The behavioral deviation assessment ended exactly 90 minutes later. Gaia was drenched in sweat. The children in the room looked utterly disoriented, unsure of what to do next. They had all been tested intensely in a short span of time—forced to answer numerous questions and have ideologies thrust upon them. Everything happened so fast, so overwhelming.
Holographic displays flickered to life on each student's desk, showing detailed profiles for each individual: identity, personality traits, behavioral tendencies, mindset, academic aptitude, and behavioral deviation scores.
Rain stared at the projection containing information about himself. It was filled with data—more than he ever knew could be gathered—compiled and analyzed after just one "lesson."
[Individual Evaluation Profile: A5-047-BX]
ID: A5-047-BX
Age: 13
Sex: Male
Status: AliveUnder Medium-High Surveillance
---
Physical Characteristics:
Height: 152.3 cm, 5'0"
Weight: 42.7 kg
Hair Color: Brown (Natural)
Eye Color: Dark Brown
Distinguishing Features: No genetic modifications; balanced physique; eyes indicate high perceptiveness
---
Aptitudes:
Logical memory retention
Situational analysis under pressure
Observation skills
---
Standard Deviation Index: 7.3%
(compared to general individuals within the same academic cohort)
Relative Deviation Index: 11.5%
(compared to control group under identical conditions)
---
Learning Level: Tier 4 (Preparatory for Implementation)
Response to Instructional System: 68.4%
Concept Acquisition Speed: Above Average
Application Capability: 79% above average
---
Emotional Development:
Detected emergence of new emotional responses since recent enrollment:
Concern (identified through group interactions)
Hesitation (in providing data to the system)
Fear (unspecified cause)
Confusion (undetermined source)
Emotional Responsiveness Trend: Moderate to High
---
Notable Traits:
Quiet, reserved
Calm and capable of snap judgment
Intelligent, cautious, strong survival instincts
Beginning to develop "---", identified by the system as an anomaly
---
Total Deviation Score: 13.6%
Alert Level: Moderate → High
Note: ---###########---
________________________________
The lights in the room gradually brightened, returning the space to its usual sterile clarity. The oppressive weight in the air dissipated, but the students remained stunned, shaken, and dazed by what had just unfolded. Suddenly, a loud mechanical groan echoed through the room as the massive metal doors at the rear slid apart with a thunderous clang.
; {Please return to your rest areas. The special afternoon lesson has now concluded. We advise all students to rest and prepare for tomorrow's session. Thank you.}
Gaia stepped up beside Rain's desk, where he still stared silently at the projection of his own data. He didn't even notice Gaia lightly tapping his arm.
"Hey… you alright, man?"
Rain blinked, pulling himself out of the spiral of thought. He turned slowly toward Gaia and gave a small nod in response.
"Let's head back."
Gaia gave him a brief, reassuring nod and they both rose from their seats. Rain stretched slightly, his limbs still stiff from the tension, and the two of them made their way toward the door. Waiting just outside the metal frame were Eliza and Zyn, both clearly still on edge.
As soon as Zyn spotted them, she raised her hand and called out loudly.
"Hey! Over here, you guys!"
Gaia and Rain walked over to join the other two.
"Man, you're seriously loud sometimes, Zyn," Gaia teased with a playful grin.
"What did you just say?" she shot back, scowling at him.
"Kidding, kidding," Gaia chuckled softly at her annoyed expression.
Their footsteps echoed down the long hallway as the four of them made their way back toward the dormitory, just like the other students. The same emotions lingered in each of them—confusion, unease, and a subtle fear that none dared to fully voice. Even Zyn, usually the most brash and headstrong, showed a faint trace of fear on her face. The test had shaken them all.
It was now the free period—an allotted time when students were allowed to return to their dorms, stroll around, or enter designated areas permitted during this hour. However, strict limitations remained. They were not allowed to leave the sanctioned zones or cross into restricted areas. The only accessible places were the Library, Dining Hall, Dormitories, Playground, Electronics Room, and Bathrooms.
The four of them decided to walk around for a bit before heading back to their dorms, taking the chance to explore the unfamiliar facility.
"Hey, guys," Eliza called out, prompting the others to turn toward her.
"Was there a room here this morning?"
