Chapter 79 - Echoes in an Empty Hallway

Mira sat quietly at her desk, sneaking out a handkerchief to wipe her face as discreetly as possible.

Atlas, seated on the desk in front of her, was still clenching his fists tightly.

Damn it! This is her past, isn't it?

The realization only added to his frustration. He couldn't intervene, couldn't change anything—he could only watch.

A few moments later, another student entered the classroom. This one was also a beastkin, sporting wavy blonde hair and a pair of perked-up ears.

What kind of ears are those? A wolf?

It was a wolf girl, and an undeniably cute one at that.

"Hey, Fenra's here!" someone called out.

"Good morning, Fenra..."

The beastkin girl, Fenra, entered with a bright, cheerful expression and a smile that was… cute?

"Hi, everyone! Good morning!" Fenra greeted. "Whew, I'm glad I didn't end up late! My driver had a hard time earlier—the traffic was awful."

"Yeah, Fenra, the roads were a mess today."

"And Fenra—congratulations on your S score!" another student chimed in.

"Oh, yeah, xi xi xi," Fenra replied, giggling. "Yes, I got another S score, but, you know, it's not a big deal or anything. No need to fuss over it!"

Fenra's eyes widened when she noticed Mira. 

"Oh? What happened to her?"

"Ignore her, Fenra. She's useless."

Ignoring the remark, Fenra approached Mira and leaned down slightly, bringing her face closer.

"Mira... what happened to you?" she asked softly.

Mira shook her head, avoiding eye contact.

"Are you sure? Do you need anything? Tell me. Can I help you with something?" 

"No, thanks. I'm fine," Mira replied, finally lifting her head with a faint, forced smile.

Could this wolf girl actually be kind to her? 

Throughout the lesson, Mira sat silently in her seat. To Atlas's growing frustration, the teacher didn't seem to notice—or care. Not once did they acknowledge Mira's condition.

Are they blind or just plain stupid? 

It's painfully obvious that one of their students is far from okay.

Damn it. This school deserves to be razed to the ground!

When the lunch break arrived, Mira quietly picked up her lunchbox and, with her head bowed, quickly left the classroom.

Should I follow her? 

Atlas hesitated for a moment as Mira disappeared through the door. Yet, he realized he could still remain in the room.

Wait... isn't this Mira's memory?

He frowned. Then why can I stay here, even though she's not?

The inexplicable situation left him unsettled, but he decided to observe a little longer, trying to make sense of the strange rules of this memory.

The wolf girl, still seated at her desk, was soon approached by a group of her peers, both boys and girls.

"Fenra, want to eat lunch with me?"

"Fenra, you were amazing earlier during class!"

But this time, Fenra's usual cheerful demeanor had shifted. Her face pouted slightly.

"What's wrong? Did something upset you?" asked a boy standing nearby.

"Yes, something did…" Fenra replied.

"Let me handle it for you."

"I know you wouldn't dare."

"How far do you want me to take it?" 

"The worse, the better. The worst!" Fenra said. 

Then, without another word, she stood up and walked out of the room.

The boy, now joined by a couple of others, remained behind.

What are these pieces of trash planning?!

Atlas's frustration boiled over as he slammed his fist on the desk, but it didn't make a sound or anything else.

Damn it! This is driving me insane!

After leaving the classroom, Atlas continued to follow Mira as she found a quiet spot to eat lunch alone.

Once she finished her meal, she pulled out a book and began reading.

She even took notes, her handwriting neat and precise as she carefully recorded her thoughts in a notebook.

The scene was such a striking contrast that Atlas couldn't help but take notice.

This girl… she's smart.

She was nothing like the Mira he knew.

Atlas sat nearby, watching her with growing intrigue. Her serious expression seemed to glow with brilliance as she studied, entirely engrossed in her work. It was clear she enjoyed learning, completely absorbed in what she was doing.

Right now, Atlas felt like he was watching a movie in 4D. He was there, in the moment, but utterly powerless to intervene.

What made it worse was that the main character of this painful story was someone he knew—a realization that only deepened his frustration.

When the school day ended, a group of students approached Mira's desk. Without a hint of courtesy, they piled books on top of her table.

"Hey, take these to the teacher's office," one of them ordered.

"He was on the 8th floor."

"And if any of them go missing or get torn, we'll make sure you regret it," another added.

Mira stepped out of the classroom, carrying a stack of books as she walked down the now-empty hallways. Most of the students had already gone home.

She continued up the stairs, heading to the upper floors.

Is the teacher's office really up there? 

Atlas wondered, his steps matching hers as he followed.

When she reached the top, a group of male students stood leaning casually against the wall. Atlas recognized them instantly—they were the same boys from her class earlier.

Oh, damn it!

Rage bubbled in his chest. 

Can I please break out of this observation mode and kill them?! Seriously!

As Mira walked past with her head down, trying to avoid their gaze, the boys suddenly moved. One of them grabbed her from behind, while another clamped a hand over her mouth to stifle her scream.

Mira struggled, her muffled cries for help echoing faintly in the empty corridor, but she was powerless against them.

The three boys dragged her into an empty classroom.

Damn it! Are you kidding me?!

The books Mira had been carrying lay scattered on the floor as the boys dragged her deeper into the classroom.

Atlas stormed in after them, his jaw clenched and fury radiating from his very being. 

He watched helplessly as they threw Mira to the floor. Before she could even gather herself, two of the boys grabbed her arms, pinning her in place, while the third shoved her roughly against the floor.

Atlas's fists clenched so tightly that he could almost feel his nails digging into his palms, even in this immaterial form.

This has gone too far!

"Please! Don't do it!" Mira pleaded, her voice trembling with desperation.

"Shut up, or we'll make it even worse for you."

"Close the door properly," another ordered. "We can't let anyone hear us."

"It's fine," the third assured with a smirk. "Everything's taken care of."

Mira struggled, twisting and jerking to break free, but she was no match for them. They stuffed a cloth into her mouth, muffling her cries, her terrified eyes welling with tears as her body shook uncontrollably.

Damn it! Damn it! These bastards!

"System! Jackpot!" Atlas roared, his voice trembling with rage.

You're going to let me watch this happen right in front of me without letting me do anything?!

Damn it! This is madness!

Let me out of this memory! Let me into her world so I can destroy these worthless pieces of trash!

Atlas stood there, powerless and seething with fury, as one of the boys yanked at Mira's blazer. The buttons popped off, clattering to the floor and rolling away.

She fought back, twisting and struggling with all her strength, but it wasn't enough. 

Her body was shoved down harder, her arms pinned firmly by the boys on either side of her.

Mira's muffled cries of resistance echoed in Atlas's mind, her tear-streaked face and frantic attempts to escape only fueling his rage. 

Yet all he could do was watch, trapped in his intangible state, as the nightmare unfolded before him.

DAMN IT!!!!

Atlas roared, his voice booming with pure, unfiltered rage.

But just as his furious cry echoed in the room, it was suddenly drowned out by the agonized scream of one of the boys.

"ARGH! ARGH! ARGH!"