The dormitory stood as a towering monument to Karasuma Academy's philosophy of stratified excellence. It wasn't just a place to sleep; it was a daily reminder of the academy's unyielding emphasis on rank and hierarchy. The building was divided into five floors, with accommodations becoming increasingly luxurious as you ascended. Predictably, my rank of 47 earned me a room on the second floor—functional but hardly comfortable.
As I stepped into my assigned room, the stark simplicity of it greeted me. A single bed, a desk with a rickety chair, and a small wardrobe were all I had to work with. The walls were a dull gray, and the single window offered a view of the towering hedge maze we had just escaped.
I closed the door behind me and dropped my bag onto the bed. The room's silence was almost oppressive after the chaos of the labyrinth and the charged atmosphere of the clearing. I unpacked my essentials methodically, keeping my movements deliberate. There was no rush. This wasn't a race—not yet.
A knock on the door interrupted my solitude. I turned, already on guard. Who would bother with introductions so soon?
I opened the door to find a boy standing there, his dark hair slightly disheveled, his glasses catching the faint light of the hallway. He had an awkward but determined posture, like someone forcing themselves to appear more confident than they felt. I recognized him from the labyrinth; he had been in one of the groups arguing over which path to take.
"Hey," he said, his voice steady despite the nervous energy radiating from him. "I'm Daichi Sato. Rank 53. I… figured it'd be good to get to know some people early on. You know, before things get intense."
I leaned against the doorframe, crossing my arms. "Ryuto Kurogane. Rank 47. And you think things aren't already intense?"
Daichi gave a weak chuckle. "Fair point. I just thought it'd be smart to form some… alliances, maybe? Not everyone here seems like the type to play fair."
I studied him for a moment. He wasn't wrong. But alliances were tricky things. They could provide security, but they could also create vulnerabilities.
"You're not wrong about that," I said finally. "But alliances aren't something you rush into. They require trust, and trust isn't exactly abundant here."
Daichi's expression tightened, but he nodded. "Yeah, I get that. Still, it'd be nice to have someone watching my back. Even if it's just for now."
I considered his words. Having someone like Daichi around could be useful. He wasn't a threat, but he wasn't entirely clueless either. And in a place like this, even pawns had their uses.
"Fine," I said, stepping back to let him into the room. "But don't mistake convenience for trust. We'll see how this goes."
Daichi's face lit up with a mixture of relief and gratitude. "Thanks, Ryuto. I won't let you down."
I closed the door behind him and gestured for him to sit in the chair while I remained standing. "So, what's your read on the others?"
He adjusted his glasses, his nervous energy giving way to a more focused demeanor. "Celeste—the girl ranked third—she's dangerous. She's already playing mind games, trying to get under people's skin. And that guy who was shouting orders during the labyrinth? His name's Hiroshi. Rank 26. He's all bark, no bite, but he's rallying people who don't know any better."
I nodded. His observations aligned with my own. "Anyone else?"
"A girl named Aiko, rank 12. She's quiet but sharp. She was the first to figure out one of the dead ends in the labyrinth. Didn't even hesitate to turn back while others argued."
"Interesting," I said, filing the information away. "And you? What's your angle in all this?"
Daichi hesitated, then shrugged. "I just want to survive. I'm not aiming to be the best, but I'm not planning to be cannon fodder either. If I can find people who think the same, maybe we can help each other out."
I allowed a small smirk. "Practical. I can respect that."
The conversation continued, with Daichi sharing more of his observations and speculations. He wasn't a strategic genius, but he had a good eye for details and a willingness to adapt. That made him useful, at least for now.
When he finally left, I locked the door behind him and sat on the edge of the bed. The dormitory was quiet, the weight of the day settling over me. The labyrinth had been the first test, but it wouldn't be the last. Every interaction, every choice, would shape the game we were playing.
And I intended to win.