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

Soon the door closed.

else that you need to

I was on

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

home, Donna had already finished talking with Douglas and the

was currently briefing me on the conversation they

there's going to be a press conference tomorrow, and they

"I see…"

I pursed my lips.

I'm sure you've already seen the file that Monica sent you. With it, you should have no trouble getting your name cleared,

was a brief pause in her

I faintly heard

happen?' I

I soon understood exactly

do something like what you did back at the Conference. You already have plenty of enemies,

"Oh…"

a good enough answer

"Right…" I half-heartedly replied.

increased Donna's worries as she raised her

—Ren!

Ding—!

bell suddenly rang and the

Donna could voice out more complaints, I quickly bid

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

—Re-

the end of

"Sorry, Donna."

phone away, I shook my

simply no way I'm letting go of such

things that I wanted to say to the

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

Clank—!

"I'm home."

door, I heard the sound of rushed footsteps

was greeted

"Ren!"

to greet me was my mother

just let her

in front of me and embraced my whole body

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

I was instantly bombarded

'As expected...'

Mothers were always mothers.

appeared

stop asking questions, can't you see he's

words that my mother

squinted for a brief moment before her shoulders

"Okay, fine…"

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

was

you're going

her last

understand that this situation is troublesome, but, I

off, I raised

"Stop right there, mom."

short moment, I looked back

I've got things handled, although I might end up losing my job,

domain, I had decided to never again

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

Plus.

like I was actually

at my mother dead in the

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

take long for my mother to return to

"…okay."

a smile, she

out, how about you join us in the

"Aye."

I headed for the living room of

"Hmm?"

as I entered the living room, pausing for a second, I blinked a

wasn't seeing wrongly, I turned my

is Nola lying down like

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

Nola laid on the ground with both her hands

Twitch. Twitch.

her

the world

had an ominous

"That…"

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