After his recent conversation with David, Ren left the training room and made his way to the library.
"I should've started there," he muttered.
He had chosen to visit the training room first because he needed reassurance—he wanted to confirm that weapons weren't accessible to just anyone.
However, after seeing the available equipment—swords, bows, axes—he doubted that these objects posed any real threat. Now that he was certain there was no immediate danger, Ren tried to shake off the unease left by his encounter with David.
Standing before the library doors, Ren paused for a moment, taking a deep breath before stepping inside.
"Some things never change," he thought.
Inside, nothing looked particularly out of the ordinary. The books were neatly arranged in cabinets, patiently waiting to be read. Tables were set up for studying, and there were a few quiet corners for those who preferred solitude. The place was calm, almost soothing, but Ren still sensed that something was off.
He wandered through the library, glancing at the book titles. Some seemed normal, but others were… strange.
"Beginner's Swordplay… Self-Control… How to Master Your Superhuman Strength…"
The deeper he went, the more absurd the titles became. Ren stopped and randomly pulled out a book. He read the title and then opened it.
"Extinct Species…"
He flipped through the pages. What he read left him confused.
"The Black Lion: named for its fur and mane as dark as night. Its skin can easily withstand tank missiles. In addition to leading its kind, it can dominate lower-ranking animals."
Ren frowned.
What the hell is this?
He turned the page.
"Metal-Eating Termites: as the name suggests, these insects can devour any type of metal—iron, uranium…"
"Soundwave Bats: unlike their cousins, these ones emit shockwaves to bring down their prey."
The more he read, the more he understood why no one came here. Who would waste their time reading this nonsense?
"And what kind of name is that? Thunderhawk… Not only is it full of fake info, the author also has zero originality. Sounds like a certain someone…"
"Excuse me…"
A soft child's voice interrupted his thoughts as he was about to put the book back. Ren turned around and saw a timid little girl trying to hide behind a bookshelf.
"That book you're holding… are you done with it?"
Ren paused for a second, then responded as naturally as he could. "Yeah, go ahead."
Still flustered from his earlier meeting with David, Ren had promised himself not to lose his composure again. He was sure he could stay calm no matter who he faced—but the sight of a little girl threw him off balance.
What is she doing here? Is she a refugee like us… or here for another reason?
But when Ren noticed the collar around her neck, he realized she was in the same situation.
"Thank you, sir," she said as she took the book.
"I wanted to grab it, but it was too high… and there was no one around to help."
That explained why the library was always empty. The books were so ridiculous that no one cared—except for this little girl.
Ren leaned forward a bit and asked, "You actually like these kinds of books, don't you?"
She nodded enthusiastically. "Yes! They're fascinating!"
Figures, Ren thought. No one but a kid would waste time on this kind of stuff.
"But tell me, are you the only one your age here?"
"Yes."
Another reason she might be into these books, Ren figured. She probably had no one else to share her interests with.
"Mister?" she asked shyly.
"You can call me Ren," he said with a smile.
He didn't like being called "mister"—his face wasn't that old… was it?
"In that case, Ren, would you read with me?"
Ren hesitated a moment before agreeing.
It's not like I had anything planned anyway.
He had meant to bombard Yane with questions, but thinking back to Yane's expression when they parted, Ren doubted he was available.
The two sat at a table and began flipping through the pages. The girl commented on nearly every animal, and Ren forced a polite smile in response.
I should've said no. These stories are ridiculous.
As they reached the final page, his eyes naturally drifted to the author's name. His body and mind froze.
"Elric Ban."
He was a well-known scientist from Ren's time, famous for his anatomy books. What set him apart was his unique way of blending humor and seriousness. Ren vaguely remembered his work, but he never imagined Elric Ban would write something this… absurd.
Thinking back on the animal names in the book—so painfully unoriginal—Ren couldn't help but wonder.
His writing style… his signature…
Meanwhile, the little girl noticed his change in demeanor and asked quietly:
"Ren…?"
But Ren didn't hear her. After a few seconds lost in thought, he was convinced.
Why? Elric Ban liked to joke, sure—but not like this…
"Hey, you!"
A furious voice snapped him out of it. Ren turned and saw Carla, eyes blazing with anger.
"What are you doing with Catherine?!"
Caught off guard, Ren quickly stood up, leaving the book open on the table.
The little girl—Catherine—seemed surprised too, but remained silent, eyes wide.
"I… I was reading with her," Ren said, trying to stay calm. "She asked for help."
Carla crossed her arms, her gaze darting between Ren and Catherine. Then back to Ren.
"You shouldn't be around her. She doesn't belong with people like you."
A spark of anger lit inside Ren, but he held it back.
"People like me? What's that supposed to mean?"
Carla didn't answer. Instead, she stepped forward and took Catherine's hand.
