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 extended her hand "Let's go, it's time we

"Mhm."

hand, Kevin stood

***

all over her

passed since the incident, and unbeknownst to anyone, she had already started

was planning on leaving

about the guild. This time, her reason for

was because the academy

the academy she would recall her conversations and memories with

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

right before her eyes,

she was almost numb to the pain

Yes.

Important.

witnessed Ren's death, that she had

...she liked him.

him. Every day, a small part of her would look forward to the lectures,

him, or when he

were deeply etched

of feeling, she couldn't quite grasp

was a

again

Tok, tok'”

"Young Miss, it's time."

was

car is waiting for you

"...I'm coming"

lifting her body up, Amanda

on her desk

time for

***

'”Click!

closed the door

"..."

about to leave, her footsteps halted. Turning around, she looked towards the room

now, the room was already empty. Everything that used to belong to Ren had already been taken by his parents a day

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

since meeting him, she had wished nothing but for

now that he had

else but him, but his death hit Melissa harder than she had

her by

able to focus like before. She

"Haa..."

eyes slightly, Melissa

what is

Turning around, she left.

***

July 17th.

incident. It was a clear and sunny day in Ashton city.

Inside a funeral home.

"Waaaahh...Whaaaaa..."

echoed throughout the whole room as a young girl cried in front of a picture frame. Her eyes were red and snot fell from her nose. The scene

"Bwuddar!"

It was Nola.

mother and father tried their best

But.

"Waaaahh...Whaaaaa..."

the crying wouldn't stop. It was only after someone

the side, Emma, Jin, Kevin, Amanda, Melissa, Leo, Ram, and Donna all stood by the side. Staring at

had

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

unbeknownst to Ren, for better or for worse, he had

funeral hymns, everyone lowered their

the next thirty minutes or so, no one talked. They all mourned for

to the world,

*

"Haaa..."

sky, Kevin exhaled. With the funeral coming to an end, Kevin

mind was

quite pick himself up.

with the idea of saving those eight people, and had

was eating him up

you holding

"Miss Longbern?"

of his thoughts, was

you doing

looking for

"Me?"

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

do you need

thought, Donna let out

may have resulted

"What!?"

voice raised a few

lips, Donna gestured for Kevin to lower

"Shhh...lower your voice."

"Ah, sorry."

his mistake, Kevin

"...What do you have?"

take a look

appeared on Donna's hand. Taking the phone, Kevin tilted his head

"A phone?"

"Give me a second."

the screen of the phone, a

a look and tell me

"...sure."

the play button, Kevin played the video. In the video,

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

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