《I'll Redraw The World From Zero To Rescue You》


 Chapter 01 : Submerged in Darkness

    Fantastical, cold, and formidable.


    If I had to choose three words to describe this place, those would fit perfectly. Because somehow, the cold was so extreme that it jolted me back to reality.


    It was as if the very temperature wanted to remind me of something¡­ something slipping through my grasp.


    What¡­ What is all this¡­?


    When I opened my eyes, I found myself lying on a bed of flowers covered by a soft layer of frost. I couldn¡¯t remember how I had arrived at this garden, but the icy contrast of the flowers filled me with a deep sadness.


    ¡°Where¡­ am I?¡±


    Without knowing exactly what I was doing, I rose from the snowy ground, wiping away the tears that had somehow appeared on my cheeks. As I looked around the meadow again, I realized that this field of flowers was part of a winter forest.


    It was then that I understood.


    Everything around me seemed to be suspended in an almost forgotten state, as if nature itself had been frozen in time forever within this lost forest.


    ¡°Is this¡­ a dream?¡±


    In front of me, five wooden bridges stretched in different directions, connecting to floating gardens surrounding the large lake at the heart of that frozen forest.


    But there was more.


    At the center of the lake, a massive snow tree stood, as if it were the forest¡¯s eternal guardian. Its branches were covered in ice, surrounded by yet another vast garden of winter snowdrops.


    This has to be a dream¡­


    That thought lingered in my mind for a few seconds, but what shocked me the most was feeling the snow pass through my hands as if I didn¡¯t exist. What kind of vivid dream includes snow that avoids human contact?


    As my thoughts blurred amidst the wintry forest, she appeared. Her presence dazzled me.


    She emerged from nowhere, as if the snow itself had taken on a human form.


    I could never forget her after seeing her.


    A woman with long, shimmering hair, wearing a white dress adorned with tiny red flowers. Her movements were so fluid that she almost seemed to float over the snow.


    She was, essentially, a spirit.


    ¡°Even if you don¡¯t remember me¡­ you came back for me,¡± she said, her voice resonating within me in an oddly familiar way.


    My mind clouded.


    ¡°A g-ghost?¡± I exclaimed, stepping back as I realized the woman had no face.


    My legs stumbled against a bush I hadn¡¯t noticed before. But just as I thought I would fall, she appeared again, materializing out of nowhere and catching me seconds before I hit the ground.


    Her touch was soft, yet cold, as though winter itself was gently wrapping around me.


    ¡°Was our promise that important to you¡­?¡±


    A strange calm overtook me as I listened to her.


    She was surrounded by a cerulean aura that radiated tranquility.


    Although I had been afraid at first, an inexplicable nostalgia now overwhelmed me.


    ¡°Promise¡­?¡± I stared at her intently. ¡°What promise are you talking about?¡±


    She remained silent, but something within me felt those words weren¡¯t new, that I had heard them long ago¡ªlike part of a distant echo from my memory.


    ¡°Who are you¡­?¡± I asked, puzzled.


    But as soon as I asked the question, everything around me began to fade away.


    From the depths of the lake, countless shadowy arms emerged, reaching for me. I tried to grab the faceless woman¡¯s hand, but she was no longer there.


    She had vanished.


    Everything around me shattered into pieces, as if they were fragments of a broken mirror. Though I tried to escape the shadowy arms, they dragged me into the dark abyss of the great lake.


    When that forest turned into absolute darkness, I woke up startled on the floor of my room.


    None of it was real.


    Everything I had seen¡­ was nothing more than a dream.


    ¡ó¡ô¡ó


    The alarm blared loudly, vibrating in every corner of the room and shattering my dreams without warning.


    Actually, I was the one who had set that stupid alarm, so I really had no one to blame¡­ Anyway, I got out of bed before the alarm could bother me more than it already had.


    Unfortunately for humanity, today was the coldest day Rikubetsu had seen in a long time. A storm of this magnitude would easily make anyone decide to stay home, enjoy a hot chocolate, and avoid becoming an ice sculpture.


    Except, of course, for a few unlucky souls who couldn¡¯t afford that luxury.


    And among those unlucky souls¡­ here I am.


    Mikogami Anthou¡ªthat¡¯s my name.


    After getting up, I stood in front of the mirror, staring at my reflection carefully.


    Given the freezing weather, I had settled on a dark jacket and black pants. At that moment, I was trying to find an angle that would show a bit of confidence in myself.


    Spoiler alert: It didn¡¯t work.


    Yes, anyone can make mistakes, and this attempt at looking self-assured was one of mine.


    Because, in reality, confidence is exactly what I lacked.


    With ordinary wavy brown hair, sharp black eyes, and a few freckles hidden beneath my glasses, my face projected a messy appearance that barely sparked interest in those around me.


    Basically, I¡¯m the kind of person no one would notice on the street.


    Thanks to this trait, I could easily go unnoticed while handling my pending tasks. However, even if I wished with all my heart to stay invisible, I had a goal I wanted to achieve.


    Yes, it was definitely that.


    My greatest aspiration.


    An ambitious but possible goal. That goal was to become a genius-inventor-philanthropist-billionaire. Exactly, like that fictional character everyone knows. Capable of creating the impossible and doing good with style.


    But it wasn¡¯t an easy task.


    To begin with, I wasn¡¯t a renowned inventor, nor a billionaire with a bank account bursting with zeros, let alone a charitable philanthropist¡ªunless the world considered donating crumbs of my lunch to ants as an act of charity.


    For now, the only realistic step seemed to be becoming a genius.


    ¡°And to achieve that,¡± I declared, looking at the calendar hanging above my wooden desk, ¡°I first have to get into the prestigious ¨¦quox Academy of Umehara River Hills.¡±


    Ah... ¨¦quox...


    Just thinking about the academy''s name sent shivers down my spine, and not because of the cold.


    The problem was that I was light-years away from meeting their standards.


    My grades in primary school had been unremarkable, not to say outright average. Then there was the stark reality that this was my third time applying to ¨¦quox.


    During the first attempt, my results were disappointing.


    It was a silent humiliation I still couldn¡¯t forget.


    The second test was even worse.


    I hadn¡¯t even come close to a decent score, which meant this was my last chance to redeem myself.


    One last attempt.


    I took a deep breath, feeling the chill creep through the room.


    If I wanted to achieve my greatest dream, I would have to face the coldest day in Rikubetsu.


    If I failed, I¡¯d have to continue my studies at one of Hokkaido¡¯s public schools, but that would also doom me to remain a burden on my family.


    ¡°And that¡¯s the last thing I want.¡±


    The truth was, I didn¡¯t have any personal interest in becoming a genius millionaire. What I truly wanted was to make the person who had cared for me over the past few years proud.


    The one who had given me a home when I had nothing.


    The man who gave me a family when I thought I was alone.


    ¡°If I manage to become a genius, graduating as an ¨¦quox student, I¡¯ll earn enough money to secure the old man a peaceful life. I want to thank him for everything he¡¯s done for me.¡±


    That was my mission.


    A bit childish, perhaps, but at least it gave me something to focus on.


    In these past months, I had studied like never before. I went over every single detail of everything that could be on the test. I wasn¡¯t aiming to take first place or anything grand. I just wanted... to pass.


    ¡°And today... after so many sleepless nights... I¡¯ll finally get the answer I¡¯ve been waiting for,¡± I murmured, approaching my alarm clock to silence the traitorous device.


    But when I checked the time, panic struck me like a lightning bolt.


    ¡°W-What?! Why does this always happen to me?! The alarm was set for seven! Seven o¡¯clock! The old man will close the post office before I can pick up my results!¡±


    I froze for a second.


    I remembered then that the postal services would close at noon due to the snowstorm. The old man had warned me, but even knowing that, I had been betrayed by that ancient clock.


    ¡°Alright, Anthou. This clearly isn¡¯t your fault, right?¡± I told myself, trying to come up with a good excuse. ¡°Come on, who could¡¯ve messed with the blessed alarm clock if you were the only one who stayed home?¡±


    A soft purring under the window broke my train of thought. My orange cat was strolling happily just a few feet away.


    I crossed my arms and gave him a stern look.


    ¡°Chester... You...¡±


    His tail swayed calmly as he returned my gaze.


    For a second, I waited for him to confess to my minor misfortune. But it was impossible. Even though his favorite pastime was pushing things off furniture, the alarm clock was heavier than his whole body.


    I was the only human who had stayed at home, so the only one to blame had to be me.


    Although, it could have also been... him.


    When I thought of ¡°him,¡± I was referring to my greatest nemesis.


    ¡°The observer...¡±


    ¡°Of course...¡± I muttered, as if everything suddenly made sense.


    Chester leaped gracefully onto the small nightstand by the window, and as if the universe were conspiring against me, it flung open, letting in a freezing gust of wind that filled the room.This tale has been pilfered from Royal Road. If found on Amazon, kindly file a report.


    The cold made both of us shiver.


    ¡°I understand now,¡± I said, rubbing my chin like a detective who had just cracked a difficult case.


    His existence.


    Yes, the existence of the observer explained my bad luck.


    I had always considered the possibility of a being watching over my life from some unknown place. That celestial observer surely witnessed all my misfortunes¡ªor maybe even orchestrated them¡ªpainting my life on a canvas for their own amusement.


    I turned to the open window, staring at the cloudy sky.


    ¡°I know you¡¯re watching me!¡± I shouted, pointing at the sky as if it could hear me. ¡°I know you opened the window to delay me! You¡¯re trying to hold back my dreams, but you won¡¯t win!¡±


    ¡°Mew,¡± Chester interjected, sitting right where I was pointing.


    At that moment, my stomach growled like a beast.


    ¡°Tch... Fine, you little rascal! You win this time! We¡¯ll eat before I leave!¡± I declared, slamming the window shut.


    Chester seemed satisfied with my resolution and jumped onto my shoulder, accompanying me as I headed downstairs to the kitchen.


    We both ate breakfast as if declaring a temporary truce.


    With a full stomach, I said goodbye to Chester and shut the door behind me, ready to face whatever fate the observer had in store for me.


    ¡ó¡ô¡ó


    Walking along the snow-covered paths, I lost track of time due to the freezing cold of the city. Before I realized it, I was standing in front of the postal service counter.


    ¡°Good morning, son,¡± the elderly Wataru greeted me with a smile on his face.


    ¡°Hey, old man. Sorry for the delay. Did anything arrive for me?¡± I asked, feeling a bit embarrassed.


    ¡°Time doesn¡¯t matter; we¡¯re family,¡± he clarified with a grin. ¡°And yes, you¡¯ve got mail. This morning, a new issue of your magazine arrived,¡± my father said as he flipped through the cover. ¡°It looks like there¡¯s news about some advancements in that new medicine from your favorite inventor, Klaus Bousseu. And apparently, there¡¯s a new season of Minoru¡¯s favorite anime, along with some content about manga, video games, and... Wait, since when are the characters wearing so little clothing?¡±


    Wataru extended his hand to hand me the magazine.


    ¡°I¡¯m joking¡­¡± he muttered with a playful smile.


    Mikogami Wataru.


    That¡¯s the name of the fifty-nine-year-old man standing in front of me.


    Besides working as a mailman-decoder of others¡¯ letters, Wataru has been my adoptive father since he found me unconscious in a park about four years ago.


    Let me give you some context.


    Back then, as Wataru was walking to work, he stumbled upon me unconscious in a park nearby. Unsure of what to do, he took me to the police station to find my parents.


    But the search ended in failure within a few weeks.


    Since I had no memories of who I was, the intelligence services couldn¡¯t find any records of my parents or any close relatives. I ended up living in an orphanage for nearly a year.


    But not everything was bad for me.


    The old man was always there for me. He even went through the trouble of getting adoption permits, and since then, he¡¯s cared for me as if I were his own child.


    In fact, he was the one who gave me my name. In short, Wataru is my father in every sense of the word, and today, he¡¯s my role model and the person I love the most in the world.


    Oh, and he¡¯s also my boss.


    I work part-time, helping with home deliveries.


    But that¡¯s not the point.


    I hadn¡¯t received the results of my exam, and no one had informed me of any delay, so clearly, something had gone wrong.


    ¡°Sorry, Dad... Was the magazine the only thing that came?¡± I asked, looking at him for a few seconds. ¡°Did you search carefully among the letters? Or perhaps you missed my mail today? I¡¯m sure they sent the results of my exam.¡±


    The old man gave me a puzzled look, furrowing his brow as he tried to remember. Then, he quickly rummaged through his compartments, searching in the morning section of today¡¯s mail.


    ¡°Oh... that¡¯s right. You¡¯re in luck, son. I almost forgot this morning¡¯s delivery,¡± he said with a smile, holding a package in his hands. ¡°This is your order. From ¨¦quox. Your brother Minoru also received the same package. I didn¡¯t look through it all, but he ran out crying after opening his.¡±


    When the old man said those words, I felt like my heart stopped for a moment. Since Minoru had received the same package and ended up crying, then... ¨¦quox Academy must have rejected his application.


    And if he was rejected¡­ probably I¡­


    ¡°I see¡­¡±


    I only muttered that as I opened the package in resignation. But when I looked inside, I found the ¨¦quox uniform, along with a smartphone and a student ID.


