Covenant of Error
Chapter 27 – Control Measures
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The incident at the academy gate—
Was not made public.
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But it also could not be hidden.
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Within just a few hours—
The entire upper level knew.
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"The testing matrix failed."
"Unable to lock Rei."
"Unable to classify."
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And most importantly—
> "Unable to control."
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The next morning—
Rei was summoned.
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Not to a classroom.
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But to the council chamber.
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A spacious room.
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Cold lighting.
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Twelve seats.
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Only eight were occupied.
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The Council.
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Elias stood beside Rei.
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Not as a teacher.
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But as… the one responsible.
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An elder spoke:
"Rei."
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"We will not waste time."
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"What are you?"
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Silence.
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Rei answered:
"… Not applicable."
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Another tapped the table.
"That is not an answer."
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Rei looked at them.
"… That is the most accurate answer at present."
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No one refuted immediately.
Because they knew—
He was right.
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Another elder spoke:
"You interfered with the testing system."
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"Explain."
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Rei replied:
"… I did not interfere."
"I simply did not allow it to apply to me."
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"What is the difference?"
"… The result is the same. The mechanism is different."
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The atmosphere grew heavy.
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Elias spoke:
"Enough."
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"You are asking the wrong question."
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A cold gaze turned to him.
"Explain."
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Elias looked straight ahead.
"The issue is not what he is."
"The issue is—what you can do with him."
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Silence.
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An elder slowly said:
"… Exactly."
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He turned to Rei.
"At present, there are three options."
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The space in the room seemed to grow heavier.
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"Option one—"
"Sealing."
"Complete isolation from the system."
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"Option two—"
"Research."
"Retention, control, and analysis."
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"Option three—"
A pause.
"… Elimination."
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Lira stood outside the door.
Hearing everything.
Her hands clenched tightly.
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Elias did not react immediately.
He looked at Rei.
Waiting.
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Rei's expression did not change.
No surprise.
No objection.
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"… Acknowledged."
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An elder frowned.
"You have no opinion?"
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Rei replied:
"… This is a logical response."
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"Then what do you choose?"
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Silence.
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Inside Rei's mind—
Three options appeared.
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Sealing → no activity
Research → controlled
Elimination → termination
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None of them were optimal for survival.
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But this time—
There was another variable.
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> "Self-definition"
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Rei looked at the Council.
"… I do not choose."
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The entire room fell silent.
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An elder spoke coldly:
"You do not have that right."
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Rei replied:
"… Acknowledged."
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"But I still do not choose."
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Not resistance.
Not defiance.
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Just—
A declaration.
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The tension in the air became suffocating.
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Elias stepped forward.
"I take responsibility."
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All eyes turned to him.
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"During this time—"
"He will be under my supervision."
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"I will ensure—"
"He does not pose a threat."
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An elder asked:
"What do you use as guarantee?"
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Elias paused.
"… Myself."
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Silence.
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That was not a promise.
It was… staking himself.
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Someone said:
"You are violating protocol."
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Elias nodded.
"I know."
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"And if you fail?"
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Elias looked straight ahead.
"… I will handle it myself."
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No need to elaborate.
Everyone understood.
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A long silence.
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Finally—
The chairperson spoke:
"… Temporarily accepted."
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"Subject Rei will not be sealed."
"Nor eliminated."
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"But—"
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"He will be under high-level surveillance."
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"And if there are signs of losing control—"
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He looked at Elias.
"You know what to do."
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Elias nodded.
"… Acknowledged."
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The meeting ended.
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Rei turned away.
Left the room.
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Elias followed.
Said nothing.
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Out in the corridor—
Lira ran over.
"Is that true?!"
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Elias did not answer.
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Rei said:
"… Acknowledged."
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"You're not going to object at all?!"
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Rei looked at her.
"… Not necessary."
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"You could be killed!"
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Rei replied:
"… If that happens, that is the outcome."
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Lira fell silent.
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Elias spoke quietly:
"… You don't have to accept it like that."
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Rei looked at him.
"… I am not accepting it."
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"I am simply not resisting."
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A small difference.
But enough to change the meaning.
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Elias understood.
Rei was not complying.
He simply… did not resist until necessary.
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From afar—
The tall, thin man smiled.
"At last, it begins."
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"Not fighting an enemy."
"But fighting the structure."
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He turned away.
"Prepare the next phase."
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End of chapter.
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Hidden status panel:
> Rei (零)
Status: Under surveillance
Autonomy: Not recognized
Notes:
"The subject refuses to choose within the system."
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Arc 2 approaches its climax.
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And from this moment—
Rei is no longer outside the system.
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He stands at its very center.
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With one simple truth—
Either the system changes.
Or Rei will be erased.