I woke up feeling more refreshed than usual. I’ve had no shortage of good sleep at night, but today felt particularly relieving. Also, ever since the tournament, I haven’t had any dreams of that….thing.

  I opened my eyes and expected to be greeted by the same bland gray room. I haven’t talked about it much in my diary, but my room truly was bland. There were just gray walls and a glass pane that showed the outside of my room. It used to be dreary and hopeless, but considering I can leave my room whenever I want now, it does little more than remind me of when I first came here.

  On the far left of my room is my bed. It is a simple white mattress on the floor with a dirty blanket, and hidden in the pillow cushion is the arrowhead I stole a couple of months ago.

  Speaking of time, I believe it’s been a little over a year and six months since I’ve been here. I’ve recorded my actions in my diary ever since I received it six months ago, and it’s been a useful way to alleviate stress despite what I thought initially.

  However, the room I had been so accustomed to had changed completely.

  There were now pink banners hanging from the glass pane, and confetti everywhere on the floor. I looked up at the ceiling to see countless balloons attempting to escape the confines of this facility, incessantly bumping into each other while moving left and right.

  “What…?”

  “Hahahahahah! HAHAHAAHA!” A girlish voice shrieked to my right.

  As expected, the person standing at my door, and the most likely perpetrator of the fashion death of my room….was Zero.

  Her white hair and red eyes shone with triumphant glee as she stood and looked at me in the doorway, arms crossed.

  “You thought you could just stick your tongue out at me and get away with it?! Did you think you won or something?! Now look what happened! Your room got the prettiest makeover from me, don’t you like it? Hahahaha!”

  I almost said something, but refrained from it. I stood up and looked at the mess on my floor. Despite my appearance, I’m quite the clean freak when it comes to organization, and just looking at the ground irked me.

  It seems to have been showing on my face, as Zero ran up to me with a grin.

  “Huh? What was that? You wanna say something, don’t you? Huh? Huh? Huh?” She teased as she continued to poke me.

  So annoying…!

  I swatted her hand away and began walking toward the cafeteria. Not that it deterred her, as she came walking close behind me.

  “My dad doesn’t like you, y’know.” She said with a smile, leaning forward.

  Ok…?

  We continued to walk.

  “But that’s a good thing. I hate my dad, so if he doesn’t like you…you’re good in my book!” She spoke exuberantly, punching my shoulder.

  She then ran in front of me to block my path.

  “Don’t you wanna know why?”

  I shook my head and pushed past her. In response, she scoffed and ran next to me again.

  “To be a knight, you have to learn about the princess!”

  I had no idea what she was talking about.

  “Hey…when are you going to talk to me?! We need each other, y’know, you have the same look as me! Don’t you want to–!”

  What she was about to say was cut off as I saw a familiar face at the doors of the cafeteria.

  “Ah, 963! It’s been about a week or so, how’ve you been?” The boy named Theo asked me, his short brown hair extremely unkempt like he had just woken up.

  “Is it your group’s cycle right now?” I asked him, ignoring the expression of the nuisance to my left

  “Yeah, there’s a single-digit with black hair eating in there right now. Some of my friends in my cycle have been working up the courage to talk to her. She usually eats alone.”

  Black hair…..

  “It must be that nervous wreck, No.9. She’s creepy and no one really likes her.” Zero commented rudely.

  “Oh, really? Are you also a single-digit?” Theo asked, pushing the doors open for us.

  “From a hero to Zero! Pleasure to meet you, 963’s friend.”

  “No.71, likewise. You can just call me Theo. I didn’t know Mr. Long-hair here had any friends; he always keeps to himself.”

  “He doesn’t, that’s why I’m trying to graciously help him.”

  “Theo, you speak as if I’m not here. The reason why I keep to myself is that talking to people usually takes too much effort. Especially people who actively work against me.” I said, giving a cold glare to Zero.

  “I feel like you overthink talking to people…” Theo commented unnecessarily.

  “You may hate me for what I said, but without your performance, you wouldn’t have free reign like you do now! I won’t ask you to thank me, but you can’t hate me for it!” She retorted.

  “You’re partially correct,” I said, responding to her for the first time. “Yet that doesn’t erase the suffering I had to endure, nor does it restore my room to its former state.”

  “Urrrrgh! Fine! I’ll help you clean up the room, I’m sorry, ok!” She whined begrudgingly.

  “No, I don’t even want you near my room. An apology and a promise not to interfere is enough.” I said, waving her off as we received much higher-quality food than the other triple-digits.

  “Huh? Why don’t you want me near your room? Got something to hide?” She said with a sly grin. “My dad always said that when boys reach a certain age, they like to hide stuff under their bed.”