    Wait¡­ What?!


    Before I could react, the old man beat me to it, as if he already knew the outcome of my efforts.


    ¡°How strange, Anth. Did they send you all this?¡± Wataru asked, looking at the package. ¡°Kid¡­ The uniform looks like it¡¯s of excellent quality. No, it doesn¡¯t just look like it¡­ I think it¡¯s one of the expensive ones. And that phone¡­ Could it be a new model?¡±


    While Wataru¡¯s expression reflected surprise, I stood frozen, my mind blank for a few seconds. I couldn¡¯t find a proper answer to all his questions.


    Why did they send me all this?


    As soon as I glanced at the student ID, I realized the old man was right. Everything looked expensive, and even the ID sparkled as if it had been forged from diamonds.


    Without wasting another second, I unfolded the letter envelope, examining the document inside.


    ¡°For your passing grade, you have been selected to join the elite¡­ Included are your uniform, student ID, and the device you¡¯ll use on our premises¡­¡±


    My world regained its color as I read the message.


    Did I pass?! Did I really make it?! Did I get into ¨¦quox?! Take that, you doubter!


    A single document almost made me faint from excitement as I grabbed Wataru¡¯s hands tightly.


    ¡°I did it, old man! I got into ¨¦quox!¡±


    Wataru began jumping with excitement alongside me.


    ¡°Well done, son! I knew you¡¯d make it!¡± he exclaimed, hugging me tightly. ¡°I¡¯m so proud of you. I know how hard you worked for this¡­ And although I nearly ruined the surprise, I stayed serious to avoid spoiling the moment, I swear!¡±


    When the hug ended, I noticed Wataru¡¯s face was covered in tears. And even though Wataru was my adoptive father, a warm satisfaction filled me seeing that he was also happy for my efforts.


    Thank you for taking such good care of me, dad.


    Wataru kept talking.


    ¡°You also have to go to the interview, right? Minoru came by about half an hour ago, and when he saw he got in, he ran off without even saying goodbye. He was so excited he couldn¡¯t stop laughing and crying at the same time.¡±


    Hearing this, I nodded to confirm his question.


    The letter specified that the interviews would take place in a building on the city¡¯s main street. According to the instructions, the ¨¦quox committee would meet the applicants in the order of arrival.


    If I wanted a good reception, I had to go as soon as possible.


    ¡°Judging by the red text, it looks like I should hurry,¡± I murmured, reading the message carefully. ¡°I¡¯m sure Minoru is already there. That guy¡¯s as fast as a mountain goat. I bet he could outrun a horse if he put his mind to it!¡±


    The old man burst into laughter.


    ¡°Yeah, I¡¯m sure he could. Well... if that¡¯s the case, I¡¯ll prepare a special dinner for you two. I¡¯ll even buy a cake!¡±


    Without realizing it, I was already smiling. Wataru had this knack for making me forget any worries, even if just for a moment.


    ¡°Understood, but don¡¯t overdo it,¡± I replied, feeling a warm sensation in my chest as I grabbed my new uniform. ¡°Oh, right... I need to get changed for the interview...¡±


    Wataru wasted no time in making a practical suggestion.


    ¡°Why don¡¯t you change here?¡± he said, gesturing toward the staff lockers. ¡°No one else came to work today, so the staff lockers are empty.¡±


    Without thinking twice, I hugged him tightly.


    At that moment, Wataru closed the postal office and waited for me in the reception area while I changed in the staff lockers. The silence there was a stark contrast to the usual bustle when the staff was working.


    But today, it was just us.


    I changed quickly, adjusting the details of the uniform.


    I straightened the black jacket with white accents on the sleeves, noting the triangular white design that stood out on the back.


    It wasn¡¯t exactly my style, but I had to admit it looked elegant.


    As for the gray shirt, it had white stripes running down the center.


    The black pants, on the other hand, had a military touch I loved, and the gray sneakers with dark accents felt incredibly comfortable.


    I looked at myself in the mirror, imagining what it would be like to be at the interview wearing the ¨¦quox uniform. The thought made me a little nervous, but I couldn¡¯t afford to hesitate now.


    When I stepped out, I saw my father asleep on a bench inside the office. He was breathing steadily, as if the day¡¯s work had finally caught up with him.


    ¡°I¡¯m back,¡± I said, giving him a few taps on the shoulder until he began to wake up.


    ¡°Huh...? Ah...? How much time has passed...?¡± my father murmured, still half-asleep. ¡°Are you back from the interview already? I haven¡¯t prepared the party yet, but if you wait a little, I¡¯ll get everything ready to celebrate.¡±


    I chuckled at his confusion.


    ¡°Old man, I haven¡¯t even left yet,¡± I replied.


    ¡°Ah... sorry, Anth,¡± Wataru said, getting up from his seat with a smile. ¡°I was feeling a bit sleepy, so I closed my eyes and thought maybe...¡± His words trailed off for a second, and then he shook his head. ¡°Never mind. Just be careful. And if the storm gets worse, find somewhere safe to shelter. Promise me you¡¯ll send me a message to let me know you¡¯re okay.¡±


    Something about his words made me pause.


    For as long as I can remember, the old man has woken up early every day to make his deliveries. He could have retired with what he¡¯s saved, but he keeps working, insisting he wants to continue helping us.


    That¡¯s one of those things Minoru and I have always known.


    Our father always puts our well-being ahead of his own health.


    It¡¯s as if the weight of responsibility is constantly on his shoulders, and even while bearing it, he carries it with a smile, though it often weighs more than he lets on.


    Dad also worries too much about Minoru.


    My brother is a bit scatterbrained and almost never eats on time. For this reason, our father makes sure that at least in moments like this, we celebrate as a family.


    I suppose that¡¯s what I like about Wataru.


    Even though Minoru and I aren¡¯t his biological children, he cares for us as if we were, so our bond goes far beyond blood.


    I still remember my first day with them.


    The old man had adopted Minoru half a year before I arrived, so when I stepped into the house, I felt like the new kid in a family that didn¡¯t need any more members.


    When I spoke to Minoru for the first time, I noticed that neither of us fit in completely.


    In fact, we argued about almost everything, even getting mad about who Wataru¡¯s favorite was...


    But those were just childish antics.


    The old man always showed that he didn¡¯t have favorites, so fighting was never an option.


    Looking back on those days, I can say we were fools.


    Even though we weren¡¯t supposed to fight, that didn¡¯t last long.


    It happened during one of our arguments, where we clashed in the yard and both ended up collapsed in the dirt, covered in mud.


    When Wataru came home and found us like that, we knew what was coming.


    With a hose in hand, our father began scolding us while spraying us down, and though he tried to stay serious, his face showed no trace of anger¡ªonly an attempt to suppress his laughter.


    As the cold water drenched us, Minoru and I looked at each other.


    We were both bruised, looking like two idiots who just wanted to hog the old man instead of sharing him. Realizing he would always be our father, we laughed at the same time.


    It was then that we understood we were equals.


    After that fight, my relationship with Minoru improved a lot.


    We even started spending more time together, especially at the park.


    Usually, we didn¡¯t mind when neighborhood kids called us orphans, but we never let anyone speak badly about Wataru.


    Anyone who dared to say something bad about our father was in for a beating. We didn¡¯t need to discuss it or plan it.


    It was an unspoken agreement between Minoru and me. Wataru was untouchable.


    They could say whatever they wanted about us, but never, ever about him.


    That fight wasn¡¯t just the turning point in our relationship as brothers; it also taught us to support each other. From then on, we started sharing memories and helping each other...


    Like studying for the ¨¦quox exam.


    We spent countless nights sitting together, books open, our minds exhausted from overstudying. We knew it wouldn¡¯t be easy, but we tried anyway.


    I remember the days Wataru came back from his shift to find us asleep at the table. Sometimes, he¡¯d wake us and send us to bed; other times, he¡¯d just leave us there, covering us with a blanket before heading off.


    The old man has always supported us, so now it¡¯s our turn to embark on the mission to repay the favors we owe him. This celebration would be the first step toward our success.


    But first, our father needs to get some rest.


    ¡°Promise me you¡¯ll rest,¡± I said, looking at him with concern. ¡°When you get home, I want you to take a breather. Don¡¯t push yourself too hard with the party. It¡¯s freezing, and we don¡¯t know if the storm will worsen. If you promise that, I¡¯ll promise to send you a message when we leave the interview.¡±


    Wataru looked at me, smiling immediately.


    ¡°If you want me to come back home, I¡¯ll do it. But you both need to be careful too. The news mentioned there would be blackouts due to the blizzard, and I don¡¯t want you to take any risks,¡± he said, stepping closer to me. ¡°I¡¯d rather you didn¡¯t go to your interviews, but I can¡¯t stop your dreams either.¡±


    I stayed silent for a few seconds.


    I could understand the old man¡¯s concern. It was clear that he wanted us to be safe with all his heart, even if that meant we¡¯d miss the interview.


    But I also understood that he couldn¡¯t stop us, not after witnessing our efforts, and his concern only made me appreciate his affection even more.


    He continued speaking, with that tone that combined affection and seriousness. ¡°You know, even I know when I sound like a killjoy, but the news were clear about the winter storm, and I don¡¯t want any tragedies. With the weather like this, you never know what might happen.¡±


    ¡°Don¡¯t worry, old man. Nothing¡¯s going to happen to us. I promise we¡¯ll come back safe,¡± I replied without hesitation.


    ¡°You never know¡­ But alright. We have a deal. I¡¯ll make the effort to trust you,¡± he said, stretching his fist out toward me with a smile. ¡°I promise I¡¯ll turn on the heater and rest with Chester until you get back. When you do, we¡¯ll celebrate like the family we are.¡±


    When Wataru said that, I smiled and bumped fists with him.


    ¡°It¡¯s a promise.¡±


    With that pleasant farewell, I headed toward the city center, ready for my interview.


    ¡ó¡ô¡ó


    I walked for about thirty minutes until I reached the main streets of downtown. The cold intensified with every step, as if the winter storm was determined to cover everything with its icy blanket.


    It seemed the old man hadn¡¯t been wrong about the news.


    The snow covered the pavement to the point where my shoes sank with every step I took. There were no people around in the storm, only a few cars daring to drive through the snowy streets.


    Finally, I arrived at my destination.


    I observed the ¨¦quox building. It was the only one with fourteen floors and a modern structure with large windows. I placed my hand on the glass gate, pushing it with an extra effort.


    How heavy¡­


    The sound of the gate echoed through the lobby, almost as if it was announcing my arrival. Although there were no signs of other students, a few people walked back and forth, busy with their own matters.


    I shook the snow off my uniform and headed to the reception desk.


    ¡°Hello?¡± I greeted the man behind the counter, showing him my student ID. ¡°I¡¯m here for the interview. I was given these instructions.¡±


    The man, who appeared to be middle-aged, put his notebook aside, took my ID, and examined it carefully. After a few seconds, he handed me a note and pointed toward the elevator.


    The note said my interview was scheduled for the top floor.


    ¡°Excuse me, is that all?¡± I asked, trying not to show my confusion. ¡°Don¡¯t you need another confirmation?¡±


    The man didn¡¯t even bother to respond.


    He returned to his notebook in silence, ignoring me as if I no longer existed.


    ¡°I see¡­¡±


    I took a deep breath and took the elevator to the fourteenth floor.


    Nerves started to take over, but I tried to remind myself that I had already passed the exam. This was just a bit of extra paperwork before becoming a successful student.


    When the doors opened, I found myself in a well-lit hallway.


    All the chairs were empty, and there was a door ajar at the end of the hallway with a sign that read: ¡°Student Interviews.¡±


    It must be here, but¡­ why is there no one else?


    I approached the door without thinking too much.


    ¡°Excuse me, I¡¯m here for the ¨¦quox interview,¡± I said, peeking inside, slowly opening the door. ¡°I saw the door was open¡­¡±


    As soon as I finished speaking, an uncomfortable feeling took over me.


    The office was lit, with two leather chairs in front of a tidy desk, but¡­ there was no one there.


    Huh¡­? Did I go to the wrong place? Or did I arrive late?


    I sat in one of the chairs, checking the ¨¦quox letter just in case I made any mistake, but I was in the right place at the right time.


    In hindsight, it was still interview hours.


    A twinge of nervousness hit my chest, but I deduced that waiting was my only viable option. My mind was racing with thoughts, and I even started imagining the observer laughing at me.


    But I couldn¡¯t give in.


    I told myself I would wait thirty minutes.


    Thirty minutes for someone from ¨¦quox to show up.


    If no staff member appeared by then, I would send Minoru a message so we could meet up and head back home.


    However, not even ten minutes passed before the lights in the room started to flicker strangely.


    What the hell¡­?


    I didn¡¯t have time to process what was happening.


    Before I could move, I heard the sound of the door slamming shut. The crash resonated in my ears, and suddenly, the office was plunged into total darkness.


    A chill ran down my spine.


    I knew the storm could have cut the power, but the force with which the door slammed shut, as if someone had slammed it, was what really scared me.


    This wasn¡¯t a coincidence¡­ Something else was going on here.


