Covenant of Error
Chapter 17 – Before There Was a Definition
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The night before returning to the Black Forest.
The academy was quieter than usual.
Not because of regulations.
But because of rumors.
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"They'll take Rei for testing tomorrow."
"At the ancient stone circle."
"What if the result is bad?"
"Don't know…"
The conversations stopped when Rei passed by.
No one said it directly.
But no one hid it anymore.
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Rei did not stop.
Did not react.
But data was recorded.
> Frequency of references to the subject's "nature": increasing
Social connections: unstable
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Elias stood in his private room.
Dim light.
Shadows stretched across the wall.
He looked at his hand.
Magic power fluctuated slightly.
Not as stable as before.
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An old memory surfaced.
A student.
A battle.
A decision beyond limits.
He had once chosen.
And the price—
Was not punishment.
But that he was no longer allowed to form attachments.
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A knock on the door.
Elias did not turn.
"Come in."
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Rei entered.
No notice.
No permission.
Simply entered.
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They were silent for a few seconds.
Elias spoke first.
"Do you know what tomorrow is?"
"A classification test."
"You can refuse."
Rei processed.
0.7 seconds.
"Probability of consequences if I refuse?"
"Undetermined."
"Probability of being forced?"
Elias did not answer.
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Rei looked at him.
"You want me to go."
Not a question.
A conclusion.
---
Elias clenched his hand.
"I want… to know."
Not for the system.
Not for the Council.
But for himself.
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Rei gave a slight nod.
"Understood."
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Silence.
The air was heavy.
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Elias continued:
"If the result is not human…"
He stopped.
Did not finish the sentence.
---
Rei looked straight at him.
"I will be eliminated?"
"No."
Elias answered immediately.
"I will not let that happen."
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Rei tilted his head.
"Why?"
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A simple question.
But Elias did not answer right away.
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In his mind—
There were many reasons.
Responsibility.
Guilt.
Past wrong decisions.
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But in the end—
He only said:
"Because you are my student."
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Rei recorded.
> Reason: role relationship
But there was a slight deviation.
Elias's voice did not fully match logical data.
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Rei said:
"You are violating power conditions."
Elias smiled faintly.
"I know."
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A pause.
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Rei turned.
Preparing to leave.
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"Rei."
Elias called.
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He stopped.
Did not turn back.
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"Do you want to know what you are?"
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The question hung in the air.
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Rei did not answer immediately.
1.3 seconds.
Longer than usual.
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Within the internal system:
> Benefits of knowing:
Determining position within the system
Reducing uncertainty
Risks:
Being limited
Being defined
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Rei said:
"… Not necessary for survival."
Elias was not surprised.
"I'm not asking about survival."
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For the first time—
Rei did not have an immediate answer.
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"… Don't know."
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A rare response.
Not a complete logic.
Not a conclusion.
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Elias looked at him.
"Then tomorrow, decide for yourself."
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Rei said nothing more.
He left the room.
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The corridor was empty.
Dim lights.
---
Rei stopped midway.
No one around.
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He placed a hand on his chest.
Heartbeat steady.
Not fast.
Not slow.
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> If there were a definition…
Would it change anything?
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A question without data.
Without an answer.
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In another corner of the academy—
Lira leaned against a wall.
She had heard part of the conversation.
Not intentionally.
Just by chance.
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She looked at Rei from afar.
"You're really going?"
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Rei looked at her.
"Confirmed."
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Lira stepped closer.
"Aren't you scared?"
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Rei answered immediately:
"No data on 'fear'."
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Lira sighed.
"I mean… what if the result isn't good?"
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Rei processed.
0.9 seconds.
"Then it will be handled."
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A very… Rei answer.
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But Lira didn't smile.
She looked at him.
"Do you think… you want to stay here?"
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Rei paused.
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Another question.
Not within mission parameters.
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> Want to stay
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Searching data.
No direct result.
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But there were links:
> Stable environment
Social connections (forming)
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Rei answered more slowly than usual.
"… Undetermined."
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Lira nodded slightly.
"Then… come back."
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Not an order.
Not a request.
Just a statement.
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Rei recorded.
> Social response: desire for continued existence
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The night ended.
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The next morning—
The group prepared to leave the academy.
Not many came to see them off.
But many eyes followed.
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Rei stood at the gate.
Looking toward the Black Forest.
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Internal system display:
> Event: Soul classification test
Status: Approaching
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A new line appeared.
Not from the old system.
Not from analysis.
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> Reason for participation:
Mission
Verification
…
The final line was filled in.
Slowly.
But clearly.
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> "Want to know."
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Arc 2 continues.
And this time—
Rei is not just being taken for testing.
He is stepping into a place that may define him.