I paused one afternoon atop a jagged ridge, my shelter dismantled and packed neatly into the makeshift bag I had fashioned from bark and plant fibers. Below me stretched a clearing, its edges lined with skeletal trees. The faint tracks of grazing creatures crisscrossed the ground, but my eyes were fixed on the horizon.In the distance, the valley seemed to narrow, the cliffs on either side drawing closer together. It was a subtle change, but it piqued my curiosity. Perhaps the narrowing signified a transition—a shift in the valley's geography that could lead to new discoveries."Information is the thread that ties everything together," I murmured aloud, my voice barely breaking the silence. "Without it, I'm just a wanderer in the dark, reacting instead of acting. If I don't understand the rules of this world, I'll remain at its mercy."The need to gather information wasn't born of fear. It was a necessity, a logical step in the process of survival. I wasn't content to simply exist here. I needed to know what lay beyond the valley, whether there were others like me—intelligent beings who could provide answers. And if there weren't, I needed to understand this world well enough to thrive in it.By this point, my explorations had revealed several key features of the valley. There were small streams that occasionally carved through the terrain, their waters shallow but clear. I had yet to find their source, but they offered a glimmer of hope—proof that this land wasn't entirely lifeless.The skeletal trees, though haunting in appearance, provided some of the materials I needed for survival. Their bark was fibrous and pliable, useful for crafting tools and bindings. The strange plants that grew near the pools of inky water yielded a sticky resin when cut, which I began experimenting with as an adhesive.Satou raised an eyebrow. "Adhesive? Is he trying to make glue now? What's next, a makeshift lab?"Miki, almost blending into the background, mumbled softly, "It's... impressive how he can find use in everything around him."The creatures, too, were becoming more familiar. Their routes and behaviors were predictable, allowing me to hunt with greater efficiency. But they remained skittish, vanishing at the faintest sign of danger. This suggested that predators roamed the valley, though I had yet to encounter any.Ryuen smirked. "Skittish creatures, huh? It's only a matter of time before he meets something big enough to see him as prey."Katsuragi, his tone serious. "And he's already anticipating it. Predicting danger is his way of preparing for the inevitable."Suddenly, a faint sound pierced the stillness—a murmur carried on the shifting air. My muscles tensed. It was different from the noises of the valley's creatures or the rustling of skeletal trees. This was deliberate, rhythmic, unmistakably human. Voices.Ryuen leaned forward, his eyes narrowing. "Voices? So he's not alone anymore. I wonder if these people are friends or foes."Horikita crossed her arms, her expression unreadable. "Given the tone of the scene, they're more likely to be hostile. Ayanokoji won't take risks without assessing first."Nagumo smirked. "Still, voices? That's a twist. I thought this place was deserted."My hand instinctively tightened around the spear. I placed my bag down against the trunk of a gnarled tree, careful to keep it hidden but within reach, and began moving silently toward the source of the sounds. My footsteps were deliberate, each one placed with precision to avoid snapping twigs or disturbing the rocky ground. The training from my past kicked in.Hōsen grunted, visibly impressed despite himself. "He moves like a predator. If those guys have half a brain, they'd be scared shitless."Ryuen snickered. "Careful, Hōsen. You're starting to sound like you respect him. Maybe you're jealous? Besides, you are forgetting he looks like a kid right now."Hōsen's glare darkened, but he stayed silent.Ichinose looked concerned, her voice trembling slightly. "Why would he approach them? Shouldn't he stay hidden? They might be dangerous."Kushida forced a smile. "That's not how Ayanokoji thinks. He'd never leave something like this unchecked."As I crested a ridge, the scene below unfolded before me. I spotted two figures, looming over a third, who lay sprawled on the ground.Hashimoto raised an eyebrow. "Ah, classic bandit setup. Looks like someone's in trouble."Kiryūin chuckled softly, her tone sardonic. "And let me guess: Ayanokoji's going to get involved."Karuizawa frowned, her voice barely above a whisper. "But he's not the type to jump in blindly. He'll calculate first.""You've wasted enough of our time, old man!" one of the bandits, a burly man with a scar running down his cheek, growled, kicking the figure at his feet. His voice carried, echoing in the open valley. In his hand, he gripped a heavy axe, its blade glinting faintly in the dim light.Ichinose, her gaze softening as she nearly looked away, said sadly, "Poor old man... he didn't deserve this."Sudo leaned forward, his expression tense. "That guy's carrying an axe? They're armed?"Ryuen snorted. "Not exactly the warm welcome you'd hope