Extra's Descent

It was at that moment when they began a long discussion.

Seated at his desk, Rafael looked away.

Rachel and Amy were seated on two wooden chairs, just in front of their grandfather.

The first question he had asked was how in the world did Rachel know about the Twilight Syndicate.

Truth be told, Rachel had never wanted to even mention the syndicate.

She would've wanted it for her grandfather to tell her the truth of the matter, without her having to mention the syndicate.

However, it was impossible as he tried to push her away.

Yes, she could've asked her father.

But seeing the look in his eye, she didn't want to burden him with any more trouble.

Her father just had to do what he was doing, while Rachel would do her own task behind the scenes.

To free her father from the syndicate.

She wasn't sure how she would accomplish it. Just that, she could somehow get involved with Zed.

'Brandon doesn't have to know.'

She planned on taking matters into her own hands.

There was no need to involve an outsider.

Besides Zed, of course.

She had never been this decisive in the past. She was often lazy, and was never a dedicated worker.

However, seeing all of Brandon's accomplishments in the four months they had spent in the academy had lit a fire inside her.

Brandon was initially looked down upon by their peers, calling him a fake for a blunder he made at the start.

However, those rumors quickly died down, all because of his efforts.

Now, he was one of the most respected students in the academy.

She too wanted to be like that.

She never had these kinds of goals before.

But she wanted to stand by his side as an equal.

Someone who was as responsible as him.

"Grandfather, tell us everything."

Please.

"Me and my Sister have all the right to know."

Amy sat in silence. However, she was probably aware of what Rachel was trying to peer out of their grandfather.

…The real reason why their family fell apart.

Their grandfather seemed hesitant.

But when he gazed into the eyes of both of his granddaughters…

"You two have grown so much…"

It was at that moment, when their grandfather had finally spilled the truth.

"Where do I begin…?"

.

.

Apparently, there was no company absorption in the first place.

However, the argument between their grandfather and father was in fact, real.

Whichever side was in the wrong, the two sisters could definitely agree that it was their father.

After all, he had hidden the fact that he was involved in organized crime, just for a chance to start-up his business.

Knowing this fact, their grandfather was furious. The Ashfields became unknowingly involved in the Asami's business, whether they liked it or not.

"They used your father's business as a cover, for their… transactions."

Rachel could tell which parts were omitted. But it was for the best.

Amy was still quite in the dark about the entire ordeal. She would most probably not take it well, if she finds out their father's shipments were being used to smuggle goods.

Amy was quiet, seemingly pondering, and listening attentively.

Rachel was quite proud that Amy was mature enough not to interrupt.

'I should learn more from her…'

"Then why didn't any of you stop me from going with my father…?"

"That was the argument."

"...."

So their quarrel…

'Was all because of me?'

"No matter what, you took your father's side."

That was when Rachel began to recall.

…Memories she kept locked away inside her heart.

—Dad, I want to go with you!

—I don't like it here. I want be with you, Dad!

—I love Mom. But if you go, then who's going to be by your side?!

Seeing the look of recognition in her eyes, her grandfather spoke.

"Do you remember now?"

"...."

On that day, her father had undoubtedly pushed her away, leading for her to rebel.

"...."

And on that day…

Was the day she ran away.

"We looked everywhere for you, Rachel."

"...."

And her disappearance was the reason for their parents' divorce.

Staying together wasn't optimal anymore. After all, what kind of wife would want a criminal for a husband?

Even Rachel was smart enough to realize that.

"We checked everywhere in the house. But we couldn't find you anywhere."

Realizing that, they poured all of their resources, all of their connections, just so they could find Rachel.

"But who knew… the next day, one of the maids suddenly report that you were in your room, sleeping."

"...."

Certain memories emerged within her mind at that moment.

The memories were quite hazy.

Drip. Drip…!

She could recall the sound of rain, pouring down.

Her entire body drenched in water as she wandered around the forest.

"...."

But that was when she recalled meeting a certain boy.

—Why did you run away from home?

—What's your name?

—Rachel Asami? Nice to meet you. My name is…

"...."

For some reason, she couldn't remember the boy's name.

However, she knew that he had left a deep impression in her.

Particularly, his eyes.

There was no way she could forget his blue gaze. They were detached, as if he was tired of everything.

They should've been about the same age.

But for some reason, there was a deep sense of maturity that the boy exuded.

But that wasn't all.

She could remember that their conversation was interrupted by a man.

He seemed to be with the boy. Either it was his father, or his brother.

And just like the boy, his gaze left a deep impression on her.

There was a sense of nonchalance that came from the man's expressions.

His eyes were empty. Ink-black eyes, and an indifferent look.

The fact that there was a sense of mystery regarding the two, was probably the reason she forgot. Adding to the fact that she would rather not remember that day.

However, something was peculiar.

As she recalled even more, she could definitely remember certain events of that day.

Just that, when it came to the two, everything was quite hazy.

Who where they?

And why couldn't she remember...?

"...."

Her head began to ache as she tried to dive deep into her memories.

She tried to recall everything.

The forest.

The cold night.

The boy, seated right beside her under the tree.

She couldn't remember his face, nor his hair color.

Just his eyes.

The same went for the man.

"Rachel?"

"...."

Before she realized it, her grandfather had already finished speaking.

She was so lost in her thoughts, that she had detached herself from reality.

However, she knew what exactly to say.

"I'm sorry for the trouble that I caused."

"It's okay. You're not at fault. You were a child, it's the adults' fault for not thinking about how you feel."

"...I'm so sorry."

She felt melancholic. However, she didn't feel like crying.

She was furious.

Furious at her herself for being so selfish back then.

She gritted her teeth.

She understood that her grandfather had never found her at fault. And probably, her father did too.

However, she couldn't accept that.

There were a lot of factors that led to her parent's divorce.

She knew that. Even Amy should be aware of that fact.

But the actions that she took on that day had left her frustrated.

She was immature.

She shouldn't have troubled her family, when they were already facing a lot of problems.

She continued reflecting.

But that was when…

Rumble… Rumble…!

"....!"

"Huh?"

"What's going on?!"

The ground began to shook intensely. Pieced of debris fell from the ceiling.

Her grandfather abruptly stood up and a barrier made out of water materialized around them.

"Get down!"

The two girls' crouched down as they followed their grandfather's instructions.

They could hear the panic echo throughout the entire estate. The maids began screaming, and the sound of falling furniture resounded.

"...!"

Crash!

The ceiling fell, but instantly bounced off the water barrier.

In most cases, for a mage that wasn't as highly advanced as their grandfather in the [Water] affinity, wouldn't be able to shape their water as solidly as him.

The ground continued to shake.

But as Rachel turned her head to look at the window, her eyes shot wide open.

"What?"

"What's wrong, Rachel?"

"The sky."

As their grandfather worriedly asked Rachel, Amy pointed at the window.

——!

What greeted her sight was…