They followed the direction she pointed to. It was near the playground corridor—a section of the wall that had been empty earlier in the day. Now, a mysterious room stood there, seamlessly embedded into the wall. It looked like a thick metal door, tightly shut and locked. None of them remembered seeing it before.
"This wasn't here before," Gaia muttered.
"Hey, you kids—what are you doing over there?" a voice called out sharply.
They turned to see one of the facility's guards approaching. He was wearing the same black mask as others, his tone stern and commanding as he drew closer.
"You're aware that unauthorized access to restricted areas is prohibited, right?"
His cold eyes, barely visible behind the slits of his mask, fixed on Rain and the others with a chilling intensity.
"We understand," Rain replied calmly, stepping slightly ahead of the group.
He turned to his friends.
"Let's go."
They nodded silently and moved away from the sealed door, continuing down the wide, sterile hallway. Even as they walked away, Rain could feel the guard's gaze burning into their backs—unwavering and cold—until they finally turned a corner and were out of sight.
"…Did any of you feel weird just now?" Zyn asked, her voice low.
Gaia exhaled, his expression darkening.
"Yeah… something's definitely not right."
Beep Creak Creak
A warning alert suddenly blared from the collar around Zyn's neck as she walked a few steps ahead of the group. A cold, mechanical voice followed, echoing chillingly through the corridor:
"You are currently leaving the permitted zone. Please return to the designated area immediately. Failure to comply will result in severe punishment for disobedience and attempted unauthorized escape."
The voice looped over and over, paired with a sharp beeping tone. Zyn froze in alarm before quickly dashing back toward the group, her face pale. As she returned to the safe zone, the sound gradually faded away.
"So… this is the farthest we're allowed to go?" Rain asked, his voice low.
Gaia scanned their surroundings and pointed toward the floor. A thick red line stretched across the hallway, with bold letters etched beside it:
"RESTRICTED ZONE — AUTHORIZED PERSONNEL ONLY"
"…Looks like it," he muttered grimly.
"Hey, what do you guys think is beyond that line?" Eliza asked, her voice curious but cautious.
Rain shrugged and let out a soft sigh before replying in his usual calm tone.
"Probably just more guards."
Gaia let out a short laugh at Rain's blunt and indifferent response.
Zyn gave Rain a playful nudge on the shoulder and raised an eyebrow.
"Yeah, probably ten times more of them waiting."
Gaia then gestured with his hand, signaling the others to follow his lead.
"Come on. Let's head back to the dorms."
____________________________________________________
Late at night, Rain tossed and turned on his bed, unable to sleep. The room was quiet—everyone else was fast asleep. The only sound was the soft rustling of the sheets and blankets brushing against his skin as he shifted.
He sat up on the edge of his bed, looking around the dark, silent room. It seemed he was the only one awake. Climbing down from the bed, he sat quietly at its edge.
A faint whisper came from the shadowed corner of the room. It was Gaia—he, too, seemed unable to sleep.
"Can't sleep?" Gaia asked quietly.
"Yeah," Rain nodded.
The boy stepped out from the darkness and sat down beside him.
"Me neither," Gaia said, kicking his leg lightly against the floor before letting out a sigh and turning to face Rain.
"Want to go for a walk?"
Rain was slightly startled by Gaia's question and asked back,
"Aren't we not allowed to go anywhere?"
"And there's that camera in the corner of the room too."
Gaia glanced at the camera and said,
"You noticed that too?"
Rain nodded quietly.
"Then, how about we just go to the bathroom?"
"Alright..."
They both got up from their beds and walked toward the heavy door. Each step echoed, loud enough that they could hear it themselves. Gaia lightly knocked on the door, signaling to see if anyone was outside. No reply came, even after several knocks.
"What now?"
Rain whispered.
The system's voice responded—not from outside the door or the speakers, but from their collars.
"How may we assist you? What do you require?"
Gaia jumped slightly at the unexpected source of the voice but answered,
"Bathroom, please."
"Acknowledged."
The heavy door slowly creaked open, revealing a dark, empty corridor beyond. The ceiling lights were off, casting a cold, eerie silence that sent chills down their spines.
Rain and Gaia stepped out together. Soon after, the door shut behind them. Walking side by side, they noticed a faint light trail on the ceiling guiding their path—clearly directing them toward the location their collars had acknowledged.