for, huh? They don't look like the friendly type either."Ike pointed at the screen, his voice rising in disbelief. "Who even walks around with axes like that? This isn't some fantasy game."Sakayanagi's eyes narrowed as she assessed the scene. "It suggests a lack of sophisticated weaponry. Axes are brutal but rudimentary—likely what they could get their hands on easily."Hirata nodded. "But they're still dangerous. A weapon is a weapon, no matter how basic."Nagumo smirked. "It's not the weapon that matters, though—it's how you use it. Let's see how our little survivalist handles this one."The murmurs continued as the scene played out, but then a realization rippled through the room.Ichinose tilted her head, her brow furrowed. "Wait a second... I can understand what they're saying."Kushida's eyes widened in surprise. "Oh, you're right! They're not speaking Japanese, are they? But... it sounds so natural."Sudo blinked, looking around the room. "Hold on—are we all understanding this? How is that even possible?"Hirata frowned in thought. "It's not just the words. It feels like they're speaking directly to us."Bái Xūé's voice rang out, calm and direct, addressing the crowd. "I have ensured that everything you witness in these memories is comprehensible to you. The moment you see or hear something foreign, your mind interprets it in a way that feels natural. This is how you understand the language."Sakayanagi chuckled softly. "So, you're saying we're essentially experiencing a seamless translation? Impressive."Mandarin? I thought to myself.Mii-chan's voice broke the silence, filled with awe. "So... he actually understands Mandarin? Like, fluently?"Hirata's brows knitted together. "He didn't seem surprised by the language—only by hearing it here. That means he's fluent enough for it to be second nature."Kiryūin chuckled, leaning back with a playful grin. "Of course he does. It's Ayanokoji. What else would you expect? Latin? Martian?"Nagumo raised an eyebrow. "Mandarin isn't just something you pick up on a whim. It's one of the hardest languages to learn. This guy is a walking enigma."Ryuen smirked, his tone half-mocking, half-impressed. "Another day, another flex from the perfect little monster. What else has he been hiding?"Sakayanagi's tone was measured but intrigued. "Mandarin is the second most spoken language in the world. Given his upbringing, it makes sense for him to learn it."Nagumo leaned back, a sly grin on his face. "Imagine casually understanding Mandarin in the middle of nowhere. The guy just keeps proving he's on a completely different plane."Kiryuuin laughed, her voice full of amusement. "Whatever else he knows, he's got everyone in this room feeling inferior. At this rate, I wouldn't be surprised if he's fluent in alien dialects too."Mii-chan's voice trembled slightly, still astonished. "And here I thought learning a few sentences in French was impressive..."Mii-chan continued, her awe evident. "I mean, learning a language takes time, practice... Did he study it in the White Room too? What else does he know?"I knelt low, observing. My breathing slowed as I assessed the situation. My gaze flickered between the bandits and their victim. Two opponents, armed and at ease, with little concern for their surroundings.Aside from the burlier bandit, the other one was taller, leaner, and cautious—the kind who stayed back and watched, his sword always ready. The burlier one was brutish, impulsive, and overconfident, the type who led with intimidation rather than strategy.The older man, frail and bloodied, coughed violently before trying to speak. "Please... I've told you everything I know. You're misunderstanding, the village has nothing to do with this..."Ryuen's gaze was replaced by a sharp glare. "Tch, cowards picking on a defenseless old man? That's pathetic."Sudo clenched his fists, his voice loud with anger. "What the hell, man? Ganging up on someone like that—makes me wanna jump into the screen and deck those guys myself!"Miki, who rarely spoke up, whispered nervously, "It's awful... they're just... so cruel." Her words, though soft, carried an undeniable weight of disgust.Hirata nodded firmly, his tone resolute. "It's completely unacceptable. Even in a lawless place, there's no justification for this."Ichinose's expression softened. "The poor old man... He must've been so desperate to come to a dangerous place like that."Shiina tilted her head thoughtfully. "But why would they think a village has something to do with their search? That doesn't add up."The other bandit sneered, his grip tightening on his weapon, "Liar. If you value your life, you'll tell us where the treasure is hidden. Or do you need another demonstration?" He raised his sword, the blade catching a glimmer of pale light.Kushida winced. "Treasure? Do they really think he's hiding something?"Hashimoto raised an eyebrow. "They're bandits. Logic isn't exactly their strong suit. If they think there's treasure, they won't stop until they get what they want."Treasure? I frowned. The old man's desperate tone didn't match the accusation. But the word "village" lingered in my thoughts. A village meant