As the screen faded to black and the video concluded, the students and staff grew restless once more, their thoughts fixated on the connection between Ayanokoji and the enigmatic figure.Bái Xūé, the mysterious architect behind this entire ordeal, materialized in the air, silent and enigmatic. In that single moment, his presence sent another wave of reactions rippling through the crowd.Karuizawa's voice cracked as she turned to him. "You've got to explain this! What does this mean? Is Ayanokoji tied to you somehow?!"Ichinose's voice broke with a mixture of desperation and anger. "Why him? Why does it always come back to him?!"Horikita's sharp gaze locked on the figure, her mind racing. "What... connection could this possibly have? And why reveal this to us now?"Sakayanagi's fan momentarily stopped mid-swing, her calm composure faltering as her usually sharp eyes widened. "Could this be a glimpse of the future, or perhaps... something else entirely?"Ryuen leaned forward, his expression unreadable but his voice dripping with skepticism. "So, is this some godlike version of him? Or have we all just been played this whole time?"A moment afterward, the figure began to descend, the aura around their face which hid their identity started to fade, showing Ayanokoji who looked like he was in his early twenties, with his golden shining eyes, long gray hair—not the gray from aging. He was undoubtedly handsome.The theater fell into stunned silence, the weight of the revelation crashing over everyone.Sudo nearly fell out of his seat. "What the hell?! That's him? That's Ayanokoji?!"Karuizawa's jaw dropped, her voice a whisper. "It... it really is him. But... how? What is this?!"Kushida stared in disbelief, her usual mask shattered. "That can't be real... Is this the same Ayanokoji we knew?"Nagumo, who rarely showed genuine surprise, muttered under his breath. "So this is where he ends up? That's not just skill or strategy anymore... That's something beyond human."Shiina's voice was soft, almost reverent. "His eyes... They're like they're looking straight through you. What has he become?"Ryuen's smirk returned, but it was weaker than usual. "So, the monster's still evolving, huh? Figures he'd turn out like this."Ichinose clasped her hands together tightly. "If this is his future, then... what happened to him to make him like this?"Mii-chan's timid voice cut through the stunned murmurs. "But... but if he looks like that, does it mean he... became something else entirely? Is he even human? Or is this person impersonating Ayanokoji's looks?"In the staff section, Chabashira visibly stiffened. "This... this doesn't even seem possible. What kind of life did he lead to become that?"Hoshinomiya leaned closer to Chabashira, her voice a nervous whisper. "Do you think this is really him? Or just some... projection of what he could be?"The collective awe and terror in the room were palpable. Some were captivated by the beauty and mystery of his transformation, while others felt a chill of fear at the implications. No one could deny it now—Ayanokoji wasn't just a mystery to unravel anymore. He was something else entirely.Among the students still reeling from the shock of the revelation, Amasawa's eyes widened with sudden recognition. Without hesitation, she sprang from her seat and dashed toward Ayanokoji, tears welling in her eyes. "Senpai!" she cried out, her voice trembling with emotion as she threw her arms around him.Ayanokoji stood still, allowing her to embrace him without protest. His hand moved, resting gently on her head as she buried her face into his chest. A small, almost imperceptible smile played across his lips—a smile no one had ever seen before.The sight of Ayanokoji smiling, however faintly, sent a ripple of astonishment through the theater. The room fell silent, and for a moment, it was as if time itself had stopped.The room fell into an uneasy silence, broken only by Amasawa's muffled sobs.Ichinose, watching the scene unfold, took a hesitant step forward. "Ayanokoji-kun..." she began, her voice faltering. "Is this... really you?"Ayanokoji's gaze shifted toward her, his golden eyes meeting hers. "Yes," he said simply, his voice steady yet carrying an unfamiliar weight.The simplicity of his response only deepened the tension. Karuizawa finally found her voice, her tone hesitant but laced with genuine concern. "Kiyotaka... what happened to you?"Ayanokoji's hand gently lifted from Amasawa's head as he stepped forward, his movements measured and deliberate, exuding calm authority. His gaze swept over the room, ensuring every eye was on him before he spoke."What you saw happened exactly like that," he said, his tone steady, almost unnervingly calm.The weight of his words settled over the audience, drawing a collective breath as they processed what they'd witnessed on the screen."I was born on Earth, like all of you," he continued, his voice deliberate and composed. "I spent my formative years in the White Room, a place designed to strip humanity down to its raw potential and reconstruct it into something... useful."His gaze lingered momentarily on Karuizawa, a subtle acknowledgment of her question. "As you've seen, I attended ANHS, met all of you, and lived among you. But then, as the last scene revealed, I was transported to another world—a place entirely unlike our own."The room remained deathly silent as Ayanokoji continued, his golden eyes scanning the crowd. "Since the moment you last saw on the screen—since the valley, the bandits—thousands of years have passed. I lived through that time, through countless trials and evolutions. What you see before you now... is the culmination of that journey."Murmurs rippled through the crowd, disbelief, and awe battling for dominance.Horikita's voice broke the