The polished black stairs gleamed under the flickering crystal lights.
Izuma stepped through the archway. His boots made a hollow echo as he began ascending, one slow step at a time. Two guards flanked behind him this time, not four like before. Their expressions were unreadable, helmets still and unmoving.
/Monologue Begin/
Only two this time? Do they... trust me more?
No. That can't be it.
Or can it?
Have they already figured something out about me? It's only been three days since I last stood here. What could they have learned in that time?
Did someone snitch? Did I slip up?
No, I kept my story straight. Right?
/Monologue End/
The guards said nothing, only pushed open the twin doors, behind them, a familiar gust of cold air met him, like stepping into a memory that never quite stopped haunting him. But this time, no one grabbed him. No one shoved him. No hostile silence.
Just... quiet permission.
He stepped forward.
The doors shut behind him.
Izuma descended the long stairs alone. The sound of his footsteps echoed louder than usual, a metallic resonance that felt somehow more hollow, more ceremonial.
He looked up.
The great circular platform stretched before him. Towering above, the same seven thrones loomed like monoliths. Only five were occupied. Again.
Again?
/Monologue Begin/
Still five. Two missing. Always two missing.
The ones who spoke last time are here.
Why? Why is it always five?
And why does it feel... heavier today?
/Monologue End/
One of the council members shifted slightly. Another crossed a leg. But no words came.
Not until he heard the boy's voice.
"This time... you're Full Name."
The voice was calm. Young. Authoritative without effort.
Izuma lifted his head, eyes beneath the mask locking onto the center throne where the youngest council member sat, legs crossed, arms draped over the armrests like he owned gravity itself.
"Izuma Nasiki."
There was a beat of silence.
Then, for the first time, the boy nodded.
"Izuma Nasiki,"
he repeated, tasting the name like a key fitting into a lock.
"We have summoned you again for a simple reason."
Izuma didn't respond. His throat was dry. He simply nodded, eyes watching every movement of the boy's fingers as they tapped rhythmically against the armrest.
"Your ability."
Like a lance to the chest, the words hit. His knees weakened, buckled slightly, but he caught himself. Stood firm.
"Your ability is 'Perception,' is it not?"
Izuma nodded slowly.
"Yes."
The boy tilted his head.
"Describe it."
He didn't think. Didn't plan. The words just spilled, raw and unrehearsed.
"It allows me to perceive things better than normal people do. Patterns. Movements. Body language. Sometimes things others overlook."
A pause.
"It's not that impressive. It's minimal, really. Just a support skill."
The boy squinted slightly as if analyzing the syllables for hidden meanings. His tone remained soft, but firm.
"I see."
He tapped his chin. Then continued.
"During your last visit, I didn't get to ask you much....no?"
Izuma hesitated.
"Yea.." he admitted.
The boy raised a brow.
"So since you're new here, what's something new you learnt in this country?"
He knows I'm new....fuck.
"That humans aren't as powerless here as I thought."
FUCK
A faint smile flickered on the boy's lips.
"A good answer."
Izuma exhaled quietly.
I accidentally said the first thing that came to mind, lucky thing he didn't notice, phew.
The boy leaned forward slightly.
"That mask you're wearing."
Izuma froze.
"Custom made?"
He didn't miss a beat.
"Gifted."
"From who?"
"An old shopkeeper."
The boy nodded, almost amused.
"Strange choice of design. Intimidation over anonymity."
Izuma heart dropped a bit.
Shit...He knows it's for intimidation too?
"Seems to work."
The council member to the boy's left shifted but still said nothing. Not one of the other four had spoken.
/Monologue Begin/
Why only him?
Why is no one else speaking?
Is this some kind of test?
Or am I only being judged by one of them today?
/Monologue End/
The boy straightened up in his throne.
"Izuma Nasiki."
His full name again.
Izuma stiffened.
"Would you like..."
A pause. A deliberate one.
Izuma swallowed. He didn't know what was coming.
"...to join the Council?"