people—civilization, a chance to gather information. If I helped this man, it might open a door to understanding this world.Nagumo smirked. "Ah, there it is. He's not helping out of kindness—it's all about the information."Matsushita nodded in agreement. "Of course, he'd see an opportunity here. A village means answers."Aside from a village, there also seemed to be a bandit outpost somewhere within the area. Moreover, why did the old man venture here, into this valley? Was he searching for something?Enough watching, I decided. This was my opportunity. I shifted my weight, readying the spear as I descended the ridge.Sudo grinned, leaning forward. "Finally! Time to see him in action!"Ryuen chuckled darkly. "Let's see how this 'kid' makes them regret their lives."I considered coming barehanded without a weapon but discarded the notion.I kicked a pebble at the ground, letting it roll down the slope, which alerted the two bandits. Their heads turned sharply, eyes narrowing as they spotted me."Oi, who's there?" the burly one growled, his hand gripping the axe at his side. His eyes narrowed as he spotted me emerging from the mist. "A kid?" He spat on the ground, his expression twisting with contempt. "Crawled out of a cave, did ya?"Hōsen barked a laugh. "Hahahaha! That's right, look at his attire, he looks like a caveman."Amasawa gave a small chuckle. "Indeed, but they are completely underestimating him. That's going to cost them." I glanced at my makeshift clothing, realizing how disheveled I must appear. His words weren't entirely inaccurate—I looked like a caveman with the clothing I made. Well, that insult hurt.Ryuen chuckled darkly. "He says it hurt, but does he actually feel anything? He looks as calm as ever."Karuizawa tilted her head, frowning. "He says it hurt, but... he doesn't look hurt. I mean, does he even care about stuff like that?"Hirata smiled faintly, trying to ease the tension. "Maybe he's just acknowledging it without really letting it bother him. Ayanokoji's always been... hard to read."Sudo grinned. "If that's 'hurt,' then I wanna learn how to be that cool about insults."Shiina softly added, "Even when he admits it bothers him, his face doesn't change. It's almost eerie how composed he stays."Kiryūin leaned back with a smirk. "A caveman, huh? Maybe. But even dressed like that, he still carries himself like someone who's in complete control. That's what really matters."Nagumo's eyebrows raised slightly. "Disheveled or not, I doubt anyone here would underestimate him. They'll regret that insult soon enough."The second bandit with a sword in his hands sized me up, his lips curling in amusement! "Hah! Looks like we've got ourselves a lost kid. Maybe his parents left him here to fend for himself."I remained silent, my face expressionless as I approached. The old man turned weakly to look at me, confusion and worry flickering across his weathered features."Hey, kid!" the burly bandit called out, stepping forward. "What's your deal? Can't you talk? Or are you just stupid?"I stayed silent, not replying to his inquiries."You got a death wish, or are you here to save this geezer? Scram for me, will you? Before I change my mind."Hashimoto chuckled, his sharp eyes focused on the screen. "Look at how calm he is. Those bandits have no clue what's coming. It's almost... cruel."Ichinose frowned, her brows knitting together. "He's just a kid in their eyes, but... why does it feel like Ayanokoji's the one in control of this situation already?"Morishita tilted her head slightly. "Ayanokoji Kiyotaka. This is what makes him unsettling—he doesn't flinch or rise to their bait. Silence, even here, is his greatest weapon."I tilted my head slightly, my amber eyes unblinking. If I were able to act and change my outward expression like Kushida this situation would be much easier to handle.Kushida's expression froze for a moment before she forced a cheerful smile. "Oh? So he thinks my expressions are useful. I'll take that as a compliment... I guess."Ryuen leaned back in his seat, smirking. "What's that, Kushida? Feeling flattered? Guess even Ayanokoji noticed your little talent for acting."Horikita shot Kushida a sharp look. "It's not exactly praise if he's saying he'd find manipulation useful in this kind of situation."Karuizawa glanced at Kushida, her tone cutting. "Yeah, but we all know she's good at pretending. Too bad it's not something to be proud of."Kushida's smile wavered briefly before she composed herself again, her voice light and unaffected. "Well, everyone has their strengths. I can't help that mine might actually come in handy here."Hashimoto snorted, watching the screen. "Still, imagine Ayanokoji actually putting on an act. That'd be terrifying. He doesn't need fake smiles—he's already scary enough when he's deadpan."Shiina tilted her head, her voice soft but thoughtful. "If he could act as easily as Kushida does... I wonder what kind of chaos he could cause. It's strange to think about someone like him wearing a mask.""Sigh..." I let out an audible sigh, which seemed to provoke the bandit with the axe. Meanwhile, the second bandit, who seemed a bit