(At the end of this chapter has some insights on what the current situation would have been if Rio hadn't altered the original plot, read it with your own caution, because we are talking about Fade here, so brain rot is possible!)
...
Time passed slowly and after a few hours, Al was successfully able to ascend, moreover, due to the help of the sudden epiphany he seemed a bit stronger than usual newly ascended S-rankers from the get-go.
Al opened his eyes and a smile appeared on his face after a long time.
The original haggard and tired look on his face seems to have disappeared all now and his vitality has soured to a new level.
The weak and fragile aura that lingered around him earlier has solidified at this time and he has become a genuine S-ranker now.
'Sigh, it was wasting my time on alcohol and worldly things, I would have progressed more if I hadn't resorted to self-blame…' (Al)
