In the last life, when the apocalypse happened, the original owner wasn't at the dorm, but was in the middle of travel. An uncle from her mother's side died, and she had to go back for the funeral.
The chaos happened just as she was about to board the train. People at the underground station started biting each other. On top of that, the spreading gray fog struck more fear in the people's hearts, as they had nowhere to hide.
The original owner was quite quick-witted. She went to hide at the nearest building, shaken with fear. For days, she went with little food and later developed a fever. Her fire and wood ability awakened, giving her some power to fight off the zombies.
Because of her powerful will to live, the original owner could only brace herself to confront those rotting figures that once were also human.
Until the end, she was still searching for her family. However, until she died, the original owner had never had the chance to meet them again. The limitation of the communication had caused such a tragedy.
However, because it was still early days in the apocalypse, Thalira knew the original owner's family was still living quite well in their city. Her family coincidentally possessed a factory full of canned food, and the location of the factory was not far from their home.
Perhaps a family member also had awakened a space ability.
Her travel became the reason she hadn't understood the relationship between Evelyn and Scarlett after the apocalypse struck. Some details didn't match, but that was normal. Because all she heard about Evelyn and Scarlett was from rumors.
Apparently, they would form a strong team together in the future.
"Why are you calling me shameless?" Evelyn stepped forward, no longer hiding behind Thalira. Her nostril flared. Anger was apparent in her eyes. "Who was trying to kill their friend just now? I had taken the risk to help you to hide the zombie scratches, but you actually went for my neck as soon as you woke up!"
Scarlett was taken aback. A deep frown marred her forehead as she looked around the room in confusion. When her eyes landed on Evelyn, they became a little more sober.
"You are still at fault." She took a deep breath, trying to calm herself. "I got scratched by the zombies. Whose mistake was it?"
"Fine. It's my fault. I can make it up for you in the future." Evelyn's strong momentum finally weakened, like a slowly deflating balloon. Biting her lips, she avoided anyone's eyes as she lowered her gaze. "Isn't that also a blessing? You awakened your ability…"
Scarlett rolled her eyes, unimpressed. However, she also didn't pursue the matter further. Instead, her eyes landed on Thalira as if she just realized that the girl was there.
Without warning, like a fired off bullet, she jumped from the bed and hugged Thalira. Her voice was filled with choked sobs, "Thalira, y-you are here…"
"Thalira, you are here!" Scarlett repeated the sentences a lot of times, like a broken recording. Thalira felt Scarlett's powerful grip on her, and it gradually made her have trouble breathing.
"You are going to kill her!" Evelyn commented from the side with a displeased frown.
Scarlett was startled when she heard that. She hurriedly let go of Thalira and scanned her from head to toe. Her face painted with concern. "I didn't hurt you, did I?"
Thalira gasped for breath, and after she regulated her breathing, she sent Scarlett a questioning look. What was with her powerful reaction? "I am fine… how are you feeling?"
Scarlett bit her lips. She slowly climbed up to the bed again, realizing that she was extremely weak right now. "I am just a bit weak, but most of my senses feel a lot lighter. Sorry for scaring you, Thalira. You helped me… so I was feeling a bit emotional."
Lowering her eyes, Scarlett continued with a face full of fears. "I was scared that I would turn into a zombie."
Thalira nodded in an understanding, making a smile bloom in Scarlett's tired face.
"So, what kind of power do you have?" Evelyn frowned and interrupted their close interaction.
Thalira already knew about it, but she still threw a curious look toward Scarlett. The girl's reaction was somewhat too big. Although it was somewhat weird, she didn't think much because it reminded her of Sera's reaction. Both girls must have been quite traumatized.
"Power?" Scarlett blinked in confusion.
"You didn't become a zombie." Evelyn paused and then continued with a bit of envy in her eyes. "So, you must have turned into an ability user."
"Oh?" Scarlett had a thoughtful look on her face. She murmured in slight excitement and astonishment. "How can I try the power?"
"Try to focus on the element's powers." Thalira opened her mouth. "Feel which power makes you most comfortable. It is some kind of natural calling from inside your mind, so you can use it according to your command."
Just as Thalira finished saying her words, a small spurt of water emerged from Scarlett's hand. The water quantity was small, but it managed to get to Evelyn's head, who happened to be nearby.
"You," Evelyn glared at her in frustration. "Are you deliberately taking revenge on me?"
Scarlett's lips formed a thin line. She sent an apologetic look toward Evelyn and said, "I didn't mean it. I couldn't control my power."
Evelyn sighed, and then she just snorted. "Well, as long as you are alright."
Thalira watched the interaction between them with a contemplative look. According to what they had said before, it was because of Evelyn that Scarlett had gotten scratched by the zombie.
She frowned. Her cat brain failed to process the development of Evelyn and Scarlett's friendship. Maybe Scarlett reacted the way she did because she was too anxious? She could have helped Evelyn and got scratched by a zombie. Yes, it sounded like what someone as kind as Scarlett would do.
Evelyn had become somewhat scared and worried about everything. Thus, it made her act the way she did. Oh, nevermind… Inwardly, Thalira shook her tiger head. She shouldn't meddle in this, because Scarlett should know better about what had happened between them.
Anyway, the two girls sometimes fought too. And most of the time, they would make up soon. This might be one of those cases.
"Congrats, Scar. You have awakened a water ability," Thalira said, genuinely happy for her.
Scarlett also smiled. She looked at her two hands in a daze and muttered, "Yes, I have water ability now…"
Then, as if she had just realized something, she suspiciously turned to Thalira. In surprise, she widened her eyes. "You just guided me to find what kind of power I have, Thalira. Are you also an ability user?"
"That's right." Thalira nodded in confirmation. She thought about it. Now that she was an ability user, and her strength was better than most people–because she was the only ability user with a power at level two, should she go find her family once the fog was completely clear?
Her chest tightened. Wasn't that also one of the original owner's regrets that she could not meet her family before she died?
Well, since she had taken over this body, then the original owner's family also became her family!
Scarlett had an excited face as she asked, "What kind of power did you awaken?"
"It's fire ability," Thalira honestly told her.
Evelyn watched the two of them with complicated eyes. Subconsciously, she clenched her fists. Her eyes held a hint of envy and regret.
When the fog completely subsided and people's eyesight range was restored, the university announced for the people who had awakened their ability to gather. During this time, more and more people from outside looking for shelter also joined the newly established base.