silence, sharp and probing. "Thousands of years? Are you saying you've lived through all that time? Without aging? Without... dying?"Ayanokoji nodded slightly, his expression unreadable. "Time, as you understand it, has little relevance to my current existence. In that world, I adapted, and evolved. And now, I stand here before you as the result of those experiences."Ichinose looked down, her hands trembling slightly. "So... everything we saw—the battles, the survival, the transformations—that wasn't just another chapter in your life. That was... an eternity."Ryuen let out a low whistle, leaning back in his seat with a smirk that couldn't hide the unease in his eyes. "So what you're saying, Ayanokoji, is you're not just some prodigy anymore. You're something else entirely. A god, maybe?"Ayanokoji's expression remained calm, his gaze steady as he replied, "A god? No. Gods inspire reverence, fear, or hope. I inspire none of those things."The room fell into a heavy silence, the weight of his words lingering like a palpable force. Even Ryuen, notorious for his provocations, seemed momentarily at a loss for words.Kushida's voice trembled as she spoke, her carefully composed mask slipping for a moment. "But why show us all of this now? Why let us see your life... your transformation?"Ayanokoji's steady gaze met hers, his golden eyes calm yet intense. "Because I am pursuing what lies beyond—the Fifth Step. Something you cannot yet comprehend."He paused, his voice lowering, resonating with an almost otherworldly gravity. "My journey is far from over, in fact, it just started. In this Starry Sky, I may stand without equal, but the vastness of this world defies comprehension. It transcends everything you could ever make sense of."The room fell silent, the weight of his words pressing down on everyone present. For a moment, no one spoke, their thoughts racing as they tried to grasp the immensity of what Ayanokoji was conveying.Ayanokoji's gaze swept over the room, taking in each face. "Your reactions, your understanding, your growth—it all feeds into what I'm seeking. A glimpse of the Fifth Step requires not just knowledge, but insight itself. Your presence here isn't accidental."Matsushita's voice cracked slightly as she spoke. "You're saying we're part of your... experiment? Like this is all some grand test?"Ayanokoji's face remained inscrutable, his voice steady and calm. "You could interpret it that way. But it's not one-sided. I am not the only one gaining something here. You, too, are receiving knowledge—insights beyond anything you've ever imagined."The room buzzed with murmurs of uncertainty and curiosity, his words hanging in the air like a challenge. It was Ichinose who found her voice first, her curiosity overpowering her apprehension. "How powerful are you now? Compared to before? Are you... unstoppable?"Ayanokoji's eyes flicked toward her, calm yet unreadable. "Power is relative. What I've achieved doesn't make me unstoppable. It only means I've transcended certain limits. But the measure of power depends on the opposition—and this world is vast."Ryuen leaned forward, his smirk laced with intrigue. "So, what's next? Are you going to show us some cosmic smackdown? Or what's this 'journey' we're supposed to see?"Ayanokoji's gaze swept the room, addressing the unspoken questions in their expressions. "What you're about to witness is my entire journey—every step, every challenge, every transformation that has brought me to this point. The answers you seek will come. But I won't spoil what's ahead. Let the scenes speak for themselves."Hirata, ever thoughtful, leaned forward. "You're saying we'll see everything? From the moment you were transported to this world... to now?""Yes," Ayanokoji said with a slight nod. "Every moment—my trials, my growth, the choices I made. You will see it all, just as I experienced it."Sudo, his brow furrowed in disbelief, blurted out, "So you're sayin' this is like some kinda movie marathon? Like, all the crazy stuff you went through?"Ayanokoji's response was calm, deliberate, and carried a subtle weight. His lips curled into a small, almost imperceptible smile. "In a way, yes," he admitted, his golden shining eyes scanning the room, meeting the gazes of those still fixated on him. "But this is far more than entertainment. It's a story of overcoming challenges, of understanding, and of what lies beyond."The subtle smile didn't go unnoticed this time. Unlike the brief moment with Amasawa earlier, the crowd was now calmer, their focus sharper. This expression, paired with his cryptic words, stirred an even deeper reaction."He smiled again," Horikita murmured under her breath, her gaze fixed on Ayanokoji. Her analytical mind raced. "He smiled at the café that one time, but this... it's entirely different."Ichinose clasped her hands together, her chest tightening. "That's... the first time I've ever seen him look so human," she murmured, her voice tinged with sadness and something deeper."Man, smiling twice in one day," Ryuen teased, leaning back with a smirk. "At this rate, he might even crack a joke. What's next, Ayanokoji? Gonna start narrating your life story with sound effects?"Karuizawa remained silent, her gaze glued to Ayanokoji. Her hands fidgeted with her jacket as if unsure of how to process the small but undeniably impactful expression. "Why... why does that smile feel so distant? Like it's for everyone and no one at the same time..." she thought to herself.Amid the murmurs, Kiryūin chuckled softly, her sharp eyes gleaming with curiosity. "A story of understanding and what lies beyond? You're good at keeping people hanging on your every word, aren't you? A true enigma."Amasawa, still close to Ayanokoji after her earlier emotional outburst, looked up at him, her