The Author's POV

"What is going on, Ren?"

Donna's voice echoed throughout the room.

"It's nothing."

I briefly replied as I turned to look at Professor Thomas's dead body on the floor.

"... It's nothing."

I repeated once more.

Before Donna could reply, I stood up from my seat. I then tapped on my bracelet and threw a small black object in her direction.

"Catch."

Extending her hand, Donna caught the object. It was the recording device that I had used before.

"What's this?" Donna curiously asked as she looked at the recording device.

"You'll find out later."

I replied while heading out of the room.

However, just as I came close to the exit of the room, my feet soon came to a halt.

"Where do you think you're going?"

Preventing me from getting out were a couple of Professors.

My brows creased.

"Move."

I seriously asked.

My words apparently were not appreciated by the professors who proceeded to glare at me even more fiercely.

"Who do you th—" The professor began to say.

"Do as he says." Donna interrupted the Professor. Staring at the recording device in her hand, she continued. "Let him go. He's not the type of guy to kill without reason. If he's really guilty, we'll naturally take him away, however, I doubt this is the case."

"Bu—"

"Enough." Donna raised her voice.

Turning her head to glance in the Professor's way, her eyes began to shine. The Professor instantly shut up.

Staring at the exchange, I couldn't help but think.

'What a useful power.'

To have the power to make someone instantly shut up.

I wished I had that.

'Wait, I do.'

I secretly facepalmed.

For a moment I almost forgot I had, 'The one.'

Snapping me out of my thoughts was Donna's voice as she harshly scolded the Professor trying to block my way.

"If you want to complain to someone, go and complain to Douglas. I'm sure he would've said the same thing."

Gritting his teeth, the Professor lowered his head.

"Understood." He replied in a rather weak voice before backing away.

"You can go, Ren," Donna said as she glanced my way.

"Mhm."

Glancing toward Donna's way, I secretly thanked her with a nod before leaving the room unobstructed.

As I left the room, I couldn't help but think back at the words the other Ren said to me.

'I'll repeat it one more time. I'm not your enemy. Be it me, or Everblood. We are not your enemies. You may not figure things out now, however, you will soon know.'

'If you want strength, use Monarch's Indifference. So far, you've only used a small fraction of its powers.'

"If I want strength, use Monarch's indifference, huh?"

Staring at the empty hall in front of me, I caressed the bottom of my chin.

"Interesting..."

***

A few hours passed since then.

—We've confirmed the recording that you've sent. You are in the clear. The others are still somewhat unconvinced, but Douglas shut the up for you.

"…That's good."

Ding—!

the button for

Soon the door closed.

that

I was on

However, because of all the people that were swarming the premise in order to find answers, it took

time I was back home, Donna had already finished talking with Douglas and the other members of the upper board of

currently briefing me

to be a press conference tomorrow, and they want

"I see…"

I pursed my lips.

is an opportunity for you to clear your name. I'm sure you've already seen the file that Monica sent

was a brief

I faintly heard the sound

happen?'

soon understood exactly

unnecessary. Please don't do something like what you did back at the Conference. You already have plenty

"Oh…"

good enough answer

"Right…" I half-heartedly replied.

only further increased Donna's worries as she

—Ren!

Ding—!

bell suddenly rang and the

more

have

—Re-

at the end of

"Sorry, Donna."

my phone away,

simply no way I'm letting go of such an

were just so many things that I

corridor of the apartments, I soon stopped in front of

Clank—!

"I'm home."

the sound of rushed footsteps

I was greeted by a few familiar

"Ren!"

me was

prepared for this, I merely just let her hug me. Was too tired to

front of me and embraced my whole body with

the news? What's going on? Is everything alright? You're not hurt, are you? What exactly happened? Oh my, you look quite pale, did you

I was instantly bombarded by an endless amount of

'As expected...'

Mothers were always mothers.

my dad appeared from behind and grabbed her by

can't

mother finally moved

eyes squinted for a brief moment before her shoulders slumped

"Okay, fine…"

was about to let go, she suddenly

time her face was a

please don't tell me you're going to

following her last words. My brows furrowed a bit when I felt

and continued, "I can understand that this situation is troublesome, but, I

her off, I raised

"Stop right there, mom."

moment, I looked back at her

handled, although

domain, I had decided to never again be put in a

current circumstances, I wasn't planning on leaving

Plus.

wasn't like I was actually helpless

at my mother dead in

this again mom, but you

of relief, it didn't take long for my mother

"…okay."

on a smile, she

have everything figured out, how about you join

"Aye."

and taking off my shoes, I headed for the living room

"Hmm?"

entered the living room, pausing for a second, I blinked a couple of times

turned my head to look at

is Nola lying down

that Nola had not greeted me the moment I entered the house, however, from the looks of things weren't as

ground, Nola laid on the ground with both her hands and legs

Twitch. Twitch.

to time her

the world

suddenly had an ominous

"That…"

mother's face as she turned to look toward