A blinding light appears, a new life is born;
"What happened, last time I di…"
---
Just Outside Anton's Building:
Heavy rain pours, crashing against the pavement as if the whole world is crying over Anton's sudden passing;
PhilNation Media – Live Broadcast:
Anna, opening remarks:
"Hi, this evening… Anton, the hero-zero known for his bullying scandal in the past, has died. Police are currently investigating. Based on early findings, it appears intentional. The ongoing investigation states he struggled before dying, and the perpetrator seems to have used a weapon identical to a rope."
PhilNation Media Chat Board:
Locaoca: Thank God, one less bully in the world.
CarbsDuet: Good riddance.
Slender: Hey guys, stop. Even if he was a bully, he didn't deserve an easy death. They should've tortured him more! XD
Oasis: My cousin was bullied, she couldn't graduate… and he was one of the bullies!
---
On The Pavement
James walks along the sidewalk carrying a large pizza and a bag stuffed with party poppers, ready to celebrate Anton's "new leaf" in life. Beside him, Jabbari sulks, annoyed that he got the smaller pizza even though he knows what the dungeon needs for "Knowledge."
"Hey James, nice purse," Jabbari mutters, his intention was to annoy him and was successful.
Without hesitation James replies, "It's not a purse, it's a party bag."
Jabbari notices that ever since they entered the human world, James has been a lot easier to trigger.
"Sure, buddy. I just want you to know you look pretty with it," he smiled mockingly.
James lets out a long sigh while Malaya laughs beside them. But just as James is about to respond, he notices an unusual crowd gathering ahead.
Anna spots James and his party setup and rushes toward him.
"Can we interview you, Mr. James? You were last seen with the bully mage Anton," she says quickly.
James freezes, shocked by what's happening. A heavy, bad feeling tightens in his chest, an omen he can't shake. Words fail him.
But Jabbari steps forward, frowning.
"What the hell is this all about?"
James doesn't wait for an answer. His instincts took over as he rushed towards the building.
In front of Anton's studio apartment
Four CSO officers (Crime Scene Operatives: responsible for deep investigation regarding Battle Mage murders) surround the front door. Anton's lifeless body is dragged out of the room and laid just outside.
James feels fury boil inside him, they were handling Anton's body with no care at all, as if he were trash thrown from the studio. The disrespect hits him like a punch.
He rushes forward, ready to confront the officer who launched the body, but one of the CSO stops him.
"Hi, Hero. I'm Mr. T. What can I do for you?"
James snaps, anger sharp in his voice.
"Why did he do that?"
Mr. T quickly tries to calm things down.
"We're sorry you had to see that. Let me make it up to you."
Mr. T suddenly strikes the responsible officer. But the officer only smiles cold, unfazed, as if consequences do not exist.
Jabbari catches up beside James, witnessing everything. Confused, he mutters under his breath,
"What on earth is going on? Why are they so cold?"
Mr. T notices Jabbari's expression. Despite Jabbari not being human, Mr. T's intuition is razor sharp, he knows exactly what Jabbari is thinking.
"Are you aware of what Anton did in the past?" Mr. T begins. "If not, then listen. If there was a ranking of top bullies, he would be in the Top 5. You have no idea how many students ended their lives because of him. The reason he wasn't expelled was because his father was connected to the EDUC Committee."
His voice grows louder, angrier.
"And then only when his father passed away did he suddenly behave, acting like he wants to change because he has no more backing!"
Mr. T explodes, shouting from the depths of years of anger.
"My son ended his life because of his bullying. NO—our sons and daughters! And he isn't jailed because he 'behaved.' Because he wanted to 'apologize.' Because he suddenly wanted to live an honest life!"
He throws a folded letter at James. It hits James in the face and falls to the ground. James picks it up and begins reading Anton's final message.
"NOW TELL ME, HERO! WHERE'S MY JUSTICE? WHERE'S OUR JUSTICE?!"
James goes silent, lost in thought. He has no words to defend Anton's past. Malaya stands frozen, stunned at the truth.
But Jabbari breaks the silence.
"So you're all a bunch of cowards. Disrespecting the dead… and whining because you couldn't handle him while he was alive. Good to see adults doing adult stuff."
One of the officers, the one Mr. T hit earlier, steps forward and prepares to attack. But James turns and glares. His voice turns menacingly cold…
"Go ahead and try."
James unleashed a mighty presence. Galaxies burned in his eyes as he spoke again, his voice deep and cosmic, heavy with authority.
"Do it!"
The officer freezes.
But Mr. T, blinded by rage, launches an attack toward Anton's lifeless body.
James moves instantly using his pizza cutter he cuts through Mr. T's hand. It falls, but strings weave through the air and reattach it quickly. Mr. T's ability; String Magic.
James' voice drops into a chilling cosmic tone deep, echoing, absolute.
"Leave. Now. And give us thirty minutes to see his room."
A cold shroud wraps around the CSO team. Their instincts scream… If we don't listen, something terrible will happen.
All four CSO officers stiffen… then silently obey James' command and leave.
Inside Anton's Studio Apartment
James sits at the edge of the bed, slouching forward, hands dangling between his knees.
He whispers to himself, voice low and tired,
"How bad was his bullying? I want to believe he was on the right path… but his past… it's far too deep."
Malaya studies his face, reading the turmoil etched in his expression. She begins forming hand signs.
Jabbari glances over and translates,
"His past can't decide his present and future."
But Jabbari immediately counters himself, his tone flat but honest,
"Still… his past defines what he became. And… it's too late now. He's dead."
Malaya's eyes lowered as she quietly nodded in agreement, a soft frown forming.
Her gaze drifts, and she notices a gift bag tucked beneath the table. Curious, she reaches for it, but it's too heavy. She struggles until James stands and helps her pull it out.
Inside… a neatly wrapped gift and a book.
James raises a brow, a playful thought slipping in,
"Oh? A gift? Hehe… I'm sure he wouldn't mind. I am his one and only friend despite his history."
His smug aura practically leaks into the air, causing both Jabbari and Malaya to stare at him.
Jabbari scolds him,
"A minute ago you were complaining about people disrespecting the dead."
James quickly defends himself,
"You said that, not me. And besides, we're investigating."
They start bickering, physically tugging at the wrapped box like children arguing over a toy.
While they quarrel, Malaya quietly opens the book.
The moment the cover spreads apart;
Countless images burst out, swirling and drifting like floating memories.
Jabbari's eyes widened.
"A Memory Book…"
The reel begins to play in the air.
The first title appears:
'My First Day of School'