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—!

I pressed the button for

Soon the door closed.

else that you

the moment I was on a call with

head back home. However, because of all the people that were swarming the premise

had already finished talking with Douglas and

briefing me on

press conference

"I see…"

I pursed my lips.

the file that Monica sent you. With it, you should have no trouble getting your name

was a brief pause in her

certain, I faintly heard

something happen?'

understood exactly why she was

you did back at the Conference. You already have plenty of enemies, please

"Oh…"

not a good enough answer

"Right…" I half-heartedly replied.

obviously only further increased Donna's worries as she raised her voice

—Ren!

Ding—!

elevator bell suddenly rang and the doors

Donna could voice out more complaints, I quickly bid

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

—Re-

the end of each call rang in

"Sorry, Donna."

my phone away, I shook

no way I'm letting go of

many things that I wanted to say to

soon stopped in front of my

Clank—!

"I'm home."

the sound of rushed footsteps

this, I was greeted by

"Ren!"

me was my mother who rushed in

her hug me. Was too tired

in front of me and embraced my whole body with her

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

I was instantly bombarded by an endless amount

'As expected...'

Mothers were always mothers.

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

stop asking questions, can't you

father's words that my mother finally moved her head back and looked at me

brief moment before her

"Okay, fine…"

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

last words. My brows furrowed a

her hair to the side, she lowered her head and continued, "I can understand that this situation is troublesome, but, I

off, I raised my

"Stop right there, mom."

a short moment, I looked

although I might end up losing my

domain, I had decided to never again be put

circumstances, I wasn't planning

Plus.

I was actually helpless

my head, I looked at my

you don't have to worry. I'm not

it didn't take long

"…okay."

on a smile,

everything figured out, how about you

"Aye."

my head and taking off my shoes, I headed for the

"Hmm?"

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

wrongly, I turned my head to look at my mother

Nola lying down like

odd that Nola had not greeted me the moment I entered the house, however, from

laid on the ground with both

Twitch. Twitch.

time to time her

in the world

had

"That…"

appeared on my mother's face as she turned