The room was silent when Noel opened his eyes.
Not peaceful—sterile.
White light washed over smooth walls, reflected endlessly by polished surfaces that felt more like observation mirrors than decoration.
His head throbbed, each heartbeat echoing behind his eyes.
He tried to move but .
Restraints tightened around his wrists and ankles.
Not physical.
System-based.
A translucent interface hovered above him.
[Status: Detained]
[Reason: Pending review]
Noel exhaled slowly, forcing his breathing to steady.
So this is how the do it huh well it works well he thought.
There was No panic. No rage in Noel mind just confirmation
As he knew whatever he say it will ultimately go against him .
The sound footsteps came
The door slid open with a muted hiss, and three figures entered the room.
At the center was Victor Hale, his sharp eyes unreadable behind thin-rimmed glasses.
To his right stood Margaret Lawson, her expression composed, fingers folded neatly.
On the left—
Rajiv Arvind.
Noel's father did not look at him immediately.
"Citizen Noel Arvind," Victor said, his voice calm, amplified subtly by the Force . "You are currently under investigation for a violation of the Social Purity Act."
Margaret gestured, and a holographic projection bloomed in the air.
The recording.
Noel saw himself—unsteady, disoriented—inside the guest suite.
Rhea's voice echoed softly.
What are you doing here?
Everything was shown that way that would make Noel the culprit .
Arjun's figure appeared next.
The timing was perfect
The footage was precise.
Edited.
Clean.
The system overlaid annotations automatically.
[Unauthorised presence]
[Compromising Situation ]
[Intent Under Review]
This recording was submitted voluntarily," Margaret said. "Along with witness testimony."
Noel's gaze shifted slowly to his father.
He looked at his father not with expectation just curious to know what his father answer was .
Rajiv finally met his eyes. And Noel didn't find what he was looking for because
There was no anger there.
No disappointment.
Only calculation he didn't even scold Noel
It all looked as he did knew about all this .
"Noel," Rajiv said quietly, "why were you in that room?"
Noel knew his fate was sealed but still he spoke calmly. "I was summoned."
"By whom?"
"Arjun."
Margaret tilted her head. "Do you have proof?"
Noel said nothing
He could have called Ethan and told about the servant but he knew Ethan comes from a place which is ultimately under the Arvinds so he can't do anything and the servant would have been killed or sent away from this place or even the country .
So Of course he didn't have any proof .
Victor folded his hands. "The system does not operate on speculation. Only verified data."
The restraints around Noel's limbs tightened slightly.
Not painful.
Just enough to remind him of his position.
Rhea appeared in the projection again—her face pale, shaken.
Her recorded testimony played.
I didn't knew why he was there i
did not invite him.
I was surprised to see him there.
I felt unsafe with him she said her voice cracking.
Tears were coming out of her eyes .
Flawless just flawless. Noel said loudly.
The other turned towards him
Do you think a joke is playing here Rajiv said a strange aura descended in the place which made all of them scared.
For Noel it was even worse as it was directed at him .
Blood started comings from his ears and nose .
After sometime the pressure disappeared
Huff hufff .
Hmmmmm.
Noel took a deep breath
This will be last warning for you remember that . Rajiv said
Noel closed his eyes for a brief second.
When he opened them, he looked directly at Rajiv. This time he said with clarity.
"You know this is false."Rajiv's jaw tightened.
You are doing this because you don't want Arjun to punished because he has higher talent that me .
You always was biased towards him but i didn't hold it towards you . But now you are even twisting the truth how far will you fall.
"Truth," he said slowly, "is not what we believe. It is what the system confirms."
Margaret nodded. "Given the rank differential and the circumstances, the system has already reached a preliminary conclusion."
The hologram shifted.
[Citizen Noel Arvind – Rank A → Rank C]
A soft chime echoed through the room.
Noel felt it immediately.
Not pain.
Loss.
Something fundamental slipped away, like a door closing somewhere deep inside him.
Privileges dissolved.
Access revoked.
Connections severed.
Victor continued, "Further review may result in complete demotion."
Noel laughed quietly.
That finally earned him a reaction.
"A trial," Noel said. "You're sentencing me without one."
Victor's expression didn't change. "This is the trial."
Margaret glanced at Rajiv. "The family has also submitted a statement."
Noel turned slowly.
Rajiv inhaled, then spoke.
"For the sake of stability… The Arvind family withdraws its protection."
The words were precise.
Carefully chosen.
Final.
Noel stared at his father.
At the man who taught him to read.
Who taught him discipline.
Who once told him that rank meant nothing if you lacked integrity.
"So that's it," Noel said quietly.
Rajiv looked away.
The system chimed again.
[Citizen Noel Arvind – Rank C → Rank F]
This time, it hurt.
His chest tightened.
His vision blurred—not from tears, but from the sudden weight pressing down on him.
Rank F
The lowest classification.
Employment restrictions.
Social exclusion.
Marriage ineligibility.
Travel limitations.
Existence reduced to survival.
F ranks were called as people living in borrowed time as how many dies there was no record of it .
Margaret deactivated the projection. "You will be released shortly."
Victor nodded.
"Your presence at the estate is no longer permitted."
The restraints disengaged.
Noel sat up slowly, his body heavy, unfamiliar.
"Arjun," Noel said suddenly. "Where is he?"
Rajiv hesitated.
"He has fulfilled his duty to the family."
Noel stood up
Unsteady.
But upright.
He met each of their gazes in turn.
"I hope," he said calmly, "that the system never turns on you."
Victor paused, just briefly.
Then the door opened.
Noel walked out.
The corridor beyond was empty.
Cold.
And as the estate doors sealed behind him, the city lights flickered in the distance—uncaring, endless, alive.
Above his wrist, the interface glowed faintly.
[Citizen– Rank F ]
[Warning: You are no longer protected by the system]
Noel looked up at the night sky.
And smiled.
"Good," he whispered
for the first time this
system had nothing left to take from me .
I am a man of free will now