"Boring lately," the blond man in a white shirt muttered, leaning against a desk. "Ability Users have gotten smarter. Catching them’s way harder now." Across from him, a bespectacled beauty slid a laptop toward him. "Major Levin, check this out."

He took it with interest. "Oh, some Asians." The video showed a black-clad youth repelling thugs with coins. He glanced up. "Yoni, where’d this happen?"

"Near Chiba Prefecture, Japan." The blond man rubbed his head, smiling slightly. "Our influence there’s weak. Who can we mobilize fastest?"

She clacked at the keyboard. "Leon Yupa."

He winced. "Him? Fine. Tell him to capture this guy. No dead bodies."

"Understood, Colonel."

He stood, gazing out the window. "That guy’s probably there too." At "that guy," her body trembled slightly. "HQ reports the girl inherited part of Red List No. 1’s abilities." A trace of jealousy crossed his face. "Lucky kid."

The recent vampire incident had settled. Life calmed down. My Japanese improved fast—I could now read simple texts fluently.

"Senpai!" Every school day, someone clung to me. I blocked her face with my right hand as she leaned in. "We haven’t settled last time you tricked me." Rika pouted, disdainful. "Senpai, you’re so petty."

"Class, we have a transfer student—a beauty," homeroom teacher Ai Sato announced. A blond girl entered. Snow-white skin framed bright emerald eyes. Golden hair cascaded to her waist. Her curvaceous figure screamed Nordic beauty.

She spoke expressionlessly. "Hello. I’m Iris." After a brief intro, she ignored the boys’ hungry stares and sat by the window. Coldly stunning.

My gaze lingered on her. Iris met my eyes. In seconds, I knew—she was breathtaking.

Her eyes held no emotion. Like an exquisite doll’s.

The school bell rang. Classes ended. Nana looked at me. "Cold Creek, there’s a test next week. Okay?" A test? Exams exist everywhere. Whoever invented them—I swear I won’t kill them. "History and literature are fine. Other subjects? I have ways." Joking. I’d just use Time Stasis to copy top students’ answers. To stay here, I couldn’t fail completely.

"Nana, go home. I’ll hit the library." Usually, she’d say goodbye and leave. Not today. "Dinner’s handled. Let me come with you." No reason to refuse. "Alright."

Librarian Matsushima smiled. I was a regular—we knew each other. The evening library held few people. Crowded or not, I didn’t care.

"Lord Hanxi!" Chiling’s cheerful voice cut in. Seeing Nana, she stiffened slightly. "Classmate Linjian’s here too." Nana smiled. "Home’s sorted—I’m with Cold Creek. Do you come here often, Chiling?"

"Yes." Chiling forced a smile, sitting opposite us. No reason to pull out her hot coffee.

Awkwardness faded fast. They chatted like old friends, forgetting me. Fine by me.

Chiling and Nana exchanged numbers and emails before parting. Back at the Linjian residence, after dinner and small talk, I retreated to my room. Nana’s laughter drifted through the walls—unusual.

Night fell. I never slept early. Sleepless, I headed to the rooftop. Clouds hid stars and moon. The gloomy sky pressed down, heavy.

A figure appeared—no alarm raised. Targeting me. "Who’s there?" Darkness hid their gender. But a dagger glinted. Thief? Must’ve played too many games. A male voice spoke. "Come with us."

"Who are you? Why?"

"Number Five. Father wants you." He spared every word. I smiled. "Alright."

I didn’t want to fight and endanger Nana. I wanted the mastermind. "Ah!" Nana’s scream. They weren’t alone—they’d restrained her instantly. Their commander thought of everything. "What’s this mean?" Number Five stood silent.

Nana in pajamas was dragged over, gun to her head by a silver-haired, crimson-eyed girl. "Sorry. Father said: stop your abilities." Number Five held up a syringe. "Don’t resist. Or Number Four can’t guarantee her safety."

I smiled. "Threatening me?"

"You can think that." I lowered my head, voice dark. "Sorry. Time Stasis!" I froze the silver-haired girl. Pulled a coin. Shot it like a bullet—pierced her palm. Blood didn’t flow; time was still.

I glared at Number Five. "Who sent you?" No answer. He charged, dagger swinging—movements skilled from many battles.

I slowed his time. Punched his chest—lightly. He flew meters back. Blood trickled from his mouth.

Nana ran behind me. I grabbed the pistol beside the frozen girl and released her. "Who are you?" Her other hand flashed a gilded revolver. Fired. At this range, the bullet froze centimeters from me. I stopped the entire rooftop’s time. "Nana, get rope. I’ll tie them."

She nodded. "Bandage her wound?"

Startled. Even as enemies, she cared. Adorably naive. "No. I’ll rewind time to heal her." She left for rope.

They wouldn’t talk. I placed my hand on the silver-haired girl’s forehead, rewinding time. Only blankness filled my mind. Nothing. Except one image—a masked man. Their memories were erased. He was the mastermind.