. "You fought well, Terence. Lord Ross will be proud. He sent you here a boy, and in four years, you’ve beco a true warrior."

Ren inclined his head in acceptance of the praise. "I only did what was necessary."

Arlen let out a gruff chuckle. "Spoken like soone who’s seen too much of war too young. Still, you have exceeded all expectations. That is sothing to be proud of."

"Thank you, Commander."

The Rank 5 Knight nodded. "You’ll be returning to the Ross castle in a week’s ti. I expect you to carry yourself with the sa strength there as you have here."

Ren nodded. "Of course, Commander."

That would be the first ti he’d be coming ho in four years. At this point, he’d spend more ti on the battlefield than he had at ho.

But that was for the best. Unfettered Enhancent had pushed him to the fullest that he suspected that if one removed the power of Bloodbinding, he could defeat even Knight Commander Arlen in pure swordplay.

Arlen studied him for a mont longer, then gave him a firm pat on the shoulder. "Dismissed. Get so rest. You’ve earned it."

Ren left the commander’s tent, making his way back through the encampnt.

The flickering torch light dimly illuminated the muddy ground, and the familiar sounds of sharpening blades and murmured conversations surrounded him.

This had been his ho for four years, but soon, he would be returning to where it all started.

When he entered his shared tent, Thorn was already inside, leaning back on his cot with his hands behind his head.

He cracked an eye open as Ren stepped in. "So, you finally got your pat on the head?"

Ren smirked. "Jealous?"

Thorn snorted. "Please. I’d rather keep my head down than be paraded around as the ’golden boy of the Ross family.’"

He sat up, stretching. "Still, it’s weird to think we’re actually leaving. Feels like just yesterday we got here."

Ren pulled up a chair, exhaling as he sank into it. "A lot’s changed."

Thorn nodded. "You’re fifteen now. I’m eighteen. You outrank , but don’t think that ans I’ll start calling you ’sir.’"

Ren chuckled. "Wouldn’t dream of it."

His relationship with Thorn had drifted from lord and guard to very close friends and he was glad for it. At least, there was soone he could openly discuss his plans with.

Thorn leaned forward, resting his elbows on his knees. "You’re a Rank 3 Knight now. How does that feel?"

Ren glanced at his right hand, staring at the palm. "Honestly? I don’t feel that different."

"Well, it’s still Rank 3." Thorn yawned. "That puts you in a new league. It won’t be long before I catch up."

"You’re not far." Ren admitted. "But Rank 3 changes things."

They both knew the structure of Bloodbinding by now—had lived it, grown into it.

"Rank 1 was the start of the journey," Thorn mused. "The ability to create and charge Bloodbound objects. It’s what separates Knights from common soldiers."

Ren nodded. "Rank 2 expanded on that. It gave us a connection to our objects. Even without touching them, we could sense them at all tis. We beca extensions of our weapons, and they of us."

Thorn smirked. "And now, Rank 3. You can repair your equipnt with your own blood or stamina. That’s a ga-changer."

Ren flexed his fingers, glancing down at his boots, which showed faint signs of wear. "Well, it’s not just repair."

He could feel it at the back of his mind. "I can feel the… structural integrity of all my blood bound objects."

At the level that they were in, their Bloodbound objects had the sa structural integrity as normal objects. If they don’t maintain them, they degrade like anything else.

"With the Rank 3 skill, I can restore my weapons. Slowly. If I keep at it, I can return them to pristine condition."

Thorn leaned back, crossing his arms. "Sounds useful. Try it."

Ren hesitated for a mont before closing his eyes, focusing inward. He could feel the familiar presence of his Bloodbound objects, their essence tied to his own.

Directing his energy, he willed the flow of his blood to nd the minor damages on his boots.

A faint, warm sensation spread through his limbs as the magic activated. The scuff marks faded, the worn leather smoothing out ever so slightly.

But the process drained him faster than he expected. He exhaled sharply, bracing himself against the chair as a wave of exhaustion washed over him.

Thorn raised an eyebrow. "Not as easy as it sounds, huh?"

Ren exhaled. "Takes more stamina than I thought. I’ll have to pace myself."

Thorn grinned. "Probably best, since you’re sneaking off to see Lilith later."

Ren shot him a look. "I’m not sneaking."

Thorn waved a hand. "Call it what you want. Just don’t co crying to when she’s got you wrapped around her finger."

Ren smirked. "I think it’s the other way around."

Thorn laughed. "Sure, let’s go with that. Now co on, let’s get so supper before you collapse on ."

They exited the tent, walking toward the ss area.

The scent of roasting at and fresh bread filled the air, a welco change from the blood-soaked battlefield.

Soldiers laughed and talked, exchanging tales of the recent battle, so exaggerating their kills, others drinking in silence.

They got their food and found sowhere to sit.

As they ate, Thorn leaned over. "So, what’s the plan when you get back? You think your father’s going to throw so grand feast for his prodigal son?"

Ren snorted. "Unlikely. He’ll probably evaluate , test if I’ve actually improved. Then he’ll focus back on whatever it is he always does."

"But that’s good." Ren grinned. "Because all I need to do is to win his approval."

"And we’ll have his blessing to go to the Capital?"

Ren’s grin morphed into a smirk. "And we’ll have his blessing to go to the Capital."