ERA Calendar: 2nd Month of the Year 3115.
Southern Hemisphere.
Southern Helia.
Second Float - Second District. A Certain Restaurant.
"Welcome, esteemed guest."
The waitress greeted him with a respectful bow after verifying the black-gold card he presented.
Yet, even as the waitress did this, she was rather curious if anything.
A guest with such a high-status card had direct access to the Fifth District, there was no reason to come to a restaurant in the second District.
Not only did the Fifth far outclass the Second in terms of quality. It far surpassed the second in everything.
But perhaps what was more shocking was that, the owner of this card was… a young man?
She had verified the data of the black-gold, and everything had matched his.
But this wasn't time to lose her focus, currently, she was entertaining her guest.
"Where would the esteemed guest like to be seated?"
The waitress inquired.
Ren's response was immediate. "The couple that arrived moments before me—I want a discreet table near them."
She was taken aback when she heard such a request.
It was a request that made her hesitate, scratching her head in thought.
Seeing this, Ren had known it wouldn't be as easy.
Even if he had presented his black-gold card, Second Float had a policy of respecting customer's privacy.
Thinking this, Ren sighed before adding.
"The woman who came with the man is my… fiancée."
As reluctant as he was to say it, there was no other way.
The waiter's eyes widened in surprise, her hand flying to cover her mouth as if she had just heard the most scandalous gossip of the year.
However, under Ren's slightly bothered glare, she quickly regained her composure.
"Ahem. Pardon me, esteemed guest. Please allow me a moment."
She hurried off to arrange his seating, returning shortly with a professional smile.
Leading Ren through the lavishly decorated interior, he noted the elegant mahogany shelves connecting at the four corners, the finely crafted furniture exuding wealth, and the pristine marble flooring that only spoke of the grandeur of restaurants in higher districts.
"Here, esteemed guest."
She gestured to the inconspicuous table he requested.
Ren nodded in satisfaction.
"Anything I should get?"
"Any non-alcoholic wine will do. That's all."
"Very well, esteemed guest," she beamed before promptly returning with his drink. "Enjoy."
With that, she left him alone.
Finally, Ren's gaze locked onto his target—the table where the couple—well, his supposed fiancee and another man—sat.
Even as he watched them speak, the countdown continued.
Her death drew closer.
It had taken an hour and thirty-five minutes from the academy all the way to Second Float.
And going back from here would roughly take about the same amount of time used to get here.
Going by that knowledge, factoring everything in—
'She has about less than two hours to live.'
6:01 AM.
Time was slipping away.
He already knew her fate would be sealed in less than two hours.
But then, he could think of a few scenarios of how it would play.
Ren had deduced that she would leave anytime soon if she were going to act according to what she had said.
However, if she did, it was highly likely she'd be attacked on her way home.
Alternatively, if her blind date target held her up, perhaps getting her intoxicated, her fate would be sealed here instead.
Ren was inclined to believe the former scenario was more likely.
At the Other Table.
"Oh? Claire, not eating?"
The blonde man asked, setting down his golden spoon.
"No, thank you. I'm quite full. Already had my fill before coming so thank you."
Clarissa's response was polite but firm.
She turned her gaze toward the window, pointedly avoiding his eyes.
To be honest, she had no reason to be here.
And the outrageous prices on the menu only fueled her irritation.
To put it into simple terms. A single drink cost more than a quarter of her salary.
A full-course meal? That was her entire paycheck, if not more.
Heck, this was only the second district if anything, then what about other districts?
Of course, she had long moved past the stage of lamenting how unfair the world was.
"That's a shame. I was hoping things would work out between us tonight."
Clarissa sighed. "That won't happen. I already have a boyfriend. Someone I plan on marrying."
The moment those words left her lips, the man's spoon slipped from his grasp, clattering onto the plate.
His golden eyes scrutinized her, his expression darkening. "You don't say…"
She nodded. "I was planning to introduce him to my parents this weekend, but since they were in a rush, this unfortunate situation had to happen instead."
He fell silent, mid-bite, before carefully picking up his utensils again.
He paused mid food before slowly picking up his utensils masking his expression with a false expression that Ren further away had seen through.
"Is that so?" The man forced a smile. "I'm pleased you're being so understanding."
Clarissa was about to rise from her seat when his next words stopped her.
"Not quite. I'm just curious… who exactly is this boyfriend of yours?"
She paused, brow furrowing.
Of all the things he could say, that was what he chose?
"Who he is, is of no concern to you you."
She picked up her bag and stood, ready to leave.
Though her response was firm, inwardly, she felt slightly flustered.
Now that she thought about it… she hadn't even gotten Ren's contact number.
Well, no matter. She could get it at school tomorrow.
She felt a tinge of embarrassment about pursuing a student, but hey—she was young too!
The age gap between them wasn't that big.
A faint crimson dusted her cheeks before she shook it off. No, this was embarrassing.
"If you'll excuse me, I'll be going."
With that, she left the restaurant, her steps light, her conscience clear.
She had neither entertained his advances nor even touched the expensive meal he bought before her.
There was nothing to regret, nor was there anything he could hold her for.
Ren watched her leave but remained seated, eyes now on the man she had left behind.
He wasn't moving yet. That was fine. He was more or less watching the man.
Since his powers never lied to him, he was already thinking two steps ahead.
Having calculated when and how the incident would take place, using his [vision] he looked over at the man, additionally, he looked over the man's lifespan.
Ren's vision slightly darkened.
'He's awakened… an Holy Child.'
The color within him was spread across his body, making a thin membrane across his body, and if that were so, it meant he was different.
But he was weak.
Far weaker than Jeanne.
The aura he emitted was minuscule compared to hers.
Even without knowing Jeanne's full strength, Ren had instinctively understood the vast chasm between them.
And remembering how easily she had manhandled him during their fight…
Ren could only grit his teeth in silent embarrassment.