    Fear paralyzed me for a moment. I tried to stand up to check if this was just a simple blackout, but before I could react, a strange pressure began to envelop my face.


    Something suffocating surrounded my face, as if a pair of invisible hands were grabbing me until I fell completely unconscious.


    In less than a second, I felt the world fading away as my senses shut down, as if the darkness was dragging my existence into the deepest abyss.


    Father, I¡¯m sorry¡­ I¡­ I won¡¯t be able to come home.

 Chapter 02: Fragments in the Snow (Part 01)

    Cuando recuper¨¦ la conciencia lo primero que vi fue vac¨ªo.


    Flotaba en medio de un abismo sin fondo. Era una sensaci¨®n extra?a, como si el peso de mis recuerdos, de mis deseos y de mi propia existencia se disolviera en la oscuridad.


    ?Eh? ?Cu¨¢nto tiempo llevo aqu¨ª?


    Cerr¨¦ los ojos, resign¨¢ndome a mi cruel destino.


    Si esta sombra eterna fuera el final que el observador hubiera elegido para m¨ª, lo aceptar¨ªa y me desvanecer¨ªa con dignidad.


    Sin embargo, justo cuando empezaba a creer que no hab¨ªa esperanza, el paisaje cambi¨® de nuevo. Ahora estaba tumbado en aquellos jardines nevados que solo ve¨ªa en sue?os, como si algo (o alguien) externo me estuviera imponiendo su voluntad, arrastr¨¢ndome de un lugar a otro sin pedirle permiso.


    As¨ª que¡­ aqu¨ª estaba de nuevo.


    Esta escena s¨®lo podr¨ªa significar una de dos cosas.


    O bien estaba en un sue?o profundo, o peor a¨²n, hab¨ªa muerto durante el desmayo en las entrevistas de estudiantes.


    Decid¨ª no pensar demasiado en ello.


    Cuestionar mi existencia en ese momento solo aument¨® la aguda presi¨®n en mi pecho, as¨ª que eleg¨ª pararme y caminar por el sendero del jard¨ªn.


    A medida que avanzaba, sent¨ª el crujido de la nieve bajo mis pies, un sonido que, en otras circunstancias, podr¨ªa haberme resultado reconfortante, pero que aqu¨ª solo amplific¨® la soledad de este lugar.


    No pas¨® mucho tiempo hasta que llegu¨¦ a un peque?o puente de madera que conduc¨ªa al coraz¨®n del bosque.


    Al cruzar el puente, vi una caba?a de dos pisos situada debajo de un ¨¢rbol antiguo. Tanto la caba?a como el ¨¢rbol estaban cubiertos de nieve, como si el tiempo mismo los hubiera congelado.


    ¡ªEsa caba?a¡­ ¡ªmurmur¨¦, sintiendo una inexplicable necesidad de acercarme.


    No recordaba haber visto ese lugar antes, pero una profunda sensaci¨®n de nostalgia me invadi¨® una vez m¨¢s. Era inquietante, como si una parte de m¨ª hubiera estado all¨ª hace mucho tiempo, preservada en un rinc¨®n olvidado de mis recuerdos.


    Cuando abr¨ª la puerta, las l¨¢grimas corrieron por mi rostro antes de que pudiera detenerlas.


    El calor que sent¨ª en mi interior me envolvi¨® instant¨¢neamente, pero parec¨ªa casi demasiado real para ser solo un sue?o.


    La caba?a estaba llena de fotograf¨ªas en las paredes, muebles viejos y una peque?a llama parpadeando en la chimenea.


    Pas¨¦ de una habitaci¨®n a otra examinando cada detalle.


    En cada foto de las paredes¡­ yo estaba all¨ª. Pero no estaba sola; en la mayor¨ªa de ellas, una mujer me abrazaba con una tierna sonrisa.


    Mi coraz¨®n se aceler¨®.


    ?Qui¨¦n es ella?


    Sent¨ª que la conoc¨ªa de alg¨²n lugar, pero mi mente no pod¨ªa darme una respuesta clara sobre su identidad. Recuerdos fragmentados pasaban por mi mente, pero ninguno de ellos la explicaba. Era como si la respuesta estuviera al alcance de mi mano... y, sin embargo, fuera completamente inalcanzable.


    Una parte de m¨ª comprend¨ªa que ese momento, esa escena, era importante, pero mi mente segu¨ªa siendo un rompecabezas vac¨ªo.


    Con cada paso que daba dentro de la cabina, un dolor agudo comenzaba a latir en mi cabeza.


    Era como si mi propio cerebro estuviera luchando por recuperar los recuerdos enterrados en mi mente, tratando de llenar los vac¨ªos que parec¨ªan devorar cada rinc¨®n de mi conciencia.


    Mi cuerpo se movi¨® casi autom¨¢ticamente, como si estuviera en trance.


    There was something behind this¡­ some invisible force pushing me forward, guiding me through those halls. Suddenly, I stopped in front of a door I had never seen before.


    It was adorned with countless stars.


    I reached for the handle, but as I did, a sharp pain stabbed through my head. My mind tried to protect me, warning me to step back before uncovering what lay inside.


    Stop! Get away! You don¡¯t need to see this!


    A voice inside me shouted incessantly, begging me to leave the cabin before it was too late. But my body ignored the warnings.


    My trembling hand pushed the door open and flicked the light switch, revealing a chilling sight.


    It was a completely white room, but unlike the rest of the cabin, the walls were covered in crimson marks¡ªchaotic, erratic strokes, as though someone had used their own blood to draw them.


    I swallowed hard.


    The worst part was that the marks resembled the desperate scribbles of someone who had been trapped for far too long.


    The word help was scrawled repeatedly on the walls.


    There were also words in an unfamiliar language, symbols that seemed to invoke something beyond my comprehension.


    Suddenly, the ground began to quake, and my world spun as I recognized something in those strange marks¡ªsomething that left me frozen and pale.


    That handwriting¡­


    I collapsed to the floor as I realized it was my own.


    ¡°That¡¯s¡­ my handwriting,¡± I whispered, feeling the very essence of my soul slip through my fingers as my body trembled. ¡°Did I¡­ do this?¡±


    In that moment, the ground shook violently again, and shadowy arms slithered through the door at an unnerving speed, pulling me out of the cabin.


    I struggled to resist, but it was futile.


    The shadowy arms dragged me with terrifying force, as if I were nothing more than a puppet in their grip.


    A freezing shock hit me as I was pulled through the cabin¡¯s front door. Before the shadows consumed me entirely, I caught sight of the ghostly woman watching me from the edge of the lake.


    ¡°Tell me, what is all this?!¡± I shouted desperately, trying to wrench some kind of answer from her unseen lips. ¡°Who are you?!¡±


    She didn¡¯t reply. She only watched me¡ªor at least I thought she did.


    I couldn¡¯t see her face, but her presence was unmistakable. She radiated a golden aura with hints of pink. Something deep within me screamed that I knew her, but no matter how hard I tried, I found no answer.


    The woman extended her arms toward me.


    ¡°Even if you don¡¯t remember me now¡­ you will, soon,¡± she said softly, her voice like the whisper of an angel.Unlawfully taken from Royal Road, this story should be reported if seen on Amazon.


    I tried to reach her, stretching my hands toward her in complete desperation, clinging to that final shred of hope.


    For a moment, I thought I could make it¡ªthat maybe I could uncover something about her identity¡ªbut the shadowy arms held me back at the last second.


    In that instant, I was dragged into the depths of the great lake.


    The cold engulfed me once more, and I felt the darkness dragging me back into the abyss. And I¡­


    Why am I crying again¡­?


    ¡ó¡ô¡ó


    It wasn¡¯t long before I regained consciousness for the second time.


    The first thing I felt was a tingling sensation throughout my body, as though I had just woken up from an extraordinarily long journey.


    Had I been asleep for that long?


    My vision was blurry.


    It felt as if a thin veil covered my face, blocking my contact with the outside world.


    Who could have put this on me?


    Clumsily, I moved my hand to remove the fabric, and at that moment, a familiar voice reached my ears.


    ¡°Anth... I thought you¡¯d never wake up¡­¡±


    The voice sounded desolate, as if the person speaking was holding back tears. I blinked a few times, and gradually, the figure of the person embracing me came into focus.


    In front of me stood my brother.


    Mikogami Minoru.


    His reddish eyes were swollen and damp, as though he had been crying for hours. His usually neat gray hair was disheveled and messy.


    ¡°Minoru¡­? Is that you¡­?¡± I murmured weakly. ¡°W-Where are we¡­?¡±


    My brother offered a faint smile, trying to maintain his composure. Tears still lingered in his eyes, but he wiped them away with his hand, attempting to appear strong.


    ¡°Of course, it¡¯s me, sleepyhead,¡± he said, shifting his gaze toward our surroundings as if searching for an answer to my question. ¡°To be honest, I have no idea¡­¡±


    He turned back to me and extended his hand to help me up. However, as I tried to stand, my legs wobbled, nearly giving out beneath me.


    It was then I noticed we weren¡¯t alone.


    Next to my brother stood two foreign-looking boys. Both of them observed us in complete silence. They seemed as confused as we were, searching for answers to this bizarre situation.


    Looking closely, the place was unrecognizable.


    Debris covered the ground, and the remains of destroyed buildings surrounded us as though this was a city ravaged by war.


    There were no signs of life. Not a single soul in sight.


    I looked at Minoru, silently asking him who these people were, but he turned his attention toward them.


    ¡°As I mentioned, my name is Mikogami Minoru, but you can call me Minoru,¡± he said, placing his hand on my head. ¡°This is my brother, Anthou. We¡¯re Japanese. From Rikubetsu, Hokkaido. We were waiting for a meeting with ¨¦quox Academy before ending up here.¡±


    The two boys slumped onto the old tires scattered around us, as if they needed a moment to process the strange situation we were in.


    Finally, the taller one was the first to speak.


    ¡°Russian student, Sasha Zaitsev,¡± he said in a deep voice. ¡°I was heading to my interview with Miroska High before waking up in this hell¡­¡±


    I studied him carefully.


    Sasha had long, dark navy-blue hair that fell to his shoulders and piercing purple eyes that seemed to look right through you.


    His demeanor was calm, almost intimidating. He seemed like the type who could maintain his composure even in the most extreme situations.


    Sasha was serious. Perhaps too serious for what was happening.


    Though his attitude intrigued me, I couldn¡¯t dwell on it for now.


    The other boy, who seemed more laid-back, leaned forward.


    ¡°So, two Japanese guys and someone who looks Russian?¡± he commented with a half-smile, almost mocking. ¡°Interesting combination.¡±


    He crossed his arms, his relaxed attitude sharply contrasting with the situation.


    ¡°I¡¯m from the United States,¡± he continued. ¡°Name¡¯s Raynard O¡¯Neill, but you can call me Ray. I was also heading to an interview, though mine was with the Pinnacle Institute in Pennsylvania.¡±


    Ray was about my height.


    His spiky orange hair stood out, and his rebellious look was emphasized by his green eyes. He gave off the impression of someone used to tough environments, as if being stranded with us in this desolate city was just another day for him.


    Ray seemed easygoing, but I had a feeling he was not someone to let your guard down around.


    ¡°Well, it seems we were all heading to different interviews,¡± I said, trying to ease the tension. ¡°And for some inexplicable reason¡­ we ended up here. Now¡­ does anyone have any idea where we are?¡±


    The two of them remained silent, their faces showing the same lack of answers as Minoru¡¯s.


    None of us had the faintest clue.


    Even though we all wore the same uniform and carried small, nearly imperceptible earpieces, none of us understood why we had them.


    And so, we were bound together by a single question.


    What was this place?


    Each of us had been attending an interview, only to wake up in the middle of a desolate city. At the moment, we stood on an abandoned road surrounded by rubble. It seemed to be part of a main street, with collapsed structures forming an almost surreal landscape.


    There were no signs of life¡ªnot even animals. Debris was piled across the road, creating a labyrinth of endless ruins.


    The silence was eerie.


    ¡°This situation feels like something out of a horror movie, doesn¡¯t it?¡± Ray remarked, almost laughing as he examined the surroundings. His relaxed tone clashed with the grim atmosphere, as if he were trying to lighten the mood.


    Suddenly, Ray kicked an empty can in frustration.


    ¡°Tch¡­ This is such a waste of time. Yesterday, I was covering myself with a ¡®Deadly War Z¡¯ poster, and today I wake up in the apocalypse without even getting to see a single zombie. What a rip-off!¡±


    ¡°Zombies or not, we seem to be the only survivors. Now isn¡¯t the time to joke about the dead,¡± Sasha replied, standing up and facing Ray with a serious look. ¡°Also, for the record, I don¡¯t look Russian¡ªI¡¯m from Poronaysk, one of the coldest cities in Russia.¡±


    ¡°Whatever you say, Mr. Russian,¡± Ray retorted with a bored yawn. ¡°I was just trying to lighten the heavy mood, but sure, you¡¯re right. I¡¯ll stop joking just because zombies freak you out.¡±


    His words seemed to irritate Sasha even more, though he tried to keep his anger in check.


