Time had lost its meaning inside the basement. Niles sat on the hard wooden chair, his mind, without any external stimuli and data, turned inward. He knew the system knew, knew he was very aware of it, now it was trying to correct him.
And here came the sharp clack of the digital lock, more jarring than any alarm. The door swung open and revealed Professor Draven. His stern face was illuminated by the flickering hall light, his hands holding a glass of water and a folder.
”I trust you’ve had enough time for your reflection, Mr. Fulgencio,” he smirked, his tone conversational while placing the glass of water and the folder on the nearby desk. He then stood over him, a silhouette of firm authority.
Niles said nothing, simply staring at his hollow face.
“The file you have accessed,” Professor Draven continued, while flipping through the pages with his right thumb. “A remarkable piece of work I must say. You see this as a condemnation, but it is not.”
”It’s a diagnosis. We identify strengths to nurture and weaknesses to manage, to improve. For the good of our academy!”
Niles continued his silence, watching the man continuing his monologues.
”Blackwood Academy,” Professor Draven spoke its name full of pride, his eyes shining under the dim light from the light bulb. “This institution serves a purpose greater than your education!” He paused and looked at the young boy. “You, Mr. Collingwood and Miss Solace are the vital components. But a component that seeks to understand the machine could become… unstable.”
”It's a problem we couldn't dare to risk.”
”Tell me, which component is unstable?” Professor Draven proceeded to ask him the question.30Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡdlBwDHra36
Niles didn't want Alice and Leon to be involved and got hurt, so he turned his head away from Professor Draven, avoiding his gaze, but the larger man grabbed his chin and forced Niles to look at his eyes.
”Playing the silent game, huh, aren't you? I see...”
Professor Draven removed the grip on his chin, but he slapped Niles immediately right after the moment, his head snapped to the side, stars bursting in his vision.30Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡulKhemaSf4
”Son, we can either do it the hard way... or the easy way. Let's try that again, shall we?”30Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡoz9jeXB1gb
He grabbed Niles' chin again and moved his face closer to the boy's face, sending a cold shiver down his spine.
”Now, tell me, which component is unstable, Mr. Fulgencio?”
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Meanwhile, Leon and Alice were hiding behind a big wood plank, listening attentively to the two's conversation. They hold their breath tight, not daring to make any sounds, not even the faint sound of breathing.
Alice covered her mouth with her palm while Leon clenched his hands into fists, his knuckles turned white.
”Tell me, which component is unstable, Mr. Fulgencio?” he repeated his question, the atmosphere suffocating and deadly.
Niles continued his silent game.
”Silence wouldn't do you any good, boy.” he smirked, further tightening his grip. ”Or perhaps I should find Miss Solace and Mr. Collingwood instead?”30Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡFUMhbdSBld
Professor Draven stared into his grey eyes, trying to impose his authority. Niles took a deep breath, his face initially masked with fear now returned to his usual calm demeanour, before forcing the answer out from his mouth.
”I fly solo,” he replied calmly, his cold gaze staring back directly to the man. ”I always have. The other two are just appearance. Miss Solace is emotionally predictable, and Mr. Collingwood, of course, is bound by rules.”
”I don't see the reason to cooperate with the two. Working with them would simply reduce my efficiency by approximately 56%.”
”They've never seen the system. Only, I do.”
The words were a lie, crafted like his code—clean and efficient. But to Alice and Leon, listening in the dark, these cold and harsh words landed like physical blows to their hearts. Alice flinched and Leon’s jaw tightened, a flicker of doubt and hurt in their eyes. For a terrible second, the lie threatened to take root.30Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ2L9SQYQph1
Professor Draven studied his cold expression. “A solitary genius, I see. A very convenient story.” He didn’t sound convinced at all. “Perhaps. Or perhaps you are more loyal than you are smart. We will see. A few more days in here often help clarify these things.”
He turned to leave, his jacket brushing against the doorframe. As he did, the light from the hall glinted for a split second on a slim, white card in his breast pocket.
Niles’s eyes, sharp and desperate, caught the glint.30Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡmvO5oMYhIk
The keycard.
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Professor Draven left, the lock clicking back into place, the room returned to its usual deadly and suffocating silence.
In the echoing silence of the corridor, Alice and Leon remained frozen. The truth of Niles’s sacrifice warred with the sting of his dismissal.
Then, a new sound. A faint, deliberate tapping from the other side of the wall. It was a pattern. A simple, repeating rhythm of three taps, a pause, then two. It was Niles. He was communicating.
Alice pressed her ear to the stone, her fencer’s focus narrowing to the sound. The message was clear. Three words, tapped out with unwavering certainty.30Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ86KKZTbpBt
”Keycard... Draven's... Jacket...” Alice slowly said.
”Alice, the keycard is in Professor Draven's jacket. We have to go get it!” Leon clenched his fist, his whole body filled with determination.30Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ2Kb9owum1W
The sting of his lie vanished, replaced by a surge of fierce, defiant understanding. Niles hadn't abandoned them. Instead, he had given them their next move. The two looked at each other, the bond they had forged now stronger than ever, forged in the fire of his sacrifice. They now had a target.30Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ6NyvaCwMNt
and then Add to home screen.