The Heart of Zero

Shingin lowered his head slightly, murmuring, "What… should I do?" His voice was low, trembling with uncertainty, as though each word struggled to break free from the confines of his throat.

Rayl smirked faintly, his eyes cold and calculating, as though everything had already been decided. His voice, calm like the frozen surface of a winter lake, carried an undeniable authority. "It's simple. Drop out."

The words cut through the air like an icy blade, stabbing directly into Shingin's heart. The tone left no room for negotiation. "Focus entirely on fighting the Watchers."

"Drop out?" Shingin snapped his head up, his gaze darting across Rayl's face, searching desperately for some hint of a joke. Yet, all he saw was resolve and cold detachment, as if the decision had already been carved in stone. His mind raced, the laughter and warmth of Riyugi, the peaceful routines of school life—everything seemed suddenly out of reach, like a mirage. Was he truly prepared to abandon it all? To let go of the comforting memories and step fully into the shadows?

Rayl saw the hesitation in his eyes, a flicker of impatience flashing across his face. His smirk widened into a chilling sneer. "Don't be naive, Shingin. Do you really think this world will move according to your ideals? You want to protect everyone? That's impossible."

As he spoke, Rayl advanced toward Shingin, each step radiating an oppressive aura that made it difficult to breathe. His sharp gaze seemed to pierce through Shingin's soul, laying bare every vulnerability. "If you don't choose, it won't just be you who suffers—everyone connected to you will be dragged down as well."

Shingin's chest tightened as an unseen force clenched his heart. Lowering his gaze, he found his thoughts a chaotic swirl, emotions crashing like storm-driven waves. Logic whispered that Rayl was right. There was no turning back now. Hesitation would only endanger the people he cherished.

Taking a deep breath, Shingin's shoulders trembled slightly. "Fine…" His voice was barely audible, burdened with a weight that seemed too heavy to bear. "But I… need time to accept this… and adjust."

Rayl's eyes flickered with a momentary hint of surprise, his brow arching slightly as though caught off guard by Shingin's reluctant resolve. Then, with a faint chuckle, he said, "Hah. You're more decisive than I thought."

Even so, confusion still clouded Shingin's face. He lifted his gaze, his voice tinged with frustration. "Why are the Watchers after me? I'm just an ordinary student…"

"Ordinary?" Rayl scoffed, his expression filled with disdain. "The Watchers monitor all supernatural activity in the world. They set the rules, enforce their so-called order, and eliminate anything that threatens it. Whether you intended to or not, the moment you exposed your powers, you became their target."

Shingin felt a chill run down his spine, fear creeping into his wide eyes. His world, once so familiar, felt as if it had been flipped upside down. How had he—just a normal student—become entangled in such a nightmarish conspiracy?

"But… what did I even do?" he muttered, his voice barely above a whisper.

A trace of pity flickered in Rayl's eyes, quickly buried under his usual cold detachment. "The fate of someone with power is never theirs to choose. A few days ago, you unintentionally unleashed your ability and harmed your classmates. That burst of energy was enough to alert the Watchers to your presence. And now, our plan to make you the eighth-generation leader has made you their top priority."

Rayl's voice dropped, tinged with exasperation. "If I hadn't cleaned up your mess, you'd already be in their custody."

Memories flooded back to Shingin—his classmates, collapsing after a surge of power he hadn't meant to release, the panicked footsteps of those coming to investigate as he fled the scene. He hadn't known, until now, that it was Rayl who had erased the evidence, wiped their memories, and repaired the damage he'd caused.

Shingin's heart felt heavier with each passing moment, a growing sense of dread pulling him into a deep abyss. All he had wanted was to live an ordinary life, yet fate had dragged him, unwilling, into darkness.

Rayl's tone shifted, tinged with bitterness as he began to recount his own past. "I once fought a Watcher—their operative codenamed '13.' I lost that battle. His curse reduced me to this childlike form." His lips curled into a faint, bitter smile as his eyes closed briefly. The memory of that encounter seemed to weigh heavily on him, like an old wound that refused to heal.

Shingin stared, wide-eyed, at the boy before him—someone who looked no older than twelve but bore the scars of a warrior's tragic past.

"Now, do you understand?" Rayl's sharp voice broke the silence, his eyes locking onto Shingin's with an unyielding intensity. "This life isn't yours to choose. Either abandon your peaceful illusions, or be consumed by your destiny."

Shingin's fists clenched involuntarily. Each of Rayl's words felt like a hammer blow, shattering the last fragments of his denial. He understood now that his decision would ripple far beyond himself, affecting everyone he cared about.

"How can I fight such powerful enemies?" Shingin asked, his voice trembling.

Rayl's piercing gaze softened slightly. "That's why you were chosen to become the eighth-generation leader. Your ability, ' Alien Soul Release,' is unique. You can share your spiritual energy with others, rallying allies to fight by your side. In critical moments, you can even empower them with your strength."

"Me?" Shingin's eyes widened in disbelief. "I have that kind of ability?"

Rayl nodded. "When you released your energy that day, it infected Riyugi. You unknowingly passed on a fragment of your power to her, granting her the potential for protection."

Shingin's heart pounded in his chest, his breath catching as Riyugi's name left Rayl's lips. "Riyugi…" he whispered, guilt and anguish seeping into his voice. He had dragged her into this world of danger, unknowingly placing her at risk.

"She's not in danger because of your power," Rayl said, his voice sharp, snapping Shingin back to the present. "In fact, she might become your greatest ally."

"But I don't want her to face any danger," Shingin growled through gritted teeth, his inner turmoil boiling over.

Rayl's gaze softened for a moment, a faint trace of warmth breaking through his icy exterior. Placing a hand on Shingin's shoulder, he said, "If she's willing to walk this path with you, it's your duty to protect her."

Shingin raised his head, a newfound determination blazing in his eyes. "I will protect her. No matter the danger ahead, I won't let her get hurt."

Rayl smirked, his voice tinged with approval. "That's more like the leader I've been waiting for."

Yet, behind his smirk, Rayl's eyes held a shadow of something deeper—an unspoken weight that lingered in his gaze. Shingin didn't notice; his heart had already resolved itself. No matter the challenges ahead, he would face them for Riyugi, for himself, and for the people he held dear.

"We need to act quickly," Rayl said, his tone returning to its usual cold precision. "The Watchers won't wait for you to be ready. To them, your power is a threat, and they'll stop at nothing to eliminate you."

Shingin nodded slowly, his resolve solidifying. He was no longer just a student. He was a warrior, ready to shoulder the burden of his destiny.