    ¡°They don¡¯t ¡®freak me out,¡¯¡± Sasha refuted. ¡°I¡¯m just asking you to respect the dead.¡±


    ¡°Yeah¡­ Right, that¡¯s a good reason to stop. I¡¯m sure the dead will thank you in their next life,¡± Ray said with a mocking smile, clearly enjoying Sasha¡¯s frustration.


    Even though they had just met, the tension between them was palpable, as if their personalities clashed instantly.


    But their bickering wouldn¡¯t get us anywhere.


    ¡°Alright, stop it,¡± Minoru interjected, stepping between the two to ease the tension. ¡°First of all, we don¡¯t even know if this is the end of the world. Think about it. There¡¯s debris everywhere, but not a single body. That¡¯s something that really doesn¡¯t make sense.¡±


    Then, he turned his gaze to Ray.


    ¡°We also haven¡¯t seen any zombies, so let¡¯s not jump to conclusions.¡±


    Hearing my brother¡¯s reasoning, Sasha exchanged a glance with Ray and yawned, visibly tired. Both sat down, though their expressions made it clear that neither was satisfied.


    Although we lacked evidence, Minoru¡¯s argument was more logical than Ray¡¯s zombie apocalypse theory.


    The chaos seemed to stretch for miles, as though a catastrophe had wiped everything out. Yet, there was no blood, no piles of bodies, no clue as to what had happened to the people who once lived here.


    From the ruined streets, collapsed buildings, and what looked like a devastated mall, it was evident that this city had once been full of life.


    But the strangest thing was the complete absence of corpses.


    It was as if everyone had vanished in an instant, leaving only the ruins behind. For a moment, the idea that we might be the only survivors gripped my chest.


    It was a truth hard to swallow.


    But Minoru didn¡¯t let fear take over. Standing before us with a determined expression, he spoke.


    ¡°How about, instead of arguing, we figure out where we are?¡± Minoru suggested, pointing down the road with a firm voice. ¡°If we keep moving, maybe we¡¯ll find something.¡±


    His calm tone drew all our attention to him.


    But just then, something unexpected happened.


    Out of nowhere, a massive airship appeared, soaring above the city and casting a shadow that blanketed everything below.


    Its presence was surreal, as though it belonged to another world.


    We all looked up at the sky, struggling to process what we were seeing, but the airship was only the beginning.


    At that moment, a soft yet commanding female voice echoed through our earpieces, as if the speaker could see us from above.


    ¡°One, two, one, two. Testing, testing,¡± the woman repeated a couple of times through the intercom. ¡°Can you all hear me? Forget it, that¡¯s not important. Allow me to introduce myself. My name is Lottie. Make an effort to remember it.¡±


    The eerie silence was shattered by her words.


    As she spoke, a metallic screech resonated from the airship. A massive screen unfolded from its structure, deploying with a mechanical motion that echoed through the ruins.


    And then, we saw her.


    On the screen appeared a woman whose presence dominated the scene entirely. She stood on a black stage, moving as though she were the star of a theatrical performance.


    There was no need to guess.


    This woman had to be Lottie.


    Her long blonde hair cascaded to her hips, shimmering as if the artificial lights illuminating the screen were made just for her.


    But what truly stood out were her scarlet eyes.


    They were so hypnotic it was nearly impossible to look away, as though they dared us to uncover their secrets.


    Her attire was a refined dark dress perfectly tailored to her figure, accented by a large red bow that draped down her waist, adding even more drama to her imposing presence.


    ¡°The new world government and I¡­ regret treating you so harshly on your way to Pegasus Island,¡± Lottie said, her voice reverberating throughout the city. ¡°We take no pride in causing discomfort to our new students, so all of you will receive a bonus of points right now.¡±


    There was something in her words¡ªa mix of gentleness and authority¡ªas if she was used to giving orders that were never to be questioned.


    Every part of her speech seemed calculated to keep us in a constant state of unease.


    And it worked.


    Lottie smiled with a disturbing calmness, as if she were relishing a performance where she was the star, and we were merely the main pieces in her game.


    The moment she finished speaking, our smartphones buzzed simultaneously, synchronized with her voice. Quickly, I checked the messages, and a notification appeared on my screen.


    Five hundred points had been added to my account.


    I looked around.


    Minoru, Sasha, and Ray had received the same message.


    Their expressions showed surprise, but their faces also reflected a deep uncertainty. They were undoubtedly grappling with the same questions as me.


    What were the points?


    Why was Lottie so confident we would accept this?


    My thoughts were abruptly interrupted as Lottie resumed her speech, holding a small dark staff as though about to deliver a lecture.


    ¡°Perhaps you don¡¯t understand the purpose of these points, so I¡¯ll explain,¡± she said, taking a few steps closer to the screen. ¡°Points are the equivalent of money here on Pegasus Island. And since this will be your home from now on, we¡¯ve taken the liberty of erasing your records from the system. In other words, you are dead to the world.¡±


    Her words hit like a bucket of cold water.


    Dead to the world...?


    Lottie spoke as if our lives were meaningless compared to whatever she had planned for us.


    I froze.


    The idea of being dead, of every trace of my existence being erased, felt like a nightmare. My mind struggled to process her words, but before I could think clearly, a loud buzzing sound filled the sky.


    Drones.


    Dozens, no, hundreds of drones appeared, swarming through the city like mechanical hives. Then, another screen emerged from the airship, displaying images that took our breath away.


    We weren¡¯t alone.


    Thousands of students were trapped in the same nightmare as us. Each group was captured by the drones¡¯ cameras, their faces displaying confusion and fear.


    El aislamiento que hab¨ªa sentido momentos antes fue reemplazado por algo peor. Una abrumadora sensaci¨®n de impotencia al ver tantas vidas atrapadas en este juego perverso.


    ¡ªBueno, volvamos a mi presentaci¨®n. Perm¨ªtanme mostrarles un poco sobre su nuevo hogar ¡ªcontinu¨® Lottie, como si estuviera ofreciendo una excelente oferta inmobiliaria¡ª. Actualmente estamos en la Isla Pegasus, una isla secreta que abarca 120.000 metros cuadrados. Esta isla fue construida por Centauro sobre el Oc¨¦ano Atl¨¢ntico, en alg¨²n lugar dentro del V¨®rtice de los Perdidos.


    Mientras la escuchaba, pod¨ªa imaginar la presencia del observador celestial ri¨¦ndose de m¨ª y de todos nosotros dentro de esta ciudad destruida.


    ?Por qu¨¦ tengo tanta mala suerte¡­?

 Chapter 02: Fragments in the Snow (Part 02)

    As Lottie spoke, the drone cameras began broadcasting panoramic views of the island. Pegasus was an enormous place, blending stunning landscapes with cutting-edge technology and luxurious amenities.


    The districts shown on the screen were filled with towering skyscrapers, shopping centers, schools, hospitals, and endless forests. But instead of marveling at it, the sheer scale of everything only made the situation feel more surreal.


    ¡°Currently, there are 5,600 new students on Pegasus Island, and each of you was selected for these trials because of your superior intellect,¡± Lottie announced, raising her hands with enthusiasm. ¡°Well¡­ It might also be because the selection system went a little haywire in recent days. Honestly, we never really paid much attention to it.¡±


    ¡°Superior intellect?¡± I muttered.


    The word felt completely out of place in this context. What did intelligence have to do with being stranded on a secret island? Glancing around, I noticed the same bewilderment reflected in everyone¡¯s faces.


    This¡­ doesn¡¯t make any sense.


    But Lottie didn¡¯t seem to notice our confusion¡ªor perhaps she didn¡¯t care how we felt about it.


    ¡°I should mention that you¡¯ve already received your new identification card,¡± she added in a nonchalant tone, holding up a sleek card that looked like a futuristic gadget. ¡°We apologize for replacing them at the last minute, but it was necessary to verify how many participants made it to Pegasus.¡±


    As she said this, her own ID card appeared enlarged on the screen, displaying her name, photo, and a host of incomprehensible data.


    ¡°Make sure to keep it with you at all times. Your ID is vital for identification in emergencies. It also shows the district you belong to and your Gift¡¯s unique identifier.¡±


    Lottie placed a hand on her head, as if struggling to remember something important.


    ¡°Oh, right¡­ I also need to explain that,¡± she said with a slightly forced smile. ¡°All of you now have a Gift. You can find it listed at the bottom of your ID.¡±


    At her words, I saw the other students immediately reach for their ID cards. On the screen, Lottie displayed the section for her own Gift, accompanied by brief descriptions that were too small to read.


    ¡°A Gift, yes¡­ What was that again?¡± she muttered to herself. ¡°Ah, now I remember! Gifts are¡­ well, they¡¯re kind of like magic, superpowers, or psychic arts. Call them whatever you prefer. Gifts have various Skills, but you¡¯ll have to figure them out yourselves. If you¡¯re looking for a technical explanation, well¡­ I can¡¯t give you one.¡± She let out a carefree laugh. ¡°They don¡¯t pay me enough to explain it, do they, Ribbon?¡±


    As she spoke, a small pink penguin waddled onto the screen, its clumsy steps oddly endearing.


    Endearing?


    I couldn¡¯t believe that word crossed my mind amidst this chaos, but the absurdity of the tiny penguin in our dire situation was too much for me to process.


    This had to be Ribbon, her assistant.


    As I pondered this, the screen shifted to show students using their Gifts.


    Some were floating in the air, others displayed super strength, conjured shields, summoned tornadoes, hurled fireballs, or even summoned golems. Others levitated objects or cast spells.


    Each ability was more fantastical than the last, like something straight out of a video game or a fantasy manga.


    Before I could process what I was seeing, a loud blast erupted nearby.


    ¡°Explosive Burst!¡±


    I turned toward the explosion and saw Ray.


    He wore an unhinged expression as debris scattered around him.


    ¡°Air Bomb works! I¡¯ve become a freaking wizard!¡± he shouted, unable to contain his excitement.


    I froze, unable to grasp what had just happened.


    Ray¡­ a wizard?


    His laughter echoed as he flailed his hands like he was casting invisible spells. A part of me hoped he was exaggerating, but the explosions on the ground proved otherwise.


    Everything felt unreal, like we were trapped in some sort of simulation.


    Before I could dwell on it, Sasha decided to steal the spotlight.


    ¡°Come to me¡­ Eternal Flame!¡±


    I blinked a few times, and there was the ever-serious Sasha, holding an enormous flame in the palm of his hand.


    Yes, a giant flame. In his hand. Was anyone else seeing how ridiculous this was?


    ¡°Soul Burn is amazing!¡± he added, as if auditioning for a sh¨­nen anime. ¡°Is this for real?¡±


    His face radiated pure fascination as he watched the flame dance calmly in his hand.


    ¡°Is this a dream¡­?¡± he murmured, tilting his head as though trying to solve a universal riddle. ¡°It doesn¡¯t burn me¡­ Is this real? Are we in a video game?¡±


    Honestly, I felt like a spectator at a talent show.


    All that was missing was a panel of judges awarding perfect scores.


    At that moment, my brother, who had been observing silently until now, decided to give it a try.


    ¡°Elemental Spirit!¡± Minoru shouted, his voice barely concealing his excitement. ¡°Skill¡­ Form Shift!¡±


    As he uttered the command, Minoru began to glow with a metallic sheen, his body transforming into a suit of silver armor that gleamed under the sunset.


    He struck the ground with his reinforced fists, each impact sending vibrations through the earth.


    ¡°This is incredible!¡± he exclaimed, a broad grin spreading across his face. ¡°This power is insane! It¡¯s like being invincible!¡±


    I¡­ honestly didn¡¯t know whether to laugh or worry.


    Between Sasha summoning fire like a sorcerer and Minoru turning into a walking fortress¡­


    It seemed like madness had already taken over.


    And what about my Gift?


    A lump formed in my throat.


    Watching them experiment with their Gifts stirred a flicker of curiosity in me, but when I tried to reach for my ID to uncover its secrets, my hands trembled for no reason.


    Something inside me screamed not to trust Lottie.


    Yes, the island was astonishing.


    The landscapes, the Gifts, the technological marvels... Everything was incredible, almost magical. But beneath all that wonder hid something far darker. We were trapped here, cut off from the world.


    The thought was suffocating.


    Thousands of students were in the same situation, all of us facing the same uncertainty. But for me, the idea that Pegasus Island had erased our existence from the real world was unbearable.


    My father... Thinking about Wataru clouded my thoughts.


    Could I really keep living, knowing the pain it would cause him?


    The absolute answer was no.


    The image of my father hearing about our supposed death refused to leave my mind. I tried not to think about it, but every time I closed my eyes, the same scene replayed. His look of disbelief, the shock on his face as he learned of our fate.


    I had promised him I would return safely with Minoru. I... I had said it so confidently, so assuredly... "Don¡¯t worry, old man. Nothing will happen to us. I promise we¡¯ll come back safe."


    What cruel irony. That promise now felt like a sick joke, a distant echo that shattered a little more every time Lottie spoke.


    What can I do?


    Lottie''s words kept ringing in my mind like a broken record... "You are dead to the world."This narrative has been purloined without the author''s approval. Report any appearances on Amazon.


