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—!

button for the

Soon the door closed.

anything else that

the moment I was on a call

However, because of all the people that were swarming the premise in order to

had already finished talking with Douglas and

briefing me

going to be a press conference tomorrow, and they want you to

"I see…"

I pursed my lips.

name. I'm sure you've already seen the file that Monica sent you. With

was a brief pause

certain, I faintly heard the sound of Donna

something happen?'

soon understood exactly

did back at the

"Oh…"

a good enough answer

"Right…" I half-heartedly replied.

obviously only further increased Donna's worries

—Ren!

Ding—!

rang and

out more

is pretty bad, I'm afraid I'll have to leave you. It was nice

—Re-

came at the end

"Sorry, Donna."

away, I shook

no way I'm letting go of

were just so many things that I

soon stopped in front

Clank—!

"I'm home."

sound of rushed

I was greeted by a

"Ren!"

first one to greet me was my mother

her hug me. Was too tired to

seconds, she appeared in front of me and

alright? You're not hurt, are

she hugged me, I was instantly bombarded by

'As expected...'

Mothers were always mothers.

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

questions, can't you see

was only after my father's words that my mother

squinted for a brief moment before

"Okay, fine…"

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

time her face was a lot

please don't tell me you're going

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

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

her off, I

"Stop right there, mom."

for a short moment, I looked back at her and

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

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

my current circumstances, I wasn't

Plus.

was actually helpless about

my head, I looked at my mother dead

say this again mom, but you don't have to worry.

out a visible sigh of relief, it didn't take long

"…okay."

a smile, she turned

everything figured out, how about you

"Aye."

I headed for the

"Hmm?"

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

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

is Nola lying down like

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

facing the ground, Nola laid on the ground with both

Twitch. Twitch.

to time her

the world

suddenly had

"That…"

appeared on my mother's face as she turned