Chapter: 36. The Forced Deal (4K8)
Zou thought that the other party’s suggestion to take a step back merely meant leaving the intensive care unit.
Unexpectedly, the other party actually invited him to get in the car, driving all the way to a uniquely shaped building.
Although Zou had never been inside, he immediately recognized this iconic building located in Ark Academy.
Noah Hall.
A student dormitory situated in the seventh area of Ark Academy.
Though it was a student dormitory, its appearance resembled a floating near-futuristic palace.
The design of the facade combined modern and classical elements; the double-layer glass curtain wall acted like a mirror, reflecting the brilliant starry sky, and the streamlined lines easily evoked the legendary “Miracle Ship – Noah’s Ark.” However, its overall shape resembled an upright ship, seemingly waiting for the day it would launch into the waters when doomsday arrived.
“May I ask, why are we here?” Zou asked, puzzled.
The other party did not answer immediately, instead calmly parked the car.
As a student of the Special Course, Zou naturally had heard about Noah Hall.
This was indeed one of the safest places in Ark Academy.
It had extremely high access requirements.
Apart from higher-level teachers and administrators, only the students residing within could use their student IDs to unlock the doors here.
“Because some things are better experienced on-site than just being told about,” Kitano Masakazu said with a smile, stepping out of the car first.
“But I don’t have access—”
Zou followed suit as he spoke.
“Don’t worry, everyone’s access can bring one person into Noah Hall,” Kitano took out the identification he had just shown Zou from his pocket and led Zou to the outer gates of Ark Academy.
Kitano Masakazu swiped the ID in his hand to open the outermost iron gate of Ark Academy, and the automated doors slowly opened, giving Zou the illusion that he was entering some kind of grand hall.
The marble pathway leading to Noah Hall wound through a lush garden.
On either side of the door, ancient stone sculptures intertwined with modern art sculptures, as if time had frozen here.
Following behind Kitano Masakazu, Zou did not feel at ease due to the warm ambiance; instead, he sensed something was off, his brow furrowing tightly.
Kitano Masakazu noticed Zou’s reaction and smiled as he initiated a conversation: “You really are extraordinary, Tsukiomi Zou. I heard you have a keen intuition, and it seems that’s indeed true.”
“Wh-what do you mean?”
“You feel that the atmosphere here is quite strange, right?”
“…How did you know?”
“Could you please tell me what you’ve noticed from now on? It’s important to me.”
As Kitano finished speaking, he pushed open the exquisite wooden door of Noah Hall.
What came into view was a spacious lobby, where the white and gold color scheme radiated warmth in every corner, and the air was filled with a faint scent of wood and the freshness of plants.
However, the beautifully luxurious lobby intensified Zou’s sense of unease.
Kitano Masakazu was quietly watching Zou, seemingly waiting for him to speak.
Given the situation, Zou had no choice but to express his current feelings:
“It’s too quiet… This is supposed to be a student dormitory, and it’s dark outside… Since we arrived, I haven’t seen a single student…”
As the highest-ranked student dormitory in Ark Academy, Noah Hall usually housed many students.
But at this moment, Noah Hall was eerily silent, completely devoid of any human presence.
Rather than stepping into a dormitory, Zou felt as if he was stepping deeper into some kind of “trap.”
“You truly are perceptive, Tsukiomi Zou.” Kitano Masakazu nodded, looking quite pleased with Zou’s performance.
Especially with his awareness of the situation.
Zou’s performance dimmed the previously obscured light in Kitano Masakazu’s eyes.
He changed his mind.
“Actually, a case occurred here the night before last, so Noah Hall is now prohibiting anyone from entering, and the students who originally lived here have been temporarily arranged to other dormitories.”
“A… case?!”
“Yes, and it’s a murder case.”
“!?”
Zou showed a look of surprise upon hearing this.
To think that this was one of the safest places in Ark Academy, yet someone could commit murder under the academy’s surveillance?
Kitano Masakazu did not pay attention to Zou’s reaction but began walking through Noah Hall with him.
“Some people with ulterior motives secretly infiltrated Ark Academy,” Kitano explained the situation to Zou, speaking of members of the anti-ability organization lurking among the faculty and students, a professor who brought an important item to Ark Academy for academic exchange, and the item that went missing after the professor’s death.
Zou then understood why he had received the document issued by the chairman.
He was actually assigned to investigate this case.
Unbeknownst to him, Zou followed Kitano Masakazu to the place where the professor had been murdered that night.
An ancient corridor made of stone, its walls eroded and mottled with the years, led to a room at the end of the passage.
“Is there anything here that catches your attention?” Kitano Masakazu turned and asked Zou.
“What’s that room up ahead…?”
