Lyra led him through a quieter section of the guild, far removed from the open lobby. The atmosphere shifted the deeper they went—less movement, fewer people, and a noticeable increase in security. The corridors were wider here, lined with smooth metallic panels etched with faintly glowing arcane circuits. The energy flowing through them was subtle but constant, like the building itself was alive and watching.
They stopped in front of a large door.
It opened automatically.
"This is your room."
Rio stepped inside.
The space was far larger than he expected.
It wasn't just a room—it was a full suite. A spacious living area extended outward, furnished with clean, modern designs that blended comfort with restraint. A low table sat in the center, surrounded by a dark-toned sofa, while a wide window stretched across one wall, offering a clear view of the city far below. The skyline shimmered with layered lights, vehicles moving like streams of energy between towering structures.
To the side, a second section led toward what was clearly a sleeping area, and beyond that—
A bathroom.
Minimalist.
Pristine.
Untouched.
Lyra stepped inside just long enough to place a neatly folded set of clothes on the table.
"A pair of new clothes," she said, her tone casual but efficient. Then she turned toward him, her sharp eyes lingering for just a second longer than necessary. "Clean yourself up. You have thirty minutes."
She didn't wait for a response.
She stepped out.
The door closed behind her.
Rio stood there in silence for a moment.
"…Thirty minutes, huh."
He exhaled and walked toward the bathroom.
The moment he stepped inside, the lighting adjusted automatically, soft illumination spreading across polished surfaces. Everything was spotless—almost unnaturally so.
He approached the mirror.
And stopped.
For the first time since waking up—
He looked at himself properly.
The reflection staring back at him didn't match what he had expected.
Long white hair fell loosely around his face, smooth and untouched, catching the light in a way that made it almost silver. His skin was pale—far too clean, far too flawless. There wasn't a single scar, not even a faint mark to suggest what he had been through.
His features were sharp, but soft at the same time.
His crimson red eyes shone.
Delicate.
Almost—
"…This looks like…"
He paused, narrowing his eyes slightly.
"…someone who shouldn't have survived that."
There was something undeniably refined about his appearance. If anything, he looked more like a noble raised in comfort than someone who had been experimented on in a hidden facility.
For a brief moment, he almost questioned it.
"…I thought the experiments would've left something behind."
Scars.
Damage.
Anything.
But there was nothing.
Only perfection.
And somehow—
That made it worse.
Rio looked at his own reflection a second longer before turning away.
"…Doesn't matter."
He stepped into the bath.
The water adjusted instantly, temperature stabilizing without needing to be set. He let out a quiet breath as the tension in his body eased slightly—not completely, but enough to clear his head.
His thoughts didn't slow.
They never did.
The facility.
The experiments.
The power inside him.
Elara.
The guild.
"…I walked straight into something bigger."
That much was obvious.
After a while, he stepped out, drying off quickly before reaching for the clothes Lyra had left behind.
They were… different.
Not overly ornate, but clearly designed with purpose.
A fitted black uniform, layered with subtle silver accents along the sleeves and collar. The material felt light, but durable—something made for movement rather than appearance. Across the chest, embroidered cleanly into the fabric, was a symbol.
A lotus.
The same one Elara bore.
"…So this is their standard."
He put it on.
The fit was exact.
Too exact.
As if it had been prepared specifically for him.
Rio adjusted the sleeve slightly, his gaze lingering on the symbol for a moment before stepping away.
"…Guess I'm part of this now."
He walked out of the room.
Lyra was waiting outside, leaning casually against the wall.
The moment she saw him, her expression shifted slightly.
Not surprise.
Amusement.
Her eyes moved over him once, quick but deliberate.
Then she smirked.
"What?"
Rio frowned slightly.
"Nothing," she said lightly, pushing herself off the wall. "Pretty boy. Follow me."
Rio blinked.
"…What?"
But she had already turned and started walking.
He stared at her for a second.
Then sighed quietly and followed.
"…I'm already regretting this."
They reached the elevator again, stepping inside as the doors closed behind them. This time, there were no stops along the way.
The ascent was smooth.
Direct.
The top floor.
The doors opened.
The difference was immediate.
This level was quieter than anything below. No unnecessary movement, no noise—just a controlled, almost suffocating stillness. The design was sharper here, more refined, as if every detail had been intentionally minimized.
They stepped out.
Lyra led him to a reception area, where a woman stood behind a sleek counter. Her posture was straight, her expression neutral, but her eyes were attentive.
"The Guildmaster wants to see him," Lyra said.
The woman nodded once.
No questions asked.
Rio didn't get time to think.
The door behind the counter opened.
"…Go," Lyra added.
He stepped forward.
The moment he crossed the threshold—
The atmosphere changed.
The room was massive.
A large chamber, designed less like an office and more like a place of judgment. The space was open, but the weight of presence inside it made it feel smaller than it was.
At the far end—
Elara sat behind a wide wooden table.
Her posture was composed, her expression calm, but her gaze was already fixed on him.
She had been waiting.
In front of her stood three individuals.
The first—
He recognized immediately.
Emma.
The same woman from earlier, her dark hair tied neatly, her sharp eyes already watching him with quiet intensity.
The second—
A young man.
Blonde hair.
A blindfold covering his eyes.
And yet—
He was smiling.
Not politely.
Not casually.
Amused.
As if he already knew something no one else did.
"…What the hell…"
Rio felt it immediately.
That presence.
Not visible.
But unmistakable.
The third—
An older man.
Standing slightly apart.
His posture was straight, his expression set in a deep frown.
There was no visible movement.
No obvious action.
And yet—
The air around him felt heavier.
Not overwhelming.
But undeniable.
"…This one's dangerous."
Rio didn't need experience to understand that.
It was instinct.
The kind that told you—
If something went wrong—
He would be the first to act.
Silence filled the room.
All eyes were on him.
Rio stepped forward.
Slowly.
Controlled.
And stopped at a reasonable distance.
"…So this is it."
No escape.
No misunderstanding.
This wasn't a welcome.
This was an evaluation.
And every single one of them—
Was waiting to see what he was.