RONA'S POINT OF VIEW
It was not hidden to my knowledge that any time from now, she would attack. When Rhein asked for permission to go out, I could not stop myself from worrying so I followed her without her knowing. Of course, I came with Dylan. Our partners also joined us but they were left outside the mall and roamed around.
Rhein was noticeably unconscious as she strolled inside. She even went to the men's underwear section of the department store.
I harshly wiped my palms on my face. "You are embarrassing, Rhein," I whispered as I restrained myself.
"Cute," my companion muttered in contrast.
Since we were far away from her place, we burst into laughter when the saleslady teased her. She extremely blushed as she left there.
She strolled again into other stores after that until she decided to go to a restaurant.
"Wow, her meal set looks good. Princess, I like that too. Let us take a break."
I quickly kicked Dylan's side. "Stop. She will catch us."
"Let us tell her that we took a day off from work and are dating now. Simple solution."
I nudged, hurting him again but now, he screamed the pain. "This is not the time for messing around, Dylan."
"Okay. Fine." He pouted his lips, as if a kid. Such a strategy would not work for me so, I just ignored it. "You are heartless," he complained.
I glared at him. "Shut up. Just buy everything you want to eat later. We must prioritize Rhein's safety first."
Rhein had already left the restaurant. We also went out from our hiding wall. She walked around again and found the arcade next.
My eyebrows met when I saw her crying.
"Why is she crying?" Dylan asked.
The idea of reading mind arrived at me so I did. I smiled sadly. She remembered the bonding moments we believed in as a family.
"Memories," I replied, "Memories in that place."
We followed her inside when she entered. However, once we entered, our sight could no longer find her. We had searched the whole place but we still could not see her.
I released my mnarill to feel her. I was so nervous when I could no longer feel her presence.
"I cannot feel her anymore. She is not here," I said. I looked at Dylan who was as breathless as I was. "You are a time mage, right? Rewind the time. See what happened to her earlier." I did not know if my eyes were deceiving me but I could clearly see how dark his face was. "W-why did you react like that?"
"Yes, we—time mages—we can control time but we cannot turn back the past and speed up events. Our only capability is freezing time," he seriously spoke. "I am sorry. I cannot do what you want to happen."
No wonder he acted out of character. "I understand." I sighed. "She already attacked." I closed my eyes tightly and looked up at the white ceiling. "We have no other choice. I need to convince them to stop this test."
RHEIN'S POINT OF VIEW
"W-why... how..." My eyes literally widened at what was happening around.
The entire arcade was replaced by tall and wide, black walls. The floor turned black and concrete. The ceiling was also gone and only a dark sky could be seen above.