expression more composed now but still brimming with affection. "Senpai... you're different now, but you're still the same. That's what makes you amazing."From the back, Nagumo's smirk widened as he crossed his arms. "Ayanokoji Kiyotaka, the man who doesn't just live a story but makes everyone a part of it. Fine, I'll bite—let's see what your life's 'movie marathon' has to show us next."The atmosphere in the theater was heavy with anticipation, but some students couldn't hold back the urge to bridge the chasm of time that now seemed to separate them from Ayanokoji. For them, only weeks had passed since he was a fellow student, their enigmatic yet silent classmate. The weight of his transformation hadn't erased the personal connections they felt, even if it seemed like lifetimes had passed for him.A few moments later Ayanokoji extended his hand, his golden eyes glowing faintly as the space around him began to shimmer and twist. The air itself seemed to ripple under an unseen force, bending to his will with a precision that was both effortless and absolute.Before the astonished eyes of the students and faculty, the theater began to dissolve. The walls melted into a golden mist, and the seats, once bolted to the floor, floated upward before disappearing entirely. The once-enclosed room stretched outward infinitely, its ceiling vanishing to reveal a brilliant sky that seemed almost more vivid than reality.It wasn't just any sky—it was alive with hues of deep blue, streaked with golden and lavender clouds that shimmered faintly as though imbued with divine energy. A gentle sun hung in the center, casting warm, comforting light that felt impossibly real.Under their feet, the dull theater floor was replaced by soft, lush grass that rolled out in all directions. Small flowers of impossible colors bloomed instantaneously, their petals glistening as if kissed by morning dew. A winding stream appeared, its crystal-clear waters weaving gracefully through the vibrant landscape, reflecting the brilliance of the fabricated sky.From the horizon, structures began to rise. Marble pavilions with intricate carvings emerged from the ground, their pillars twisting upward in elegant spirals. These were no ordinary structures—they radiated a serene majesty, as though they belonged to a realm untouched by time.In one corner, an elaborate restaurant materialized, its facade constructed from white stone veined with gold. Large, open windows revealed an interior lit by warm chandeliers, with tables arranged artfully amidst cascading indoor waterfalls. Plates and glasses appeared, gleaming under the ambient light, as the smell of fresh food and baked goods wafted gently through the air.Further along, a plaza of entertainment facilities sprang into existence. An arcade filled with glowing machines, a grand cinema with walls carved from crystal, and even a tranquil tea house, its traditional wooden structure nestled among vibrant sakura trees that had sprung to life in an instant.Every detail was immaculate, down to the soft hum of wind through the trees and the distant chirping of birds that had not been there moments before.The sheer scale and intricacy of the transformation left everyone dumbfounded.Karuizawa took a hesitant step forward, her gaze darting between the towering pavilions and the glistening stream. "This... this isn't real. It can't be," she whispered, her voice trembling with awe.Ryuen, always the skeptic, muttered under his breath, "How the hell is this even possible? What kind of trick is he pulling?" But even he couldn't hide the way his eyes widened as he took in the spectacle.Sakayanagi, her ever-present cane in her hand, murmured with uncharacteristic wonder. "This level of creation... it's as though we've stepped into a world beyond human imagination."Nearby, Nagumo's confident smirk faltered, replaced by a stunned expression. "This is... this is absurd. He didn't just change the room—he created an entirely new world."Even Chabashira, who had always carried an air of unflappable authority, was visibly shaken. Her hand tightened on the railing she was leaning against as she whispered to herself, "This can't be something any human is capable of... is it?"Ayanokoji, standing at the center of it all, seemed untouched by the reactions. His movements were calm, and deliberate, as though the act of reshaping reality was nothing more than a simple routine. He turned slightly, his voice carrying effortlessly across the vast expanse."You now have five hours," he said, his tone measured yet commanding. "Explore, eat, relax. Use this time as you see fit."His words broke the spell, and murmurs of disbelief rippled through the crowd. Students exchanged incredulous glances before cautiously stepping forward, their hesitation slowly giving way to curiosity.Hirata, ever the mediator, spoke up, his voice tinged with wonder. "Everyone... let's try to make the most of this. Whatever this is... it's beyond anything we've ever experienced."Karuizawa clung to Ayanokoji's sleeve for a moment before hesitantly letting go. "You... really are something else, Kiyotaka," she murmured, her voice barely audible.The vibrant world buzzed with life as students scattered in awe, yet Ayanokoji stood unmoving at the heart of it all, his golden eyes fixed on the horizon, unresponsive to Karuizawa's whispered words or the emotions they carried—inscrutable and utterly beyond the reach of the world that once held him.TO BE CONTINUED***A/N: Next one will be an intermission! For now, till I am finished with my university exams this reaction fic will be on a pause. Maybe I will make the intermission chapter when I have the time. For now my focus is on the normal fic.See you in March, until next time!PS: Read the main fic, if you didn't already :P