---
Arin:
The market streets brimmed with life. Sunlight slipped between the buildings, striking the stone pavement and reflecting off the faces of the passing crowd. The air was thick with noise—children running between stalls, vendors shouting hoarsely from repetition.
I walked silently through the chaos, focused on one thing: buying a gift for my sister, Liana.
I stopped at a small, unassuming shop. Hanging in its dusty display was a simple necklace, holding a blue gem—exactly the color of her eyes. I bought it, then headed to the nearby post center. I penned a letter in my own handwriting, even though we talk every day by phone. But written letters... they hold a warmth, a sincerity that words alone can't reach.
> "Hey, sis... how are you?
I hope you're doing well.
Tomorrow we're going on a school trip to Nibalora Island.
Don't worry about me—I'm doing fine in my studies.
Take care of yourself.
See you soon, God willing."
I placed the letter with the necklace and sent it off.
Returning to the dorms, my thoughts shifted to something more urgent... something dangerous.
The Emotica creatures have been evolving—smarter, stronger. These aren't just mindless beasts anymore. They're using advanced techniques... ones they shouldn't possess.
So where did they get them?
Who's supplying them?
Only one name came to mind: the Headmaster.
He had ties to the old man Hayden. And ever since Hayden's death, strange things have been happening.
I decided it was time to act. No more waiting.
When the opportunity came, I slipped into the Headmaster's office. The room was cold and still, as if the air itself refused to move.
I shut the door behind me without a sound and began my search.
Drawers, shelves, behind the thick books... I almost gave up, until I found it: an ancient book with a faded yellow folder tucked inside. On it were the words: "Research Records – Negative Energy."
I opened it carefully. The pages were old, but still legible.
It read:
> "Negative energy has three primary applications:
1. Discharge – Releasing energy outward from the body to strike a target, like an invisible, destructive projectile.
2. Enchantment – Infusing weapons with negative energy, enhancing them to affect even inorganic matter.
3. Manipulation – Transmitting energy into an enemy's body and controlling it from within.
This is the most dangerous form—capable of killing without physical contact."
I read that section over and over, my eyes gleaming.
"So this is it… I can use all three. That's not normal.
This… this is the beginning of something far greater."
I flipped the page, looking for more techniques. Nothing. A blank page.
"No matter," I muttered. "I'll discover them myself."
It was past midnight when news reached me—another Emotica sighting on the outskirts of the city.
I threw on my black coat and slipped away unnoticed. The air was thick, the darkness suffocating. A familiar scent lingered in the wind: blood and danger.
I raised my hand and fired my first burst of negative energy.
It flew like a dark spear, tearing through the air and piercing the creature's chest.
It exploded in silence from within.
Discharge: Complete.
Then I drew my Bloodblade. I channeled energy into the sword, and it hummed with a terrifying resonance. It glowed a dark crimson, pulsing like a living vein.
I swung once—clean, precise—slicing another Emotica in half with no resistance.
Enchantment: Complete.
For the final one, I merely cut its leg. Then I raised my fingers, focusing on the blood seeping from its wound.
With a snap, a single drop of blood lifted into the air, sharpened like a crimson needle...
Then shot into the creature's skull.
It shuddered. Froze.
Then collapsed. Silent, as if its soul had been ripped away.
Manipulation: Complete.
I exhaled slowly, a faint smile on my lips.
"Now... I'm ready for whatever awaits on that trip."
The more I hunt these creatures, the more negative energy accumulates within me. My body is changing. My eyes glow faintly red—only I can see it.
But through it all... I still have to hide what I am.
Not one of the Ten must know my truth.
Soon... I'll uncover what's really going on in this twisted school.
---
Liana:
The next morning, I found a small package at my doorstep.
I opened it—and there it was: the necklace I'd always dreamed of.
I unfolded the letter inside. My eyes welled with tears.
> "Hey, sis... how are you?
I hope you're doing well.
Tomorrow we're going on a school trip to Nibalora Island.
Don't worry about me—I'm doing fine in my studies.
Take care of yourself.
See you soon."
I hugged the letter to my chest and smiled.
"Looks like he's okay...
I'm so proud of him.
I hope he finds good friends who laugh with him, have fun with him.
I'm just... happy he's alright."
Lena:
The past few days have weighed heavily on my heart.
Ever since my little brother, Kael, transferred to his new school, I haven't been able to sleep peacefully.
I know he's fifteen now—strong, even.
In fact, he's ranked third in strength among the Ten.
He's powerful, no doubt about it.
But... my heart still can't find peace.
Sometimes I close my eyes and drift back to the beginning—just the two of us, alone.
Back at the orphanage, after we lost our parents in the Great Explosion.
I was barely five, and he hadn't even turned three yet.
Our parents had gone on a business trip to Novalis City and never came back.
Then came the news...
A sudden explosion. Hundreds dead.
And then... the vultures.
Those greedy creditors swooped in, claiming our father had debts to pay.
They took our home, stripped us of everything, and threw us into the streets—homeless, helpless.
Were it not for the kindness of a few neighbors, we'd have never made it.
They led us to the orphanage.
And there... a new chapter of suffering began.
Two years passed like a blur—or a nightmare—before he appeared.
A strange man claiming a group had chosen to adopt a few of us.
We were thrilled.
We dreamed of a new family.
We never knew we were being led straight into hell.
Out of all the children taken—almost three hundred—only ten survived.
Only us.
They had gathered us from orphanages and slums alike.
And then began "The Training."
Gruesome experiments. Brutal exercises.
All designed with a single goal:
To mold us into weapons… to fight the Emotica.
They taught us how to channel negative energy—how to summon it, shape it, and let it run through our veins like blood.
They praised one name above all:
"Subject Zero."
They said he was the source of our power.
The prototype.
The ultimate being we must all aspire to become.
We used to dream of meeting him—of becoming like him.
Then, two years ago… they told us he had escaped.
We didn't believe it.
How could the one who created us run away?
Why?
Not long after, we were relocated to this school.
Our mission was clear:
Find him.
But for the longest time… nothing.
No one stood out.
Until Aren appeared.
He... pulls me in.
There's something strange in my chest whenever I see him.
Even though our ability to sense negative energy has dulled over time, I feel something around him—
Like the air whispers.
Could he be... Subject Zero?
Or someone deeply connected to him?
I'll keep my eyes on him.
And I will uncover the truth.
🌟 Question for Readers! 🌟
🔻 What do you think of Liena?
Has she truly uncovered Aren's secret—that he might be Subject Zero?
Or is someone deliberately hiding the truth from her?
🔻 Do you believe Liena will discover everything soon?
🔻 And here's the big one:
Who do you think will become the strongest member among the Ten?
And why?
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