The heavy doors of Director Flint's office opened once again.
Jake Clinton stepped inside.
The room was quiet, lit by soft white lights reflecting off polished metal walls. The wide glass window behind the desk showing the endless structure of Aerin stretching into the distance.
There Director Flint was standing near his desk, hands were crossed and waiting for Jake to come.
Flint didn't turn around at first.
"So, you're back," he said calmly. "And let me guess… this is again about that weakling."
Jake didn't deny it.
"Yes," he replied. "It's about Kael."
Flint finally turned to face him. His expression was tired, but firm. "I told you and now after those results, it's clear that, that kid doesn't have any Rin. And he also violated protocol simply by being here."
Jake stepped forward. "Flint, the results were wrong."
Flint raised an eyebrow. "Are you sure Lieutenant, be careful with your words. That report was made by one of our best examiners."
"I don't care," Jake said, his voice became harder. "I saw something in him. In that chamber, in his eyes—"
"Hallucinations," Flint interrupted. "Stress reactions happen."
"No," Jake said sharply. "That wasn't stress. That was something which we Aeri cannot have."
Flint walked back to his chair and sat down slowly. "You're letting emotions guide you."
Jake clenched his fists. "Maybe, but maybe not. I think, I have seen this before."
Flint studied him. "Explain."
Jake took a deep breath. "He reminds me of someone I loved. My brother. Max."
The name hung heavy in the room.
"Max Clinton," Flint said quietly. "The one who died during early Lust Sin Manifestation."
"But he wasn't weak," Jake said. "Everyone said that he was weak from his mind. But he was attacked by a devouring Monster of Lust in the mirror world, and was devoured by Lust.
Flint leaned back and raised an eyebrow. "And you think that Kael is the same?"
"I think he's worse," Jake replied. "Because Kael survived something no normal human should. He faced Wrath as from a newborn. And also he survived Hollow Hounds without Rin and also he drowned inside Resonance and came back breathing."
Flint's voice hardened. "But just survival alone does not grant permission to exist here."
Jake slammed his palm on the desk. "Then why does Aerin exist at all?! Wasn't it created to protect people like him?"
Flint didn't answer immediately.
Jake continued, his voice was shaking now. "I took responsibility. I said I'd train him. Watch him. And also that if he lost control—if he became a threat—I'd be the one to end his life."
Silence.
Flint stared at him for a long moment. "So you're asking me to break the law, protocol, and council authority."
"I'm just asking you to remember why this place was built," Jake said. "Before it became a machine."
Flint stood up slowly. "Alright, there is only one person who can decide this."
Jake looked up. "Who?"
Flint turned toward the window. "The Father of Aerin."
Jake's breath caught.
"Yoshi Todaki," Flint said.
Without another word, Flint reached into his coat and pulled out his smartphone. He tapped a contact and placed the call.
"Hello, this is Director Flint," he said into the phone. "We have a situation involving an unregistered human. Kael."
Flint explained everything—the Resonance failure, the eyes, Jake's insistence and the execution order.
And then they waited.
Minutes passed, still Jake stood frozen.
Finally, Flint spoke again. "Does Mr. Todaki has an answer?"
The call went silent.
Long seconds passed.
Then Flint's expression changed slightly.
"Yes, Yes…Understood," he said quietly.
The call ended.
Flint turned to Jake. "Yoshi Todaki says the boy should get one last chance."
Jake's eyes widened. "He agreed?"
"Yes," Flint said. "But under unofficial systems."
Jake frowned. "Then how?"
Flint swallowed. "The Survival Ethics Trial."
Jake froze.
"…That trial is impossible," he said. "Even trained operatives have difficulties in it."
"But it was Yoshi's condition," Flint replied. "Unrecorded. Unofficial and with no interference."
Jake shook his head. "But he'll die."
Flint's voice was firm. "Or he'll prove something we've forgotten. Jake see, this is the last chance."
Jake went silent. Then he nodded once.
"If the Father of Aerin said it," Jake said quietly, "then it must be done."
He turned and walked out of the office.
The isolation cell corridor was dark and cold.
Jake stopped in front of Kael's cell. The door was solid steel, no window, no way to see inside.
He didn't open it, he only spoke through the intercom.
"Hey Kael. It's me, Jake."
Inside the cell, Kael flinched.
"Tomorrow," Jake continued, "you have got one last chance."
Kael's heart began to race.
"A Survival Ethics Trial," Jake said. "If you fail, you'll be executed."
There was a pause.
"But if you survive," Jake added quietly, "you will prove that you belong to Aerin and become an Aeri."
Jake turned away and left.
Inside the cell, Kael sat in darkness.
But for the first time since the chamber—
Hope was born.