  “Spare me your perverted fantasies that you indulge in; I don’t have time for such a thing in this place.”

  “Pfft! You guys act like an old couple!” Theo joked.

  “....Dude, what are you talking about?” Zero asked with a dumbfounded expression.

  “I concur, stop speaking nonsense.”

  “Well….I thought……” He stuttered.

  “Hey, look, it’s No.9. Let’s go bother her.” Zero chirped as she skipped to intrude on No.9’s personal space.

  We both stood in silence for a moment before I inspected Theo’s food. “How did you get food like ours? You’re not a single-digit….or a single-digit adjacent for that matter.”

  This story originates from a different website. Ensure the author gets the support they deserve by reading it there.

  “I dunno, maybe it’s because I was walking with you guys.” He shrugged as I followed him to No.9 and Zero’s seats.

  “So then I basically glitter-bombed his room, but he didn’t like it!” She complained, wrapping her arm around No.9.

  “I-I don’t think I’d like that either…..” No.9 responded sheepishly as Theo and I sat across from them.

  “See, anyone with sense realizes how horrible your fashion sense is,” I said, lightly cutting my pork cutlet.

  “If I am the only right one in the world…..mmf!” She chattered, shoving food in her mouth. “Then sho beit!”

  “Hey, 963! And you are….?” She asked, looking at Theo.

  “Theo.”

  “Theo! Nice to meet you! I’m No.9….uh…..and I like flying kites!”

  “Who even asked?” Zero chuckled, spitting food all over my face.

  “No.2 told me that if I wanted to make more friends, I should talk about my hobbies!”

  “Doesh id look like dat four-eyesh nos how to make fwiends?” She asked, spitting more food in my face.

  “So…he was wrong?”

  “No….not necessarily.” Theo said. “But when you meet someone, you don’t just spout out your hobbies. You ask them what they do for fun first, and see if you’ve got anything in common. Here, try with 963.”

  I had heard what Theo said, but didn’t process it because I was too busy wiping the food off my face.

  “Ok, 963, what do you like to do for fun?” No.9 asked me. I sat there and thought for a moment, thinking of all the pastimes I participated in back in my homeland.

  “Well–”

  “He likesh clean–”

  “Can you shut up? You’re spraying food everywhere, slob. It’s disgusting.” I snapped, unable to hold back my rage anymore.

  Zero quickly swallowed her food and pointed her fork at me. “Y’know, I don’t think I like your attitude, short-stack.”

  “We’re the same height.”

  “You do realize I could wipe the floor with you, right? You'd better watch how you talk to me, and treat me like a princess.” She said, attempting to gracefully flip her hair.

  “The only skill you exceed me in is being annoying. I don’t know if it was apparent in the tournament, but I’m not above harming girls… if you can even be called that.”

  “That’s it. To the training room. I’m going to put you in your place, little boy.”

  “We’re probably the same age.”

  “You don’t know that.” She said as we both stood up, leaving our food on the table.

  “W-Wait! You two! You can’t use the training room!” No.9 spoke up.

  “Huh? Why not?” Zero asked, confused.

  “You didn’t know? I thought you, of all people, would know.”

  “Stop stalling and just tell me!” Zero shouted.

  “Your dad, The Hero, is doing a combat test with all of the single-digits today. I wanted to eat food right before it happens, because if I don’t, I get too nervous. Also, my ability tends to work better when I have a full stomach.”

  “Whuh-?! That’s today?!” Zero screamed in shock. “Aw, shoot! 963, we gotta go!” She said urgently, hopping over the table and grabbing my forearm.

  “What….? I asked, before being pulled away from the lunch table.

  “H-Hey! Wait for me! I was gonna ask if we could all go together anyway!” No.9 yelled, following after us.

  “I don’t know what’s happening, but I’m sure if I’m with you guys, I won’t get in trouble,” Theo said, happily following us.

  I thought of breaking away from her grasp, but realized the potential opportunities this situation could bring. From what I remember, this “Hero” is her father, and a very important person in this facility. If someone of his standing is conducting a combat test, there is much that could be learned about the reason this place exists in the first place. Is it condoned? Does anyone else know about this place? If any of these answers were “yes” it would make escape much harder.

  “Hey! What are you even thinking about with that dazed expression?” Zero asked, gripping my hand tighter. “We’re here. Look sharp, opportunities like this don’t come often.” She said, standing proudly in front of the large metal doors of the training hall.

  “Opportunities such as…..?” I asked, ripping my hand away from her.

  She held a confident smirk as the doors slowly opened. “Opportunities to escape, of course!”

  When the doors opened, I was greeted with all of the numbers standing in a line in what looked to be the same combat suit I wore for the tournament. All except for No.9, who ran from behind us and gave a deep bow.

