Chapter 61: Tears and Red Shadows
Hana didn't pull away in fear. Instead, she lunged forward and wrapped her small arms around Ren's waist, burying her face in his chest. Her small frame shook with violent sobs, her tears soaking into his jacket.
"Ren... please," she cried, her voice muffled. "Don't do things like that. I don't want you to become a monster for me."
Ren froze for a moment, then slowly rested his hand on her head, his expression softening. "Hey... Hana, please don't cry. I'm fine. Everything is back to normal now."
Hana pulled back, wiping her eyes with the back of her sleeve. She took a deep breath, trying to compose herself. "You must be starving. You've been out all night and morning. I... I'll go make something for you. Just stay here."
"Hana, you don't have to—"
But she was already gone, hurrying toward the kitchen with a newfound determination. Ren sighed, a small smile tugging at his lips. He looked down to see Snow, the white cat, trotting over to him. She sat by his feet, looking up with her intelligent eyes.
"You too, huh?" Ren whispered, reaching down to scratch behind the cat's ears. "Everyone's worried about me."
The Elite Vane Academy: Training Grounds
The atmosphere here was freezing, but not because of the weather. A girl stood in the center of the concrete courtyard. She had long, vibrant red hair that reached her waist and eyes the color of fresh blood. She wore a sharp white shirt with a red tie and black tactical pants. Her name was Hima.
Behind her stood two massive Vaners, their muscles bulging through their uniforms like walls of stone. In front of her, four other Vaners were kneeling on the hard ground. Their hands and feet were bound by heavy chains, and black blindfolds covered their eyes. They were trembling, their breath coming in ragged gasps.
"Hima-sama... please!" one of them begged, his voice cracking with terror. "We only did it for the money! We didn't mean to betray the branch! Please, have mercy!"
Hima didn't say a word. Her expression remained cold, almost bored. She slowly raised her right hand, tucking her thumb and curling her fingers until only her index and middle fingers were pointing forward—mimicking the shape of a pistol.
She aimed her fingers directly at the forehead of the man who had spoken.
"Money is a poor excuse for weakness," she said, her voice like cracking ice.
A spark of red Vane energy ignited at the tip of her fingers.
BANG!
A concentrated bolt of thermal energy shot from her hand like a real bullet. It tore through the air and struck the man squarely between his eyes. He collapsed instantly, his body hitting the floor with a dull thud. The other three kneeling men began to scream, their bodies convulsing in terror as Hima shifted her aim to the next target.