guarded, stayed further away. It appears like he is the smarter and more careful one among both."You've got a death wish, huh?" His grip on his axe tightened, and he sneered. "Oi, Cheng Wuying, look at his face. He'd fetch a good price with those freaks from the Shadowthorn Covenant Sect. They're always looking for fresh goods."Shadowthorn Covenant Sect? I frowned slightly, barely noticeable on my face. The name hung in the air like a curse.Cheng Wuying nodded, his amusement fading. "You're right. He's got the look they'd like. But don't damage him too much. They're picky about their merchandise."The burly bandit grinned, tossing his axe aside. "Don't worry. I'll keep him in one piece." He cracked his knuckles and took a step toward me, exuding an air of arrogant confidence.Karuizawa's eyes widened in horror. "They were planning to sell him? What kind of messed-up world is this?"Ichinose clenched her fists tightly. "Shadowthorn Covenant Sect... Just hearing the name feels ominous. What kind of people would even deal in something like that?"Horikita's expression hardened. "Merchandise? That's how they see people? These bandits aren't just criminals—they're tied to something larger. A sect that tolerates or even encourages this is a threat to anyone nearby."Ryuen leaned forward, a dark grin on his face. "Shadowthorn Covenant Sect, huh? Sounds like a lovely bunch. Wonder if they're as twisted as they sound."Hōsen chuckled lowly, his voice dripping with malice. "Selling people? Guess they're more cutthroat than I thought. But that idiot with the axe just gave away too much. What kind of moron tells his enemy everything?"Kushida put a hand to her mouth. "Selling someone as 'fresh goods'? It's disgusting... but Ayanokoji doesn't even look fazed."Shiina lowered her gaze, her voice quiet but trembling with unease. "It's frightening. They're talking about it so casually, like it's normal for them."Nagumo crossed his arms, his voice laced with intrigue. "And yet, Ayanokoji's focus doesn't waver. He's more interested in the name Shadowthorn Covenant Sect than their threats. That says a lot about his priorities."Asahina grimaced. "How can anyone act so calm when hearing something like that? It's beyond me."Mii-chan shivered, her voice barely a whisper. "I'd be panicking if I were him... How can he stay so cold and calculating?"Kiryūin leaned back, her gaze sharp. "The fool threw away his axe. That's the first mistake. The second? Assuming Ayanokoji's a helpless kid. This is going to be fun."A big mistake. Even though he seemed to see me as a kid I still had a spear in my hand, seems like he had great confidence in his strength.Kushida frowned, her usually composed demeanor slipping slightly. "It's hard to believe, isn't it? I know we've heard about his fight against Tsukihiro and Shiba, but trained or not, they weren't hardened criminals like these two bandits."Ike crossed his arms, glancing nervously at the screen. "Yeah, I mean, these guys look like they've been in their share of brawls. How's a kid supposed to take them on? Even with a spear?"Ichinose bit her lip, her voice hesitant. "But he's not like any normal kid, right? Maybe it's more about skill than strength?"Hirata shook his head slightly. "Skill is important, but... these are grown men. Their reflexes, their experience in combat—it should be overwhelming. Even someone trained would struggle, especially at that age."Horikita's brow furrowed, her tone measured but uncertain. "He's said it himself—he wasn't at his peak during his time at ANHS. If this is a younger version of him... how does he have the physical ability to keep up with opponents like this?"Nagumo chuckled, though his smirk didn't reach his eyes. "And yet he's not just keeping up. It looks like he is in control of the situation. That's the unsettling part. There's something about him that doesn't add up—something beyond strength or skill."Kiryūin tilted her head, her sharp gaze fixed on the screen. "Maybe we're underestimating his training. The White Room didn't just prepare him for normal situations. It molded him into something more. But even with all that, this isn't just a matter of preparation... it's instinct."For the first time I spoke up, my voice cold and threatening, "Are you sure you want to do this?"Ichinose shivered, rubbing her arms. "The way he said it... it didn't even sound like a threat. More like a statement. Like he already knows how this will end."Sudo slammed a fist into his palm, grinning. "Man, that's badass. I gotta try saying that to someone sometime!"Karuizawa glared at him. "And get yourself beaten up? That's not just confidence; it's because Ayanokoji knows he can back it up."Asahina tilted her head, her brow furrowed. "But why give them a chance to back down? If he's so sure of himself, why not just attack?"Nagumo smirked, his tone amused. "Because it's not just about winning. It's about control. He's making them question themselves—putting them on the defensive before the fight even starts."Hashimoto whistled low, shaking his head. "Gotta admit, that's a power move. I wouldn't want to be on the receiving end of that."