    She had said it so casually, as if we were in a gilded cage with no way out. But it wasn¡¯t gold¡ªit was a cold, terrifying cell, and we were nothing more than ghosts on Pegasus Island.


    We were dangerous to Centaur because we knew about the existence of the Gifts. Once inside the island, there was no turning back¡ªor so Lottie¡¯s words explained.


    Why is this happening to me?


    As I kept reasoning, despair began to consume me.


    It felt like I was sinking into quicksand, like I was falling into a deep abyss.


    It didn¡¯t matter how much I struggled.


    The more I fought, the deeper I sank.


    Is there any hope?


    After Wataru became my father... After creating new memories... I thought maybe I could live with my new family forever. I thought maybe... I could be happy.


    Why?


    Why do I have to lose everything a second time?


    I tried to find an answer, hoping to uncover some sliver of hope within my memories. Maybe if I went far enough back, I could find something¡ªanything¡ªthat could give me strength. But it was impossible. All I found was absolute darkness. An indescribable void that only reminded me that, even now, I had nothing.


    Right now, I have nothing but this.


    The members of Pegasus had erased my existence.


    I was certain Wataru would mourn my death and quickly fall into despair. My father would never stop searching for me, but he would never find me.


    He wouldn¡¯t be able to find me.


    I knew my father would die without finding an answer, without ever knowing what truly happened to me, and that thought devastated me.


    How could I live with that? How could I bear that guilt?


    Suddenly, the world before my eyes went completely dark, as if I were floating in an abyss. I didn¡¯t know if I had fainted; not that it mattered much. My situation was already absurd enough to stop worrying about minor details.


    And then I saw it.


    Before me appeared a floating frame, suspended in the void.


    The image it held wasn¡¯t a painting or an abstract design. It was a scene from some distant future, so vivid and painful that it left me completely frozen.


    My father was kneeling in a corner of our living room.


    He was holding our family photo in trembling hands, tears streaming endlessly down his cheeks. His face was pale, and his body looked frail, as if he hadn¡¯t eaten in days.


    ¡°Dad, I¡¯m here!¡± I screamed, but he couldn¡¯t hear me.


    I struck the frame with all my strength, trying to shatter the invisible barrier between us, but my father didn¡¯t respond. I watched as his strength faded, and his eyes dulled until they lost their light.


    Slowly, my father let go of our family photo.


    The picture fell to the ground, the glass shattering into pieces.


    ¡°Dad... Dad!¡± I kept screaming desperately, pounding on the frame with all my might.


    Blood dripped from my hands, but even that didn¡¯t stop me.


    No... You can¡¯t die. Don¡¯t leave me alone.


    That thought became my only anchor, the one thing keeping me from falling completely apart.


    I must save you... There has to be a way...


    And then, the frame vanished, as if it had never been there.


    I was left alone in the vast darkness, with nothing but the echo of my own thoughts.


    Is there a way...?


    I couldn¡¯t let my father die like that. I couldn¡¯t allow him to drown in that pain because of me. My mind frantically searched for answers. There had to be something I could do.


    I couldn¡¯t let my father end up like that. I couldn¡¯t allow fate to destroy him because of my absence. If there was a way to prevent that future, I would take it without a second thought.


    And as I floated in that darkness, something else appeared before me.


    A mirror. It was suspended in midair, defying all logic, glowing faintly in the middle of the void.


    As I moved closer, I saw my own reflection¡ªor at least, sort of.


    The figure in the mirror wasn¡¯t exactly me but a younger version of myself, like a projection of my past. Then again, considering that my past was still a massive question mark in my head, I wasn¡¯t even sure if it was truly me.


    ¡°Hey... What is it that you desire?¡± my reflection asked.


    Its voice was strange. Not because it sounded different from mine, but because there was a hint of arrogance and superiority in its tone. It was as if it knew every corner of my existence, as if the question already had an answer.


    ¡°I want to save my father...¡± I finally muttered, my voice cracking under the weight of the words. I could barely lift my head, as if my own confession had increased the gravity around me.


    Without hesitation, my reflection stepped out of the mirror as if the glass didn¡¯t exist. Without breaking eye contact, it began to circle me, its steps slow and deliberate, like a judge scrutinizing a particularly disappointing criminal.


    ¡°From what I see, you haven¡¯t lost anything yet...¡± it murmured, its eyes glinting with something resembling disdain. ¡°If you want to save him, what¡¯s stopping you?¡±


    Its question hit me hard.


    ¡°How could I...?¡± I stammered, utterly hopeless. ¡°It¡¯s impossible to save Wataru if I can¡¯t leave the island.¡±


    My younger reflection stopped abruptly, sitting down in front of me with a relaxed motion.


    ¡°If that¡¯s the case, why not use that?¡± it asked, pointing to my pocket where my ID card was tucked away. ¡°Maybe it can help you.¡±


    ¡°I don¡¯t...¡± I murmured, my voice cracking. ¡°... I don¡¯t think it¡¯s right.¡±


    Its reaction was immediate.


    ¡°Why does it matter if it¡¯s right or not?!¡± it shouted, lowering its head for a moment, its hands trembling slightly as if battling some unpleasant memory. ¡°Don¡¯t be an idiot! If you keep rejecting your opportunities... next time, someone will really die!¡±


    Its words pierced me like lightning.


    The darkness around me began to crumble, breaking into fragments that disappeared into the air. My eyes blinked against the sudden change, and the world around me reverted to how it was before I had that vision.


    I was back, in the ruined city.


    The sound of drones filled my ears. My hands, though now steady, still felt the lingering tremors from that illusion.


    My reflection¡¯s words echoed in my mind, a warning I couldn¡¯t ignore... ¡°If you keep rejecting your opportunities... next time, someone will really die.¡±


    I couldn¡¯t afford to fail.


    I couldn¡¯t let those words become reality.


    Finally, I made my decision.


    I took a deep breath as I pulled out my ID card.


    That small card, full of mysteries and possibilities, seemed to shine with a significance I was only beginning to grasp. But the thought of losing everything still thundered in my mind.


    This has to work... Somehow, it has to work.


    Even if I didn¡¯t trust Lottie, perhaps this power could give me a chance to return to my father.


    It might tilt the odds in my favor.


    If the members of Pegasus had no intention of letting us leave, then I¡¯d have to come up with a way to escape. And if this power helped me, even by the slightest margin, then it was worth the risk.


    Resolute, I drew my ID card.


    There it was.


    On the last section, the Gift tab stood out from the rest, like a secret waiting to be unveiled.


    It had a long description written in an unknown language.


    Great... Not only am I trapped on an island with absurd rules, but now I have to decode magical scribbles. Perfect.


    However, even though the letters were foreign to me, something about those scribbles resonated in my mind. I couldn¡¯t explain it, but... it was as if they had always been in my memory, waiting for me to recall them.


    And then, I understood perfectly what they meant.


    Last Observer: A power that grants its wielder the function of the last observer of reality.


    First Skill ¨C World Atlas: Recognition of all that exists. Ability to rewrite what exists. Analysis time limited by the user, established in real time. Rewrite time limited by the user¡¯s endurance and control.


    Second Skill ¨C Temporal Clock: Temporal preview of what exists. Enhanced survival acceleration. Priority set on the user. Time reversal limited to forty seconds, temporal jumps limited to forty seconds.


    A chill ran down my spine.


    The moment I understood that strange language, the world around me changed entirely.


    I began to see thin lines of color surrounding everything in my environment, as if every object, every person, and reality itself were connected by invisible threads.


    I stood frozen, awestruck by what I was seeing.


    In addition to the lines, something else caught my attention. It felt like I could preview the movements of Minoru, Ray, and Sasha¡ªeven though none of them had moved yet.


    Their future actions unfolded before me as if I were watching a video in slow motion.


    It¡¯s incredible.


    I had gained a power that could undoubtedly help me.


    With World Atlas, I could map everything that existed with absolute precision, offering total recognition of any object or living being.


    In short, the knowledge of the world was in the palm of my hand. However, since it worked in real time, the weakness of World Atlas lay in the time it could take to analyze information, as well as my ability to focus.


    World Atlas could be useful for deciphering or investigating locations, but it had its limitations.


    As for Temporal Clock, it allowed me to foresee people¡¯s next movements and observe their timelines to understand any actions leading up to the present.


    However, its limitation of forty seconds severely restricted my ability to correct major mistakes or influence events beyond that range.


    On top of that, using both World Atlas and Temporal Clock drained my vital energy significantly. Alternating between the two could leave me weakened or even unconscious.


    With World Atlas, I could only rewrite elements that had been fully analyzed. If the analysis were interrupted or if the target¡¯s complexity exceeded my own capacity, the rewrite would fail.


    That being said, World Atlas seemed to exact a price proportional to the magnitude of the change. Minor alterations were manageable, but attempting complex changes could eventually harm my physical or mental health permanently.


    A double-edged sword.


    As I tried to comprehend the details of my newfound power, a sudden shout shattered the silence. The echo was so loud that even Lottie could hear it from the airship.


    ¡°Do you think you can buy my death with magic?!¡± roared a male voice, laden with rage and despair.


    Before I could process what was happening, the airship¡¯s screen flickered, displaying a student on it.


    The boy wore a reddish bandana covering part of his dark brown hair, and his purple eyes burned with an intensity that could only be described as uncontrollable fury.


    ¡°Damn it!¡± the boy shouted, his voice booming. ¡°I let you talk because I thought you were here to save us! But this? This is too much! A secret island?! Powers?! A new world government?!¡±


    With every word, his gaze seemed to pierce through the screen, fixed on Lottie¡¯s distant figure.


    ¡°Who the hell would be stupid enough to accept death so easily?!¡±


    The boy with the bandana raised his trembling hand, pointing at the airship.


    ¡°Send me back home, you hag!¡± he yelled, his voice breaking with anger. ¡°I just came here for an interview, and instead, I got kidnapped! Who the hell do you think you are to put me through this?!¡±


    An uncomfortable silence fell over the area.


    Even the wind seemed to stop for a few seconds, as if the entire city were holding its breath while watching the airship¡¯s screen, waiting for Lottie¡¯s response.


    She didn¡¯t take long to reply.


    ¡°Did you just call me a hag?¡± Lottie asked, tilting her head with a dangerous smile on her lips.


    Her tone was so calm that it was chilling.


    ¡°Should I take your words as an insult to my person or a direct attack?¡± she added, seeking confirmation of the boy¡¯s words.


    ¡°I don¡¯t know, and I don¡¯t care!¡± the boy snapped, seething with rage. ¡°Take it however you want, just send me back home already!¡±


    Lottie let out a small laugh, though it wasn¡¯t one of amusement.


    ¡°Of course, I could send you home,¡± she said coldly. ¡°But should I do you that favor? I doubt the Greenders would be so kind.¡±


    Her words sounded like a warning, but she didn¡¯t need to explain further.


    As she spoke, the screen showed four soldiers in black armor approaching the boy with the red bandana.


    The Greenders.


    Each one wore a grayish helmet that completely covered their heads, leaving only a pair of curved visors visible, protected by a heavy rubber frame. Small exhalation valves on their helmets gave them an inhuman appearance.


    They didn¡¯t move like ordinary people. Their movements were precise, synchronized, as if they were mere puppets being controlled remotely.


    A shiver ran down my spine.


    They don''t look like soldiers... These Greenders look like machines designed to eliminate any threat.


    ¡°What... what the hell are those...?¡± whispered Ray, taking a step back as he watched the screen.


    I have a bad feeling about this....

 Chapter 02: Fragments in the Snow (Part 03)

    I had no answers, but one thing was clear: that boy with the red bandana had just crossed a dangerous line. And the Greenders were there to remind him what happened when someone defied Lottie¡¯s rules.


    At that moment, the boy didn¡¯t even have time to react.


    We all watched as the Greenders surrounded him, immobilizing his arms with inhuman precision. Without the slightest hesitation, they dragged him away as if he were nothing more than an object to be moved.


    The echo of their footsteps resonated through the empty city, amplifying the tension that already hung in the air.


    ¡°And since you¡¯ve disrespected me, let¡¯s see¡­¡± Lottie continued, a malicious smile slowly spreading across her face.


    Her tone was seductive, as if she was relishing what she was about to say.


    ¡°Well¡­ I¡¯ll simply remove you from the exam, and the Greenders will teach you some manners. And since you don¡¯t wish to participate in our project, I¡¯ll also revoke the points we gifted you for bringing you to Pegasus Island. I hope you can survive without them in the Nameless District.¡±


    The boy tried to resist, but the Greenders were relentless. His efforts were futile, and soon he disappeared among the rubble, dragged toward a fate none of us could imagine.


    It was at that moment that the reality of our situation became clearer.


    Are we disposable?


    When the soldiers took the boy with the red bandana, we all understood our predicament. This wasn¡¯t a game. Lottie wasn¡¯t joking. Anyone who dared to defy her would face terrible consequences.


    Without missing a beat, Lottie continued her speech, as if what had just happened was of no importance, as if the Greenders hadn¡¯t just dragged a student away by force.


    Showing not even a hint of remorse, Lottie resumed her address, her tone as composed as ever.


