We were all stunned because the lesson he had taught seemed like science fiction. We asked Lauren to bring that book, and when we compared it to what he had written, it turned out he had taken excerpts from specific pages without writing anything complete. But I noticed something.
Me: "Guys, what are the page numbers he took from?"
Lina: "Hmm... ninety-four, forty-three, and thirty-nine."
Ryu: "Are you implying, [Kai], that they symbolize something?"
Lauren: "Either subtraction, addition... or division."
I looked at [Lauren] in shock, and everyone else was just as surprised. Then I said, swallowing hard: "If we add those numbers, the sum is one hundred and sixty-seven."
Lauren: "And the digits making up those numbers are three, nine, and four."
Lina: "Aren't four and nine considered ominous numbers?"
Ryu: "And three symbolizes completeness and neutrality. Mentioning three alongside four and nine, with the sum in between being seven—which represents optimism."
Me: "That leaves the number eight, which is considered auspicious. If we divide the sum by it, the result is twenty-two."
Lauren: "And if we divide that by two, the result is eleven."
Lina (in a loud, shocked voice): "Eleven?!"
Ryu: "W-Wait... doesn't eleven symbolize a bridge or a gateway to another world? A parallel dimension?"
We were all in shock—what he had written was a riddle.
Lauren: "Then he chose us, the top students in the school, because we could solve it."
Me: "I don't think that's all. He said the meeting was about today's lesson, and today's lesson was about parallel worlds or another dimension. Plus, he didn't inspect us and went to a weak school because no one there would solve the riddle."
Ryu: "Then... we have to go to him."
Me: "But we should bring our weapons. There's something deeper behind this."
Lauren: "Then let's all prepare ourselves and meet back here at exactly eight fifteen."
We nodded, and each of us went to get ready. When I returned home, I ordered [Zeus] to stay close in case anything happened. I was connected through my earpiece and ring, and I instructed [Leah] to keep her sniper scope on him at all times. As for [Serge], he would protect the house.
{(Zeus)
The name of my assistant android, who handles everything for me. He takes the form of a 22-year-old man, and I own an earpiece and ring connected to my mind for instant communication and sensory feedback. They're stored in a watch that opens to release them. The earpiece has an arm that wraps around my ear to link with my mind. He's trained in all combat arts.
(Serge)
The name of the primary household android. He takes the form of a 15-year-old boy and handles external tasks like gardening, fetching supplies, and occasionally cleaning. He's also programmed in all sword-fighting techniques.
(Leah)
The secondary household android, taking the form of a 15-year-old girl. She manages internal organization, cooking, and is programmed in women's self-defense and sniper tactics.
(Codex)
The name of the AI I developed, connected to everything—the house, the car, and all my devices.
(All of them were personally programmed and built by me.)
By around seven-thirty, I was ready and met up with Ryu.
Ryu: "So, where are the girls and... why did you bring them?" He was referring to the androids.
Me: "Just in case something happens."
After gathering at the training hall, we agreed not to act recklessly to avoid trouble.
When we stood before the thirteenth building—which was extremely tall, at least twenty stories by my estimate—Lina (sharply and firmly) asked: "So, where is he?"
No sooner had she spoken than a large stone fell from the top of the building.
Ryu: "I think it came from the roof, but there's a message on it."
Written on the stone was: "Climb to the top of the building."
Lauren (puzzled): "Friends... the building's entrance is locked."
I replied, thinking: "Wait, my weapon can get me and [Lauren] up there."
Ryu, confused: "Then neither I nor [Lina] can climb."
I thought for a moment, then said: "No, you can."
I gestured to [Zeus], who approached. "I'll climb using my weapon and anchor myself so you can ascend."
Lina, bewildered: "But what will you do? And why did you leave Lauren with us?"
I answered: "You'll stay below. [Lauren] will fire an arrow with a rope, and I'll secure it to something sturdy at the top. Then [Zeus] will convert his hand into a small pulley to lift you up via the rope."
They agreed. I climbed by embedding my weapon into parts of the building and retracting the wire connected to my wristband. When I reached the top, I found him sitting on an extravagant chair, left leg crossed over his right, sipping sparkling juice—clearly left-handed.
Then the arrow reached the top since I was linked with [Zeus]. Once it was anchored, he spoke.
He chuckled lightly and said: "I assume this was your idea."
I replied coldly, sharply, as my friends reached the top: "So, what do you want, [Ryan Shingo]?"
Ryan: "Don't glare at me like that. No one would believe you're fifteen."
He stood from his chair and said: "I assume you've solved the riddle—that's why you're here."
Ryu said: "You orchestrated this to make us come. You knew we'd solve it, so you waited, certain we'd show up."
Ryan smiled and said: "Then let's get to the point. You, [Lauren], read many books, so I assume you've heard of a book discussing a group of people called the Azahir."
Lauren replied: "Yes, I remember there was a book about that. It had a limited print run, but when I bought it, it was the last copy."
Ryan responded: "Do you remember the author's name?"
Lauren answered: "If my memory serves me right, it was Shingo Ray—"
Ryu gasped: "You reversed your name."
Ryan continued: "And do you remember which store you bought it from? Is it still there?"
Lauren hesitated: "It was a small shop, barely had anything in stock, but the book stood out among the junk. But that was a year ago... though I do remember another book was with it..." (She froze.) "...The Book of Science Myths."
We were all shocked—he knew everything.
"So you planned this," I said, furious.
To be continued...