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 smiled

yourself up." Emma extended her hand "Let's go, it's

"Mhm."

hand, Kevin stood

***

bed as her hair scattered all over her pillow, Amanda blankly stared

days had passed since the incident, and unbeknownst to

planning on leaving

This time, her reason for leaving the academy was

because the academy

walked in the academy she would recall her conversations and memories

recall every single interaction she had with him. Even the small ones she had during class or

before her eyes, Amanda still

numb to the pain

Yes.

Important.

was only after Amanda witnessed Ren's death, that she had realized

...she liked him.

for him. Every day, a small part of her

him, or when he would randomly slap Kevin in the head to

those moments were deeply etched

first, unfamiliar with this type of feeling, she couldn't

was

once again shut

Tok, tok'”

"Young Miss, it's time."

was her attendant,

waiting for

"...I'm coming"

body up,

dress on her desk opposite to

was time for another

***

'”Click!

in black, Melissa closed the door

"..."

halted. Turning around, she looked towards the room that was

room was already empty. Everything that used to belong

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

him, she had wished nothing

he had

had never talked to anyone else but him, but his death hit Melissa harder than

her

wasn't able to focus like before. She made a lot

"Haa..."

her eyes slightly, Melissa exhaled before

is wrong

Turning around, she left.

***

July 17th.

sunny day in Ashton city. A day that completely contrasted the gloomy atmosphere that was

Inside a funeral home.

"Waaaahh...Whaaaaa..."

in front of a picture frame. Her eyes were red and snot fell from her nose. The

"Bwuddar!"

It was Nola.

her mother and father tried their best

But.

"Waaaahh...Whaaaaa..."

hard they tried, the crying wouldn't stop. It was only

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

had

was something else. A business partner, a student, a

for better or for worse, he had influenced

hymns, everyone lowered

next thirty minutes or so, no one talked.

day, to the world, Ren

*

"Haaa..."

coming to an end, Kevin

mind was

had told him moments prior to the funeral, Kevin still couldn't quite pick himself up.

those eight

thought alone was eating

are you

"Miss Longbern?"

out of his thoughts, was a familiar voice. It

are you doing

looking for

"Me?"

would Donna look for me? Did something happen?', Kevin wondered to

you need me

a bit of thought, Donna let out a

I know what may have resulted

"What!?"

raised a few

Donna

"Shhh...lower your voice."

"Ah, sorry."

his mistake,

"...What do you have?"

take a look

Taking the phone,

"A phone?"

"Give me a second."

screen of the phone,

a look and tell me if you've also noticed something

"...sure."

the video. In the

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