    ¡°Well then¡­ is there anyone else who wishes to join student 3,114?¡± she asked softly, letting the silence reinforce her challenge. ¡°Come on¡­ surely one of you would also like to learn the secrets of the Nameless District.¡±


    No one moved.


    The silence was so absolute that even the natural sounds of the ruined city seemed to vanish. No one dared to speak after what we had witnessed.


    Who could?


    Lottie let out a small sigh, as if disappointed by our lack of response.


    ¡°Well then¡­ since no one is stepping forward¡­¡± she continued, her voice tinged with a hint of amusement, ¡°it¡¯s time to proceed with the trial. As I mentioned earlier, now that you belong to Centaur, it¡¯s time to prove your aptitude.¡±


    With a precise gesture, Lottie pointed her staff at the dirigible¡¯s screen, where a large number ¡°15¡± appeared and began to count down.


    14¡­ 13¡­ 12¡­


    As the numbers continued to descend, a Greender approached Lottie, handing her a neatly folded uniform.


    ¡°First, dear students, let me clarify something important about the uniforms you¡¯re wearing,¡± she said, tearing the uniform apart with a single swipe of her staff. ¡°They are crafted with the latest technology from Centaur.¡±


    11¡­ 10¡­ 9¡­


    Murmurs spread among the students.


    She tore the uniform? What is she trying to prove?


    Lottie dropped the uniform on the ground, and the Greender beside her set it on fire, reducing it to ashes within seconds.


    ¡°Though you¡¯ll have to return them at the end of the trial, don¡¯t worry about overusing or damaging them,¡± Lottie continued, entirely indifferent to our reactions. ¡°They¡¯re practically indestructible. They¡¯re made with the magical silk of the Abyssal Eternal Spider. All it takes is a little energy to restore them.¡±


    8¡­ 7¡­ 6¡­


    Lottie extended her hands toward the uniform¡¯s ashes.


    She enveloped the remains with her Gift, and the uniform began to regenerate as if it had never been damaged.


    I watched, unable to look away.


    Magical silk? Could that really be possible?


    Well, Gifts didn¡¯t follow any apparent logic either, so maybe I shouldn¡¯t be surprised.


    5¡­ 4¡­ 3¡­


    But even so¡­


    My thoughts were a mess. The seconds kept ticking down, heightening the tension in the air.


    2¡­ 1¡­


    When the counter finally hit 0, the sky exploded with vibrant colors. Fireworks illuminated the ruined city like a festival, but for us, the display was anything but celebratory.


    The fireworks served as a stark reminder of our position as mere pawns.


    Then Lottie¡¯s voice rang out with authority.


    ¡°Well, students, the rules are simple,¡± she declared in a tone reminiscent of a master of ceremonies, as if she had become the ruler of a combat arena. ¡°We have 5,600 students, but only half will advance to the next stage.¡±


    A murmur rippled through the crowd. We could barely process what was happening.


    ¡°Those who don¡¯t make it will be sent to Districts Nine and Ten,¡± Lottie continued, her smile unwavering. ¡°If you aim to proceed in the trial, you must collect ten points. It¡¯s as simple as that.¡±


    Her explanation hit us like a hammer.


    An absolute silence followed her words.


    The students¡¯ gazes met, each reflecting the same unanswered questions. The uncertainty was palpable, like an echo reverberating through the ruined city.


    Will we have to fight each other?


    It was a question no one wanted to voice, but it was on everyone¡¯s mind. The fireworks continued to burst in the sky, while Lottie watched with her enigmatic smile.Unauthorized use of content: if you find this story on Amazon, report the violation.


    It was as if she was mocking our uncertainty.


    ¡°Remember, each student is worth four points,¡± she continued, her tone so casual it reaffirmed our lives as mere disposable tokens. ¡°And to make it easier for you to gather them, our team has dispersed plenty of robots and monsters throughout the arena. Each one is worth seven points,¡± she added as a holographic map unfolded on the giant screen.


    The map was detailed, showing the arena divided into various sectors. There were dense jungles, scorching deserts, forests, icy mountains, and volcanic zones.


    Each region seemed designed to push us to our limits, a further sign that this wasn¡¯t a simple game. It was a mix of perilous landscapes, all surrounding a single focal point.


    The silver stadium¡ªthe destination of our first trial.


    ¡°Once you have the ten points, you must head to the central stadium to validate them. Though I must say, finding the stadium will also be part of the challenge,¡± Lottie explained, pointing to the stadium on the map with her staff. ¡°For this one time, in addition to the secret prize, I will grant the first student to reach the stadium their wish.¡±


    Her words landed like a thunderclap.


    A wish¡­


    It could change everything.


    But it was also a trap to push us to our limits.


    The images on the screen now showcased the arena¡¯s various biomes.


    We saw everything from lush jungles to the icy peaks of mountains. Each setting looked more hostile than the last.


    The extreme temperatures and treacherous terrains were clearly designed to keep us on edge.


    ¡°If you want to form teams, go ahead,¡± Lottie continued, her smile foreboding. ¡°You¡¯re free to do so and speak in private¡ªall you need to do is link your communicators. But remember, the points are individual. If the prize doesn¡¯t interest you, trust whomever you like. Just don¡¯t complain if you end up betrayed.¡±


    The students¡¯ voices began to rise. Some glanced around, looking for potential allies. Others observed with distrust, as if already imagining betrayal.


    But Lottie wasn¡¯t finished yet.


    ¡°And to add a little more excitement,¡± Lottie continued, with a smile that felt like a punch to the gut. ¡°We¡¯ve included some final bosses. A Shadow Minotaur leads the monsters, and an Aetheric Centurion commands the robots. Each final boss is worth twelve points. Oh, and Ribbon will also be playing. Defeat the penguin, and you¡¯ll earn another twelve bonus points.¡±


    The names Shadow Minotaur and Aetheric Centurion sounded terrifying, making my throat tighten. But the mention of Ribbon left me confused.


    That penguin...


    Calling it a final boss was strange.


    Maybe Lottie was adding her assistant as a way to give us a break from the battles¡ªencountering the small Ribbon could be equivalent to gaining twelve free points.


    The airship disappeared into the clouds, leaving behind an unsettling void.


    The silence that followed was heavy.


    I could feel everyone processing the options Lottie had just presented.


    Fight or die. Betray or survive.


    In the end, it all came down to whether we were deemed fit to remain on the island.


    If not, Districts Nine and Ten awaited us.


    I glanced around, assessing the others.


    Ray and Sasha stood frozen, as if fear had paralyzed them completely. Their faces mirrored the same uncertainty I felt.


    But Minoru¡­ Minoru was different.


    His expression was calm, as if he had already planned his next steps. There was no fear on his face, only a determination that reminded me of the times we¡¯d gotten into trouble.


    My brother always found the solution.


    Within a minute, Minoru approached us.


    There was something in his stride that conveyed confidence, as though he had already figured out the answer to our predicament.


    ¡°If we work together, we can take down a few robots and monsters,¡± he said, pointing toward the main road. ¡°I really don¡¯t want to find out what happens in Districts Nine and Ten. The further we progress, the closer we¡¯ll be to escaping the island and returning home. Who¡¯s with me?¡±


    Hearing his words, I felt a sense of relief bloom within me.


    Minoru hadn¡¯t forgotten about Wataru¡­


    I had thought he might want to stay on Pegasus Island, but my brother was also thinking of a way to escape and go home, sparking a small glimmer of hope within me.


    However, not everyone shared that sentiment.


    ¡°Escape the island?¡± Ray¡¯s voice rang out, dripping with disdain. ¡°Why the hell would I want to go back?¡±


    His comment hit me like a bucket of cold water.


    For us, trying to escape the island and return to our lives seemed like the natural thing to do. But for Ray, the idea was absurd.


    That¡¯s when Sasha stepped forward.


    His expression was hard, serious, as if Ray¡¯s words had ignited something within him.


    ¡°For our families,¡± he replied firmly. ¡°I don¡¯t know what kind of life you¡¯ve had, but my family is waiting for me to come back. I believe in that.¡±


    The atmosphere immediately grew tense.


    Ray froze for a moment, his eyes narrowing as his face twisted into a mix of fury and resentment.


    ¡°Oh, yeah?! What kind of life I¡¯ve had?!¡± he suddenly shouted, his voice echoing in the empty road as he shoved Sasha hard, sending him to the ground. ¡°You think you¡¯re better just because you have a family?! Well, lucky you! That word doesn¡¯t exist in my damn dictionary!¡±


    Ray¡¯s anger hung in the air.


    I wanted to help Sasha, but he got up on his own, staring straight at Ray with a hardness that left me stunned.


    ¡°That¡¯s not what I meant, you idiot,¡± Sasha retorted in a low voice. ¡°If you think you¡¯re the only one with problems, do whatever you want. We all have our issues, so stop acting like you¡¯re the center of the universe.¡±


    Sasha¡¯s words hit like a direct blow.


    Ray, who had been furious moments ago, fell silent for a few seconds. I watched as his expression shifted, softening into an unexpected vulnerability.


    Had Sasha¡¯s words made him reflect?


    ¡°What¡¯s your plan, Minoru?¡± Sasha asked, turning to us. ¡°I understand we can¡¯t trust anyone, but I¡¯d rather form a team until I get my points. I¡¯ll do whatever it takes to earn the wish.¡±


    Though he was still irritated, Ray sat down.


    Frustration was evident in his tense posture, but he tried to mask it.


    ¡°Since you¡¯re so set on this,¡± he said, attempting to sound indifferent, ¡°I¡¯ll stick with you until I get my ten points. After that, everyone¡¯s on their own. I¡¯m not interested in being part of a permanent team.¡±


    His words left no room for doubt.


    It was clear Ray only intended to use us to reach his goal, then go his own way. Minoru, however, showed no reaction to his attitude.


    With his usual calm demeanor, he ignored Raynard¡¯s comment and focused on what mattered.


    ¡°Alright, then we¡¯ll be a team until we reach forty points,¡± he said with a serious expression, making it clear he wouldn¡¯t waste time on unnecessary arguments. ¡°First, we need to share information about our Gifts. We must be upfront about their uses and weaknesses. I¡¯ll start. Mine is Elemental Spirit¡­¡±


    According to his explanation, this was Minoru¡¯s ability.


    Elemental Spirit: A Gift that transforms the user into an adaptable and resilient being, granting the ability to alter their body¡¯s composition and absorb materials to enhance physical and defensive capabilities.


    First Skill - ¡°Form Shift¡±: Allows the user to change the structure of their body at will. They can transform their body material into elements such as metal, stone, wood, or even liquids, optimizing performance for combat or defense. The maximum armor limit depends on the user¡¯s stamina.


    Second Skill - ¡°Core Assimilation¡±: Grants the ability to absorb materials to mimic them, repair damage, or strengthen armor. Absorbed objects integrate directly into the user¡¯s body, increasing durability, strength, or even bestowing additional properties based on the material.


    Minoru¡¯s Gift was powerful, but it also had limitations.


    Using ¡°Form Shift¡± consumed energy proportional to the complexity of the material. While Minoru could layer multiple armors, he was restricted by his own endurance.


    Put simply, repeated transformations or stacking armor without rest would cause heat buildup in Minoru¡¯s body.


    If he reached overheating, his body could lock up, rendering Elemental Spirit unusable and leaving him vulnerable or unconscious until he regained sufficient energy.


    Additionally, if Minoru completely ran out of energy, he would be unable to activate ¡°Core Assimilation¡± or deactivate ¡°Form Shift,¡± leaving him trapped in his current form, burdened by its weight.


    For ¡°Core Assimilation,¡± the main restrictions involved the types of materials he could absorb. Materials that were overly toxic, magically unstable, or incompatible with Elemental Spirit could cause adverse reactions, such as deterioration or loss of control.


    This effect could be particularly dangerous in prolonged battles with ¡°Form Shift¡± activated or under sustained pressure. Although ¡°Form Shift¡± was resistant to physical attacks, it struggled to adapt to pure magical energies, such as light, darkness, or chaos spells.


    Absorbing materials with ¡°Core Assimilation¡± was not instantaneous. Minoru required prolonged physical contact with the object he intended to assimilate, leaving him exposed during the process.


    ¡°Even though Elemental Spirit has many weaknesses,¡± Minoru explained, gripping a piece of metal in his hands, ¡°I¡¯ve analyzed the risks of my power. For now, it¡¯s best to focus on simple transformations. But I¡¯m not useless¡ªjust now, I found this piece of metal. Platinum, to be exact. It seems to have fallen from one of the drones Lottie sent our way. This will help protect us from any incoming attacks.¡±


    As Minoru¡¯s words lingered in the air, Sasha decided to continue the conversation. In a fluid motion, he ignited a small, dancing flame in the palm of his hand.


    We watched as he raised the flame and made it spin in circles.


    It certainly feels like a good offensive power...

 Chapter 02: Fragments in the Snow (Part 04)

    ¡°My Gift is Soul Burn. It allows me to control fire. I¡¯ve tested it, and it seems effective at long range. I can even create fire shields to protect us.¡±


    Sasha closed his fist, extinguishing the flame with a single movement.


