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 elevator, I pressed the button

Soon the door closed.

anything else that you

the moment I was

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

I was back home, Donna had already finished talking with Douglas

currently briefing me on

a press conference tomorrow, and they

"I see…"

I pursed my lips.

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

was a brief pause

I wasn't certain, I faintly heard the sound of Donna

something happen?'

exactly

Please don't do something like what you did back at the

"Oh…"

not a good enough answer

"Right…" I half-heartedly replied.

increased Donna's worries as she raised

—Ren!

Ding—!

bell suddenly rang and the

more complaints,

have to leave you. It was nice talking to you, and thank Monica for

—Re-

sound that came at the end of each

"Sorry, Donna."

my phone away, I

I'm letting go of

things that I wanted to

the corridor of the apartments, I soon stopped in

Clank—!

"I'm home."

door, I heard the sound of rushed footsteps

this, I was greeted by a few familiar

"Ren!"

me was my mother who rushed

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

front of me and embraced my whole

saw what happened on the news? What's going on? Is everything alright? You're not hurt, are you? What exactly happened? Oh

me, I was instantly bombarded

'As expected...'

Mothers were always mothers.

appeared from behind and grabbed her by the

asking questions, can't you

was only after my father's words that my mother finally moved

brief moment

"Okay, fine…"

as she was about to let go, she suddenly remembered something and once

her face was

me you're going

in her voice following her last words. My brows furrowed a bit

lowered her head and continued, "I can understand that this situation is troublesome, but, I don't want you to go. You just

off, I

"Stop right there, mom."

moment, I looked back at her

worry about the situation. I've got things handled, although I

domain, I had decided to

despite my current circumstances, I wasn't planning on leaving

Plus.

was actually helpless

my head, I looked at my mother dead in the

you don't have

it didn't take long for my mother to return

"…okay."

smile, she turned

about you join us

"Aye."

head and taking off my shoes, I headed for the

"Hmm?"

pausing for a second, I blinked a couple of times to make sure

was certain that I wasn't seeing wrongly, I turned my head to look at my mother and

is Nola lying

me the moment I entered the

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

Twitch. Twitch.

to time her body would start

the

had an ominous

"That…"

look appeared on my mother's face as she turned to