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 for

Soon the door closed.

there anything else that you

moment I was on a call with

all the people that were swarming

was back home, Donna had already finished talking with

was currently briefing me

press conference

"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 you. With it, you should

brief

faintly

happen?'

understood exactly why

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

"Oh…"

not a good enough answer

"Right…" I half-heartedly replied.

only further increased Donna's worries as she raised her

—Ren!

Ding—!

bell suddenly rang and the doors

could voice out more complaints, I quickly

afraid I'll have to leave you. It was nice talking to

—Re-

static sound that came at the

"Sorry, Donna."

away, I shook

simply no way I'm letting

things that I

of the apartments, I soon stopped in front of my apartment and opened

Clank—!

"I'm home."

opening the door, I heard the sound of rushed footsteps

this, I was greeted by a

"Ren!"

was my mother

let her

she appeared in front of me and embraced my whole body

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

'As expected...'

Mothers were always mothers.

my dad appeared from behind

asking questions, can't

after my father's words that my mother finally

brief moment before her shoulders slumped

"Okay, fine…"

a dejected look, she finally let go of me. However, just as she was about to let go, she suddenly remembered something and

her face was a lot more

don't tell me you're going to leave

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

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

her off, I raised my

"Stop right there, mom."

short moment, I looked back at her

things handled, although I might end up losing my job, I won't be running

I had decided to never

circumstances, I wasn't

Plus.

wasn't like I was actually

at my mother dead in the

mom, but you don't have to worry. I'm not

it didn't take long for my mother to return to her usual cheerful

"…okay."

a smile, she

everything figured out, how about you join us in the living

"Aye."

off my shoes, I headed for the living room of the

"Hmm?"

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

I turned my

lying

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

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

Twitch. Twitch.

to time her body

in the world

had

"That…"

appeared on my mother's face as she turned to