The Author's POV

Chapter 254

[July 15, 2056.

A terrorist attack took place at the Lock during the battle royale games of the inter-academy tournament.

Two teleportation devices were found to be installed during the event. Investigators have linked this attack to the Monolith.

With the brave efforts of two young students, the portals were soon found and their activation was prevented.

Unfortunately, in a last-ditch attempt, one of the perpetrators directly cracked the core installed in the teleportation device.

A massive explosion followed suit, killing 260 people and injuring more than 80 in the process.]

'”Click!

Turning off the TV, Emma threw the remote to the side.

"It's about time." Dressed in a black dress, Emma turned around. "Let's go, Kevin."

"Hmm"

A weak and hoarse voice replied back.

"...Kevin."

Emma's lips tensed.

Staring at Kevin who was sitting on a white sofa dressed in black, Emma felt her heart tear apart.

Ever since 'that' day, Kevin had not been the same. He was skipping out on meals, and for the most part, he was always absentminded. He had even stopped training, something that she had never seen him do throughout the whole year.

His whole complexion was white, and his eyes were bloodshot. Glaring black circles appeared underneath his eyes.

"It's all my fault..."

He repeatedly muttered to himself.

Emma did not understand why he was blaming himself for Ren's death. It wasn't something he could've controlled.

But.

Every time, Kevin would mumble those words. Blaming himself for Ren's death.

"...Kevin."

Emma called out.

"...Ah, Emma... Give me a second."

Kevin finally looked at Emma. He tried to smile cheerfully, but that made him look all the more pitiful. His lifeless eyes coupled with his glaring black circles caused Emma's heart to stir.

Emma understood.

Ren's death had truly hit him hard.

"We need to go. Attending is the least you can do for him"

Today was the day of Ren's funeral. For obvious reasons, there was no corpse at the scene. Even then, no one questioned his death.

Unless a miracle happened, there was just no way for Ren to survive.

"...E-emma, what do I do?"

Bringing Emma back to reality was Kevin's hoarse voice.

Staring at her in the eyes, he weakly muttered.

"I-i, don't know what to do...Had I not been so stupid, and just left wi'”"

"Enough!"

Emma cut him off.

"Now is not the time for this! How long are you going to wail in self-pity?"

She was starting to get angry now.

It was only natural for someone to be distraught upon the death of someone close. She too was sad. Although she wasn't particularly close to Ren, she did interact with him quite a lot in the past.

And although Kevin and Ren were really close, the last thing Kevin could do was drown himself in self-pity.

It wouldn't be something Ren would've wanted for him. Even though, Emma didn't interact with Ren much, she could see how much he genuinely cared about Kevin.

He would never want Kevin to blame himself for something like this.

Lifting his head, Kevin weakly asked.

"...Then what should I do?"

"Get stronger." Emma's voice became firm. "...Get strong enough to prevent this from ever happening in the future and make those that have caused this pay. Be it the Monolith or anyone that was involved!"

Whilst she spoke, Emma's eyes never left Kevin.

She wanted him to understand that instead of beating himself up for what had happened, it was better for him to pick himself up and mature.

Even if took years for Kevin to recover from this, Emma wanted Kevin to use this incident as a reference point for his growth.

She wanted him to grow stronger. Strong enough to prevent any of this from happening.

"...I see"

Kevin said after a brief moment of silence.

Staring at Kevin, Emma was able to notice a subtle change in Kevin. Even though the sadness never disappeared, there was something else within that sadness.

Resolution.

The resolution to grow up and change.

change, Emma

yourself up." Emma extended her hand "Let's go, it's time we say goodbye to

"Mhm."

hand, Kevin stood

***

her pillow, Amanda blankly stared at the ceiling

passed since the incident, and unbeknownst

on leaving the

guild. This time,

academy

she would recall her conversations

with him. Even the small ones

right before her eyes, Amanda still

almost numb to the pain of

Yes.

Important.

death, that she had realized her feelings

...she liked him.

for him. Every day, a small

he would do from cringing whenever the class attention was on him, or when he would

of those moments were deeply etched inside of Amanda's

feeling, she couldn't quite grasp what she

was

that once again shut

Tok, tok'”

"Young Miss, it's time."

was

waiting

"...I'm coming"

lifting her body up,

neat black dress on her desk opposite to her, Amanda calmly walked up

time for another

***

'”Click!

black, Melissa closed the door behind

"..."

about to leave, her footsteps halted. Turning

used to belong to Ren had already been

'...he's really gone, huh.'

wished nothing but for him

now that he had actually

anyone else but him, but his death hit Melissa

caught her by

to focus like before.

"Haa..."

her eyes slightly, Melissa exhaled

what is

Turning around, she left.

***

July 17th.

was a clear and sunny day in Ashton city. A day that completely contrasted the gloomy atmosphere that was revolving around the

Inside a funeral home.

"Waaaahh...Whaaaaa..."

cried in front

"Bwuddar!"

It was Nola.

to her, her mother and father tried their best to

But.

"Waaaahh...Whaaaaa..."

wouldn't stop. It was only after

Amanda, Melissa, Leo, Ram, and Donna all stood by the side. Staring at Ren's picture

who Ren had influenced throughout

something else. A

for better or for worse, he had influenced the life of

to the funeral hymns, everyone lowered their

minutes or so, no one talked. They all

world, Ren Dover

*

"Haaa..."

exhaled. With the funeral coming to an end, Kevin

was

still couldn't quite pick himself up. He

those eight people, and had directly left

eating

you

"Miss Longbern?"

of his thoughts, was a familiar voice.

are you

was looking for

"Me?"

me? Did

do you need me

Donna let out a soft

think I know what may have resulted in

"What!?"

voice raised

her finger on her lips, Donna gestured for Kevin

"Shhh...lower your voice."

"Ah, sorry."

his mistake, Kevin

"...What do you have?"

take a look at

hand, a phone appeared on Donna's hand. Taking the phone,

"A phone?"

"Give me a second."

screen of the

me if you've also noticed

"...sure."

played the video. In the video, Kevin saw

The Novel will be updated daily. Come back and continue reading tomorrow, everyone!

Comments ()

0/255