GLITCH

Back to Zero

Mmm…

It's morning already? Welp, I guess it's another day that's about to be wasted again.

I'm Rylai Lux, 18 years of age. I resembled my late mom. I have black hair, an appearance that is now rare to be seen around here after the Glitch appearance, and possesses silver eyes, something that I obtained after getting my Mantle, [Death]. My skin is a bit tanned. I have a slender body. Overall, my appearance is just normal. I don't have any features that can awaken a male's lust. As if I need a man's attention. It'll just ruin my day.

This is truly a blessing in disguise. Whew.

I picked up the pace, and after my prep -- like wearing my usual attire, a lab coat, and a set of black clothes underneath -- I went to greet the bedridden landlady that helped me so much since I had nowhere to go. There's nothing weird about wearing it. In my opinion, it's ways better than wearing revealing clothes.

Er, I'm going to pretend I'm trying to reason out my fashion sense and set it aside for now.

Miss Syakila is like a mother to me. She helped me in times of need and I owe her a lot.

As I walk through the hallway towards her private room, I felt that there's something that isn't right. It felt like I've done this before.

Oh well.

When I got in her room, there's another lady in there; she's beautiful, her green hair is well-groomed, she has the body shape and height that can make any p*****t fall in lust. Since she's near the open window, the wind gently made her hair wave as she is sitting beside the landowner. I greeted the two with a smile.

"Good morning Mrs. Loin and miss…"

"You can call me Ferni. You must be the one that's been taking care of my elder sister."

She stood up and offered her hand to be shaken by me. I did so, and a smile is on her face.

"Ah, it's time for me to go to school. I'll be going now."

I waved my hand goodbye as I left them. There are still fifteen more minutes before the school bell rings. I think I can make it if I take the short route. Should I just run? Nah, Maybe I'll just use my Tech Boots—

"Eh? Wait what just happened?"

But now, I'm inside a white space.

Huh? Didn't this scenario happen before?

"Hello, anybody there?"

Instead of having my way to the school, I'm inside a white, blank space. Okay, keep calm. This is the first time I experienced this one. I yelled to see if there's anyone around. My echo aside, I didn't get any feedback.

I kept walking aimlessly while I think of various things.

Is this some kind of Glitch? I've never heard anything about this – wait. I think I've heard something like this is happening to a Glint. They say that before they got their powers, they found themselves in a blank space similar to this scene that I'm in right now. So, I'm going to have power here? I don't need it though; I don't like fighting with anyone. It's a hassle—no! This isn't right!

Ugh, I do that this already happened before.

What is this weird sensation I'm feeling from my chest?

"I just ought to allow you to see how peaceful your life was before."

"Who's there?"

I immediately turned around to see who's the source of the voice. It's no other than my other self just leaning her back on an electric post. She moved towards me, and the post vanished digitally.

"Oh, it's you."

"Yes indeed. So how was it?"

"Are you talking about my normal life?"

The scenery vanishes and was replaced with white empty space.

She nodded while closing her eyes for a moment.

"I don't know actually. Maybe a sense of nostalgia?"

"Just maybe?" my other self said, surprised by what she heard.

"Yeah. Other than that I have nothing more to it. I've got my hands so busy for the betterment of humanity, after all."

"Is that how you see it?"

"What's with the confirmation? Anyway, what's the point of making me seemingly travel back in time virtually?"

"We're getting at it."

She clapped her hands twice, and the white space was replaced with the before ruined place of...

"Isn't this Platinum City?"

"That's right. This isn't the time that you used me. You instead relied on those gloves of yours. Well, it's quite understandable, since you're being used to rely on your gadgets and trinkets."

I didn't utter a single word. What she said just now is how I always roll.

"The Glitch that manifested this time were Griffins, right?"

"Yes."

"And you only defeated only one of them, correct?"

"It is as you say."

"Then here is your first part of training. Defeat the birdies without relying too much on your Tech Gloves, your main weapon, as well as its other variations like the Beta."

Same as what I've seen before, Platinum City is a great commercial city with tons of entertainment here and there. I was even able to ride that huge ferries wheel at a certain park. But all I can see now is a city full of rubbles, some of the buildings burning, and corpses lying around. It's a perfect mirror image of what I've seen.

Well, I've heard that it's now flourishing, so it's fine.

I wanted to check those Griffins' whereabouts but I don't have my watch here.

"So uh, where's the Glitch?"

"You'll see soon enough."

I could now hear the squawks reverberating in the air.

"Let's do this!"

"Hold your horses!"

"Gah! Don't do that!"

Before I could dash towards the source of the squawks, the other me pulled me by the back of my collar, and I choked for a moment.

"I told you not to rely on your Tech Gloves. Imbue them with your Mantle's power."

"Yes, yes... I know already."