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—!

pressed the button

Soon the door closed.

that

was

what happened at the Lock, I decided to head back home. However, because of all the people that were swarming

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

briefing me on the conversation they

press conference tomorrow, and they want you to be

"I see…"

I pursed my lips.

your name. I'm sure you've already seen the

brief

I faintly heard the sound

something happen?'

understood exactly

at the Conference. You

"Oh…"

a good

"Right…" I half-heartedly replied.

worries as she raised

—Ren!

Ding—!

elevator bell suddenly rang and

voice out more complaints, I quickly

I'm in an elevator, the signal is pretty bad, I'm afraid I'll have to leave you. It was nice talking to you, and

—Re-

the end of each call rang

"Sorry, Donna."

my phone away, I shook

no way I'm letting go of such an

things that I wanted to say to

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

Clank—!

"I'm home."

the sound of rushed footsteps heading

greeted by a few

"Ren!"

to greet me was my

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

she appeared in front of me and embraced my

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

hugged me, I was instantly bombarded

'As expected...'

Mothers were always mothers.

as I was about to push her away, my dad appeared from behind and grabbed her by

asking questions, can't

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

a brief

"Okay, fine…"

of me. However, just as she was about to let go, she suddenly remembered something and once again turned her head to

time her face was a

you're

last words. My brows furrowed a

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

her off, I raised

"Stop right there, mom."

I looked back

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

into the human domain, I had decided to never again be put in

current circumstances, I wasn't

Plus.

was

head, I looked at my mother

you don't have to worry.

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

"…okay."

on a smile, she

have everything figured out, how about you join us

"Aye."

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

"Hmm?"

pausing for a second, I blinked a couple of times to make sure I wasn't seeing

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

is Nola lying

I entered the house, however, from the

laid on the ground with both her hands and legs

Twitch. Twitch.

her

the

had an

"That…"

face as she turned to look toward the