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.

that you need

the moment I was on a call with

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

home, Donna had already finished talking with Douglas and the other members of the

briefing me on the

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

"I see…"

I pursed my lips.

already seen the file that Monica sent

brief pause in her

I faintly heard the sound of Donna

something happen?' I

soon understood exactly why

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

"Oh…"

not a good enough answer

"Right…" I half-heartedly replied.

only further increased Donna's worries as she raised

—Ren!

Ding—!

rang and the

Donna could voice out more complaints, I

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

—Re-

Du. The static sound that came at the end

"Sorry, Donna."

my phone away, I shook my

no way I'm letting go of

many things that I wanted to say to the

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

Clank—!

"I'm home."

opening the door, I heard the sound

I was greeted

"Ren!"

first one to greet me was my mother

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

front of me

on? Is everything alright? You're not hurt, are you? What

she hugged me, I was instantly bombarded by

'As expected...'

Mothers were always mothers.

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

can't you

mother finally

a brief moment

"Okay, fine…"

However, just as she was about to let go, she suddenly remembered something and

was a lot

you're going to

her last words. My

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

her off, I raised

"Stop right there, mom."

a short moment, I looked back at

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

the human domain, I

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

Plus.

I was

looked at

mom, but you don't

didn't take long for my

"…okay."

on a smile, she

how about

"Aye."

I headed for the living room of

"Hmm?"

second, I blinked a couple of times to make sure

turned my head to

lying

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

Nola laid on the ground with both her hands and legs

Twitch. Twitch.

her body

the

had an ominous

"That…"

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