Eash's digital eye screen blinked.
07:00 AM.
He sat up straight and looked at Riyushi and Spark.
"Okay," he said calmly. "Let's go to the roof of this aircraft. It's time."
The hallway glowed with soft blue lights. The walls shifted like screens, showing peaceful skies as they walked.
The floor under their feet moved slightly. They reached a clear elevator that moved without sound. Within seconds, they were rising toward the top.
As the door opened, a stunning view welcomed them.
The roof was wide, huge.
Almost 500 students stood or sat across the space, yet it still felt open-quiet.
Digital desks floated around, filled with snacks and warm drinks. Soft sofas were placed neatly.
Some students chatted, others looked at the sky. The glass roof showed fluffy clouds above and below them-the aircraft was flying right through the heavens.
Riyushi's eyes widened.
"Woah..."
Spark whispered, "This is insane..."
They spotted Yuri and Liliyan at a desk and joined them.
Everyone looked amazed-but Eash stood still.
He wasn't amazed.
He was ready.
A man in a long black coat walked through the students toward him. His silver badge shone on his chest.
Inspector Kartiz.
He stopped in front of Eash and held out his hand.
"As you said, Mr. Lorenas," Kartiz said, "I've told everyone to come to the roof for this investigation. Now it's your turn to find the culprit."
Eash shook his hand firmly.
"Thank you. That helped me a lot."
He noticed Professor Kalhen was sitting in the corner, eyes on him. But there was no sign of Headmaster Helhed.
He didn't need to ask.
He knew the robotic bird would come soon-with a hologram of the Headmaster.
A quiet smile touched Eash's lips. Not on the outside. Inside.
He could hear every thought in this place. Every lie. Every fear. Every hidden truth.
His mind was scanning silently-searching.
The artificial sun above gave a soft golden light. The air was cool, peaceful.
Through the clear roof, he could see the clouds moving by.
A signal blinked in his brain.
Current location: Above Korea.
Next: Japan.
Eash took one step forward.
He took a breath.
And then-
He began to speak.
______
Eash's voice was calm, but firm. His eyes moved slowly over the crowd.
"Okay, thanks everyone for coming here," he began. "You all know what happened. But let me explain once again."
The students grew quiet. Even the wind seemed to stop.
Eash took a step forward. His voice became sharper, more serious.
"Let me tell you what happened yesterday evening."
Everyone listened carefully.
"The secretary of PSTU, Mr. Ukohama, noticed something strange. One of our most valuable devices - the HCD, or Human Controller Device - was stolen."
A few students whispered in surprise.
"That device was invented by Professor Kelhen," Eash continued, his eyes briefly meeting the professor's. "It was built by the Psychological Department. It's not just a machine. It's powerful... it can even control a human's mind and body. That device was in the Office room of Headmaster Mr. Helhed. "
Even the wind went silent.
Eash went on, "That HCD was supposed to be shown to Russian scientists today. We could've earned millions from that deal. But now..."
He looked around slowly.
"Someone replaced the real HCD with a fake one. It looks the same-but it's just a shell."
He paused for a second.
"This was not just a prank. This was planned. Smartly. Quietly. Like a shadow in the system."
Riyushi clenched his fists. Spark frowned. Yuri and Liliyan stared at Eash with wide eyes.
"And now," Eash said softly, "we're going to find out who did it."
He looked around. His digital eye recorded every movement, every blink.
"The person who did this is standing right here. Among us. Right now."
Silence.
"I didn't call you here to scare anyone," Eash said. "I just want the truth."
He glanced at Inspector Kartiz, who nodded.
Eash turned back to the crowd.
"I've already found a few clues. But before I say anything, I'll give everyone one chance. If the person who did it steps forward now... I'll make sure you're not punished heavily."
His voice dropped lower.
"But if not... I'll show everyone what I know."
The sky above them was peaceful. But the air on the roof felt heavier now.
The game had started.
Eash's voice stayed calm, but sharp like a knife.
"First, let me tell you what we've found so far from our investigation."
He looked around the digital rooftop. Everyone was silent.
"The thief was clever. Very clever."
Eash raised a small holo-pad from his pocket and pressed a button. A 3D image of a device popped up in the air.
"This is a Neuro-Block Scanner. It was used the night before last to shut down the inner CCTV camera of the PSTU office room. That scanner can block signals and blind any camera or body sensor for a short time."
A low murmur spread in the crowd.
"As Mr. Ukohama said, the power supply of this aircraft slightly drops every night-a normal thing. But strangely, only the office room's power dropped completely that night. Not the rest of the ship."
He looked straight at Mr. Ukohama.
"Interesting, right? But not my business... yet."
Some students chuckled nervously.
"In the morning," Eash continued, "every CCTV camera was back on-except the inner one. Then at exactly 3:47:24 PM, the outer CCTV camera was shut down. The secretary, Mr. Ukohama, didn't even notice."
Eash took a slow breath.
"When we checked the Control Room later, we found that two robot desks-the ones that control the inner and outer cameras-were disabled."
He turned his eyes back to the crowd. "And remember, the Control Room can only be opened by Mr. Ukohama's body scan."
He paused.
"So... who did it?"
Just then, Inspector Kartiz stepped forward. He held up a digital tablet, his voice serious.
"And also, we checked the entry logs. During the time the outer CCTV cameras were disabled, only three students entered the office zone."
He read from the screen:
"1. Riyushi Izume
2. Eash Lorenas
And, before that time, the outer CCTV recorded Spark Godwin entering the office without any reason. So he is also under suspicion."
Everyone turned to look at the three boys. Riyushi stayed quiet. Spark blinked in confusion. Eash stayed calm.
Eash now turned to the tall man standing quietly on the side-Professor Kalhen.
Eash's voice was clear and direct.
"Before I continue... Professor Kalhen," he said, "would you kindly explain what you were doing in the office room at exactly 3:49 AM the night before the last ?"
The room fell into silence. The wind stopped. Even the clouds outside seemed to pause.
Professor Kalhen didn't move at first.
His sharp grey eyes met Eash's for a brief moment. The crowd held its breath.
Then, slowly, Kalhen stood up.
"I was... checking on the project," he said flatly. "Something that needed recalibration. Anyway that's my invention. "
Eash tilted his head. "At 3:49 AM? Alone? Without informing the Headmaster?"
Kalhen's jaw tightened. "I had clearance."
"Interesting," Eash said softly, "because the logbook shows no permission given that night. In fact, the system shows your ID was used to enter-but not to exit."
A soft murmur passed through the students.
Inspector Kartiz tapped something on his digital screen. "Confirmed. The professor's ID entry is on record... but no exit scan."
Professor Kalhen didn't flinch.
"I left through the secondary lab gate," he said. "It doesn't require an exit scan."
Eash nodded slowly.
"Fair enough. But the same secondary gate was under maintenance that night. All access was locked."
Silence again.
For the first time, Kalhen looked... cornered.
Eash's voice cut through the air, calm but piercing.
"Which means, Professor... either the logs are lying-" he paused, "or you are."
Kalhen's fingers twitched.
"What are you trying to say? Why would I steal my own project. Know you place kid. "
Riyushi whispered to Spark, "This is getting serious."
Eash turned to the crowd again.
"But I'm not saying Professor Kalhen stole the HCD," he said carefully. "At least... not yet."
Be continued...