The place seemed stripped of all value, both monetary and informational. A scent similar to iron hung in the air. The place was completely destroyed. Everything was dark, and visibility only came when a red light flickered every three seconds. What was once a high-end laboratory now looked like a ransacked room, with no signs of life around. Papers littered the floor, most of them stained by a red liquid spread throughout the room. Although some documents showed text, none could be clearly made out, but all bore a characteristic number: "7-12."

Around the room were boards covered in symbols resembling formulas. On one side, there were tables still stained with the same red liquid, looking like hospital beds. Nearby, metal instruments—scissors, forceps, knives, and more—were similarly covered in the red substance. On the other side, the only things still visible under green lights were large glass tubes. Some remained intact, filled with what looked like crystal-clear water but completely empty. Others were shattered, leaving only shards of glass on the floor. A lever lay discarded on the ground, apparently used to break the tubes.

At the far end of the room were two doors: one led out, and the other... Instinctively, I slowly approached that door, intending to open it. Standing in front of it, my hand moved on its own towards the knob. Trembling, I turned it slowly, but suddenly, in the distance, I heard a voice.

— Ru...

— Karu!...

— HIKARU!

Terrified, I jolted awake. My pupils contracted, and I saw my sister gripping my shirt like she was trying to shake me down. After a moment, I remembered I was in the school dormitory, asleep. Groggily, I said:

— Haruki, why are you waking me up like this? I thought I was going to die.

— I've been calling you for a while, but you didn't answer; you looked like you were in a coma. I had to shake you because you wouldn't wake up. Did you forget, brother? Today is the entrance ceremony; we can't be late.

It's a little strange that I didn't wake up sooner. Normally, I'm a light sleeper, but for some reason, I forgot today was the entrance ceremony. Maybe because it doesn't really feel important to me?

— Fine, just let go of me so I can get up.

She released her grip on me, and as she walked out of the room, she said:

— Hurry up and put on your uniform. I'll wait for you to have breakfast.

— Yeah, yeah, whatever you say.

After she left the room, I let out a small sigh. Can't she control her strength? I seriously felt like I was being strangled. But now that I think about it... what was I dreaming? It's not normal for me to dream; in fact, I almost never do. But I won't dwell on it. If I don't hurry up and get ready, she'll probably drag me out of here. How terrifying!