“The library of Noah Hall.”
“Then, is it possible that the item is inside the library?” Zou made a reasonable suggestion.
Since the place where the professor died was right in front of the library, and the members of the anti-ability organization had not obtained that item, it was a natural conclusion that the professor might have hidden the important item inside before his death.
“It’s possible.” Kitano Masakazu did not deny Zou’s speculation.
However, his ambiguous response left Zou feeling confused.
“Why say that? If we take the time to search inside—”
“—Because it’s a very special item that ordinary people cannot find.”
“So, I hope you can help me go in and take a look.”
“Me? But I’m not anyone special…”
“It seems you underestimate yourself a bit, Tsukiomi Zou~” Kitano laughed, adding, “Besides, it wouldn’t take much time to try, right?”
“Ah, yes…” Zou realized he had no reason to refuse and nodded obediently.
Whether it was due to the knowledge of the recent death that occurred here, Zou felt inexplicably chill in the corridor.
The moon was not visible outside, with only faint starlight shining through the window and illuminating the corridor.
As Zou nervously observed the surrounding environment,
Kitano Masakazu took out another card from his pocket and swiped it to unlock the library.
As the intricately patterned iron door slowly opened,
Click.
It was an incredibly faint sound.
So faint that even Kitano Masakazu could not hear it.
But that sound exploded like muffled thunder in Zou’s mind.
“How is it, Tsukiomi Zou? Do you feel anything?”
“…….”
Even though Zou did not know what the important item Kitano referred to was,
At this moment, the faint white glow spilling onto the carpet assured Zou 100% that this was what he was looking for.
That item was right under the cabinet in front of him.
And Kitano Masakazu seemed completely oblivious to that discomforting glow, simply turning to look at Zou with intrigue.
—Did such a strange item actually exist?
Just as Zou was about to inform Kitano of the sight before him,
A warning voice flashed through his mind.
(“You know nothing; around you are filled with liars and traitors while you foolishly trust everyone.”)
It was indeed the words from the person who harmed Fuuko and Konagi.
Yet for some reason, at this moment, it expanded infinitely within Zou’s heart.
Coupled with the recent information he received from the man before him.
—Can this man truly be trusted?
—Is he really the teacher assigned by the chairman to investigate this, rather than a member of that anti-ability organization?
Zou found himself momentarily unsure of whom to believe.
Logically, the man before him had provided him with all the necessary information, so he should trust him no matter what.
But for some reason, his intuition compelled him not to voice his concerns immediately.
—What was that important item?
—Why did so many people want to obtain it?
“Tsukiomi Zou.” Kitano Masakazu suddenly spoke, startling Zou, who had been lost in thought.
“Is it really you?” The man before him murmured something inaudible to anyone else.
At the same time, the brilliant stars in his eyes began to flicker slowly.
The light of flowing magic passed through his gaze.
The shadow beneath him squirmed.
A faint, almost imperceptible aura connected the two—
“Tsukiomi Senpai, what are you doing here so late?”
Just then, a voice suddenly came from the corridor outside the library, interrupting “Kitano Masakazu.”
The light in the latter’s eyes dimmed once more.
Hearing this, Zou turned his head in surprise to see Tsukiumi Ayako walking down the corridor in a uniform.
“Aa-Ayako?! Why are you here?”
“This is more like my question, isn’t it? Why is Tsukiomi Senpai here at this hour? It’s supposed to be a time for students to rest!”
Ayako did not answer Zou’s question but instead countered with a stronger tone.
Then she noticed there was another person besides Zou present.
“Good evening, Tsukiumi Ayako.” Kitano Masakazu greeted her.
“Good evening, Teacher Kitano…” Ayako seemed surprised by his presence but lowered her head slightly in reply.
“Ah, time passed so quickly… Tsukiomi Zou, I’m really sorry for bringing you to a place like this so late.”
“Ah, no, I don’t mind…” Zou tried to suppress his nervous feelings and responded calmly.
“Tsukiumi Ayako, I invited Tsukiomi Zou to assist in the investigation, so please forgive him.” As Kitano spoke, he stepped out of the library, defending Zou.
At Ark Academy,
Once the nighttime curfew has passed,
Students are not allowed to leave dormitories without prior notice or special circumstances.
Such violations could lead to serious penalties for students.
“No, if it’s Teacher Kitano…”
“Then let me take Tsukiomi Zou back to his dormitory. On an island, it’s hard to find a taxi at this time, right, Tsukiumi Ayako? You’re also living in Shikikan, like Tsukiomi Zou, right?”
Kitano Masakazu’s words surprised Zou.
—Ayako moved to Shikikan too?