    ¡°From what I¡¯ve read in the description¡­ my power can¡­¡± he continued, pausing briefly.


    Sasha¡¯s explanation was brief but impactful.


    Soul Burn: A Gift that transforms the user into a pure fire mage, capable of manipulating fire and becoming its very essence. In addition to granting immunity to fire, the user can absorb external fire to strengthen themselves, enhancing their abilities according to their own resistance. Maximum temperature in normal state (2,800¡ãC).


    First Skill - ¡°Eternal Flame¡±: Allows the user to manipulate their fire as if it were an extension of their own body. The summoned flames are completely obedient to the user¡¯s will, able to take any form or size desired.


    Second Skill - ¡°Infernal Blast¡±: Transforms the user into a being of pure fire, allowing them to absorb all surrounding fire and channel it to enhance their attacks. Upon reaching the absorption limit, they can release a massive burst of fiery energy, exceeding their normal state. Limited to the user¡¯s endurance. The maximum multiplication is thirty percent.


    Soul Burn seemed like the perfect Gift for Sasha, but as he mentioned, it also had its weaknesses.


    In humid environments or under rain, Soul Burn¡¯s power significantly decreases. While Sasha is immune to fire, attacks that extinguish fire, such as water, ice, or wind magic, can neutralize his abilities.


    As for Eternal Flame, the control over the flames drastically diminishes depending on Sasha¡¯s energy. If he runs out of energy in battle, the flames will begin to dissipate.


    Since manipulating or maintaining multiple flames with Eternal Flame requires a high degree of concentration, if Sasha were to get distracted even slightly, his control over the flames would falter.


    Regarding Infernal Blast, remaining in pure fire form for more than 130 continuous seconds would cause critical overheating, forcing him to deactivate the ability and become vulnerable.


    The intensity increase for Infernal Blast is limited to thirty percent. If Sasha tried to exceed this limit, it could result in physical and mental collapse, even severe internal burns.


    If a full Infernal Blast explosion was generated with all accumulated fire, Sasha would require a cooling period proportional to the power released, during which time he could not use any fire-related abilities.


    Despite the clear disadvantages of his power, Sasha¡¯s eyes sparkled with unwavering confidence.


    ¡°Of course, my power has its limits¡­¡± he said calmly, crossing his arms. ¡°But if we use it well, we can have the advantage in any fight. It all comes down to staying focused.¡±


    Though he didn¡¯t say it directly, it was clear that Sasha fully trusted his abilities.


    Minoru also nodded in approval, looking at Raynard and me before continuing with the introductions.


    Still, after hearing Sasha and Minoru, I felt that the Gifts manifested as representations of our desires. Last Observer definitely correlated with my image of my worst enemy.


    The celestial observer.


    Thinking of him felt ironic.


    Well, now it''s my turn.


    But before I could say anything, Ray stepped forward, interrupting impatiently. He then placed his hand in front of us, palm up, and created a small explosion in the air.


    ¡°Air Bomb. That¡¯s my Gift. It¡¯s the best when it comes to power. I can create explosions on anything I want, but I need to touch my targets first. The further away they are, the smaller the explosion will be, and¡­¡±


    Ray¡¯s explanation was confusing, but I could understand it.


    Air Bomb: A Gift designed to turn the user into an explosive combatant. It allows the user to generate invisible mines on any object, person, or surface they touch. The mines explode at the user¡¯s command, and their power increases depending on how close the target is. Thanks to their immunity to their own explosions, the user can move aggressively in combat without fear of self-harm.Stolen content warning: this content belongs on Royal Road. Report any occurrences.


    First Skill - ¡°Explosive Burst¡±: This ability turns every contact the user has with any target into an explosive mine. The user can place an unlimited number of explosives, depending on their energy. The closer they are to the target, the greater the explosion''s power.


    Second Skill - ¡°Self Bomb¡±: The user becomes a living explosive, absorbing the energy of their target to reinforce their defense, but they can no longer make any other movements. This skill allows the user to release a massive explosion at the desired moment, affecting both the target and the surrounding area. Upon reaching maximum energy, the explosion increases by thirty percent.


    Ray¡¯s Gift was similar to Sasha¡¯s but with more close-quarters combat tricks. However, it also had its own limitations.


    Regarding the infinite mines of Explosive Burst, while Ray can place them indefinitely, the power of each explosion would decrease if he moved further away from the target. The most powerful explosions would only occur when he¡¯s close, limiting his strategic reach.


    Considering this, Explosive Burst would be useless in long-range combat, as if the enemy kept their distance from Ray, all his explosions would lose intensity.


    Additionally, since Explosive Burst depends entirely on Ray¡¯s speed, placing any explosive could take too long to react, allowing an attentive enemy to avoid contact or protect themselves before the explosions detonate.


    As for Self Bomb, if Raynard absorbs too much energy, there¡¯s a risk of overwhelming his own absorption capacity. If Ray doesn¡¯t release all the energy in time, the excess could damage his own body or even cause a premature explosion that could severely affect him.


    His skill was also a double-edged sword.


    Adding to that, Self Bomb has a slow channeling time. Ray would need a brief period to concentrate all his power. During that time, he¡¯d be vulnerable to enemy attacks, as he couldn¡¯t move or defend himself effectively.


    In this sense, if Ray unleashed a massive explosion with Self Bomb, if the target was stronger, the energy drained could weaken him after releasing his full power, leaving him vulnerable even if his target walked away with only a few wounds.


    It was truly a complicated power.


    When Ray finished explaining the details of his Gift, everyone turned their gaze toward me, and though I tried to stay calm, I couldn¡¯t help but feel nervous.


    ¡°It¡¯s my turn, right¡­?¡± I murmured with an awkward smile, trying to lighten the mood, though I knew it wouldn¡¯t work. ¡°It¡¯s amazing that you all have such powerful Gifts. Really¡­ it¡¯s incredible.¡±


    The atmosphere grew uncomfortable at my response. It wasn¡¯t hard to notice that everyone was expecting something more impressive from me.


    I took a deep breath and stepped forward.


    ¡°Alright¡­,¡± I said, breathing deeply. ¡°My Gift isn¡¯t as incredible. It doesn¡¯t give me super strength or destructive abilities, but I think it can help us avoid ambushes.¡±


    I paused, assessing their reactions.


    ¡°My Gift is Last Observer¡­,¡± I continued, activating it. ¡°With this power, I can preview the next moves of living beings, as if the future is shown to me for a few seconds.¡±


    My words came out with more confidence than I felt.


    However, even knowing this, I explained every part of my Gift, also mentioning each of its weaknesses. I knew my power wasn¡¯t what they were expecting, but I believed it could still be useful for the first test, though not in the way they imagined.


    ¡°That¡¯s all I can do¡­,¡± I concluded my explanation.


    In less than a second, Minoru spoke up.


    ¡°With a power like that, everything will be easier¡­,¡± he said with a grin. ¡°Alright, I already have our plan for the first test. I¡¯ll be the tank. Sasha will be our shooter, and Ray will be our fighter.¡±


    There was no hesitation in Minoru¡¯s voice. It was as if he had already decided that this would be our path.


    ¡°If anyone doesn¡¯t want this, now is the time,¡± he added, looking at each of us calmly.


    Minoru waited for any of us to object, but as no one refused, he continued with his speech.


    ¡°Anthou¡­,¡± Minoru went on, turning toward me and giving me a pat on the shoulder. ¡°You¡¯ll be our strategist. You¡¯ll guide us to avoid encounters with other students. We¡¯ll only go after the robots and monsters; other students and the final bosses won¡¯t be our target.¡± I could feel the discomfort in the air.


    Minoru¡¯s words didn¡¯t sit well with Sasha or Ray.


    Both wanted to fight other students; they wanted to test their Gifts in a real battle, but they stayed silent.


    They knew that attacking other students would only put us in unnecessary danger.


    My brother continued with his plan.


    ¡°If you agree, let¡¯s move forward as a team,¡± he said, putting his fist in the middle of us. ¡°We need forty points, ten for each of us, and then we¡¯ll head to the stadium. After that, we¡¯ll disband the team. I know each of you has your reasons to get Lottery¡¯s wish, so I won¡¯t judge you if you decide we need to fight for it.¡±


    The tension still lingered in the air, but Minoru¡¯s words held undeniable weight for us.


    The four of us bumped fists, though we knew we couldn¡¯t fully trust each other. No one commented on this, but we were all preparing for any potential betrayal.


    As for me, I had some suspicions about Ray from his words, but I couldn¡¯t accuse him without evidence.


    We knew that, eventually, each of us would have to fight for their own survival, but for now, the alliance was the only option to keep us safe.


    ¡°Alright,¡± Minoru continued with a small smile. ¡°Let¡¯s get moving. There¡¯s a long road ahead, and we¡¯re not going to sit here waiting for the others to find us.¡±


    With that last gesture of momentary allies, we connected our communicators to formalize our team and began walking through the ruined city.


    Father Wataru¡­ I swear I¡¯ll keep my promise¡­

 Chapter 03: The First Trial (Part 01)

    On our first day exploring the city, we came across several students fighting each other. Following my brother''s advice, we avoided any unnecessary confrontation.


    "If we get involved in others¡¯ fights, we''ll just end up becoming targets for other teams," Minoru had said in a serious tone.


    And he was right.


    Every skirmish we observed from the shadows acted like a magnet, drawing ambushes from other groups. This only increased the risk of being eliminated.


    It had been the best decision.


    ¡°So¡­ we¡¯re just going to keep running until we find a robot or monster, huh?¡± Raynard asked, watching as two groups clashed just a few meters away.


    We were hiding in the ruins of a minimart.


    Ray and Minoru were keeping watch to ensure no one approached, while Sasha and I searched for supplies. None of us had eaten since we were brought to Pegasus, so we needed to stock up.


    ¡°We¡¯re not running, Raynard,¡± Minoru assured him. ¡°The smartest thing to do is find some food before we engage the robots. Think about it: in all this chaos, most students will focus on earning points, but eventually, their energy will run out.¡±


    Sasha, standing next to me, tapped me lightly on the shoulder.


    ¡°What¡¯s up?¡± I turned to see what he had in his hands.


    We had been searching through the minimart rubble for over half an hour and had only found empty containers, shattered glass, and a few discarded boxes. But now, it seemed Sasha had discovered exactly what we needed.


    ¡°This is¡­¡±


    Every time we spoke, our communicators activated, making it feel like we were all in the same room. But in this case, I had barely started speaking when I heard footsteps behind me.


    ¡°Did you find something?¡± Minoru asked, walking up to us.


    ¡°It seems you were right,¡± Sasha murmured. ¡°I never thought we¡¯d find a survival backpack in a place like this.¡±


    Minoru gathered us in the center of the minimart and laid the backpack on the ground. Emptying it completely, he took a few minutes to organize everything in a row.


    ¡°Let¡¯s see¡­ There¡¯s a lighter, some gunpowder¡­ a thermite grenade¡­ four bottles of water¡­ two first aid kits, three packs of biscuits¡­ two chocolate bars, three cans of tuna, four instant soups, four blankets, a fire starter, and a small tungsten knife.¡±


    ¡°How do you know it¡¯s tungsten?¡± Ray asked, puzzled.


    Minoru held the knife in his hand.


    ¡°Because I can do this,¡± Minoru replied, transforming his entire body into a dark silver armor. ¡°Even a small sample like this can be added to my repertoire of transformations. For now, I only have platinum and tungsten, but it¡¯ll come in handy when we fight.¡±


    Ray stared in surprise, then grabbed the fire starter to hand it to Minoru.


    ¡°I see¡­ so why not use this? Can¡¯t you turn it to your advantage too?¡±


    ¡°That¡¯s what I tried to do at first,¡± Minoru admitted with a sheepish smile, scratching the back of his head. ¡°But transforming my body into flint armor would just waste energy. It¡¯d also be less durable than platinum armor. And don¡¯t even get me started on tungsten armor. So I decided to keep the flint as a backup to use as a fire starter.¡±


    ¡°Got it, got it¡­¡± Raynard nodded repeatedly. ¡°Besides, it¡¯d be pointless since we already have a lighter¡­ right, Sasha?¡±


    And here we go again.


    Raynard¡¯s joke was too good. I tried my best to keep a straight face.


    Te-he.


    At moments like these, his words seemed like a welcome comic relief, but Sasha was visibly annoyed. Between us, Observer, it looked like Ray really enjoyed getting under Sasha¡¯s skin.


    ¡°Huh? Are you looking for a fight?¡± Sasha growled.


    ¡°Just joking around, don¡¯t take it personally,¡± Ray murmured with a sly smile. ¡°Though, if you want me to apologize that badly, we could settle things right here and now.¡±


    Without another word, Sasha stepped up to face Ray.


    But Minoru intervened.


    ¡°Enough, both of you,¡± he said, stepping between them. ¡°If you¡¯re so eager to use your Gifts, then save it for the real fight. Sasha, your serious demeanor could use a bit of lightening up¡­¡±


    Ray chuckled softly.


