Arin:
Finally, the day came. The day of the island trip.
Before getting on the bus, I ran into the last person I wanted to see: Riven—Number 1 himself. And beside him, as expected, was Eloise, Number 2. They seemed close. Too close.
He stepped up to me with his usual arrogance, a grin curling on his lips.
"Don't let it get to your head. That last time? Just luck. I'll show you what real power is on the island."
I waved him off with a mocking smirk. "Sure, sure. Looking forward to it."
We boarded the school's private bus and headed for the port. The ride was long, filled with noise and chatter. Max, of course, couldn't shut up—he already had a floatie around his waist and was wearing sunglasses like we were headed straight to a beach party. "Let's sail!" he shouted like a pirate, earning confused stares from passersby. I wanted to pretend I didn't know him.
When we reached the harbor, we boarded a large vessel heading toward Nipalora Island. I stood at the upper deck beside Lina, Max, and, unfortunately, Sera, who wouldn't let me breathe without hovering nearby. The sea breeze was refreshing, and the sun cast golden reflections on the waves.
Then, for the first time, Vex—Number 6—approached us.
"Hey, Lina. Hey everyone," he greeted with a casual smile.
Lina rolled her eyes and whispered, "I can't stand him."
Vex walked straight up to me, narrowed his eyes, and said something that made my stomach drop.
"Are you... Number Zero?"
I glanced at Lina. Her expression froze.
My mind spun.
"What are you talking about? Number what?"
He laughed. "Relax. I'm kidding."
He turned and walked away. But as he did, I heard him mutter, "I'll figure you out one day."
My heart thudded.
They're starting to suspect. These ten… they sense something when they're near me. Even if their detection abilities are weak, their instincts aren't. I won't be able to hide forever.
When we finally arrived at the island, the principal gathered all of us in the central field.
"I know this is unexpected," he began, "but today, you'll all undergo a real, live combat exercise. A practical test in Emotica hunting."
The students erupted in murmurs. Surprise. Anxiety. Excitement.
"Don't worry," he continued, raising his hand. "The Emotica here are very weak. You'll be given the latest equipment and split into teams of three. This is a safe zone—but remember, take it seriously. Tonight, we celebrate at the hot springs we reserved exclusively for us."
Hot springs? Great.
That was the worst possible situation. If I had to expose my upper body… the No.0 engraved on the back of my neck would be visible. I needed a plan.
When the teams were announced, luck finally showed me some mercy. My teammates were two unfamiliar faces—Walter and Will. They looked weak. But that was better. Less attention.
"Hi, I'm Walter." "Will, nice to meet you."
I nodded. "Likewise."
I knew they'd be more of a burden than help, but whatever. I couldn't use my abilities anyway. Not here. Not now.
As I moved toward the equipment tent, Max and Lina approached.
Lina smiled slightly. "Looks like we're on different teams this time."
I nodded. "Yeah."
Max, dramatically wiping tears: "Oh my beloved Arin, fate has torn us apart! But worry not! I promise this is not goodbye—only 'see you later'!"
I smirked. "Thank you, fate."
He gasped. "Traitor."
Soon, we set up camp near the edge of the forest. The equipment? Military-grade: assault rifles, sniper gear, combat vests, smoke grenades, and flashbangs. Impressive. Overkill, maybe.
Our team ventured into the woods. Communication earpieces crackled as we moved silently through the brush. The mission felt real... just like the combat simulations back at school.
Not long after, we encountered our first Emotica.
It lunged from the shadows—gnarled and deformed. Its body pulsated with unstable energy.
Will reacted first, firing a bullet from his rifle. The shot rang out like thunder.
The sound pierced my skull.
Suddenly—visions.
My hands... soaked in blood.
A sterile room. Screams. A boy crying in a corner.
I staggered. My head throbbed. I fell to one knee.
Walter shouted, "Arin! Are you okay?!"
I gritted my teeth. "I'm fine... just dizzy."
The Emotica roared and leapt toward me.
Before I could react, Walter pulled the trigger.
Bang.
It collapsed.
He turned to me, panting. "What the hell happened to you? You froze up."
I looked down at my shaking hands.
"Memories... I think something's coming back."
That night, we returned to the camp. The others were already sharing stories, some laughing, some shaken. But I stayed silent.
There's something wrong.
Something buried deep inside me…
And it's starting to rise.
---
Lina:
Tomorrow's the day of the trip. But today, we were summoned by the principal for a private meeting. I suspected it had something to do with Number 0.
I walked into his office. The others were already seated.
The principal entered.
"Since Numbers 3, 8, and 9 are on a different mission, we'll proceed without them. Tell me—have any of you detected traces of Number 0 in this school?"
We all responded: "Nothing."
Then Vex—Number 6—stood up.
"Why are we even sure he's here? Why would he bother coming to this school in person?"
The principal replied, "Our intel says he is."
I thought to myself, Again with this 'intel'... Who's feeding him this? And why is he so obsessed with Number 0?
I stood up.
"Actually… I might have something. In the class I was transferred to… there's a boy named Arin Cruz. There's a strange aura about him. When I'm near him, I feel something... unexplainable."
The principal asked, "What kind of feeling?"
"Like awe. Or submission."
Riven stood suddenly.
"Exactly! When I fought him, his movement… It wasn't human. He struck so fast I didn't even have time to defend."
Liora—Number 4—nodded. "I watched that match too. He's not normal."
Eloise—Number 2—crossed her arms. "Still… there's no proof."
I asked, "Even if he is Number 0… what do you plan to do?"
The principal answered coldly, "Bring him back to the lab. Study him. Increase our understanding of negative energy. And if possible… replicate him."
Replicate… him?
My stomach turned.
They wanted to repeat the nightmare.
But I couldn't stop them. Not alone.
"Keep watch during the trip," the principal concluded. "Observe his every move. Dismissed."
---
The next day, on the ship to Nipalora Island, I saw Vex walk up to Arin and joke:
"Hey, are you Number 0?"
He laughed.
But Arin's expression…
Something about it wasn't right.
My suspicion grew even deeper.
---
End of Chapter 12
---
🔥 Questions for You! 🔥
🔸 Do you think Arin's memory will fully return before the next battle? 🔸 Is Vex just joking... or does he know more than he lets on? 🔸 And what do you think is hidden in the hot springs event? Will someone discover Arin's identity?
🎁 If you enjoyed this chapter, don't forget to support me with a Power Stone! Your votes and comments are what keep Arin's story alive—and your energy gives ME energy to keep writing! 💥💫
See you in Chapter 13!