"Come, Catherine. Let's go."
The girl hesitated, casting one last glance at Ren before following Carla. Ren stood still, watching them leave. He wondered what had made Carla so furious.
But honestly, Ren didn't really care. On the contrary, he welcomed the solitude—it gave him time to dig deeper into the library. He picked books one by one, scanning each page, looking for answers. Every book was carefully examined before he put it back, usually with a sigh of frustration.
Fully absorbed in his search for truth, Ren lost track of time. Hours passed without him noticing, and he explored every corner of the library, hoping to find something—anything—that might explain what was really going on.
And just as his eyelids began to grow heavy with fatigue, a voice broke the silence.
"Excuse me, but we're about to close."
Ren lazily lifted his head and saw a boy with black hair and corrective glasses standing in front of him. The stranger looked calm, almost professional, as if he dealt with this kind of thing all the time.
"You're new here, right? Ren?"
Ren blinked in surprise. "Uh… yeah. How do you know?"
The boy smiled faintly. "Yane reported you missing. And well, you match the description. Water?"
He handed Ren a bottle, who hesitated before taking it. "Thanks," he said cautiously.
"Hungry?" the boy asked, offering him a plate of rice.
Ren felt touched by the gesture—but also a little uneasy.
"How'd you know I was hungry?"
After all, he hadn't eaten anything since waking up.
The boy shrugged. "Yane cares about you more than you think. Also, he talks. A lot. Way too much, if you ask us."
Ren couldn't help but smile at the idea of Yane chatting about him with everyone. It was so like him—lively, open, always in everyone's business.
Although Ren had asked him to keep everything low-key…
"Well, now that I've confirmed you're fine, I should let him know,"
The boy sent a message from a device similar to Yane's.
"He should be here soon."
"Uh… thanks," Ren said, feeling awkward. He didn't know how to respond to all this attention. Part of him wanted to say Yane didn't need to act like he was some lost child—but he let it go.
Pushing the thought aside, Ren focused on the plate of food. It was simple—just rice. No seasoning, no vegetables, just plain rice. He eyed it with a mix of curiosity and doubt.
"Sorry," the boy said, noticing his expression. "I guess you're used to something tastier."
Ren shook his head. "No, that's not the issue. It's the kind of food that bothers me."
The boy raised an eyebrow, confused. "What do you mean?"
Ren realized he'd spoken out loud. Embarrassed, he tried to explain.
"It's just… rice can be preserved for a really long time—like a century—if stored properly."
"So?"
"If we're eating this kind of long-shelf-life food, it means our supplies are limited. Eventually, we'll run out."
The boy was silent for a moment, as if choosing his words carefully. Then he shrugged.
"I think you're overthinking it."
Ren frowned. "What do you mean?"
The boy adjusted his glasses and took a deep breath.
"Think about it. David and Carla are here with us, in the same conditions. You know who their parents are, right?"
Ren nodded, prompting him to go on. He knew very well—David and Carla were the children of powerful, influential figures who had played major roles in the war. Their presence here, among other teenagers, was a constant reminder that this wasn't just a simple shelter.
"Not to mention most of the people stuck here have relatives with high status," the boy continued.
"You're one of them too. I think we're part of a test—a kind of simulation to preserve future alliances and prevent another war."
He paused, letting the idea sink in.
"And if things ever get out of hand, those in charge will step out of the shadows to restore order."
Ren thought about it. It made sense. The place was too organized, too advanced, to be just a survival bunker. And the presence of teens from elite families couldn't be a coincidence. But it didn't answer all his questions.
"So you think we're just pawns in a bigger game?"
The boy shrugged.
"Maybe. But for now, we don't really have a choice. And if it is a test… might as well pass it, right?"
Ren smiled despite himself. The boy had a pragmatic way of seeing things.
"Hey, Yane's back!" the boy said.
Ren turned and saw Yane approaching, looking both relieved and slightly annoyed.
"Ren! You scared me. I've been searching everywhere!"
"Sorry," Ren replied sheepishly. "I got lost in the library."
Yane smiled, his usual energy returning at once.
"No problem. But next time, let me know, okay? We're all in this together."
Ren nodded, but his mind was elsewhere. He kept thinking about what the boy with glasses had said—the theory that they were part of a test, a simulation to prevent future conflict. It explained a lot, but it also raised new questions.
He sighed. Yane didn't seem ready to question anything. But to Ren, the test theory felt too important to ignore. He had to know more.
"Come on, let's go," Yane said, placing a hand on his shoulder. "It's late, and we've got a big day tomorrow."
Ren agreed, but his thoughts were already racing. He knew one thing for sure: he had to dig deeper, uncover the truth behind this place and their role in it.
And so, he began spending most of his time in the library.