    ¡°And you, Raynard,¡± Minoru added, fixing him with a stern gaze. ¡°I don¡¯t know what¡¯s so funny. The four of us are stuck on this island¡ªlet¡¯s support each other while we¡¯re still a team. There¡¯s no point in arguing over nothing.¡±


    Sasha frowned and stepped back a few paces. Raynard, realizing he had nothing else to say, mumbled some curses under his breath and sat on the rubble beside me.


    ¡°Take it easy, Ray,¡± I said, trying to calm him. ¡°I get that you¡¯re trying to lighten the mood, but try not to mess with Sasha too much. I got the reference, but if you keep it up, it¡¯ll just lead to more fights.¡±


    Ray stayed silent, but his expression softened a little.


    At that moment, Minoru stood between us and shared his hypothesis about our situation for the first trial.


    "Alright. It seems the Pegasus members aren''t as heartless as we thought," Minoru"With this find, we¡¯ll be able to survive for two days at most. But this makes one thing clear¡ªLottery has scattered several of these backpacks across the combat arena. If we can find more, we can hold out until we gather the points."


    I thought about Minoru¡¯s words for a moment, but the idea of endlessly searching for backpacks seemed excessive. We needed to collect forty points, and every other student was likely fighting to earn what they needed. Our search couldn¡¯t last much longer.


    Even as Minoru continued his speech, I couldn¡¯t ho


    "I think we¡¯re at a disadvantage," I"Every student needs ten points to pass the trial. But each student is worth four points, meaning everyone else must defeat three students to earn the necessary points."


    Everyone fell silent, but I couldn¡¯t stop myself now.


    I took a deep breath.


    "Think about it, guys. If we include robots, the others would have to defeat one robot and one student to pass. If we don¡¯t start earning points now, we might pass, but we won¡¯t achieve the Lottery wish."


    Raynard clapped at my words. He seemed more relaxed now, though his reaction only underscored his disagreement with continuing to search for more resources.


    "Well said, Anthou. You¡¯re right. If we keep stalling, we won¡¯t achieve what we¡¯re after."


    Ray paused before continuing.


    "You all want to go home, don¡¯t you? The easiest path is to face other teams, but we¡¯ve already learned that doing so exposes us to ambushes. If it were up to me, as the leader, I¡¯d come up with a way to avoid ambushes. But since you insist, we should at least hunt down nearby robots."


    Sasha and Minoru fell into thought. They seemed to agree that we were at a disadvantage, but as we had anticipated, we would obviously have to face robots or monsters eventually. They posed the least risk compared to direct confrontations with other students.


    With our abilities, we might try our luck against several at once. Though I was being optimistic, the truth was none of us had the faintest idea how to properly use our Gifts.


    But one thing was clear.


    We had to fight to survive.


    That was the answer.


    As the seconds ticked by, Ray¡¯s words left a tense atmosphere hanging around us. On one hand, I worried about what Minoru might say, but strangely, he wasn¡¯t the one to speak next.You could be reading stolen content. Head to Royal Road for the genuine story.


    "Even if that¡¯s true, we should¡ª"


    Sasha¡¯s voice was interrupted by a tremor beneath our feet that grew stronger with each passing second.


    Something massive was heading our way.


    Suddenly, the entire minimart shook violently, as though an earthquake were tearing through the ruined city. Without hesitation, Minoru gathered all the items into the backpack.


    Minoru, Sasha, Raynard, and I bolted out of the minimart without saying a word. Minoru carried the backpack on his shoulders.


    But it wasn¡¯t an earthquake. It was something far worse.


    "What the hell is going on?" Ray asked, bewildered.


    In less than a second, the roof of the minimart was lifted like it was nothing, held up by robotic hands.


    And then we saw it.


    "That¡¯s¡­ our target," Minoru muttered.


    At that moment, the two-and-a-half-meter-tall robot stood before us, blocking our path. Its dark metallic body gave off a sense of durability, and its red visors blinked as it scanned us like prey.


    "Fall back, now!" I shouted suddenly. Temporal Clock was showing me what was about to happen. "It¡¯s going to throw it at us!"


    Everyone obeyed immediately, retreating.


    In less than a second, the robot hurled the minimart¡¯s roof in our direction.


    Then, Temporal Clock revealed what it would do next.


    In my brief vision, the robot deployed twin cannons from its shoulders, targeting us directly. The two missiles were aimed at Sasha. After that, the robot would shift its attack pattern, charging at Ray.


    "What¡¯s the robot going to do?!" Sasha shouted, barely retreating. "How will it attack us, Anthou?!"


    The adrenaline clouded my thoughts, and for a moment, I couldn¡¯t think clearly. Then I saw it¡ªthe robot deploying its twin cannons, just as I had foreseen.


    "Run now, Sasha!" I shouted, gathering all my strength. "It¡¯s going to fire two missiles, and they¡¯re both coming for you!"


    The sound of missiles slicing through the air rang out just after my words. Sasha, reacting quickly, began running, trying to calculate the distance he needed to activate his Gift.


    At that moment, the robot, with mechanical precision, shifted its target and charged toward Raynard, who also started running, desperately trying to put distance between himself and the machine.


    Fear froze me in place. I watched the others as if time had slowed down. Why were they its targets?


    "Soul Burn, Skill One!" Sasha exclaimed after putting some distance between himself and the missiles. "Come to me, Eternal Flame!"


    In that instant, intense, flickering flames enveloped his arms.


    Sasha seized every second to plan his counterattack. Pivoting on his heels, he aimed at the incoming missiles.


    In a blink, flames erupted from his palms as if they were extensions of his own body.


    This was his power¡ªFirst Skill: Eternal Flame in action. But while the missiles were engulfed in flames, they continued to advance, albeit their trajectory seemed slightly slowed by the heat.


    "Tch¡­ Damn it! Won¡¯t you just burn out already?" he muttered through gritted teeth, leaping onto a rock to gain more distance.


    While this unfolded, I heard Minoru shout from the side.


    "Raynard, watch out!" he yelled, though the distance made it impossible for him to help.


    "No need to state the obvious, Captain Obvious!" Raynard shot back, extending his hand forward as he continued fleeing from the robot.


    At that moment, a faint, dark spark coursed through his palms before he activated his Gift.


    "Air Bomb, Skill One!" he shouted with all his might, coming to an abrupt stop just as the robot was about to reach him. Placing both hands on the ground, he roared, "Blow it all up, Explosive Burst!"


    The impact was immediate.


    As Raynard¡¯s hands made contact with the ground, a deafening explosion erupted from the earth in front of him. Activating his ability, he caused Explosive Burst to detonate directly beneath the robot.


    Although the shockwave made the robot stagger, it didn¡¯t topple it.


    Instead, the robot regained its balance and raised its right arm, delivering a crushing blow toward Raynard.


    Ray narrowly dodged the attack.


    Seizing the opportunity, he touched the robot¡¯s arm, placing an invisible mine without triggering it yet.


    "Hey, Sasha! Are you going to play with those missiles all day?" Raynard shouted, stepping back to create some distance. "A little fire would help against this thing. You might even melt it if you tried hard enough."


    "I¡¯m busy here!" Sasha snapped, coming to a halt.


    The missiles were dangerously close, but even so, his gaze hardened as he activated his next ability.


    "Second Skill¡­!" he yelled, facing the incoming missile head-on. "Now! Consume it all, Infernal Blast!"


    In that instant, Sasha¡¯s entire body was engulfed in pure fire, the flames devouring everything around him, including the two missiles, which finally exploded midair.


    The flames surrounding him absorbed much of the impact, leaving him unharmed.


    "In ashes! Who¡¯s next?" Sasha taunted with a confident grin, turning toward the robot.


    Meanwhile, Raynard had placed several invisible mines around the robot using his legs. With a quick leap back, he clapped his hands together with all his might.


    "Time for the show, Explosive Burst!" he exclaimed.


    The invisible mines detonated in a devastating sequence, hurling the robot several meters away. But it didn¡¯t stop. Its defense system activated, enveloping its body in a glowing blue energy barrier.


    "Seriously? A barrier?" Raynard grumbled in frustration.


    But this seemed to fit the plan he had formed in mere seconds during their encounter with the robot.


    Raynard raised his arms.


    "Alright then, let¡¯s go big," he said with a confident smirk. "Activate now¡­ Second Skill, Self Bomb!"


    At that moment, Raynard¡¯s body became enveloped in radiant energy as he launched himself at their target. Upon reaching it, the impact was immense. The explosion lit up the area, creating a dense cloud of smoke. When it cleared, the robot was left staggering.


    "Raynard, step aside¡ªit¡¯s my turn!" Sasha shouted, running forward with his hands ablaze. "I¡¯ll be the one to take it down!"


    The two exchanged glances.


    "Stay back!" Raynard yelled, charging at the robot again. "I¡¯m the one who hurt it¡ªit¡¯s only fair I get the credit!"


    Minoru yawned, seemingly in disbelief.


    "Even in a situation like this, they¡¯re still fighting."


    Huh?


    It was an awkward scene.


    The two weren¡¯t coordinating; instead, they were competing to see who could land the final blow.


    But their confident attitudes didn¡¯t last long.


    In less than a second, a metallic slicing sound cut through the air. It was too fast for Temporal Clock to activate. In that fleeting moment, the robot moved like a shadowy blur, positioning itself between Sasha and Raynard before either could react.


    The robot¡¯s armored arm swung in a deadly arc, striking them with overwhelming force.


    "Ahhhggh!"


    "Uggh¡­ Ahhh¡­ Ahhhhhhgggh!"


    Unable to shield themselves, both were sent flying, their bodies rolling across the ground as a cloud of dust rose around them.


    "Sasha! Raynard!" Minoru yelled, rushing toward them and placing himself face-to-face with the robot.


    The robot¡¯s red visor now glowed a darker hue, resembling an endless abyss. It radiated a murderous aura¡ªan unsettling anomaly for what should have been a soulless creation. Yet, it stood still, as if analyzing us.


    At that moment, Sasha tried to get up, kneeling on the ground as he gasped for air. Although his hair was covered in dirt, the fire in his eyes remained unyielding.


    "Tch... Calm down, Minoru. I''m not that weak. This... this was nothing," he said, gritting his teeth as he struggled to stand.


    His voice carried a defiant tone. Even as he plotted his next move against the robot, he couldn''t help but glance at Raynard, who was still lying on the ground.


    A faint smirk crossed Sasha¡¯s face.


    "Looks like you¡¯re done for. Maybe I expected too much from a rookie? Well, at least I won¡¯t have to worry about¡ª"


    Before Sasha could finish, Raynard staggered to his feet, brushing the dust from his face with one hand.


    "What... are you saying...?" he muttered in a raspy voice, struggling to steady himself as his legs trembled. "Were you really that sad thinking I couldn¡¯t handle a little hit? Focus on your own fight. This is nothing."


    With those words, Raynard took a step forward, clutching his side.


    "It¡¯s just scratches... I... I can keep going."


    But he was stopped almost immediately.


    "Don¡¯t try to act tough in that condition, idiot," Minoru snapped, still standing between the robot and them. "Don¡¯t push yourself to fight when you¡¯re barely holding your wound shut. Stay still! There¡¯s no point in pressing forward if it costs you your life!"


    Minoru¡¯s words seemed to hit Raynard hard.


    But rather than discouraging him, they appeared to fuel his determination. Despite the injuries, Raynard and Sasha exchanged glances for a second time and turned toward the robot simultaneously, ready to face it again.


    Then, my Gift activated for a second time.


    Another scenario unfolded in my mind¡ªa vision through Temporal Clock. But for some reason, this one felt incomplete.


    "Watch out!" I shouted, clutching my head.


    The vision grew clearer, but fear gripped me.


    "The robot¡¯s going to open a hatch in its abdomen. There are... fifteen missiles! Ten are aimed at Sasha. And Raynard... it¡¯ll charge straight at you again!"


    Sasha and Raynard glanced at me briefly before springing into action.


    "Understood," Raynard said, pivoting on his heels to dodge in the opposite direction from Sasha while leaving a trail of explosives behind with the soles of his feet. "You heard your brother, boss. Don¡¯t get in our way!"


    Sasha said nothing. He simply nodded and ran in the opposite direction from Raynard, preparing to evade the incoming missiles. Both knew that splitting up was their best strategy against the robot.


    Just as I had predicted, the robot opened its hatch, and the cannons in its abdomen glowed before unleashing a barrage of missiles. Ten missiles streaked toward Sasha, while the robot lunged directly at Raynard.


    I could see Sasha and Raynard each fighting to survive with their Gifts.


    Both had abilities that could protect them.


    But me... All I could do was watch the future unfold, powerless, as chaos erupted around me.


    "Anth!" Minoru¡¯s desperate shout reached my ears.


    Hearing my brother¡¯s voice, I turned to see five of the missiles hurtling directly toward me. I tried to move, but my body refused to obey.


    Was this it for me? Was I about to die?


    My short life flashed before my eyes.


    Memories raced through my mind, most of them tormenting me with the realization that I¡¯d never return home. My regrets surged forward, each one a reminder of things left undone. In those moments, time seemed to freeze completely, and the greatest of my regrets crystallized into a single vivid image.


    I... should have done better...


    I... I¡¯m sorry for everything, Dad...