Zou now felt something was off; while there were quite a few student dormitories at Ark Academy, he hadn’t expected so many people to be staying in Shikikan in recent days, combined with the details of the case he had just learned—
—This matter was far from simple.
Especially since even Tsukiumi Ayako had moved in.
For Zou, this girl, who was a year behind him, had been able to partake in Task SEIMA for two and a half years, not just an ordinary Special Course student. Since she also moved to Shikikan—
Zou’s mind became chaotic.
However, one thing was clear: what he just saw in the library, that glimmer of white light, could not be revealed to others yet.
Ayako did not refuse Kitano Masakazu’s invitation; she and Zou got into his car and returned to Shikikan.
By the end, Zou still did not understand why she had come to Noah Hall at night, but since a teacher like Kitano Masakazu could also ask, Zou felt too embarrassed to speak up.
When the car stopped in front of Shikikan,
Ayako got out first and walked toward the dormitory.
Kitano Masakazu lowered the window and called out to Zou, who was about to leave.
“Tsukiomi Zou, can I ask you for a favor?”
“Ah, sure, what is it…?”
“Could you help Ark Academy find the hidden traitor?” Kitano Masakazu said with a serious expression.
“Find… the traitor?”
“Actually, you might have realized it already, right? The people in Shikikan right now are those who had no alibi on the night of the incident and are under suspicion.”
“What!?” Zou froze for a moment, then his expression turned angry. “Are you saying the person who killed the professor and harmed Konagi is among us?”
“—Exactly, they are among you.” Kitano Masakazu confirmed Zou’s words.
“…..Why are you telling me this?”
“Because I trust Tsukiomi Zou, and you wouldn’t want your childhood friend to be summoned for questioning, would you?”
“What do you mean by that?” Zou’s emotions began to escalate after hearing Konagi’s name, and unconsciously, he stopped using honorifics.
“Your childhood friend, Hoshimiya Nagine, is now also on the suspicious list.”
“That item is crucial for Tsuki Academy. If we cannot quickly find the real culprit, then all those suspected, including you, Tsukiomi Zou, will likely be summoned to Tsuki Academy for further questioning—”
“Tsuki Academy’s style is nothing like Ark Academy. Even if you are truly innocent… no one can guarantee that you will safely return to your peaceful daily life.”
“That’s why I hope to make a deal with you, Tsukiomi Zou. As long as you help Ark Academy find the culprit hiding around you and hand over that item, I guarantee that you and your childhood friend will not be implicated in this matter.”
“…..Can I consider what you just said as a threat?”
“From the outcome, it’s a win-win deal.” Kitano Masakazu neither confirmed nor denied it.
“……I understand. I will find them.” After a long pause, Zou nodded, but his eyes remained fixed intensely on the man before him.
“I’m glad we could reach an agreement.” Kitano Masakazu seemed unfazed, then pulled out a business card from his pocket and handed it to Zou.
“Well then, let’s part ways here. Remember, before Tsuki Academy intervenes in this matter, find the culprit and the item. If you need help or want to report something, call the number on the card.”
The brilliant stars hung high in the night sky.
Zou stood alone at the entrance of Shikikan, quietly watching the rear lights of Kitano Masakazu’s car.
“Damn it—!” Until the lights disappeared into the darkness, Zou couldn’t help but curse.
But the target of his anger was not Kitano Masakazu, but himself.
—If it weren’t for his own narcissism, Konagi should have come to Ark Academy for him.
—Not only did she suffer an attack, awakening her abilities,
—Now she was facing an even greater threat…
“Damn it! This time, I absolutely won’t let Konagi—” Zou’s eyes flickered with a weak golden light in the darkness.
—The item brought by the professors from Tsuki Academy was certainly right in the library.
—Now the only thing left was to find the traitor hiding in Shikikan.
As Zou walked back to Shikikan, he noticed Konagi had not yet returned.
The process of inspecting after an awakening of abilities was very tedious and complex.
Although Zou had not awakened yet, he had seen countless classmates going through the inspection process.
The duration of inspections varied from person to person.
Generally speaking,
The more powerful and potential the abilities, the longer the inspection would take.
Thinking of this, Zou glanced at the time on his phone.
Compared to when Konagi left the hospital, a long time had already passed.
“Is Konagi okay… No, since Amou is with her, she should be fine.”
Unlike him,
Amou Tenha was one of the lowest-numbered students in Ark Academy. As No. 9, she had a power that he could not even imagine; even some teachers were no match for her.
—Powerful abilities…
This reignited Zou’s thirst for strength.
Unlike his past feelings of inferiority,
At this moment, Zou desperately yearned for powerful abilities, to the extent that he was willing to give up everything.
Because only then could he better protect his beloved childhood friend—