  “I-I’m sorry I’m late! I was tied up a bit at lunch!”

  “Ya got some balls, No.9!” No.5 laughed. “I could never keep the Hero waiting!”

  “T-The Hero’s not even here yet!” No.9 chirped as she shuffled past them to put on her combat uniform.

  “Ah, no.963. I don’t believe I called you here today….what business do you have here?” The head researcher said as he walked up to Zero and I.

  “My room was defiled. I came here so I don’t have to look at it.”

  “I see…?”

  “And…No.71? I don’t believe I scheduled one of our sessions for today. You should not be here.”

  “Aw….can’t I stay?” Theo pleaded.

  “No. If you wish to fraternize with them, you must prove yourself. Come back on the scheduled day.” He said, waving him off.

  “Ah, well. I tried. I’ll see you later, 963, and you too, strange girl!” Theo waved, shrugging off the rejection like nothing as he walked back through the metal doors.

  “Hey! I told you my name!” Zero shouted with an annoyed expression.

  “Did you?” I asked, unable to remember.

  “I don’t really know.” She shrugged, already over it.

  What are these sessions the head researcher mentioned? Is there more to Theo than I thought? Is he someone that I have to keep an eye on as well?

  “Hey.” A voice called out from my left. I turned and saw the narcissistic blond boy staring at me with annoyance.

  “What?”

  “I bet you think you’re pretty fast, huh?” He said, sticking his finger in my face.

  “.....I didn’t even—”

  “I know what you think! You lasted longer on the treadmill than me, and now you think you’re some hotshot when you don’t even have a power! Well, just watch and learn, I’ll show you why I’m so high-ranked here! The Hero won’t even see me coming!”

  “How….high-ranked are you exactly? I find that hard to believe, apologies.”

  “Wha–?! No.4! I’m No.4! You’ll remember my number after this fight, believe it!” He shouted, taking out a brush and styling his hair as he sauntered off.

  “What….was that?”

  “You wouldn’t believe it, but No.4 is actually very insecure. Especially after I started switching his shampoo for lotion.” Zero chuckled silently.

  Evil…..

  Before I commented on that heinous act, No.9 ran out of the changing room with her combat uniform, just as the man we had all been waiting for stepped into the room. He had crimson red eyes, and medium-length black hair fashioned into a bob. He had a scruffy beard and was wearing a clean-cut suit.

  ““Greetings to the Hero! Thank you for saving us from our plight!”” All of the single digits yelled, except for Zero.

  “963, Zero, you may watch from over there if you’d like. If he allows it, you are welcome to join.” The head researcher said, turning his attention back to the single digits.

  I walked over to the corner of the room and sat down, with Zero following close behind.

  “Ahem, as you all know….today is a very special day! The Chosen Hero, Zagra Dahia will be personally instructing and testing your progress today! Make sure to show your best performance.”

  ““Yes, sir!””

  “Now, Mr. Dahia, if you would.”

  He sighed loudly and took a step in front of the 9 children.

  “Frankly, I don’t see the point in this. But in accordance with my goal, I will need you all to grow and develop your gifts as fast as possible. To that end, I will fight against all the subjects in this room and push you to the brink of death, to assist in the further awakening of your powers. If you all manage to somehow defeat me or make me concede, I’ll grant you any wish you want.”

  “U-Us against you?!” A girl with matted green-hair asked worriedly. Her hair was waving around as if it had a life of its own.

  “Ha! I’ve been wanting to test my skills against the Hero!” No.5 yelled as he got into a fighting position.

  Regardless of how they felt, they all eventually got into a ready stance. All except for No.1, who just stood there with a smile.

  “Come!” Zagra yelled as he stomped and flames erupted from his shoe.

  Flames….? Just like No.8.

  No.5 charged forward, blood seeping from his body. Following close behind was his sibling, No.6, who turned invisible behind the havoc No.5 was causing.

  “Ohhhh yeah! Let’s get this party started!” He yelled confidently.

  No.5 threw multiple blades of blood, just like he did to me, right at Zagra. The speed hadn’t increased since the last time, which was apparent due to how easily Zagra dodged them.

  From behind No.5, No.4 ran straight at Zagra with his speed while lining a punch up.

  “Hrrrrrragh! Taaake thiiiis!” He shouted right before he attacked.

  Without even moving, Zagra snapped his fingers, and a line of fire appeared in front of him. With his current speed, No.4 couldn’t stop in time and ran head-first into the flames.

  “AAAAAAAAAAAGH! My eyes! It burns! AGH–!”

  Zagra then burst forward to grab No.4’s face and slammed it into the white padding on the floor.

  Silence filled the training hall.

  “....Who’s next?”