The Author's POV

Click—! Click—! Click—!

The clicking sound of the camera's shutter echoed throughout a large auditorium filled to the brim with people.

"Do you have anything to say regarding the current allegations?"

"Are you really 876?"

"Why did you frame Aaron Rhinestone?"

"Is Aaron innocent?"

Standing in front of the seats were a series of reporters who asked an endless amount of questions.

All of their attention was currently drawn toward the center of the room, or to be more precisely, toward my direction as I sat behind a large table. A few inches away from my mouth was a small microphone.

Sitting beside me was Douglas.

"Seems like you're quite the popular one?" Douglas joked as a small smile hung on his lips.

Briefly glancing in his direction, I shrugged my shoulders

"Guess I am."

Nothing I could do about it.

My charm was just that high.

Douglas helplessly shook his head.

"...You never change."

"Eh."

I once again shrugged my shoulders.

Just as I was about to say something else, the room instantly quieted down.

"By the way—"

Clank—!

Following this, Octavious Hall entered the room. His entire presence enshrouded the whole room, making it hard for the reporters to muster any courage to speak.

Even I was overwhelmed by his presence for a brief moment.

'It looks like he's made a small breakthrough.'

My eyes narrowed.

I could feel it. He was a few years away from reaching rank.

Glancing around the room for a couple of seconds, Octavious soon moved towards the table in the middle of the room and proceeded to sit down next to Douglas.

Once he sat down, he crossed his arms and remained silent.

"..."

For a brief moment of time, silence ensued. His overwhelming aura made it hard for the reporters to keep themselves composed.

However, this did not last for long as the reporters soon jumped back up from their seats and started to ask questions.

"Octavius Hall, what have you got to say regarding the allegations thrown out?"

"Evidence points out that the leak is indeed true."

"Why is this happening?"

With all the attention drawn towards him, Octavious suddenly raised his hand and muttered.

"Quiet."

Though his voice was quiet, it traveled through the ears of everyone present and all the reporters suddenly found themselves seated in their seats with their backs drenched in sweat.

Snapping out of it, the reporters glanced at each other. From the looks on their faces, it felt as though they were all wondering the same thing.

'What in the world just happened?'

Ignoring the commotion, Octavious opened his mouth. The moment he opened his mouth, everyone's focus once again turned to him.

us. Many of you

brief moment,

his eyes again, he

the answer to that

"It's true."

directly cut him off. From where I was seated, I could feel his

nonchalant look on my face, I lazily looked at the reporters in

stuff that was leaked is

"..."

of the reporters were able to utter a word as they all stared at me with a

could feel Octavious's energy fluctuate slightly. Not

was quick to recompose

up and

Click—! Click—! Click—!

cameras started flashing as the reporters started speaking over

say that all the leaks were

again repeat

saying that you're really 876? And that the stuff that

by the Union

other, it was hard to make out any

massaging my forehead, I

"....How annoying "

answer the questions if you are all speaking

Douglas's gaze from my right side, he once

at the reporters, he lowered

"Quiet please."

words, a trace of mana extended out from his hand, and all the reporters stopped speaking. Once silence returned in the room, Douglas looked at all the reporters

an orderly manner. If you all ask questions at the same time, it will be impossible for us

Pausing, Douglas's eyes squinted.

I being clear?" He

"..."

silently nodded their

"Good."

satisfied smile, Douglas turned to look at

"You can continue."

"Thanks."

turned my attention back toward

make this quick, so

***

time, inside of a small private

questions regarding the current allegations thrown at us. Many of you are wondering

front of them, Donna leaned

you so worried about,

to her was

she grabbed a handful of

what's going to happen to Ren? ...Munch, if so, you don't have

"That's not it."

Donna shook her head.

what I'm worried

"Oh? ..Munch."

Gulp—!

in her mouth. Monica turned to look

are you

"Haa..."

out loud, Donna

to say. You know very well

"Eyyy..."

squinted at Donna's

grabbed another handful of the

think you're

her mouth

not going to be

way, Donna

"I wish so too..."

She really did.

she did, she knew that this could only be a pipe dream for her. Especially after her talk with him

only wish that he

make this quick,

suddenly echoed through the

attention back toward the holographic projection, Monica and Donna suddenly noticed that the atmosphere around Ren had started to change. His previous nonchalant look was gone,

couple of seats beside him, Octavious Hall's

want you all to