The Heart of Zero

The group quickly left the battlefield and entered a slightly crowded café. Beneath the city's night sky, the warm light of the café spilled over the tables, creating an almost frozen atmosphere. The bustling streets outside contrasted starkly with the tranquil quiet inside. William's gaze was deep and composed as he slowly sipped his coffee, as if the cup carried countless untold stories.

Shingin was full of questions. He had expected the Seventh Leader, William, to bring them to a more secluded location. But this seemingly ordinary café—was it truly safe?

William seemed to read his thoughts, chuckling softly as he lifted his coffee cup. "Our base was destroyed, which means the enemy is nearby. They're watching us, ready to report to their superiors at any moment. But don't worry—this place is... sufficiently 'quiet.' They wouldn't dare disturb us here."

Shingin nodded silently, slightly reassured but still feeling the weight of an invisible pressure. This man before him—

"Mr. William..." Shingin began cautiously, his voice tinged with hesitation. "Aren't you angry about all of this?"

William set his coffee cup down but continued to gaze out at the bustling street beyond the window. His voice was calm, almost distant. "Do you know the purpose of our Revolution Party?"

Shingin hesitated, recalling what Rayl had once told him. "Rayl mentioned... the Revolution Party exists to oppose the Monitors."

William cast a glance at Rayl and let out a faint laugh. "The Monitors are merely enforcers of order for this world. If we are their opposition, then... does that make us the villains?"

Shingin was at a loss for words. He wanted to argue but couldn't find the right words. "Then... are we the villains?"

William still didn't look at him, keeping his gaze fixed outside. Slowly, he said, "Order isn't always good. Imagine a forest where every tree grows at the same pace, in the same way. That forest would soon lose its vitality and become lifeless. It's the trees that grow differently that bring life and unexpected beauty to the forest. Think about your school—aren't there always the overachievers, and then those who bully others?"

Shingin froze. He had never heard such a profound metaphor before. He nodded, still confused. "What does that have to do with the Revolution Party?"

William's gaze grew distant, as though he were looking through all the complexities of the world. "The Monitors... they maintain the world's order. But not everyone wishes to conform to that order. Each of them gathers for different reasons, each with their own motives."

Shingin felt a shiver run through him, sensing that some deeper truth was about to be revealed.

"We, the Revolution Party, are not merely opposing the Monitors," William said in a low voice. "We're protecting ourselves, and protecting those ability users who've been pushed into despair."

Shingin's heart trembled. He had never considered that the Revolution Party might have this purpose behind it.

"Revolution isn't as simple as we imagine," William said, his voice tinged with bitterness. He placed his coffee cup down and sighed deeply. His gaze, filled with complex emotions, rested on Shingin. "I'm sorry, Shingin, for choosing you as the Eighth Leader."

Shingin stared at William in shock, quickly shaking his head. "Mr. William, why are you apologizing to me?"

William's expression remained calm, with a faint, bitter smile on his lips. "Because it has to be you."

Shingin fell silent. He felt the weight behind William's words. This wasn't merely about inheriting the Revolution Party; it was a binding destiny. His heartbeat quickened, as if he could feel the heavy burden he would carry in the future.

"No matter how stable this world may seem," William continued, "as long as you are an ability user, you'll inevitably be drawn into the chaos. And you, Shingin, possess an unprecedented soul ability."

William's gaze was intense, filled with hope. "I don't want you to simply continue the Revolution Party's mission. I believe you'll find your own way to revolutionize."

Shingin was stunned. He had never considered the possibility of forging his own path.

Riyugi sat quietly to the side, her hands nervously resting on her knees, tightly clutching her skirt. She listened intently to the conversation between William and Shingin, feeling deeply shaken.

Riyugi had never thought about such issues before. She felt as though her understanding had been confined to a small, narrow space, and every word from William seemed to open a new door in her perspective. She thought to herself, What they teach at school is far from enough. There's so much about this world that I don't know... Is this what they mean by 'experienced adults'?"

William's gaze suddenly shifted to Riyugi, sending a jolt of tension through her. It felt as if she'd been struck by lightning; her body froze momentarily.

"Sorry, young lady. Did my companions frighten you?" William's voice was calm yet carried an undeniable authority.

Riyugi frantically shook her head, her hair falling into disarray. She thought, just like Shingin, How could someone so important apologize to me? Her panic only grew, and she didn't know how to respond. She nervously clutched her skirt even tighter.

At that moment, Rayl and the others remained unusually silent. They seemed acutely aware of the invisible pressure that William's presence exerted. Rayl swallowed hard and murmured, "Apologies, Leader."

William didn't look at Rayl, his tone remaining steady. "Don't let your prejudices cloud Shingin's judgment, Rayl."

Shingin lowered his head in thought. When William mentioned him, he quickly looked up and asked, "Mr. William, are you saying the Monitors' attacks are just their superiors' orders? Then... this incident..."

William chuckled lightly, his confidence radiating as though he'd seen through everything. "Relax. My ally's illusion has masked all traces of the commotion. Civilians won't notice the existence of ability users. But you need to start thinking, Shingin. If I hadn't arrived in time, your relationship with the Revolution Party might've been irrevocably broken, and this young lady..." His gaze shifted to Riyugi, a fleeting coldness flashing in his eyes. "...would have paid the ultimate price."

Riyugi froze, her hands trembling as she clung to her skirt. Her knuckles turned white from the pressure. She couldn't comprehend why she had become a target. The very concept of being a "target" was utterly foreign to her. Fear and confusion welled up inside her. Who? Who wants me dead?

The café fell into a tense silence, broken only by the sound of Riyugi's increasingly rapid heartbeat.