Reincarnated as an Energy with a System

Chapter 1997: Many Goodbyes

Ning returned to the Star Hero Agency after several weeks away, finding the building just as busy as ever despite how much the world had changed over the past few years.

Blake’s clones moved through the halls carrying reports, speaking with staff, and dealing with the endless administrative work that came with managing heroes, while the original Blake sat inside his office looking over the latest ranking data.

The moment Ning stepped inside, Blake looked up and smiled.

"You picked a good time to show up. Your numbers have been climbing again."

Ning walked over and glanced at the screen on Blake’s desk. His name had risen considerably compared to where it had fallen after the summit, and Blackfang now sat comfortably inside the top ten.

Blake leaned back in his chair with visible satisfaction. "It took a while, but public opinion finally settled. You’re officially top ten now."

Ning looked at the number for a moment before nodding. "That’s enough."

Blake frowned. "Enough? You can still rise."

Ning shook his head. "I’m leaving, remember?"

The satisfaction on Blake’s face disappeared almost immediately.

"I thought you’d have changed your mind after seeing the new stats."

Ning shook his head. "I only kept being a hero because of the contract, and now it’s coming to an end."

Blake raised an eyebrow. "It’s hard to believe you stuck around because of the contract alone."

"Well, what can I say? I like to keep my promises."

Blake gave up. "What will you do now that you’re going to quit?" he asked.

Ning did not bother making up an excuse.

"I’m leaving."

Blake’s expression tightened slightly. "Leaving the city?"

"No. Leaving this world."

Blake looked toward Ning with a much more serious expression. "You’re going to need to explain that, because it sounds far too ominous. You aren’t going to kill yourself, are you?"

Ning laughed.

"I suppose you would think that. Well, I guess I need to tell you something else before I explain this. You see, I am an alien."

It took several moments after that to fully convince Blake, and even then, he needed more explanation.

"There are other worlds out there, and there are other beings like Tritus living on them. Some are better than him, some are worse, but enough of them are causing problems that I can’t stay here forever."

Blake slowly leaned back.

"How long are you going to be gone?"

"Forever."

Blake sighed. He looked toward the screen one last time before turning it off. "Fine. If you’ve already made up your mind, I’m not going to try convincing you to stay."

Ning nodded. "What about you?"

Blake folded his hands together on the desk. "I might quit soon too, though it’s unlikely it will be right away."

Ning looked surprised.

Blake smiled faintly. "You’re not the only person allowed to decide they’ve had enough."

Ning laughed.

Blake continued. "I’ll figure something else out. Maybe something quieter."

"I’m sure you can find some simple work considering your power."

"Yeah, that is what I’m thinking too. I have you to thank for that as well."

The two remained quiet for a while after that, neither seeming particularly interested in making the conversation more emotional than it needed to be.

Eventually, Ning stood.

"I probably won’t come back here again before I leave."

Blake looked up at him.

"So this is goodbye?"

"Most likely."

Blake stood as well.

For a moment, they simply looked at each other, both remembering how different everything had been when Ning first walked into the agency.

Blake extended a hand, and Ning took it.

"Good luck wherever you end up," Blake said.

"Good luck to you too."

Blake smiled.

"Goodbye."

Ning left the agency soon afterward.

His next stop was President Morstell.

She looked older than when Ning first met her, though still just as busy, and her office remained filled with documents and reports despite all the changes that had taken place across Conjora.

When Ning told her he was leaving Hyrron, she did not believe him at first.

"Are you serious? You’re actually leaving the world?"

"That is the plan, yes."

Morstell leaned back and stared at him. "I’ve spent years trying to understand what kind of person you are, and somehow you still manage to tell me something I’m completely unprepared for."

Ning smiled faintly. "At least I warned you before disappearing."

He explained the situation in the same simple terms he had given Blake. Tritus was gone, but there were other worlds and other beings like him, and Ning had responsibilities that stretched far beyond Hyrron.

Morstell listened carefully before finally nodding.

"So, you’re an intergalactic hero, then."

Ning laughed a little. "I try to help when I can. That’s all."

"Well, in that case, thank you for all you’ve done. I can’t imagine the trouble we may have gotten into without you."

Ning smiled. "You’re welcome."

He went around saying his goodbyes to the other few people he knew in this world, such as Void, Frostveil, Prince Tarian, Princess Elowen, and others. He told them the truth each time.

The next person he needed to meet was Minhya.

Minhya received him inside the royal palace. She had changed considerably since the frightened girl he had once found running through a forest, and the confidence she carried now felt natural rather than forced.

When Ning told her he was leaving, she remained silent for several seconds.

"So, the time has come, has it?"

Ning raised an eyebrow. "You knew?" he asked.

She laughed a little. "Your daughter already told me you weren’t native to this world."

Ning shook his head. "That girl. I wanted this to be a surprise."

Minhya looked back toward him. "I might have expected this, but it is still very much a surprise."

Ning smiled faintly.

Minhya stood and walked closer. "I have nothing to say to you except to give you my deepest thanks. I would not have been here without you."

Ning smiled. "Take care, Minhya. Keep my gift close to you at all times, and be the Queen this country deserves. Goodbye."

Ning left.